Art

Art and technology are the yardsticks of civilization. In the case of visual art, ideas are conveyed through images and objects. Our program is designed to make the visual artist an effective communicator. Through a variety of courses offered, student artists learn how great drawings, paintings, designs, and sculpture are made. In addition, the human condition requires us to create. We have a need to express ourselves through visual media, doing so is as old as human culture itself. With a stronger understanding of art, we are more able to contribute to the art world at large, and express our ideas visually.

Degrees:

• AA-T - Studio Art
• AA - Art: Emphasis in Painting

Career Opportunities

The art world has a vast number of opportunities ranging from jobs and careers in the private sector to self-made opportunities as a fine artist. Our program offers courses that could lead to a career in fine art, concept art, illustration, comic books, graphic design, architecture, industrial design, art history, art criticism, and animation.

Art Courses

ARTS 2A - Introduction to Drawing

3 units

Introduction to principles, elements, and practices of drawing, employing a wide range of subject matter and drawing media. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; C-ID# ARTS 110.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 2B - Drawing and Composition

3 units

Exploration of artistic concepts, styles, and creative expression related to intermediate-level drawing, focusing on complex subject matter and concepts using a variety of drawing mediums, techniques, and methodologies. Students in this course will build on fundamental drawing skills to develop personalized approaches to content and materials in exercises covering multiple historical and contemporary approaches to drawing. Prerequisite: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 205.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 3A - Figure and Composition I

3 units

Introduction to drawing the human figure from observation using a wide variety of drawing media and techniques. Topics include an introduction to human anatomy and the historical and contemporary roles of figure drawing in the visual arts. Students in this course will learn both descriptive and interpretive approaches to drawing the figure. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; C-ID# ARTS 200.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 3B - Figure and Composition II

3 units

Development of knowledge and skills introduced in Arts 3A, with an emphasis on composition, color, and drawing the human figure from observation using a wide variety of drawing media and techniques. Topics include human anatomy and the historical and contemporary roles of figure drawing in the visual arts. Students in this course will learn both descriptive and interpretive approaches to drawing the figure. Prerequisite: ARTS 3A with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 3C - Figure and Composition III

3 units

Advanced application of knowledge and skills introduced in Arts 3B, with emphasis on composition and drawing the human figure from observation using a wide variety of drawing media and techniques. Topics include human anatomy and the historical and contemporary roles of figure drawing in the visual arts. Students in this course will start to utilize personal approaches and media to drawing the figure. Prerequisite: ARTS 3B with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 3D - Figure and Composition IV

3 units

Advanced application of knowledge and skills introduced in Arts 3C with further development of personal style. Topics include human anatomy and the historical and contemporary roles of figure drawing in the visual arts. Students in this course will learn both descriptive and interpretive approaches to drawing the figure. Prerequisite: ARTS 3C with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 4A - Introduction to Ceramics

3 units

Introduction to ceramics materials, concepts, and processes including basic design principles, creative development, hand-building, throwing, glaze techniques, firing and ceramic terminology. The course covers aesthetics and creative development of clay objects examining historical, contemporary, and personal modes of expression across cultures. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

Course Material Fees May Apply

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 4B - Intermediate Ceramics

3 units

Further investigation into ceramics materials, concepts, and processes including basic design principles, creative development, hand-building, throwing, glaze techniques, firing and ceramic terminology. The course covers aesthetics and creative development of clay objects examining historical, contemporary, and personal modes of expression across cultures. Prerequisite: ARTS 4A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.

Course Material Fees May Apply

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 7A - Introduction to Watercolor Painting

3 units

Introduction to principles, elements, and practices of watercolor painting. Focus on exploration of painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 210.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 7B - Watercolor Painting

3 units

Development of knowledge and skills introduced in Arts 7A with an emphasis on experimenting with the watercolor medium, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter. Prerequisite: ARTS 7A with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 7C - Advanced Watercolor Painting I

3 units

Development of knowledge and skills introduced in 7B directed towards individual needs with an emphasis on individual expression. Prerequisite: ARTS 7B with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 7D - Advanced Watercolor Painting II

3 units

Advanced projects in watercolor painting with emphasis on demonstrating functional competence and an intellectual understanding of personal ideas. Further development of knowledge and skills introduced in 7C directed towards individualized needs. Prerequisite: ARTS 7C with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 10 - Design and Materials

3 units

Introduction to the basic elements of design: line, texture, value, shape, color, light, and spatial concepts. Experimentation with paper, cardboard, cloth, etc. Emphasis on two-dimensional design. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 12A - Oil/Acrylic Painting: Beginning I

3 units

Introduction to painting using oil or acrylic paints. Students will apply the principles and elements of design, in addition to color theory, to their own paintings. Students will make studies from observation, study works by the masters, and learn to express their own ideas through painting. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 210.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 12B Oil/Acrylic Painting: Beginning II

3 units

Second level course in painting using oil or acrylic paints. With the skills and knowledge gained in ARTS 12A, students will apply the principles and elements of design, in addition to color theory, to their own paintings. Students will make intermediate level studies from observation, study works by the masters, and learn to express their own ideas through painting. Prerequisite: ARTS 12A with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 12C - Oil/Acrylic Painting: Advanced I

3 units

Advanced projects in oil or acrylic painting with an emphasis on individual creative work and development of personal ideas and style. Prerequisite: ARTS 12B with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 12D - Oil/Acrylic Painting: Advanced II

3 units

Advanced projects in oil or acrylic painting with emphasis on developing ideas, skills, and knowledge. Students hone their painting through practice and critique; this course requires self direction. Prerequisite: ARTS 12C with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ARTS 2A with a minimum grade of C. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 23 - 2-D Design

3 units

Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to 2-dimensional art and composition. Topics include the basic principles and elements of design. In this course, students will develop their visual vocabulary for creative visual expression through lectures and problem solving studio projects. Students explore aspects of 2-D Design through visual art assignments. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 100.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 24 - 3-D Design

3 units

Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to 3-dimensional design and spatial composition, including the study of the elements and organizing principles of design as they apply to 3-dimensional space and form. Development of a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations and use of appropriate materials for 3-dimensional studio projects. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 101.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 26 - Color Theory

3 units

A basic-level course highlighting color as an element for communication and expression in all visual fields. Covers key color systems and their relevance to graphic and other visual arts and creative and technical aspects of color. Students who have completed, or are enrolled in, GDDM 51 may not receive credit. 27 hours lecture, 81 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU, UC; C-ID# ARTS 270.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARTS 29 - Independent Study, Studio Arts

0.5 - 2 units

For course information, see "Independent Studies". 27-108 hours laboratory.

• Grading Option: GR