The minor in art requires six studio art courses (18 credits). An art minor may be earned in foundation studies, graphic design, illustration, or fine arts. BFA candidates are also eligible to pursue an art minor outside their major program of study, with the approval of the New England School of Art and Design (NESAD) department chair.
Please contact the NESAD department chair for a suggested program of study.
Students not enrolled in art majors or certificate programs may take NESAD courses provided they have met the prerequisite requirements.
The studio art minor in fine arts consists of 6 courses (18 credits).
3.00
This course concentrates on the traditional techniques of observational drawing. Fundamental principles and elements of drawing are introduced in structured lessons and exercises, which are supplemented by additional outside assignments. Foundation Drawing I stresses the development of visual skills as well as the broad use of drawing concepts, vocabulary, techniques and variety of materials.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
ADF S101
3.00
This course will refine the basic visual skills developed in Foundation Drawing I (ADF S101). The elements of color and mixed media are introduced to expand technical possibilities, while more intensive work with the human figure provides exposure to gesture, structure and complex form. As students begin to develop a more sophisticated and personal approach, issues of expression and interpretation will be investigated, focusing on personal style and expression.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
ADF S101, ADF S143
3.00
In this introductory course, students will learn to accurately perceive relationships of shape, form, color and value, and to translate that information through the medium of paint. In a series of in-class and outside projects on canvas, prepared paper and panel, students will explore various approaches to the use of acrylic and oil paint. Emphasis will be placed on the development of disciplined technical skills as well as the exploration of paintings potential as a medium of communication and creative visual expression.
Offered Spring Term
ADF S151, ADF S551, ADF S166, or ADF S566
3.00
This course focuses on the fundamental elements of three-dimensional form. Line, plane and volume will be explored as students develop visual analysis and critical thinking skills in the round. The role of scale, proportion, structure, surface, light and display will be addressed, as students create forms that activate space and engage the viewer. The course will proceed from work with simple forms and techniques to more challenging and comprehensive problems addressing both additive and subtractive methods.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
This is an introductory-level course in the basic concepts and practices of two-dimensional design and color theory. The study of color and design is supportive of all studio disciplines and is vital to the understanding of all visual media. This course features an intensive, hands-on approach to color and design as students create, modify and master the three dimensions of color (hue, value, and strength) plus the principles of design(line, shape, value, composition and image). This in-depth study is essential and underlies all of the visual arts as they are practiced today. An understanding of color and design influences all artists decisions, affecting the look, meaning and use of visual phenomena.
ADF S102
3.00
This course is an extensive exploration of the human form and how it is represented in drawing. Refining their drawing skills, students use a variety of dry media (graphite, charcoal, pastel, collage) to articulate figure/plane
Offered Fall Term
Take ADF-S152
3.00
Art is not just visual. Artists also think with their hands, understanding that engagement with the physical world is vital to the creative process, and often gives rise to unexpected and fruitful ideas. In this course, students will explore traditional and experimental sculptural processes in a spirit of directed play, focusing on both intuitive and critical responses to materials.
Fine Art Program Director Approval needed
1.50- 3.00
This course functions as a lab for students to improve their painting skills. Working directly from the models, beginning and more advanced students will explore technique at their own level. Tri-weekly poses will allow in-depth investigation and complex images to develop. Students can work with the painting medium of their choice. Historical and contemporary painters will be used to further the students progress. Open to majors and non-majors.
Occasional
ADF S123.
3.00
This course will involve the concepts and techniques of 20th and 21st century painting. Students develop an individual approach to non-objective and objective painted space. Open-ended assignments, lectures, critiques and discussions will clarify the work students produce. Substantial independent studio time allows students to focus on work that responds to contemporary issues in painting.
Offered Spring Term
ADF S152
3.00
A focused study on the language of dimensionality in sculpture, students will explore traditional and non-traditional materials. Issues of craft, concept and context will aid students in developing work that responds to currents in contemporary sculpture. This class will also provide students with a substantial grounding in 20th and 21st century sculptural theory and practice.
Offered Spring Term
ADF S102
3.00
This course is designed to familiarize students with the printmaking studio and various techniques. Students will gain exposure to a number of techniques including non-toxic processes. Over the course of the semester, students will be expected to develop a portfolio of prints while working in class and independently. Open to NESADSU majors only.
