- Las Positas College
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- Courses - Arts
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:
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
Independent Study
0.5 - 2 units
Independent Study courses are open to all students and employ many combinations of media and educational techniques to create individualized, self-pacing education. Check with the Counseling Center, Building 1600, concerning transferability of Independent Study courses to four-year institutions. Independent Study is contracted through an instructor for research, field experience, or skill development. Independent Study is offered under many subject areas contained in the Catalog using the number 29. Transfer: CSU; UC credit may be granted only after review of course outline by specific UC campus after transfer. Independent Study courses have a grading option of "OP" unless otherwise indicated.
- Degree Applicable, Credit