"The first impulse towards painting, or towards art in general, stems from the need to communicate, the effort to fix one's own vision, to deal with appearances...picturing things, taking a view, is what makes us human; art is making sense and giving shape to that sense." - Gerhart Richter

Program Highlights

This program has been meticulously designed to provide the basic to intermediate student with the opportunity to take their own view into the vast possibilities of expression offered by the processes of drawing and painting. It is a careful blend of theory with practicum, with many hands-on, practical exercises to perfect technique and skills while expanding personal themes and modes of expression. You will be challenged to embrace the freedoms and rigours of the (usually) two-dimensional surface.

A strong focus is given to the development of content for a portfolio of works suitable for application to exhibitions, venues, and further studies in fine arts.

This 15-week program is delivered in an intensive format, and is the equivalent to two semesters of fulltime studies. Each course combines lecture and hands-on practical exercises during 32.5 hours of in-class studies in addition to 15 hours of scheduled independent studies studio time.

Word from the Workplace

"From my newly completed studio in a beautiful maple forest in northwestern New Brunswick I send my appreciation to Fleming College and the staff. I am focused, committed and excited about what lies ahead on my artistic journey. There truly are endless possibilities."

Vicky Lentz

Why Choose Fleming?

What it Takes to Succeed

An interest in art, drawing, and painting is essential to your success in this program. Other skills, abilities, and personal qualities that would be an asset include:

• oral and written communication skills
• an open mind
• willingness to learn
• an interest in exploring the creative you
• ability to commit to intensive format

Career Opportunities

You have started a life long learning experience in the realm of visual arts, with endless options in your pursuit of a career in the art field. The program will appeal to the serious student who is seeking to build an excellent foundation portfolio of drawings and paintings before pursuing further studies, to apply their learning to another medium, or to explore exhibition, freelance, or teaching career options.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

Related Programs

The Visual Arts Fundamentals - Drawing and Painting Certificate comprises 14 of the elective credit requirements for the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma - also available at Haliburton School of The Arts.

Additional Costs

An $864.00 materials fee has been included in the tuition/fees noted above.

University Transfer Agreements

• Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Art History I	47.50
Art History II	47.50
Colour - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Design - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Drawing I - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Drawing II - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Exploring Abstraction	47.50
Landscape Drawing	47.50
Life Drawing	47.50
Marketing/Portfolio Development	47.50
Painting From The Model	47.50
Painting I - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Painting II - Drawing & Painting	47.50
Painting III - Drawing & Painting	47.50

Semester 1

Art History I

Course Number: ARTS0013

An examination of the evolution of materials for drawing and painting as well as their cultural influences will be included in this course which provides an introduction to the use and development of drawing and painting processes in Western art history, from cave painting to the twentieth century. This survey will explore key artists, movements, and styles in application and use of media through lectures, student presentations, critiques, and supplementary studio exercises.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Art History II

Course Number: ARTS0014

A significant part of all of art history, drawing and painting has played many roles over the course of documented time. In the latter part of the twentieth century, the postmodern position gave rise to the declaration "Painting is Dead". Questioning this statement, students will research practices in modern drawing and painting and their relationship to artists, audiences, and art institutions on a national and international level. Focusing on their own personal preferences, they will relate these to artists and work currently visible in various aspects of Western culture through studio projects, research and presentation.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Colour - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0973

A major part of strong design, colour often carries the first impact of any drawing or painting. The properties of colour and how they behave within colour systems will be explored in both theory and studio practices. Through colour samplings, students will be introduced to basic techniques for handling a variety of paint and drawing media, including palettes and supports. Students will develop their ability to perceive and match colour samples for value, hue and intensity using references from real life, fine arts and design sources. Colour properties and systems will be sampled to establish mood and meaning in various applications.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Design - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0974

This studio based course will engage the student in an examination of how two dimensional works of art rely on the principles and elements of design to determine what the viewer will see, and when and how they will see it. A sound understanding of how design can impact the subject and content of drawings and paintings enables the student to deliberately and effectively assess their choices in manipulating works, allowing the student to use drawing and painting processes with greater control of the impact of their work. To develop a stronger sense of personal style, students will be encouraged to identify and experiment with aspects of design of particular appeal to them through research and presentations related to their studio assignments.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Drawing I - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0975

