Courses

Survey of Western art from the Paleolithic period through the Medieval period. Art will be discussed from critical and historical perspectives with regard to formal visual elements of style and social context.

Survey of western art from the Renaissance in Europe to the global contemporary period. Art will be discussed from critical and historical perspectives with regard to formal visual elements of style and social context.

A survey of the artistic heritages of Asia from the Neolithic period to the present. Painting, sculpture, architecture, and crafts will be examined within their historical, political, and socio-cultural background. Students learn to identify styles, recognize techniques and formal visual elements, and critically analyze artwork within its contextual framework.

A survey of the artistic heritage of Ancient Mexico, Central, and South America. Art 105 explores the stylistic traditions and themes which gave unity to the art of this part of the world as well as the diverse cultural characteristics which led to the development of regional styles.

The artistic heritage of Latin America from the sixteenth century CE to the present. All art will be discussed from both a critical and historical perspective with regard to formal visual elements of style and the societies, values, and ideas that gave birth to Latin American Art.

Heritage of West African civilizations prior to and during the slave trade, and of African-Americans from colonial to contemporary times. All art will be discussed from both a critical and historical perspective with regard to formal visual elements of style and the societies, values, and ideas that gave birth to African-American art.

Investigation of women's roles in European and non-European society as artists, patrons and subjects in art from pre-history to the present. Artworks are examined through formal and thematic characteristics and from a historical, social and gender-based perspective.

Survey of late modern and contemporary art from 1945 to the present day. Art will be discussed and analyzed from critical and historical perspectives, formal visual elements of style, social/cultural contexts, and changing scholarship. Students will learn to identify pivotal artists, styles, and techniques and to critically analyze art within its cultural framework.

Survey of the history of comic art, from early sequential art to modern comics and graphic novels. Comics from a global perspective, including comic strips, graphic novels, bandes dessinées and manga, are discussed and analyzed from critical and historical perspectives, formal visual elements of style, and social/cultural contexts. Students learn to identify pivotal artists, authors, styles, and techniques and to critically analyze comics within their cultural frameworks.

Survey of visual culture within selected regions in Africa, Oceania, and indigenous North America. Art will be discussed from critical and historical perspectives with regard to formal visual elements of style and social context.

The history of American art from colonial times to the present. Painting, sculpture, architecture, and crafts will be examined within their historical, political and sociocultural background. Students learn to identify works by pivotal artists, recognize techniques and formal visual elements, and critically analyze artwork within its contextual framework.

The course examines 18th-century French paintings, including those in the permanent collection at the Legion of Honor Museum. Paintings will be discussed from a critical and historical perspective with reference to cultural context and formal elements of style.

The course examines Renaissance art, including works in the permanent collection and special exhibitions at the Legion of Honor Museum. Art will be discussed from a critical and historical perspective with regard to cultural context and formal elements of style.

This course examines 19th-century painting, including works in the permanent collection and special exhibitions at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. All art will be discussed from a critical and historical perspective with regard to cultural context and formal elements of style.

Introduction to visual perception, concepts, methods and applications of two-dimensional design across visual art disciplines and platforms. Self-expression and creative problem-solving through studio art projects. Lecture presentations, readings, verbal articulation, and critiques to develop visual literacy. Study of design theory with a focus on interdependence of content, form and context, combined with visual analysis of art from different eras and cultures.

An introduction to the basic elements of three-dimensional form and design, including concepts and language fundamental to all art making. This course covers design innovation and prototyping while applying the structural and visual elements of three-dimensional design, which applies to a wide range of artistic, technical, and industrial fields.

A comprehensive course in the study of color, its sources, properties, theories and applications in additive and subtractive media. Develops conceptual and practical skills for effective employment of color in fine arts and design for self-expression and visual communication. Perceptual, psychological, and cultural uses of color are explored in art from different eras and cultures and in real-life applications.

