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