Foundations in Painting: Painting in Practice and Theory

Catalog description

Painting is a remarkable medium whose dynamic evolution across cultures and through millennia continues up until the present. In this class, students will get an introduction to the basic technical, formal, and conceptual principles of painting while exploring how contemporary practitioners are utilizing the medium to address contemporary concerns. Using watercolor, gouache, and acrylic, students will learn about color theory, composition, texture, form, and surface. Through select readings, students will also examine the theoretical questions and historical precedents that have informed painting’s development, analyze the work of historical and contemporary painters and be able to see how their own practice connects to larger art historical and societal concerns. In addition to acquiring basic technical skills and conceptual know-how, students will also gain competency in art critiques and writing artist statements. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: general elective