Studio Practice I - Art Essentials

In this course students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through an understanding of design and colour theory and application on a two dimensional surface via an introduction to the fundamentals of painting in water based and mixed medias. A series of studio workshops will allow students to explore methods, develop personal creativity and learn basic principles in hands-on art making. A good grounding in historical and contemporary art practices will provide a basis for creating new works in various other media (such as sculpture, digital and photography) throughout the fall and winter semesters. At the outset of each new exercise a technique or techniques will be demonstrated and discussed and which students may then contemplate as a creative option in their finished artworks. A basic study of past and current artists and their practices will thread throughout the course. Students will also maintain sketchbook journals, which will be periodically reviewed and evaluated by the instructor.