Janice Ledgerwood 

Office: ART 155 

Office Hours: M/W, 9:00-10:00 am, F, 8:00-9:00 am OR by appointment 

E-mail: janice.ledgerwood@reedleycollege.edu b

Voicemail: 559.638.0250 

Blackboard: http://www.reedleycollege.edu 

Fall 2006 

“To be creative is to lose one’s fear of being wrong...” Joseph Chilton Pearce 

ART 1: ART BASICS 

Course Description: Every art form, whether graphic design, painting, photography, video, digital or sculpture, 
relies on the ELEMENTS and PRINCIPLES of design for its visual potency. Art Basics provides a basic 
understanding of the structure of art and design through exploration and application of its various components: 
line, value, shape, volume, and texture (ELEMENTS); and contrast, balance, pattern, rhythm, movement, 
emphasis, and unity (PRINCLPLES). The ELEMENTS are “nouns,” or tools used by the artist to create the 
PRINCIPLES, or “verbs,” which visually activate works of art. How well an artist understands and manipulates his 
or her formal language (ELEMENTS and PRINCIPLES) determines the overall success of the finished work. 

Course Objectives: In this class, you will be introduced to the basic elements and processes, which comprise 
visual communication and perception. Course concentration will focus on understanding the creative process as 
well as generating and organizing visual information into coherent, communicative ideas. Class will consist of 
lectures, art projects, critiques. You will work with a variety of media and subject matter. In addition to class 
work, you will have to finish your assignments, write a short paper and complete readings as assigned. 

Prerequisites: This is a foundation class. No art prerequisites are required. 

Academic Accommodation: If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in 
alternate media (i.e. Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ASA) or 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact me as soon as possible. In addition, it is your responsibility 
to contact the Disabled Student Services Office at extension 3332 to request Academic Accommodation. 

Personal Electronics Policy: Cell phones, Blackberries, iPods, MP3 players, headphones, and other similar 
electronic devices will be turned off and stored out of sight during class. Laptop computers with the sound turned 
off may be used for taking notes. Personal electronic devices confiscated during class can be retrieved in the 
Reedley College President’s Office. 

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to arrive on time and leave only 
when class is dismissed. One point will be deducted for any unexcused absence. Half a point will be deducted for 
late arrivals and for early departures from class. It is the student’s responsibility to get assignments and class 
materials after an absence. Information given in class will not be repeated on an individual basis. It is the 
student’s responsibility to get each assignment and turn it in a timely manner. It is Board Policy that students who 
miss two or more weeks of class meetings before the 9th week of class can be dropped. 

Grading Policy: You will be graded on how successfully you work in class, complete assignments, and contribute 
to group discussions/critiques. 

• 33 points for participation (1 point for each class meeting.) 
• 10 points = gallery report 
• 110 points = 11 studio assignments (10 points for each assignment.) 
You can earn up to 153 points for this class. 

• A = 153-138 
• B = 137-122 
• C = 121-106 
• D = 105-91 
• F = 90-> 

Requirements: 

• Class attendance: Your design skills and visual literacy will only improve with practice. 
• Timely completion of assignments. 
• Become familiar with design terms since they will be used in class. 
• Bring required materials to each class. 
• Maintain a portfolio: store your assignments in a clean and archival manner. 
• Practice safe and responsible handling of materials and supplies. 
• Active participation in critiques and discussions. 
• Enthusiasm and effort. 
Safety Information: Some of the materials used in this class may be harmful or fatal with repeated or prolonged 
overexposure. Care must be taken to avoid misuse. 

• Eating in class is not allowed as chemicals and paints from some media can be transferred to your food 
by messy hands. 
• Read product warnings and follow safe-handling instructions. No toxic solvents or thinners will be used in 
this class. 
• Wipe-up spills immediately. Do not assume that everyone is aware of the spill. 
• Inform the instructor immediately of any safety hazards or accidents. 
Materials List: The bookstore sells many, if not all, of these items. 

• Several sheet of black construction paper* 
• Glue: rubber cement or glue stick* 
• Drawing paper tablet, 14”x17”* 
• X-acto knife or scissors* 
• Sketch pad, 18”x24” 
• Drawing pencils* 
• A color wheel with gray scale 
• Acrylic paint: titanium white, ivory or mars black, cadmium red medium, cadmium yellow light, cobalt blue, 
dioxazine purple, cadmium orange, permanent green light or emerald green** 
• Brushes: 3/4” flat, small round (#8 or so) 
• Paint supplies: palette, water jar, paper towels 
• Various drawing supplies: pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, colored pencils, markers, etc. 
• Access to a photocopier 
*Materials needed for the first assignment. 
**Purchase larger tubes of black and white as you will use more of these paints. 
BRING YOUR ART SUPPLIES TO EVERY CLASS MEETING UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE! 

Drop Deadline Date: Student may withdraw from this course without a letter grade until the ninth week of the 
semester. After FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2006, everyone in the class will receive a letter grade. Students who 
miss more than four class sessions prior to this date may be dropped from the course. 

FINAL CRITIQUE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1:00 to 2:50 PM. 

Artwork can be picked up until FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2007, in ART 159. Artwork not picked up by FRIDAY, 
JANUARY 12, 2007, will be disposed of in a most unceremonious manner. 

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