Erin Washington

This course, designed for students newly exploring their painting and drawing practice, will allow them to experience how these subjects are taught in SAIC classrooms. The curriculum addresses basic skills related to painting and drawing through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Topics and curricular goals may include use of materials, mark making and paint application, technique, space, color, and concept development. Students will explore various creative strategies through technical exercises, material explorations, and individual projects. Structured classroom critiques will bring painting and drawing concepts into personal student work. Additional resources supplement the course curriculum, such as artist presentations and visits to the Art Institute of Chicago.

NOTE: No previous experience is required. Students are encouraged to bring a digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects.

This course will introduce students to acrylic painting by exploring traditional and contemporary approaches to the medium. Students will learn to work with acrylic paints through demonstrations, individual dialogue, class discussions, and critiques. Artists including Mark Bradford, Helen Frankenthaler, and Mark Rothko will inspire as participants complete a series of paintings on paper, canvas, and wood.

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Studio Drawing: Fail Better is an exploration of time-based and ephemeral strategies as they relate to elements of drawing. Much like Baldessari's disowning of his early work, students will be encouraged to let go of practiced methods, using destruction as a form of creation. Doubt will be embraced, experimentation encouraged, and risk considered a viable game-plan. Employing strategies such as collage, archives, and documentation, we will explore how to rebuild your portfolio after you?ve let it go. Rebuilding strategies will range from accumulative, time-based methods such as the work of William Kentridge to the chaotic secretions of Dieter Roth. There will be studio problems and exercises, sketchbook assignments, and slide presentations with a focus on individual projects.

This course investigates painting materials, application, color, form, and ideas through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Designed to accommodate many skill levels, students can explore various creative strategies through a skill-based curriculum as well as individual projects. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Painting Studio Multi-Level B classes.