Drawing + Painting Course Listings

At the completion of the fourth semester or when a transfer student has completed the first two years of studio classes, students are prompted to submit to the Advancement Review, which is a held twice a year at the end of each semester. A panel of chosen faculty review submissions and the student is given the results showing scores of: Excellent, Above Average, Average, or Below Average in: Drawing, Figure Drawing, Anatomy, Beginning Painting, Perspective and Color Theory. If a student falls below average, they are asked to remediate and re-submit the category for approval. Failure to pass the AR will result in the student being withheld from entering senior status.

This course covers figure drawing from the draped and undraped model, emphasizing accurate representation of anatomy, proportion, gesture, weight, balance, structure, and light-logic in a variety of drawing media. An introduction to portrait drawing with attention given to individual features: eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair and skeletal structure as they relate to the entire human head.

This course is an introduction to painting the draped and undraped life model with an emphasis on value control, shape design, temperature shifts, and paint application. Students learn methods to convincingly depict the life model through the study of light sources and color palettes using direct and indirect painting methods. The course also includes an introduction to portrait painting with an emphasis on accurate representation of the head and upper torso.

This painting course emphasizes accurate representation, composition, light logic, advanced color mixing, and further study of materials and techniques. Students paint primarily from observation, but also in combination with photographic sources. Subject matter includes still life and landscape. Historical and contemporary approaches and concepts are explored.

This course is designed to further the study of the human form through 3D media. Students will learn to build form using effective visual observation and analytical understanding of construction, gesture, movement and anatomy, while working from life models and referencing anatomical aides. The use of volumetric proportional systems and working from profiles is stressed, as is the construction and understanding of form. Technical procedures of clay modeling, use of tools, use of and construction of armatures will be addressed. Students will become familiar with important figurative sculptors and consider the issues facing the creation of figurative sculpture in a contemporary art context. Figure drawing will be a key element in this course. Course work includes: 1/3-life figures, 1/4- Life figures both quick study and long pose, Life size or 1/2-Life portraiture, analytical and observational figure drawing.

This course is a continuation of painting the life model, emphasizing observation and accurate representation with an emphasis on color and figure ground relationships. Students convincingly depict the life model through the study of light sources, color palettes, and compositional devices using various painting techniques. Students learn to make visual and artistic decisions in the context of historical and contemporary painting methods.

This course includes drawing and painting from the model and reference, with emphasis on accurate representation of the head and upper torso. Students examine structure and surface anatomy, light sources, color relationships, and compositional devices. Historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture are referenced from a technical and functional standpoint within the context in which the artwork was produced. An attempt to pursue the “essence of likeness” of an individual will drive the course content. Direct and Indirect painting will be covered.

This advanced painting course provides students the opportunity to master the art of high-energy quick painting. Class projects stress color theory, composition, paint handling, subject matter, experimentation and self-directed projects. Building confidence though decision-making is a key component to this course. This course enables the advanced student to focus on developing their own visual language and methodology while engaging in critical engagement with faculty and peers.

In this hands-on, project based class, students investigate traditional and contemporary drawing and painting materials and techniques. Designed to enhance the quality of students’ studio art practice,t his course is a practical guide to understanding the tools, materials and techniques for oil painting. Topics include traditional hand-made pigments, printmaking techniques, mixing mediums, solvent safety, frame building and canvas and panel building and preparation. This course will also touch on professional practices and how to showcase oil paintings in both a traditional setting and a digital format.

This course explores interpretive drawing and experimentation with drawing media and inventive techniques through group engagement and self generated projects. Projects include mental mapping, superimposed Pentimento printmaking, Cyanotype, and mixed media. Media include charcoal, pastels, watercolor, inks, natural gesso, printmaking.

This advanced course provides opportunities for students to work intensively from the life model using a variety of media. Development of visual languages and methodologies are encouraged through self-generated projects and critical engagement with faculty and peers. Projects address a range of contemporary approaches and explorations in the relationships between style and meaning.

This immersive studio class focuses on self-generated projects and critical engagement through individual critiques, open discussions, guest lecturers, and museum visits. Individual studio practice, research, and methods of creating preparatory work will be a key component to this course. Students will be able to place their own projects into the broader context of contemporary art and develop meaningful tools using campus resources to generate ongoing research for long-term investigation.

The primary objective of this course is to guide students in producing and assembling a body of work that is cohesive in methodology and concept and exemplifies the students' direction or focus in their studio practice. Under faculty supervision, the student first develops a proposal that defines the parameters of the project, such as the number of pieces, conceptual concerns, stylistic direction, and technical scope. Students are then guided in preparing a body of work based upon personal choice, strengths, and interests. Individual and group critiques are scheduled with faculty and guest artists throughout the semester. Fine Arts seniors have an opportunity to work independently in a private studio.