A course in the theory and practice of drawing using a variety of media and subject matter. The student will develop drawing skills through the use of line, plane, tone, shape, form, volume, chiaroscuro, and perspective. Group and individual instruction related to progressive assignments will encourage subjective and analytical development.

Continued development of drawing skills learned in Art 130A. Focus on more complex drawing techniques, composition, expressive personal content, and expanded drawing materials including color pastels.

Building on the rigorous drawing studies of ART 130A and ART 130B, students will now focus on developing a self-directed creative process, leading to advanced-level exploration of historical and contemporary art issues and media application. Students produce a series of thematically related works that reflect individual interests through experimentation with content, materials and techniques.

Introduction to the basic concepts of drawing the nude figure from life. Students develop a practical understanding of surface anatomy and proportions using a variety of media and techniques, acquire perceptual and critical thinking skills, and are introduced to the expressive potential of figurative drawing.

Development of concepts and techniques used in figure drawing with in-depth study of anatomy and proportion. Students begin learning how to work with color and explore a variety of media and drawing approaches.

Building on a rigorous study of drawing the nude figure from life, students will focus on developing a self-directed creative process, leading to advanced-level exploration of contemporary art issues and media, while creating a series of related figurative compositions.

Students will integrate advanced figure drawing skills with a focus on special topics such as portraiture, narrative art, mixed media or figurative mural art to develop a personal and expressive body of artwork in a medium of their choice.

Introduction to the professional field of illustration. Instruction will focus on principal areas within the field (Editorial, Advertising, Fashion, Fantasy and Scientific), its history, standards, practices and current trends. Students will explore and apply a variety of media and illustration techniques, while developing critical thinking, research, and problem solving skills.

Further exploration of visual communication strategies as they relate to the field of illustration. Experimenting with wet and dry media, use of research, techniques and professional presentation in the development of personal style. Focus on professional problem-solving approach in the following areas: book illustration, graphic narrative, caricature, and character design.

Through exploration of varied media techniques, content, and experimentation with working methods, students will develop a professional portfolio that can be applied towards transfer to university, art school or professional practice. Emphasis on creating self-directed artwork that connects working approach, style, and content with refinement of critical thinking, presentation, and technical skills.

Develop unique character designs, engage in figurative storytelling, and work from live models as well as photographic resources. Focus on portraiture and facial expressions, dynamic gesture, and prolonged studies of models in costumes and theatrical settings with props using a variety of painting and drawing techniques in color media.

Studio course in the technical and conceptual basics of painting in oils or acrylics. Lectures, hands-on studio practice, and critiques cover historical and contemporary methods, techniques, concepts, and perceptual skills of painting.

Widens and deepens the skills, techniques, methods, and processes learned in ART 140A. Emphasis on personally expressive themes and content, expanded materials, and complexity of techniques and processes.

Focus is on the formulation of a self-directed creative process that builds upon the skills, methods, and concepts of Intermediate Painting. Advanced painting techniques, materials, themes, concepts and critical skills are emphasized. Ideas are developed into finished works through long-term and series projects.

This capstone course of the painting family supports students in developing greater technical expertise and further developing conceptual, analytical and material skills begun in Art 140C, while investigating issues specific to painting in order to transition into upper division university classes, private art schools, or as a means to enter the professional art world by approaching galleries, curators, art directors, artist registries with a fully developed body of work.

Introduction to the basic characteristics of watercolor, its physicality, tools, techniques, and history. Students will explore methods and techniques in order to develop an understanding of the medium. Emphasis will be placed on aptitude, artistic growth, and technical, perceptual, and conceptual skills to produce and analyze watercolor paintings.

Intermediate-level examination of watercolor painting characteristics. Students will explore methods and techniques in order to develop a deeper sensitivity to the medium. Focus on extending one's knowledge of color and texture. Emphasis on combining traditional and experimental approaches and the development of a personal style and subject matter.

