Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Oil Painting Course: Brief Description

Introduction to Oil Painting

– Overview of materials and tools

– Basic techniques and safety practices

– In-depth look at brushes, paints, and mediums

– Preparing your materials and workspace

Color Mixing and Theory

– Basics of color theory

– Techniques for mixing colors and creating a color wheel

Basic Techniques

– Introduction to basic oil painting techniques (glazing, impasto)

– Practicing brushstrokes and blending

Understanding tonal values

– Techniques for creating underpainting

– Importance of tonal values

Building Layers

– Techniques for building up layers in oil painting

– Understanding the fat over lean principle

Light and Shadow

– Understanding light sources and shadows

– Techniques for depicting light and shadow

Still Life Painting

– Setting up and sketching a still life

– Techniques for painting still life objects

Landscape Painting

– Elements of landscape composition

– Techniques for painting natural elements (trees, water, sky)

Texture and Detail

– Adding texture and fine details to paintings

– Using different tools and techniques for texture

Using Mediums

– Introduction to various painting mediums

– Effects of different mediums on oil paint

Painting Nature from Photographs

– Tips for using photographs as references

– Techniques for maintaining artistic integrity

Advanced Techniques

– Exploring advanced techniques (sfumato, scumbling)

– Practical exercises on advanced methods

Developing a Personal Style

– Exploring different styles and finding your artistic voice

– Techniques for developing a unique painting style

Creative Composition

– Principles of strong composition

– Creating balanced and interesting layouts for paintings

Final Project and Review – Portfolio

– Completing a comprehensive final painting project – Portfolio

– Individual feedback and course review

Materials Needed:

– Oil paints (various colors)

– Brushes (variety of shapes and sizes)

– Canvas or painting surface

– Palette

– Mediums (e.g., linseed oil, turpentine)

– Palette knives

– Rags or paper towels

Self-assignments:

– Self-assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Video lessons for preparation and review

Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Watercolor Painting Course: Brief Description

Introduction to Watercolor Painting

– Overview of materials and tools

– Basic watercolor techniques and safety practices

Understanding Materials and Tools

– Detailed look at brushes, paper, and paints

– Preparing your materials and workspace

Color Theory and Mixing

– Basics of color theory

– Techniques for mixing colors and creating a color wheel

 Basic Techniques

– Introduction to basic watercolor techniques (wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry)

– Practicing brushstrokes and washes

Creating Washes and Gradients

– Techniques for creating flat washes, graded washes, and variegated washes

– Practical exercises on different wash techniques

Light and Shadow in Watercolor

– Understanding light sources and shadows

– Techniques for depicting light and shadow

Composition and Design

– Principles of good composition

– Creating balanced and interesting layouts

Still Life Painting

– Setting up and sketching a still-life

– Techniques for painting still-life objects

Layering and Glazing

– Techniques for building up layers and creating depth

– Practical exercises on layering and glazing

Detail and Texture

– Adding details and texture to paintings

– Techniques for various textures (wood, fabric, metal)

Landscape Painting

– Elements of landscape composition

– Techniques for painting natural elements (trees, water, sky)

Nature Painting from Photographs

– Tips for using photographs as references

– Techniques for maintaining artistic integrity

Special Effects and Techniques

– Introduction to special effects like salt, alcohol, and resist techniques

– Practical exercises on special effects

Advanced Techniques

– Exploring advanced techniques (negative painting, lifting)

– Practical exercises on advanced methods

Developing a Personal Style

– Exploring different styles and finding your artistic voice

– Techniques for developing a unique painting style

Final Project and Review – Portfolio

– Completing a comprehensive final painting project – Portfolio

– Individual feedback and course review

Materials Needed:

– Watercolor paints (various colors)

– Brushes (variety of shapes and sizes)

– Watercolor paper

– Palette

– Water containers

– Masking tape and fluid

– Rags or paper towels

Self-assignments:

– Self-assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Video lessons for preparation and review

Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Sketching and Drawing Course: Brief Description

Introduction to Sketching and Drawing

– Overview of materials and tools

– Basic techniques and safety practices

Line and Shape

– Understanding and practicing line types

– Drawing basic shapes and forms

Proportions and Measuring

– Techniques for accurate proportions

– Measuring and scaling objects

Perspective Basics

– Introduction to one-point perspective

– Drawing simple objects in perspective

Advanced Perspective

– Introduction to two-point perspective

– Drawing more complex scenes

Light and Shadow

– Understanding light sources

– Techniques for shading and creating depth

Texture and Detail

– Techniques for drawing various textures

– Adding fine details to drawings

Still Life Drawing

– Setting up and drawing a still life

– Focus on composition and detail

Drawing the Human Figure

– Basic human anatomy

– Proportions and structure of the human body

Drawing Faces and Expressions

– Facial proportions and features

– Capturing different expressions

Landscape Drawing

– Elements of landscape composition

– Techniques for drawing natural elements

Drawing from Photos

– Tips for using photographs as references

– Maintaining artistic integrity

Composition and Design

– Principles of good composition

– Creating balanced and interesting layouts

Exploring Different Styles

– Introduction to various drawing styles

– Experimenting with different techniques

Developing a Personal Style

– Finding and developing your artistic voice

– Techniques for creating unique works

Portfolio: Final Project and Review

– Completing a comprehensive final project – Portfolio

– Individual feedback and course review

Materials Needed:

– Graphite pencils (various grades)

– Charcoal pencils

– Erasers (kneaded and standard)

– Drawing paper

– Sketchbook

– Blending stumps / Smudging Tool

– Ruler

Self-Assignments:

– Self-assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Pre-class video lessons for preparation and review

Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Perspective Drawing Course: Brief Description