The primary objective of this course is to guide students in producing and assembling a body of work that is cohesive in methodology and concept and exemplifies the students' direction or focus in their studio practice. Under faculty supervision, the student first develops a proposal that defines the parameters of the project, such as the number of pieces, conceptual concerns, stylistic direction, and technical scope. Students are then guided in preparing a body of work based upon personal choice, strengths, and interests. Individual and group critiques are scheduled with faculty and guest artists throughout the semester. Fine Arts seniors have an opportunity to work independently in a private studio. The culmination of this course results in the annual Senior Exhibition held in the LCAD Gallery. This course must be taken the last semester prior to graduation.

This is a comprehensive drawing course that covers technical and observational skills necessary to create convincing representations of simple and complex still-life forms. Students are introduced to applied perspective drawing to strengthen their ability to communicate ideas using drawing media. Topics covered are composition, creating volume and space utilizing lines as measurement, construction drawing, linear perspective systems and basic light logic. Materials include graphite and charcoal.

This course is an introduction to drawing the human form that explores observational and imaginative drawing techniques using graphite and charcoal. Students work from the draped and undraped model. Emphasis is on accurate representation of the figure utilizing observation with the elements of gesture, measurement, construction line, volume, proportion, and surface anatomy. Materials include graphite and charcoal.

This course is designed to introduce the student to three-dimensional thinking and composition as it applies to the human form. Students will learn to render form using effective visual observation and measuring techniques, while working from live models. The use of linear and volumetric proportional systems is stressed, as is the construction and understanding of form. Technical procedures of clay modeling, basic use of tools, and proper use of the armature (its orientation in relation to the model) will be addressed. Materials used: oil clay.

This course is an introduction to direct oil painting working from observation and photographic references, with an emphasis on color theory applied to pigments and composition design. Historical and contemporary best practices with materials and indirect techniques are introduced. Projects include working from still life, concept building using color theory, and applying compositional elements to illustrate the artist’s intent. Materials used: oil paints

This course will introduce the technical skills necessary for creating and processing digital imagery for use as reference for paintings and drawings. Topics covered will include practical information on using digital cameras, processing imagery in Photoshop, the use of studio lighting and techniques for documenting artwork. Basic tools in Photoshop for use in creating compositions from multiple photographic sources will also be covered. Digital SLR cameras can be checked out from IT and basic Photoshop software will be required.

This course combines classroom and field activities and covers topics such as self promotion and online marketing techniques, working with galleries and museums, admission into graduate school, applying to residencies and professional organizations, entrepreneurship and small business practices. Course content includes development of an artist statement, resume, CV, social media, and a professional website. Resources include guest artists, speakers of interest, guest panels and field trips.

In this course students learn techniques and processes of creating maquettes and fantasy sculpture in oil and polymer clay. Working from self-directed multi-view drawings and reference materials students design and build armatures and go through steps required to create dynamic and detailed sculptures. With demonstrations and personalized critiques, students explore dynamic sculpture design concepts, small-scale tool making and texture/detail application.

This course is an introduction to water-based media with an emphasis on transparent watercolor. Students learn the techniques of flat washes, graduated washes, and wet-into-wet applications. Stretching paper, transparent glazes, dry brush, and experimental techniques are also explored. Subjects include still life, landscape, portrait and interior environments.

This course involves half life to full life sculpting from the model with emphasis on accurate depiction of the figure, compositional elements, and the analysis of aesthetic relationships. Students explore figurative sculptural ideologies and the history of figurative sculpture as a contemporary art form. Experimentation and personal expression are encouraged.

This course focuses on techniques and craftsmanship of taking students work from clay to a finished product. An exploration of traditional and modern mold making and casting techniques and materials. This course will cover box molds and multipart bush-up mold making styles and casting in urethane resin, gypsum plaster, and wax to be used in bronze casting, as well as of chasing and finishing techniques for these materials and procedures.

This course takes a deep dive into the Pop-Surrealist movement that came into prominence during the 1960s and the lowbrow underground art movement that developed in Los Angeles, CA in the following decades. This course analyses the social, cultural, and historical contexts that have helped shape this movement and explores leading figures and artists that have contributed to its formation, which solidified its role in the global art arena. Students will conduct in-depth research into various artists through a series of student-led assignments. Assignments are geared towards expanding students' visual vocabularies and will aid them in refining their own artistic voice. Besides developing stylistically unique portfolios, students will position and analyze their own art through the historical and cultural prism of the Pop-Surrealist movement.

This course investigates the design and execution of large-scale paintings as it applies to mural art. Students work in groups to execute a finished mural as the final product of this course. Concept development in relation to location, the use of digital skills for compositing rough designs, and scaling of final designs along with best practices are included in this course. Mural conceptualization, design development, presentation, client considerations, image responsibility, pricing and public art proposals, and grafitti protection coatings will be covered.

This course blends on-location plein air painting and studio practice with the goal of producing developed studio landscapes through the use of color studies, photographic reference and on-site sketches. Course lectures will cover the history of landscape painting as a genre and contemporary landscape painting. Minimal writing assignments will ask students to articulate their line of inquiry within the landscape genre.

