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Study Painting and Drawing

Become proficient in visual art through shapes, movement, colors, and balance. Experiment in a supportive studio environment and find your voice within PNCA's painting and drawing degree.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Program Type

Major, Minor

Credit Hours

121

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Portland

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Person painting a mural with pink, orange, and light blue paint, wearing yellow shirt and pink headphones.

Our Painting and Drawing Major and Minor

Develop an individual vision, voice, and mastery of forms through rigorous studio practice. PNCA's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing helps students develop a proficiency in art techniques. As one of the best art degree programs, PNCA encourages students to explore, create, and hone their craft.

Why choose Painting and Drawing at Pacific Northwest College of Art?

  • Broaden your perspective. Visiting artists, lectures, and critical discourse broaden perspectives and simulate investigations into the historical, cultural, aesthetic, and theoretical contexts of the field. Explore Portland's vibrant art, music, and literary scene.
  • Find your professional voice. Drive your creative endeavors and find yourself as an artist. Our curriculum includes studio management, portfolio development, galleries and exhibitions, and public presentations. The Office of Career Design is here to support your professional goals.
  • Connected disciplines and facilities. Our drawing and painting major encourages interdisciplinary study. Take courses in other mediums and utilize all the industry-standard equipment to expand your skills as an artist.

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Student Success

For Olivia Harwood BFA'21, PNCA's deep connections to the art world and expansive alumni network led to opportunities that helped her establish herself as an independent artist.

Olivia's Story

Award-winning artist Olivia Harwood BFA’21 strives to empower herself and others in her work

Within a few years of graduating from PNCA, Olivia exhibited her work at the Fuller Rosen Gallery, Research Room, and Well Well Projects. Her work has also been published locally in several Portland-based publications. After graduation, she landed a job in the art world by connecting with Marie Watt '90, who hired Olivia as an archivist and studio assistant.

View Story
Oliva painting
Olivia was able to support her artistic education through several accolades including scholarships and the Gamblin Paint Prize.

Student Work

Prepare for life after PNCA by exhibiting your work, starting curatorial projects, and interning with art institutions. Our BFA in drawing and painting offers opportunities to exhibit work in student-run galleries. Students also showcase their projects and work through the Senior Thesis event and First Thursdays.

Request our viewbook to see more work.

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Alumni Stories

Our alumni have had a cultural impact as educators, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs. Learn about their accomplishments and how they've paved their path within the art community.

  • Portrait of Sade DuBoise

    Sadé DuBoise

    Using Her Practice to Reflect on Identity, Existence, and Life Experiences
    Sadé DuBoise’s work has been acquired by the Portland Art Museum, Regional Arts and Cultural Council, North Clackamas School District, and King School Museum of Contemporary Art. She has also been highlighted in OPB Oregon Art Beat and has exhibited at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our faculty have years of experience not only as educators, but as professional artists. They work closely alongside you in our inspiring art and design studios. Connect with faculty, visiting artists, and speakers to perfect your craft.

  • Meet Michelle Ross

    Michelle Ross, Associate Professor and Interim Department Head of Painting & Drawing, employs abstract painting to evoke curiosity and promote tolerance. With an MFA from Washington State University Ross has exhibited work spanning prestigious venues nationally and internationally and has received a Ford Family Artist Fellowship.

    Headshot of Michelle Ross

  • Meet Michael Lazarus

    Michael Lazarus employs a diverse range of materials to craft paintings with dynamic presence. With exhibitions spanning venues internationally and accolades including a MacDowell Fellowship, Lazarus brings a wealth of experience to mentoring students at PNCA.

    Headshot of Michael Lazarus

  • Meet Ardis DeFreece

    Ardis DeFreece, Assistant Professor and Interim Thesis Director at PNCA, merges art and ecology in her practice. With degrees from Mount St. Mary's College and PNCA, including classical drawing studies in Florence, Italy, she chairs the BFA Thesis and instructs in Foundation and Open Adult programs.

    Headshot of Ardis DeFreece

Curriculum

Explore visual art through our painting and drawing courses. Students will develop foundational skills in studio art and expand to figurative and abstract approaches. Blend traditional art with multimedia elements, and prepare for life as a professional artist.

  • PA261 Observational Painting

    This course is intended to provide the student with a variety of opportunities to expand and refine their skill in a realist manner by painting from direct observation. From 'Plein Air" to "in-studio" practice, on subjects such as Landscape, the Figure, Portrait and Still Life, we will focus on creating work that is technically skilled and of strong pictorial construction.

  • DR261 The Figure and Human Anatomy

    This drawing course focuses on the human form, blending rigorous practice with thought-provoking discussions on art and representation. Enhance your expressive skills while exploring the profound ideas behind depicting humanity.

Program Requirements

Our Painting and Drawing major requires 121 credits to complete the fine arts degree. This includes: 76 in studio, 30 in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and 15 in Art History. Of the studio credits, 16 are required courses in the Foundation program, at least 36 are required courses in the studio major, and the remainder are available for studio electives. A minimum two-year residency at the College is required.

A person painting

Admissions Information

Our program is open to first-year students, transfer students, and international students. Learn more about PNCA’s undergraduate admissions process.

Person working on a canvas in an art studio.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Most students receive financial aid, ranging from scholarship opportunities to federal work study and need-based grants and loans. Students are also considered for full-tuition scholarships. PNCA is committed to a better future by providing fair and equitable admission processes.

The BFA program automatically considers all applicants for merit-based scholarships. We offer additional competitive scholarships, some of which include separate applications.

Artist's paint palette with various colors and a paintbrush on a paint-splattered table.

FAQs

Willamette University

Painting