Art Materials Survey

A complete introduction to different art materials and practices. 

Art Materials Survey is an exploration of art materials and contemporary art practices. In this enriching course, adult students will delve into into a wide variety of mediums and techniques such as drawing and painting, to printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media. Alongside their material exploration, learners will be introduced to contemporary artists who have made a significant impact in their chosen medium. In this class, we will also feature a guest artist from Grand Rapids, who will share a brief presentation and demo of their practice.  By the course's end, students will have developed new skills, honed new ones, gained a deeper understanding of diverse art materials, and discovered their own artistic voice within the context of contemporary art practices.

Course Outcomes - 

Drawing: Mastery of line, value, perspective, and composition using graphite, charcoal, and ink mediums.
Painting: Experimentation with acrylics and watercolors to create vibrant and expressive paintings, while understanding color theory and brushwork.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional expression through clay modeling, wire constructions, and mixed-media assemblages, exploring texture, form, and sculptural techniques.
Printmaking: Exploration of printmaking techniques such as linocut, etching, and monoprinting, emphasizing image transfer and editioning.
Collage: Creative use of various materials and found objects to create visually captivating compositions, exploring composition and juxtaposition.
Mixed Media: Integration of different mediums and techniques to create layered and innovative artworks, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Requirements - A curious and interested mind, absolutely zero art experience is necessary for this course.  

Materials - All course materials are included, though students may receive lists of supplies if they would like to practice at home after the course ends.  

Images shared are of artists we will be actively studying:

Image 1: by artist Mickalene Thomas

Image 2: by artist Beatriz Milhazes

Image 3: by artist Toyin Ojih Odutola