Visual Arts

Students will explore drawing using a variety of media and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on drawing from observation, composition and the development of hand-eye coordination. This is the first of three drawing course in this program. This course will complement the same-semester courses Painting 1 and Printmaking 1.

Students will learn about the nature of colour in relation to colour principles and theories, perception, design, composition and colour mixing, as well as related terminology. This course provides students with a foundation of colour theory and application that informs and complements their work in subsequent courses within the program. As the first of three Painting courses in the program, this course introduces students to various approaches and techniques of paintings. The course examines the creative possibilities of painting as a means for the communication and expression of visual ideas. This will complement the same-semester courses Drawing 1, Photography 1 and Printmaking 1.

This course is a “hands on” introduction to digital photography. Through a series of assignments students will learn the fundamentals of the medium. Students will learn how to operate the digital camera manually and explore compositional and design choices. Students will use photographic software for processing and displaying images electronically.

This course offers an introduction to the methods and materials involved in printmaking. Techniques such as intaglio, relief and silkscreen will be introduced. Visual presentations, discussions and historical references will supplement hands-on work.

Students will learn the basics of understanding works of art as a survey of art works (highlights from Antiquity to 1850/today will be discussed). Students will learn to use correct terminology relevant to art history, as they learn to research and learn to read a work of art using different approaches. Students need to gain an awareness of the development of art and art history. It contextualizes the making of works of art within societal, ideological (philosophical), and historical developments in Western Art. It aids students to relate contemporary social and historical ideas and contexts to their own studio practice. Intertextuality with an awareness of the time periods will be introduced through lectures and demonstrations. An introduction of post-1850 to contemporary art will be elaborated along with the discussion of the works of art surveyed in this course. Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate their accurate reading of works of art within context.

Sculpture 1 will offer students the ability to develop an awareness of the elements and principles of three-dimensional art. Students will gain an understanding of the terminology, concepts and technical processes of sculpture through this introductory level course where their skills to modeling and assemblage will be emphasized. This is the first of three sculpture courses offered in the Visual Arts. It is offered in the second semester after students have been introduced to composition and perspective in the first-semester courses, mainly Drawing 1, Painting 1, and Photography 1.

This course focuses on drawing from the human figure. In a range of structured exercises varying from short gestures to sustained poses, the principles of composition, proportion and volume are explored through line and tone and the modeling of light and shadow. Students will also build on one and two point perspective techniques and sighting techniques in order to draw subject matter in environments. This is the second of three drawing course in this program. This course will complement the same-semester courses Painting 2, Design, and Sculpture 1.

(Prerequisite: 510-110-LE)

Students will continue to develop basic painting skills, students will explore colour and composition and will be introduced to various approaches in painting, including traditional & contemporary.

(Prerequisite: 510-112-LE)

This Design course is meant to be an introduction to design as a concept, a process, and a product. Students will develop skills in the creation of visual designs through the use of computer technologies. In this course, students will acquire skills in photo editing and stop motion animation. This course is situated in the second semester of the program. By covering Objective 054F, it bridges the skills and knowledge introduced in Photography 1 to Photography 2 and Portfolio, both offered in the 3rd semester.

(Prerequisite: 510-113-LE)

Students will work with six to eight masterworks that cover works of art from Realism to contemporary movements. These works will be selected in advance to make sure that they cover a variety of styles, themes, periods, approaches, etc. Developments and borrowings will be taken into account in these art historical studies. Art historical methodologies will be explained and demonstrated through examples, so that students may learn the processes of analysis and approaches. This is the second of three 520 courses and works best as a continuation of the first where the basics on reading a work of art within context have been introduced and will continue to be emphasized here. Students will be working on at least one in-depth study of the work of art from a variety of perspectives for this course, and they will present their results in oral and written form.

(Prerequisite: 520-110-LE)

This course builds on skills and knowledge acquired in Photography 1 and Design. This studio course provides opportunities for students to develop their repertoire of ideas, concepts and techniques in their practice of photography. Students will use photographic software to optimize photographs for printing and display.

(Prerequisite: 510-220-LE)

In this course, students will give three-dimensional form to their ideas, as they proceed to complete their sculptural projects from concept to final production. Modeling, additive sculpture and subtractive sculpture techniques, as well as casting and finishing will be explored.
This course is given in the third semester and is complemented by Photography 2, Printmaking 2, and Portfolio.

(Prerequisite: 510-170-LE)

Drawing 3 will explore new genres. Building on the drawing techniques and the principles of perspective and composition acquired in Drawing 1 and Drawing 2, and through formal exercises utilizing a range of media, techniques and subject matter, various approaches to drawing are explored, including investigative, observational and experimental practices. This is the third and last drawing course in this program. This course will complement the same-semester courses Painting 3, Sculpture 3 and the Integrative.

(Prerequisite: 510-210-LE)

This hands-on methodology course addresses professional practices in the Visual Arts. Topics include writing about your work, how to select work, documentation of artwork, school applications, promoting yourself, business cards, invitations, exploring available tools for creating an online presence, alternative spaces and practices and various opportunities for artists.
The Portfolio course lays the foundation of skills and an awareness of self for the students for their Integrative course in the fourth semester.

(Prerequisites: 510-122-LE, 510-170-LE, 510-210-LE, 510-212-LE, 510-220-LE, 520-210-LE)

This course will emphasize close reading of texts (primary and secondary sources, as well as foundational essays in art history). Students will put into practice their skills refined over the first two courses, as well as explore different types of writing on art. Class discussion of the ideas and a review of the methodologies to be used is essential, and should take place prior to students writing about art. The analytical and writing skills acquired in this course will better prepare the student for the writing components of their Integrative course.

(Prerequisite: 520-210-LE)

This course will build on traditional techniques such as relief printing, intaglio, and screen printing. Students will also explore contemporary trends in print such as installations, print-sculpture or multi-media approaches. Assignments will emphasize craftsmanship and conceptual development.

(Prerequisite: 510-122-LE)

Students will explore painting using a variety of media and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary techniques and approaches.
Painting 3 will complement Drawing 3 and Sculpture 3 in the fourth semester. All of these courses will inform the Integrative course.

(Prerequisite: 510-212-LE)

Students will continue the exploration of three-dimensional media and techniques. Particular attention is placed on integrating contemporary approaches to sculpture such as installation, in situ, video and new media. This third and last sculpture course is complemented by Painting 3, Drawing 3, and the Integrative course in the last semester.

(Prerequisite: 510-270-LE)

The Integrative is a methodology course. This course is devoted to the proposal, research and completion of a body of work. This work is presented in the final student exhibition. This course provides an opportunity for students to integrate what they have learned in the Visual Arts program. Students are expected to build on techniques and ideas in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, design and/or mixed media. Prepared in the previous semester with the Portfolio course, students in the Integrative course will address the integration of their knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the visual arts as they develop an artistic project. Reading and Writing Art History in the third semester also prepares the students to use the appropriate terminology, informs the development of their artistic position and views on their own production, and enables them to situate themselves and their work within an art theoretical and art historical context.

(Prerequisites: 510-210-LE, 510-212-LE, 510-213-LE, 510-222-LE, 510-270-LE, 510-330-LE, 520-310-LE)