Painting

Overview

This program begins with a strong foundation in the tradition of painting, building proficiency in the formal skills of painting including spatial representation, form, mark, pictorial design, and understanding of color.

Bachelor of Art

 The Bachelor of Arts, BA, with a concentration in Studio Art is a liberal arts oriented degree consisting of 120 hours, with a major emphasis in painting, and a minor emphasis in a second studio area. 

The course study is designed to offer students a broad cultural education and is ideal for students looking to do a double major or minor in another area.

The degree requires twelve credit of painting coursework as well as three-credit-hour professional development capstone course.

A faculty-supervised summary critique is required of each student graduating with an emphasis in painting before completion of the degree.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA, with a concentration in Studio Art is a professional degree consisting of 120 hours with an emphasis in Studio Art and a concentration in painting.

The BFA Studio Art program is designed to offer studnets a more specialized program of study. Students will experience a greater emphasis on art courses in the BA program, graduating with a more intensive studio background.

The degree requires 18 credit hours of selected media area coursework as well as a three-credit-hour professional development capstone course.

All incoming undergraduate students complete Freshman Foundations courses their freshman year. After completing foundations, students are eligible to apply for the BFA. 

Intermediate level topic-based courses provide sustained study of varied approaches to painting, including:

• Figure and landscape painting
• Formal and perceptual abstraction
• Contemporary approaches to representation
• Water media

Upper-level classes reinforce the idea of painting as a practice of inquiry. Research, questioning, and systematic experimentation form the basis for the development of an individual voice in painting. 

In addition to individualized studio instruction, the advanced student interacts with their peers, other faculty and visiting artists as well as engaging with the community. Professional skills are developed that prepare the student to join the community of professional artists.

 BFA students are required to participate in individual and group critiques by presenting their work to faculty, visiting artists, and other students. In addition, BFA students may be required to go on painting-focused trips to urban art centers such as Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, and New York.

Gallery of Student Work

Students explore a broad spectrum of media, methods and conceptual approaches, in order to develop their own unique strengths and find their personal creative direction

To see a full gallery of student work check out the uark painting blog.