Courses

VISUAL ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS – FIRST YEAR

STUDIO: FUNDAMENTALS of DRAWING AND PAINTING: THEORY AND PRACTICE

This first year foundation course introduces students to the practice of fundamental principals and methodologies that will enable the students to understand and master the basic elements of 2D art (line, shape, value, texture and color) and the ingredients of art (subject, form and content). Theories of art will be covered within the context of making a work of art. This course is designed as a two-semester studio practice following an intensive sequential process beginning with drawing and design in the first semester and building upon these skills in the second semester with the addition of color, color theory, materials and painting practice. Drawing and painting from direct observation will be emphasized. Students will work from live models, still life, landscapes and imaginative imagery. Individual and group critiques will be held at regular intervals. Guest artists, field trips, readings/research and an abbreviated history and business of art will be introduced.

DRAWING I

The activity of drawing is to be considered as “both the necessary foundation of practice for all and a natural inclination of the talented” – Cennino Cennini, fourteenth century. Standing by this motto in the 21st century, the Drawing I course (continued through the second year as DRAWING II), is an integral part of the ChArts Visual Arts Department and it will augment the practice and training in all other visual art forms. Drawing from observation including the figure will be stressed in the first year to develop students’ perceptual skills. Students will be introduced to a wide range of drawing tools and materials. Individual and group critiques will aid in the students progress and assessment.

THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN/SCULPTURE

This first year foundation course introduces students to the art of the third dimension. Concepts (shape, mass volume), components (subject, form, content), elements (shape, value, space, texture, line, color) and principles (harmony, variety, balance, proportion, economy, movement, installation) will be introduced through the practice of constructing and assembling three-dimensional forms. This course is designed as a two-semester studio introducing fundamental methods of 3D design followed by an intense introductory experience in additive, subtractive, assemblage and kinetic sculpture. Emphasis will be on observational works using a variety of materials such as clay, wood, plaster, metal, found objects and paper. The history of arts in the 3D realm will augment the theory and practice, as will visiting artists, fieldtrips and readings/research. Individual and group critiques will be held at regular intervals.

VISUAL COMMUNICATION/ INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This first year foundation course will explore the art of composition, framing and documentation in the photographic realm. It will begin with developing one's skills in visualization and learning to “think in pictures,” followed by a technical training in the basics of digital imaging and multimedia production. Students will learn what features are desirable in a digital camera and how to manually control their cameras. Initially students will learn how to choose and use digital cameras and are given an overview on a number of the technical aspects of resolution, file formats and work flow. The bulk of the class concentrates on the practice of photographic design, emphasizing the organization, function, manipulation and communication of the visual elements through traditional visualization exercises followed by creating ideas in digital output using Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn the skills to correct, retouch and enhance digital images in order to create high-quality digital prints, while working towards the development of personal projects based on a specific subject or style/technique. Classes will be enriched by visits from practicing professional artists, fieldtrips to galleries and an ongoing survey of the history of photography.