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Larissa Setareh Borteh
Associate Professor, Adjunct
Contact
Bio
Education: BFA, 2010, School of Visual Arts, NY; MFA, 2014, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Exhibitions: Julius Caesar, Chicago; Evanston Art Center, Chicago; Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Chicago; Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago; Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills; The Union League Club, Chicago; Skylight Gallery, New York; 1708 Gallery, Richmond; Yvon Lambert Gallery, Paris; Greenpoint Gallery, New York; Visual Arts Gallery, New York. Awards: MacDowell Colony Fellowship; Leon Levy Foundation Grant; The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists Residency; George and Ann Siegel Fellowship; Steketee Scholarship; George and Isabel Brown Scholarship; Dave Bown Projects Award.
Courses
| Title | Department | Catalog | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Painting | Early College Program | 401 (001) | Spring 2026 |
Description
This course is designed for students with little to no experience in oil painting and introduces the specific materials and processes of this medium. You'll get hands-on experience with essential skills through demonstrations on stretching canvases, setting up your paint palette, and applying various techniques. You'll also learn how to mix colors. These foundational skills will prepare you to create work for your portfolio. Throughout the course, you'll delve into color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective while painting from observation. Experiment and discover your unique artistic voice and style in a supportive and encouraging environment. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience is required.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Figure Drawing | Early College Program | 404 (001) | Spring 2026 |
Description
Unlock your creativity in our dynamic figure drawing course. Here, you'll have the opportunity to work from a live nude model, honing your skills by observing the human form. Expect an exciting mix of rapid sketches and longer poses paired with inspiration from photographs and your imagination. Explore the essential elements of life drawing¿like anatomy, proportion, composition, and expressive techniques¿focusing on using black and white media such as graphite, charcoal, and conte crayon to bring your visions to life. Challenge yourself with exercises like blind contour drawing and memory sketches that will push your artistic boundaries. Trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, presentations on inspiring historical and contemporary artists, and constructive critiques will help you grow. This course is perfect for newcomers eager to explore their creativity and those looking to enhance their artistic skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Summer Institute:Oil Painting | Early College Program Summer Institute | 404 (002) | Summer 2025 |
Description
Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment and find their own direction and style.
NOTE: Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Students are encouraged to bring a digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. |
Class NumberCredits |
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| Summer Institute:Oil Painting | Early College Program Summer Institute | 404 (003) | Summer 2025 |
Description
Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment and find their own direction and style.
NOTE: Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Students are encouraged to bring a digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. |
Class NumberCredits |
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| SI: SAIC Painting and Drawing Studio | Early College Program Summer Institute | 405 (002) | Summer 2025 |
Description
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. |
Class NumberCredits |
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| Summer Institute: Figure Drawing | Early College Program Summer Institute | 410 (001) | Summer 2025 |
Description
Working from the nude model, students learn to draw the human form from direct observation. The essential elements of life drawing, including anatomy, proportion, volume, composition, gesture, and the accurate and expressive use of line and tone, are addressed to provide a focus for increasing skill. With a shared emphasis on traditional and non-traditional drawing techniques, students experiment with various wet and dry materials, including charcoal, conte crayon, pastels, ink, and water-based paints. The course is also designed to provide a forum for students to explore new conceptual directions related to contemporary figuration, while developing a more mature artistic practice through individual attention from the instructor, peer feedback, trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, critiques, and artist presentations.
NOTE: Previous drawing experience required. Students are encouraged to bring a digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework/research and after-studio hours projects. |
Class NumberCredits |
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| Painting Practice | Painting and Drawing | 2001 (002) | Fall 2025 |
Description
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.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Figure Drawing: Multi-Level | Painting and Drawing | 2030 (005) | Spring 2026 |
Description
Students draw from the model as a means of understanding form, shape, and line using a variety of media. The course emphasizes shorter poses as training in immediate response to gesture and form. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Figure Drawing B classes.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Figure Drawing: Multi-Level | Painting and Drawing | 2030 (010) | Fall 2025 |
Description
Students draw from the model as a means of understanding form, shape, and line using a variety of media. The course emphasizes shorter poses as training in immediate response to gesture and form. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Figure Drawing B classes.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Painting Studio A: Multi-Level | Painting and Drawing | 3001 (006) | Fall 2025 |
Description
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.
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Class NumberCredits |
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| Figure Painting A: Multi-Level | Painting and Drawing | 3030 (001) | Spring 2026 |
Description
This course is designed for students who want to engage the human figure as subject while learning/reinforcing the fundamentals of painting. By observing the model in space, students will investigate form, color, composition and the properties of paint.
Humans have been depicting humans with paint for tens of thousands of years. The human figure continues to be a vital subject in contemporary art. The work done in this class exists in this broad context. This is a multi-level class. Painting perceptually (from life) is challenging at all levels. Painting a human being from life further deepens and expands this challenge. The artwork referenced may range from prehistoric to contemporary. This course has many sections; the exact focus of each class will depend on the teacher, and so the work shown will vary from class to class. Work will likely be seen via lectures in class and/or visits to the museum. Other material, such as readings, will also vary. Expect to paint the figure from life in class. Other in-class activities will vary. Outside assignments will vary. |
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