Focus on development of a cohesive body of watercolor and water media paintings. Expanding upon watercolor skills with those related to acrylic, ink, and gouache. Emphasis will be placed on advanced development of a personal content and image style in which materials and techniques play an essential role.

Expanding upon advanced-level watercolor/water media techniques and idea development practices, students focus on creating a self-directed, unified body of artwork in order to successfully transfer to a university, art school, or professional practice. Emphasis on creating artwork that connects media, style, content, culture, and meaning. Refinement of critical thinking, presentation, and technical skills.

Students will learn Chinese traditional calligraphy and brush painting through demonstrations, lectures, video and museum visits. Based on studying a series of Chinese masterpieces of flowers, landscape and animals, students will develop academic, technical and creative skills.

Emphasis is on the student's aesthetic and creative success in producing a portfolio of work for transfer and professional opportunities as well as the student's appreciation of Chinese art and culture. An intermediate brush painting course that focuses on the development of a body of work using varied classical and contemporary calligraphy and painting techniques.

Emphasis will be placed on advanced development of a personal language and style in which materials and techniques play an essential role. An advanced brush painting course focusing on a self-directed creative process to build upon the skills, methods, and concepts of Intermediate Chinese Brush Painting.

Emphasis on creating self-directed artwork that connects working approach, style, and content with refinement of critical thinking, presentation, and technical skill. This mastery level Chinese brush painting course expands upon ART 146C skills, concepts, and issues to produce a unified body of artwork for transfer to university, art school or professional practice.

Introduction to the basics of intaglio and relief printmaking with an emphasis on both contemporary and traditional aspects of the medium based on reference to historical, cultural and contemporary issues of the field. Various plate making and printing techniques will be explored as students develop their aesthetic skills and creative ideas. This course is part of the AA-T Studio Arts Major.

This is an intermediate level intaglio and relief printmaking course which expands upon beginning level intaglio and relief plate making and printing techniques. As the second course of the Fine Arts Printmaking family, it is designed to strengthen problem solving skills while creating multi-layered, personal imagery that involves color. This course is part of the AA-T Studio Arts Major.

This advanced intaglio and relief printmaking course expands upon intermediate plate making and printing techniques in support of innovative working styles and unique content that result in the creation of complex prints. The course emphasizes the layering of color and surface information using single and multiple plates.

Expanding upon advanced techniques, working methods, and idea development practices, students produce a unified body of artwork for that can be applied towards transfer to university, art school or professional practice. Emphasis on creating self-directed artwork that connects working approach, style, and content with refinement of critical thinking, presentation, and technical skill.

An introduction to screen printing processes through exploration of hand-cut stencils, directly drawn stencils and photographic techniques for limited-edition and one-of-a-kind fine art prints. In the context of contemporary and traditional printmaking approaches, students develop their aesthetic, critical, and creative thinking skills.

Expanding upon the stenciling and photographic techniques introduced in ART 152A, this course covers various stencil creation techniques for exposure to photo-screens and ultimately multiple-color printing using single and multiple screens for limited-edition and one-of-a-kind fine art prints. In the context of contemporary and traditional printmaking approaches, students develop their aesthetic, critical, and creative thinking skills.

In the context of contemporary and traditional printmaking approaches, students develop aesthetic, critical, and creative thinking skills that expand upon photographic stencil and digital techniques introduced in ART 152A and 152B. Using various autographic, photographic and digital stencil creation techniques and multiple-color printing with single and multiple screens for limited-edition and one-of-a-kind fine art prints.

Introduction to developing ceramic forms. Basic methods of forming through the use of the potter's wheel, hand-construction, glaze application and kiln-firing processes. Historical uses of clay and its relationship to the development of civilizations and industry. Technical development and exploration of clay as a means for aesthetic growth.

Continued development of skills used to create ceramic forms using the potter's wheel, and hand-construction techniques, glaze formulation, glaze application, and kiln-firing processes. Lectures on the historical and contemporary uses of clay. Emphasis on technical and conceptual development of ceramic design.

