The focus of this foundational painting course is material knowledge, historic and contemporary paint application methods through direct observation. Instruction will progress from simple to complex objects and spaces with the goal of accurately depicting forms in spaces that range from shallow, interior and exterior. Time is spent honing color mixing, and color theories as they apply to depicting light and form and the construction of dynamic composition. Consideration will be given to individualized approaches to the basics. Instruction is in the use of both oil and acrylic paint, sound construction of a variety substrates, pictorial form, theories of a variety of pictorial spaces, 2-d design and composition. Students should be able to confidently paint representational subjects and spaces with by the end of the course. Best practices and safe handling of all materials is emphasized.
Advanced formal, technical and conceptual challenges primarily in observational painting are explored in this course. Particular emphasis is on aligning technical skill mastery with constructing personal expression and narratives. Larger scale work, portraiture, complex pictorial spaces, approaches to stylization, and advanced techniques in oil and acrylic painting are core to this experience. Content is approached directly as skill is developed. Possible directions include thematic considerations of place, cultural and personal identity, social and climate activism, the politics of representation. An engagement with both historic and contemporary painting and drawing serves as a platform to center and give visual voice to these issues.
Advanced formal, technical and conceptual challenges primarily in observational painting are explored in this course. Particular emphasis is on aligning technical skill mastery with constructing personal expression and narratives. Larger scale work, portraiture, complex pictorial spaces, approaches to stylization, and advanced techniques in oil and acrylic painting are core to this experience. Content is approached directly as skill is developed. Possible directions include thematic considerations of place, cultural and personal identity, social and climate activism, the politics of representation. An engagement with both historic and contemporary painting and drawing serves as a platform to center and give visual voice to these issues.400 level students will complete a self directed project in consultation with the instructor.
This course deepens the study of the relationships between drawing, painting and hybrid material practices through principles and theories of abstraction. Historic and contemporary intersections with design and critical approaches to various global histories of abstraction will be explored including; strategies to activate cultural expression, identity politics and social activism within non-figurative art. Hard distinctions between representational and abstract approaches will be engaged critically in order to hone a distinctive and relevant contemporary visual vocabulary. Multi media research and practice will be encouraged.
This course builds on traditional painting approaches and extends the focus into the relationships between drawing and painting practice and includes the study of expanded material use. Collage, printmaking, sculptural and digital approaches will be explored. Principles of historical and contemporary abstraction will be introduced and employed in depth. Intersections with design applications, cultural expression, identity politics and social activism will be explored. Multi media research and practice will be encouraged. Hard distinctions between representational and abstract approaches will be engaged critically in order to hone a distinctive and relevant contemporary visual vocabulary.
This class allows students the opportunity to explore a specific topic within the drawing medium and develop a drawing practice that engages with historic and contemporary approaches. The class is also intended to enhance and compliment other media practices. Topics for investigation are offered on rotation. Possible Topics to be offered: Processes and Systems; Making Drawing Materials; Plan Drawing, Schematics, and Visualization; Drawing as Visual Thinking; Observation and Representation; Drawing as Project Preliminary
This course deepens the study of the relationships between drawing, painting and hybrid material practices through principles and theories of abstraction. Historic and contemporary intersections with design and critical approaches to various global histories of abstraction will be explored including; strategies to activate cultural expression, identity politics and social activism within non-figurative art. Hard distinctions between representational and abstract approaches will be engaged critically in order to hone a distinctive and relevant contemporary visual vocabulary. Multi media research and practice will be encouraged.
Developing professional skill sets anchor the independent studio practice focus of this class. Topics may include writing for an artist statement, press release, project proposal, exhibition and peer reviews and writing for grants. Supporting activities include artists' studio and gallery visits, and engagement with curators, and artist run initiatives. Preparation for thesis and other professional work is core to the studio portion of this class. Concept development, visual research and iterative processes will guide this preparation. Professional and project writing will support the focus on individual project concerns.
This course builds on traditional painting approaches and extends the focus into the relationships between drawing and painting practice and includes the study of expanded material use. Collage, printmaking, sculptural and digital approaches will be explored. Principles of historical and contemporary abstraction will be introduced and employed in depth. Intersections with design applications, cultural expression, identity politics and social activism will be explored. Multi media research and practice will be encouraged. Hard distinctions between representational and abstract approaches will be engaged critically in order to hone a distinctive and relevant contemporary visual vocabulary.
This course will provide topical contemporary painting and painting adjacent content. Possible topics include: advanced painting techniques, painting as installation, exhibition strategies, public art production, mural production, collaborative projects, social practice, among others. Depending on the given topic students will experience working as team members to create public facing projects with painting practice as a central tenant. Other possibilities include the opportunity to deepen studio practice and the ability to present works in a professional setting. Developing professional accountability, workflows, timelines and networks within the context of a painting and drawing studio practice is central to this course activity.
This class allows students the opportunity to explore a specific topic within the drawing medium and develop a drawing practice that engages with historic and contemporary approaches. The class is also intended to enhance and compliment other media practices. Topics for investigation are offered on rotation. Possible Topics to be offered: Processes and Systems; Making Drawing Materials; Plan Drawing, Schematics, and Visualization; Drawing as Visual Thinking; Observation and Representation; Drawing as Project Preliminary
This course deepens the study of the relationships between drawing, painting and hybrid material practices through principles and theories of abstraction. Historic and contemporary intersections with design and critical approaches to various global histories of abstraction will be explored including; strategies to activate cultural expression, identity politics and social activism within non-figurative art. Hard distinctions between representational and abstract approaches will be engaged critically in order to hone a distinctive and relevant contemporary visual vocabulary. Multi media research and practice will be encouraged.
Studio Arts Special topics courses are approved to take advantage of timely subjects, the expertise of a faculty member, or to test student interest in a topic which may later be added to the curriculum. Prerequisites: Senior standing or permission of Deptartment Chair.
This course will provide topical contemporary painting and painting adjacent content. Possible topics include: advanced painting techniques, painting as installation, exhibition strategies, public art production, mural production, collaborative projects, social practice, among others. Depending on the given topic students will experience working as team members to create public facing projects with painting practice as a central tenant. Other possibilities include the opportunity to deepen studio practice and the ability to present works in a professional setting. Developing professional accountability, workflows, timelines and networks within the context of a painting and drawing studio practice is central to this course activity.
This class allows students the opportunity to explore a specific topic within the drawing medium and develop a drawing practice that engages with historic and contemporary approaches. The class is also intended to enhance and compliment other media practices. Topics for investigation are offered on rotation. Possible Topics to be offered: Processes and Systems; Making Drawing Materials; Plan Drawing, Schematics, and Visualization; Drawing as Visual Thinking; Observation and Representation; Drawing as Project Preliminary
Willamette University