Offered Fall Term
Intended for Majors only
3.00
Contemporary Trends & Practices moves art theory into the studio and the studio out into the world. Students will look at the most significant artists and movements of the past 50 years while examining their social, cultural and political context. Canonized contemporary art categories (postmodernism, appropriation, anti-art and performance art are some examples) are assigned as group projects. Movements, strategy or style of art making is discussed as an expressive problem solving experience, blurring the lines between media. This course conflates contemporary art history with contemporary art practices.
Offered Fall Term
Take ADF-S123; or Instructors Permission.
3.00
This course is designed to provide a workshop style environment for students to achieve an increasingly sophisticated level of mastery. Students are encouraged to develop their own area of interest in painting and drawing. In class models will be available to those who want to work figuratively. Individual and group critiques are integrated into the semesters work. The class will study the works of contemporary and historical painters. This is not a class for beginning students.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Take ADFA-S272;
3.00
This course has students assess their work of the past several years in order to determine current and future goals. Students use the tools they find in the relationship between 2D and 3D in order to define contemporary drawing for themselves.
Offered Fall Term
ADF S123 AND ADFA S241
3.00
This painting course is designed to provide an in-depth study and practice of two-dimensional contemporary figuration. Basing all students on the Masters and movements of the past, this course focuses on the methodology and effects of four major figurative painters from late-twentieth century through the present.
Offered Fall Term
Take ADF-S152 ADFA-S361;
3.00
This sculpture course considers the figure in its importance both as a historical element and as a reflection and definition of self. Established an understanding of the figurative form in the space by relating gesture and structure through manipulated form. Weight, mass, plane and volume are considered while working directly from the model.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
This course concentrates on the traditional techniques of observational drawing. Fundamental principles and elements of drawing are introduced in structured lessons and exercises, which are supplemented by additional outside assignments. Foundation Drawing I stresses the development of visual skills as well as the broad use of drawing concepts, vocabulary, techniques and variety of materials.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
ADF S101
3.00
This course will refine the basic visual skills developed in Foundation Drawing I (ADF S101). The elements of color and mixed media are introduced to expand technical possibilities, while more intensive work with the human figure provides exposure to gesture, structure and complex form. As students begin to develop a more sophisticated and personal approach, issues of expression and interpretation will be investigated, focusing on personal style and expression.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
This is an introductory-level course in the basic concepts and practices of two-dimensional design and color theory. The study of color and design is supportive of all studio disciplines and is vital to the understanding of all visual media. This course features an intensive, hands-on approach to color and design as students create, modify and master the three dimensions of color (hue, value, and strength) plus the principles of design(line, shape, value, composition and image). This in-depth study is essential and underlies all of the visual arts as they are practiced today. An understanding of color and design influences all artists decisions, affecting the look, meaning and use of visual phenomena.
Take ADF-S102 ADF-S143 ADF-S151;
3.00
This course introduces fundamental concepts and principles of visual communication, with emphasis on the development of visual literacy, which is the basis for understanding the issues involved with effective communication of ideas and storytelling. Topics include staging, atmosphere, sequential narrative and timing, iconography, visual metaphor and analogy, and the meaning inherent in all visual forms (coposition, style and technique). Informed by lecture, discussion, examples, and selected readings, students explore these concepts through a series of assignments, each presenting a different set of defined objectives and considerations related to audience and general function of the illustration (descriptive, expressive, narrative, iconographic, metaphoric, etc.). Through preliminary studies and sketches, students are encouraged to explore multiple solutions and strive for the most successful result, with thoughtful consideration of concept, drawing issues, composition and technical concerns. Student work is evaluated on the basis of originality and effectiveness (process, appropriateness, readability, visual impact).