Advanced ceramic forming methods using the wheel, extruder and hand-construction techniques, glaze formulation, advanced glaze application and kiln-firing processes. Lectures on the historical and contemporary uses of clay. Emphasis on advanced technical and conceptual development.

Advanced-studio level class building on the skills, concepts and issues addressed in ART 160C. To refine analytical skills and technical expertise in the exploration of contemporary art and ceramics issues and create a self-directed, unified body of work in preparation for transferring to university, art school, or professional activities.

Introduction to the design principals and elements of three-dimensional form, exposure to contemporary sculptural concepts, and the historical evolution of sculpture. Students will learn sculptural concepts, techniques, media, tools, and vocabulary in order to further develop visual perception and skills in additive and subtractive techniques. Emphasis will be placed on traditional materials, technical information, and personal expression.

An intermediate level course which expands on techniques and processes of sculpture such as: basic metal fabrication, mold-making, stone or woodcarving. Intermediate level topics such as site-specific sculpture or installation will also be explored. Emphasis is placed on building and strengthening technical skills, individual expression, and conceptual growth.

Focusing on advanced techniques, practices and concepts specific to sculpture, this course is designed to cultivate individual conceptual development. Students produce artworks with a variety of materials, advanced fabrication techniques, and make aesthetic choices based on individual interests informed by research. Emphasis is placed on interplay between concept, material and context.

An advanced sculpture course designed to further individual conceptual development; enabling students to be self-directed, produce a body of work, investigate techniques and make aesthetic choices based on individual interests. An understanding of sculpture materials, fabrication techniques, formal relationships, art history, and safety procedures is necessary to enroll.

Introduction to basic jewelry metal arts fabrication processes and design approaches: use of tools and materials, soldering, cold connections, forming, stone setting, and basic three-dimensional design principles vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on gaining technical skills, knowledge of safe practices, personal expression, and the evolution of an aesthetic sense with historical and conceptual considerations.

Building on previous experience, intermediate students will explore more advanced jewelry and metal smithing techniques including stone setting, sinking, angle raising, synclastic/anticlastic raising, kinetic junctions, and forging. Emphasis is placed on refining technical skills, development of tool use, knowledge of safe practices, personal expression, and refinement of aesthetic sense.

An opportunity for advanced students to focus exploration on subjects of interest, such as historic, contemporary, one of a kind, or production jewelry/metal arts. This is for highly self-motivated and directed students ready to develop their work, concepts, and design capabilities and to present their results in a professional manner.

This capstone course builds on the skills, concepts, and issues addressed in the Jewelry/Metal Arts sequence for students to create a self-directed, unified body of work in preparation for transferring to university, art school, or professional activities. Emphasis on refinement of analytical skills and technical expertise in the exploration of contemporary art and jewelry/metal arts issues and on professional presentation of artistic creations.

An introduction to basic casting techniques including direct and lost wax methods via the use of the centrifugal and vacuum casting machine, as well as use of the oxyacetylene torch and electromelt furnace. Emphasis is placed on developing proficiency, thorough knowledge of safe practices, development of 3-D design skills and personal aesthetic sense.

Building on beginning casting knowledge and skills, ART 181B students will incorporate traditional and nontraditional techniques to further develop the student's casting competency, including large scale casting, bi-metal casting, mold making and casting multiples. Emphasis is placed on creative risk taking, refining technical skill, knowledge of safe practices, developing content of work, and design aesthetic.

Exploring subjects that can include historic, contemporary, one of a kind, or production casting techniques, students hone working skills and ideation techniques. The course promotes sustainable self-motivation through time management approaches and analysis of working approaches, concept development, and design practices.

Intensive survey of professional art practices that are necessary for a career as a visual artist. These practices include marketing, promoting, and exhibiting artwork, staging an exhibition, and preparing a transfer portfolio for a 4-year or graduate art program.