Introduction to Perspective Drawing

– Overview of course objectives and materials

– Basics of perspective drawing, understanding horizon line and vanishing points

Drawing Tools and Techniques

– Detailed look at pencils, rulers, and erasers

– Techniques for creating straight lines and accurate measurements

One-Point Perspective Basics

– Understanding one-point perspective

– Drawing simple objects using one-point perspective

One-Point Perspective Applications

– Applying one-point perspective to more complex scenes

– Drawing interiors and streetscapes

Two-Point Perspective Basics

– Understanding two-point perspective

– Drawing simple objects using two-point perspective

Two-Point Perspective Applications

– Applying two-point perspective to more complex scenes

– Drawing buildings and landscapes

Three-Point Perspective Basics

– Understanding three-point perspective

– Drawing simple objects using three-point perspective

Three-Point Perspective Applications

– Applying three-point perspective to more complex scenes

– Drawing towering buildings and aerial views

Atmospheric Perspective

– Understanding atmospheric perspective

– Techniques for creating depth using value and color

Drawing Curved Objects in Perspective

– Techniques for drawing circles and curves in perspective

– Drawing cylinders, arches, and other curved objects

Ant’s View and Bird’s View

– Techniques for drawing Ant’s view and Bird’s View in perspective drawings

– Adding realism to the drawing

Perspective in Architectural Drawing

– Techniques for drawing architectural elements in perspective

– Drawing buildings and structures accurately

Materials Needed:

– Graphite pencils (various grades)

– Rulers, compasses

– Erasers (kneaded and standard)

– Drawing paper

– Sketchbook

Self-assignments:

– Optional assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Pre-class video lessons for preparation and review

Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Portrait Drawing Course: Brief Description

Introduction to Portrait Drawing

– Overview of course objectives and materials

– Basic techniques and proportions of the human face

Understanding Facial Structure

– Anatomy of the skull and facial muscles

– Proportions and alignment of facial features

Drawing the Head from Different Angles

– Techniques for drawing heads in various perspectives

– Practicing front, profile, and three-quarter views

Detailed Features: Eyes

– Structure and anatomy of the eye

– Techniques for drawing realistic eyes

Detailed Features: Nose

– Structure and anatomy of the nose

– Techniques for drawing realistic noses

Detailed Features: Mouth

– Structure and anatomy of the mouth and lips

– Techniques for drawing realistic mouths

Detailed Features: Ears

– Structure and anatomy of the ears

– Techniques for drawing realistic ears

Drawing Hair

– Techniques for drawing different hair textures and styles

– Understanding the flow and volume of hair

Light and Shadow

– Understanding light sources and their effects on the face

– Techniques for shading and creating depth

Expressions and Emotions

– Techniques for drawing various facial expressions

– Understanding the muscles involved in expressions

Drawing Children and Elderly Faces

– Adjusting proportions for different ages

– Techniques for capturing the essence of age

Portrait Composition and Layout

– Principles of good composition in portrait drawing

– Creating balanced and interesting layouts

Drawing Hands and Gestures

– Anatomy and structure of hands

– Techniques for drawing hands in different poses

Full-Figure Portraits

– Combining head, hands, and body for full figure portraits

– Techniques for maintaining proportions and balance

Drawing from Photographs – Loomis Method

– Tips for using photographs using the Loomis Method

– Techniques for maintaining realism and avoiding distortions

Materials Needed:

– Graphite pencils (various grades)

– Charcoal pencils

– Erasers (kneaded and standard)

– Drawing paper

– Sketchbook

– Blending stumps

Self-assignments:

– Optional assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Pre-class video lessons for preparation and review

Diploma in Fine Arts (DFA)

Charcoal and Soft Pastels Drawing Course: Brief Description

Charcoal Drawings

Introduction to Charcoal Drawing

– Overview of materials and tools

– Basic techniques and safety practices

Understanding Charcoal Tools and Techniques

– Different types of charcoal (pencils, sticks)

– Techniques for blending, shading, and erasing

Drawing Basic Drawings

– Practicing Basic Drawings

– Understanding techniques while doing Basic Drawings

Value and Tone

– Creating value scales

– Techniques for achieving different tones

Still Life Drawing

– Setting up and sketching a still-life

– Techniques for capturing detail and composition

Abstract Portrait Drawing with Charcoal

– Proportions and features of the face

– Techniques for realistic portraits

Landscape Drawing with Charcoal

– Techniques for drawing landscapes

– Capturing natural elements and atmospheric perspective

Advanced Charcoal Drawings

– Exploring advanced techniques (subtractive drawing, fixatives)

– Doing Advanced drawings

Soft Pastel Drawings

Introduction to Soft Pastel Drawing

– Overview of materials and tools

– Basic techniques and safety practices

Understanding Soft Pastel Tools and Techniques

– Different types of pastels and papers

– Techniques for blending and layering colors

Basic Soft Pastels Drawings

– Practicing Basic Drawings

– Understanding techniques while doing Basic Drawings

Still-Life Drawing with Pastels

– Setting up and sketching a still-life

– Techniques for capturing color and composition

Landscape Drawing with Pastels

– Techniques for drawing landscapes

– Capturing natural elements and atmospheric perspective 

Advanced Soft Pastels Drawings

– Exploring advanced techniques (subtractive drawing, fixatives)

– Doing Advanced drawings

Materials Needed:

– Charcoal: Charcoal pencils, sticks, blending stumps, kneaded erasers, fixative spray, drawing paper.

– Soft Pastels: Soft pastels, pastel paper, blending tools (tortillons, blending stumps), fixative spray.

Self-assignments:

– Optional assignments to reinforce concepts learned in class

Video Lessons:

– Pre-class video lessons for preparation and review