Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Painting Curriculum

View and download a copy of the Painting Curriculum Guide as a PDF.  Click Here!

Faculty

  • Jeffrey Abt (MFA Drake University) Associate Professor of Painting an Drawing
    Research Interests: Paintings and constructions exploring display and transience; writings on museum history
  • Adrian Hatfield (MFA Ohio University) Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing 
    Research Interests: Oil Paintings and dioramas dealing with the visual language of science.
  • Jim Nawara (MFA University of Illinois) Professor of Painting and Drawing 
    Research Interests: Painting (oil and watercolor), natural and unnatural phenomena in landscape; painting materials and methods
  • Mel Rosas (MFA Temple University) Professor of Painting and Drawing  
    Research Interests: Painting: imagery influenced by Latin culture, icons and signage
  • Margi Weir (MFA University of California at Los Angeles) Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing 

 

Program description

 
What is this program? 

The Painting and Drawing program, which has a long history of producing nationally prominent artists, offers a diverse array of courses designed to prepare students pursuing careers in art. It is based on providing a solid foundation in painting and drawing fundamentals through a rich exploration of tradiational media and techniques. Intermediate and advanced courses encourage students to develop a critical and conceptual approach to their contemporary art and culture. The program includes a graduate curriculum offering Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in both Painting and Drawing.

 

What will I study? 

  • To train students to develop aptitudes and an aesthetic understanding appropriate to the art of painting.
  • To understand the importance of deliberate and informed action in painting.
  • To value the intuitive and less rational in the painting process.
  • To fully utilize painting's expressiveness.
  • To acquire a broad range of technical skills and knowledge of painting media.
  • To appreciate the responsibility and significance of a commitment to making art.
  • To develop an heightened awareness of his/her own needs and purposes as an artist.

 

What makes this program unique? 

  • Facilities 
    • Two painting studios
    • Individual studio space for advanced painting majors
  • Equipment
    • Studio Lighting
    • Easels
    • Canvas / Paper
  • Processes
    • Painting various subjects (various media)
    • Presenting work
    • Class / Individual critiques
    • Setting up still life / model

 

What does the program prepare me for?

  • Positions
    • Independent Artist
    • Professor / Instructor
    • Illustrator
    • Painting restorer

 

 

 

 

APA 2100: BASIC PAINTING. Prereq: ADR 1060 and ADE 1210. Introduction of traditional opaque painting media such as oil, gouache, and acrylic; materials and techniques. Painting from observation. Emphasis upon form and composition.. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 2110: BEGINNING PAINTING: WATER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2100. An introduction to transparent and opaque water-based media. Composition is based upon observation and imagination. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 2120: BEGINNING PAINTING: OIL or OTHER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2100. Emphasis on the structure of painting within the individual's choice of imagery whether observed or invented: Still life, nature and/or abstraction. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 3110. INTERMEDIATE PAINTING: WATER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2110. Continuation of APA 2110 with emphasis on water media compositions based on observation or imagination. Further work in aqueous media relative to individual needs. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 3120: INTERMEDIATE PAINTING: OIL AND OTHER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2120. Continued emphasis on the structure of a painting. Individual development of the pictorial, emotional and conceptual aspects of image-making is encouraged. Individual development encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 3130: FIGURE PAINTING: WATER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2110. Spontaneous and sustained paintings from direct observation of the human figure. Inquiry into the effects of scale, space and emotional responses is encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 3140: FIGURE PAINTING: OIL and OTHER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 2120. Sustained and gestural studies of the human figure using oil, watercolor or any other painting medium. Individual responses to scale,space, and emotional content are encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 5100: PAINTING SEMINAR. Philosophical and analytical inquiry into painting issues, past and present. Discussion of current values in art criticism and practice. Visits to exhibitions, studios, museums, galleries and private collections. 3 credits (max: 6).

APA 5110: ADVANCED WATERCOLOR: Prereq: APA 3110. Individual development of work in water media. Representational or abstract compositions are encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3 credits.

APA 5120: ADVANCED PAINTING: OIL AND OTHER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 3120. Election of more than three credits per semester requires consent of instructor. Continuation of APA 312. Individual development is encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3-6 credits (max. 18).

APA 5130: FIGURE PAINTING ADVANCED: WATER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 3130. Election of more than three credits per semester requires written consent of instructor. Continuation of APA 313. Individual development is encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3-6 credits (max. 12).

APA 5140: FIGURE PAINTING ADVANCED: OIL AND OTHER MEDIA. Prereq: APA 3140. Election of more than three credits per semester requires consent of instructor. Continuation of APA 3140. Individual development is encouraged. Material fee as indicated in Schedule of Classes. 3-6 credits (max. 12).

APA 581: DIRECTED PROJECTS: PAINTING. Prereq: written consent of instructor. Individual work supervised by the faculty on an arranged basis. 3-6 credits (Undergraduate: max. 15 credits; graduate: max. 30 credits).