Offered Fall Term
ADIL-S201;
3.00
This course expands on concepts and principles introduced in Illustration I, with special emphasis on idea generation and the process of picture making. Through sequenced illustration assignments, students explore customary illustration practices as they have evolved from the days of early book illustration and letterpress technology to contemporary demands for immediate changes to digital files. Because illustration typically involves creative collaboration (art direction), because it is an applied art, with explicit purpose and function, and because it has traditionally been produced to be reproduced, the illustration process typically involves a series of steps, including preliminary research, brainstorming, thumbnail sketches, concept and layout approval, compositional studies, collection or creation of visual reference, tight sketches, image approval, comprehensive roughs and final art, with final approval. There may be particular requirements for presentation and formatting, depending on whether the image is for print or digital reproduction. Illustrators have always used a wide variety of media and techniques; most of them devise unique methods that contribute to a unique personal style. In this course, each assignment addresses an instructor-defined set of parameters related to a particular illustration market, a target audience and an application. Students practice visual problem solving within these constraints, using their choice of media, approach and technique. Emphasis is placed on the need to preserve spontaneity and authentic vitality in task-based creative work with multiple requirements, time restraints and periodic art direction. Evaluation is based on the results, on the efficiency and effectiveness of the preliminary process, and on the ability of students to maintain artistic integrity while, at the same time, satisfying assignment requirements.
Offered Spring Term
Take ADF-S102, ADF-S151, and ADF-S143;
3.00
This course provides students with an opportunity to explore a variety of wet and dry media, materials, tools and approaches traditionally used for illustration. Imagery that is reproduced and distributed in print form must dry quickly and reproduce well, and because historically, it has been necessary to transport, store and reproduce illustration, it is typically (but not always) relatively small in format. Media include ink, transparent watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, pastel, color pencil, on a variety of surfaces, handled expressively or with precision and often used in combination. In this course, assignments address a range of subject matter, rendered or painted from direct observation, still life, wildlife, urban and natural landscape, portrait, and clothed figure. Preliminary exercises provide opportunities for experimentation and technical practice. Assignments are evaluated on the basis of technical process and proficiency, composition (cropping), knowledge of issues related to readability and reproduction, and the mixing of pigment to match observed value and color, as an indication of understanding and skillful application of color theory
Offered Fall Term
Take ADF-S143 and ADF-S156;
3.00
This course builds on the introduction to digital media presented in the Foundation curriculum. Essential tools and techniques of Adobe Photoshop (photo retouching software) are explored and then compared to essential digital drawing and painting tools and techniques of Corel Painter (painting simulation software) and Autodesk Sketch Book Pro (drawing software). Students explore the basic tools and techniques of vector-based software through Adobe Illustrator (graphics software). Exploration and explanation of the interface, terminology, navigation and controls of Blender provides a very basic introduction to 3D computer modeling. Similarities and essential differences between applications are emphasized to help students appreciate the particular usefulness and limitations of these different applications. Basic scanning, printing, and presentation procedures are reviewed, with attention to efficient file management, basic formatting for print and web, as well as the use of Help menus and tutorials. Two assignments involve the incorporation of type (in Illustrator and Photoshop).
Offered Spring Term
Consent of Program Director required.
1.00- 6.00
The student completes a directed study project, either studio (ADG S500) or non-studio (ADG 500), under the supervision of a graphic design faculty member. All Directed Studio request forms must be accompanied by a written proposal and schedule and must be approved by the individual faculty member, the Graphic Design Program Director, and the NESADSU Chairman. Available every semester.
0.00
This is a 10-week introduction to basic studio skills and concepts for Undecided majors who need to assemble an Admissions portfolio for the BFA program. The course is designed to support students and to ensure their sucess by focusing on studio course homework. Special topic presentations will enrich and challenge students learning experiences. Undecided majors must take ART 01 concurrently with first semester Foundation studio courses.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
0.00
Intended for high school students and recent high school graduates. Normally offered summer semester.
3.00
This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of drawing using both traditional and experimental techniques. Media includes pencil, charcoal, pastels, oil pastels, image-transfer, and collage. This course is appropriate for beginners as well as more advanced students. Individual attention is given to students at various levels of ability and allows students to progress at their own pace. The lessons will be supplemented by lectures and visits to museums and galleries. Please note: This is a 3-credit studio course.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
This introductory course is designed to encourage students with little or no knowledge of the use of various painting processes. The basic elements of painting are introduced in exercises enhanced by demonstrations and gallery visits. Students can choose to work with various painting mediums including oil, acrylic, or watercolor. Creative work is encouraged in a relaxed atmosphere where individual attention is given to students at various levels of ability. Please note: This is a 3-credit studio course.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