This course further develops the use of water-based media. Students are encouraged to work from life, photographs, imagination, and to pursue individual projects. Students are also encouraged to explore the expressive and stylistic range of traditional and opaque watercolor. Research into historical and contemporary watercolor artists, culminating in a short research report to the class.

This course is a faculty-supervised, self-directed examination into individual imagery and professional attitudes with students working from the model to create up to a life-size sculpture. This course encourages students to employ advanced skills and techniques, with an emphasis on representation, invention, experimentation, and sculptural logic derived from comprehension of the figure as a contemporary art form.

Making Art in the Internet Age - This multimedia course explores the production of traditionally executed works of art and their online dissemination. Multiple aspects of the individual artist's Internet presence are investigated and addressed, as are the potentials for utilizing manifold social media platforms for maximum effectiveness in elevating professional visibility. Various methods of constructing visually stimulating imagery are deployed, and field-tested on each student’s personal online accounts. Field-test results are analyzed extensively in classroom discussions. Student discovery and experimentation is supplemented by input from experts in utilizing online formats for circulating aesthetic imagery and furthering occupational interactions.

This advanced course provides further study of drawing and painting techniques. An extensive exploration into more advanced materials: silver point, acrylic, oil, alkyd, watercolor, encaustic, and egg tempera is undertaken. Students focus on a particular technique.

This advanced painting course provides students further opportunities to master the art of high-energy quick painting. Class projects stress color theory, composition, paint handling, subject matter, experimentation, and self-directed projects. Building confidence through decision-making is a key component of this course. This course enables the advanced student to focus on developing their own visual language and methodology while engaging in critical engagement with faculty and peers.

This course further investigates the design and execution of large-scale paintings as it applies to mural art. Students work in groups to execute a finished mural as the final product of this course. Concept development in relation to location, the use of digital skills for compositing rough designs, and scaling of final designs along with best practices are included in this course. Mural conceptualization, design development, presentation, client considerations, image responsibility, pricing and public art proposals, and grafitti protection coatings will be covered.

This advanced course further investigates drawing and painting from the model with emphasis on concept development. Students examine color relationships, a variety of light sources, compositional devices, and conceptual development. Historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture are investigated through student directed portfolio projects. Critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques is practiced throughout the course.

This course is a faculty-supervised, self-directed examination into individual imagery and professional attitudes with students working from the model to create up to a life-size sculpture. This course encourages students to employ advanced skills and techniques, with an emphasis on representation, invention, experimentation, and sculptural logic derived from comprehension of the figure as a contemporary art form. Critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques is practiced throughout the course. Mold-Making and casting can be utilized.

This advanced elective course delves into the intersection of on-location plein air painting and studio practice, with an emphasis on producing highly refined studio landscapes. Through a combination of color studies, photographic reference, and on-site sketches, students will develop their artistic skills and create compelling landscapes. Course lectures will explore the history of landscape painting as a genre and contemporary landscape painting, providing students with a deeper understanding of the artistic tradition. Additionally, students will be expected to articulate their individual artistic goals and line of inquiry within the landscape genre through minimal writing assignments.

This advanced Special Topics course provides an opportunity for students to explore painting techniques and develop their own unique style. With an emphasis on representation, invention, and experimentation, students will have the flexibility to delve into self-guided projects that support their senior thesis. Students will have the chance to work from life and various references to create their own personalized approach to the subject matter. The course also includes peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques to encourage critical engagement and constructive feedback. By the end of the course, students will have honed their advanced skills and gained a deeper understanding of the creative process in painting.

This advanced Special Topics course is designed to help students develop their skills in drawing and painting from observation, while also focusing on concept development. The course emphasizes color relationships, lighting, composition, and conceptual development, providing students with the tools necessary to create powerful and impactful artworks. Through a series of self-directed portfolio projects, students will explore historical and contemporary approaches to portraiture. The course encourages critical engagement through peer, faculty, and visiting artist critiques, providing students with constructive feedback to improve their work. By the end of this course, students will have developed a strong body of work that demonstrates their technical abilities, conceptual understanding, and personal vision. They will also have the skills and knowledge necessary to continue their artistic growth beyond the course.

This internship lab provides students with a supervised, practical learning experience in a work setting that is relevant to their major. Through virtual assignments and workplace projects + training the student will apply what they have learned in their LCAD classes in order to solidify professional goals, test possible career choices, build their networks, and gain a better understanding of employer expectations. This lab is to be taken concurrently with an internship for-credit and is designated as CREDIT/NO CREDIT for up to three (3) units of academic credit. This lab may be repeated one time for credit (a total of 6 units)

This course investigates the history, practice, and visual language of collage. Utilizing varied sources to gather images and found objects, students will investigate and research interpersonal connections to images and objects they feel connected too. This course is structured around three main projects that seek to expand the creative, technical, and conceptual possibilities, all while aspiring to push the boundaries within the media of collage.