Eden Web Solutions
Eve Fisher, Instructor, efisher@westwood.edu
GD375 - Color Theory - Syllabus
Week 1: Color Perception—How We See Color
  • Lecture:  Importance of Studying Color
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 1
  • Class Assignment: Color Swatches Project - kuler.adobe.com
  • Class Folders for Projects: Set up a folder with your name and the class name on your Flash drive. Create folders for Projects, KGA #1 and KGA #2. Place projects and assignments in these folders and turn in each week for grading. Weekly assignments will be placed on the instructors computer under My Documents/GD375.
  • Project Assignment: Select one primary or secondary color and use shades and tints to color the Blue Falcon illustration. Complete the Monocromatic scales handout exercise first.
  • Handout: Monochromatic Scales Handout
Week 2: Color Theory & Psychology
Week 3: Color Harmonies
  • Lecture: Color Schemes, Color Wheel, Spatial Relationships - Chuck Close and the Bezold Effect
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 4
  • Project Assignment: KGA #1: Rider Sketch Project Step 1: Create a sketch depicting a character and vehicle or steed to be used in your KGA 1 (see description Week4). Use your own imagination or base it on an existing character/ character created by an instructor. The sketch must have instructor approval and contain all required elements.
  • Class Projects:
    • Add 5 backgrounds to the Meow image using contrasting hues as well as neutral hues. How do these affect the Meow image?
    • Write a short paper (2 pages) exploring how an artist of your choice - contemporary or historical - uses color. Describe their method and purpose. What techniques do you use when coloring images? Are they similiar to the artist you studied?
  • Quiz: Chapters 2 & 3
Week 4: Color and Fine Art
  • Lecture: Impressionism, Fauvism, Abstract Expressionism
  • Reading Asignment: Chapter 8
  • Class Assignments:
    • Finish creating the sketches for your KGA #1. Select a color palette that you will use for the project. Select hues such as complements, triad, primary, secondary, tints, shades, etc. and be prepared to explain why you selected them.
    • Find a partner in the class and discuss both of your artists' color processes that you researched in Week 3. What are the similiarities and differences between the two artists and your own processes when coloring art? Create a PPT presentation containing 5-10 slides discussing the two artists. Include images of the artists' works in your presentation.
  • Quiz: Chapter 4 (TBD)
Week 5: Rider Sketch Project & Color in Modern Art
  • Lecture: Design & Color in Modern Art
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 9
  • Class Project: Presentations of group projects on artist processes to class.
  • Project Assignments: KGA 1 Step 2:Color line art with Photoshop and/or Illustrator. The subject must be a character designed by the student (with approval from the instructor) and a steed or vehicle the character rides.  Both elements must be colored in a manner that connect them as a team or unit, but their colors must be different enough so the character/rider stands out if they are in or on the steed/vehicle. Sample image: K Croonenberg Undead Dragon and Rider
Week 6: Digital Color
  • Lecture: Pixels, Raster vs. Vector, Computer Imaging
  • Class Project: KGA #1 Class Presentations
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 6
  • Project Assignments: Fill in TRex sketch using one of the methods described in the Color Harmonies handout.
  • Test: Chapters 8 & 9
Week 7: Color in Three Dimensions
  • Lecture: Innate Color, Applied Color, Size of Color
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 7
  • Project Assignment: Create an abstract design based on color harmonies to convey a specific mood. The design must use geometric shapes that visually balance one another (use Mondrian or another color field/abstract artist as an example). Create 3 versions, each conveying a different mood. Select the most successful one for grading. Be prepared to present all 3 to the class and explain why you selected the final one.
  • If you complete the 3 images early, then proceed to the Iron Man sketch for Week 8.
Week 8: Pigments, Colorants, and Paints
  • Lecture: Pigments & Dyes, Ceramics & Glazes, Lacquer and Enamel
  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 5
  • Project Assignment: Use color harmonies to add dimensionality to the Iron Man sketch. Use the gradient tool and a strong light source to create metalic effects for the armor.
  • Class Assignment: Follow directions in the Real Color handout to create 2 images: a partially abstract design using a close up (handout) and a representational enviroment using local color (extra credit).
  • Field Trip: Field trip to Washington Park for photography/sketching of enviroments-Friday with Louis.
  • Quiz: Chapters 6 & 7
Week 9:
  • Project Assignment: KGA #2 - Character and Light/Color Compostion: Create a sketch using your imagination or based on an existing character/instructor character. Color line art with Photoshop. The subject must be a character in an environment and must posess something that would emit a light or an effect of some kind.  The environment must reflect the light or effect being emitted from the character.  The environment must demonstrate a night, early morning or dusk scene. An example is K Croonenberghs Turtle Temple. Use a color scheme with colors applied on layers. Do not use the burn and dodge tools, etc.
  • Guest Lecture: May 14th 2-3:00pm - Fashion design students will speak on matching skin tones to clothes and personality of characters. Please send questions to me by May 12th.
  • Class Presentations: KGA #2 presentations - early
  • Quiz: Chapters 4 & 5

Week 10: Presentations completed

Resources