Introduced to the basic techniques and methods of drawing, and using a variety of media and surfaces, students will examine the elements of observational drawing. Studies will include types of contour line, value and tonality, proportion, and texture, for the purpose of representing two and three dimensional forms. Address will be given to the basic use of the elements of design, engaging line, space, texture, and form in composition. Skills will be developed through the study of a range of subject matter, including still life, architecture, plant and natural forms, as well as manufactured objects.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Drawing II - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0976

This course will provide the opportunity to further develop skills, explore, and control the depiction of forms through drawing. Basic techniques will be utilized in the assembly of perspective and depth in space in drawings, along with a deliberate consideration of subject and ground relationships within compositions. Students will exercise critical skills in creating arrangements of subject matter for composition in developing studies of lighting and focal point. Through ongoing discussion and analysis, students will strengthen skills in seeing and discussing the varied issues in drawing processes.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Exploring Abstraction

Course Number: ARTS0977

Students will explore the potential of developing their own abstracted imagery from real subject matter. Major historical movements in abstraction will be referenced, as well as non-representational painting and drawing in studio exercises and assignments. Students will be encouraged to develop their own interpretations of both historical works and personal experience with actual subjects. Emphasis will be given to the application of design theory and process in abstracted work.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Landscape Drawing

Course Number: ARTS0122

In this course students will render drawings extracted from the complexity of outdoor landscape which focus on the use of perspective, line, shape, texture and value as major elements to be employed in the compositional design. These elements along with classic design principles such as rhythm, harmony, balance and emphasis organize the picture plane, engage aerial perspective, and impact the content of landscape drawings. Students will examine their own work as well as examples from other artists through in class critiques and presentations.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Life Drawing

Course Number: ARTS0124

Representation of the human figure is both challenging and rewarding, and a powerful means to building skills in representational drawing and painting through observation of subject matter. Working from a live model, the student will study basic drawing approaches including use of gesture, contour and value pattern analysis. Ongoing lectures and demonstrations regarding anatomy, portraiture, lighting and shadows as they relate specifically to drawing the figure will support student work in a variety of drawing media. Emphasis will be given to composition of the figurative drawing, addressing issues of frame of reference, figure-ground, lighting and proportion. Classical design considerations will be reviewed in the staging and lighting of the figure for the development of effective composition within the picture plane.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Marketing/Portfolio Development

Course Number: MKTG0053

Practicing artists can choose from many different paths to advance their personal and artistic goals. This course examines the ways in which artists can assess choices in further education, financing and operating their own studio, presenting themselves, and promoting and marketing their work. Students will analyze the various aspects of developing a portfolio, photographing and editing quality images for promotion and documentation, and writing an artist's statement, cv, cover letters, and promotional materials. They will research and evaluate the services of trade/support organizations, marketing venues, the process for grant applications, artists residencies and internships. Resources for learning the issues in successfully operating a studio, along with the business practices and legal implications of these operations will also be investigated. Students will summarize their personal goals to establish their own specific set of options for continuing their artist's practices. In class sessions will involve research, writing, presentation, and critical discussion.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Painting From The Model

Course Number: ARTS0157

Students will review and apply working theory in colour and design as they explore approaches from classical, high realism, abstraction, impressionism, and contemporary approaches to painting from the model. Drawing techniques will be reinforced, along with a study of more advanced paint application techniques using a limited colour palette.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Painting I - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0978

In this first of three courses, students will develop their perceptual skills by learning to "see" with all of their senses. This first course will focus on representational painting. Students will develop greater sensitivity to the properties and potential of tools, applications, and media while expanding their personal expression and employing competent composition and design. In ongoing class discussions and critiques students will be encouraged to begin to identify a personal style and theme in both the form and content of their work.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Painting II - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0979

In this continuation of Painting I - Drawing & Painting, students will explore both abstracted and non-representational subject matter. In both group and individual meetings, students will propose and execute considered series of works in consultation with the instructor.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Painting III - Drawing & Painting

Course Number: ARTS0980

This course is a continuation of Painting II - Drawing & Painting. Students will determine and execute their personal choices of studies in studio painting and drawing using various combinations of both traditional and non-traditional materials. In class critiques and presentations will address a summary of the challenges in personal explorations in drawing and painting.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50