Graduate Art Courses

ART 500 Drawing
Advanced concepts of draftsmanship; involvement with the abstract idea as related to drawing; exploration of various media; perspective and space problems. Extensive work from human figure and nature.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 502 Designing for the Web
An in-depth look at web design, including image preparation, information architecture, site structure, and organization. Topics will include HTML, DHTML, CSS, CSS-P, scripting, browser and server considerations, and HTML authors.
Prerequisites: ART 110; Art 215 or permission of instructor.
3 hours; SP
ART 503 Typography and Document Design
Advanced typographic considerations, particularly as applied to multi-page documents. Advanced document design using various layout applications, both for print and electronic distribution. Organizing content and creating structure in the longer document. Development of graphic design portfolio.
Prerequisite: ART 215 or instructor’s permission.
3 hours; SP
ART 504 Painting Techniques
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic techniques of old masters such as three typical artists: Van Eyck, Titian, and Rubens. We will deal with oil paints only. A sample of issues to be covered are support, ground, medium, palette, process, and skills. This course content will help you to know the indispensable knowledge of the technical aspect of painting in terms of the personal expression.
Prerequisite: ART 510 or instructor’s permission.
3 hours; SP
ART 505 Non-Western Art
This course will cover the art and anthropology of the following areas: the Americas (North and South), the South Pacific, Africa, and the Orient. The course will be offered as a general survey of the above topics; or focus on one specific area per course offering.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 506 Modern Art
The study of trends in contemporary art from 1880 to the present. All visual art forms will be discussed— paintings, sculpture, architecture, photography, and ceramics.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 507 Drawing – Anatomy
This class will explore, investigate, and document the human form in a systematic two-dimensional format. By building a base study of the skeleton, the class will then focus on the musculature, using the live female and male model to further understand surface landmarks. All students will produce a life-size skeleton drawing that will also include origin and insertion of musculature which is relevant to surface anatomy. Through the aid of a textbook and lectures each student will create their own anatomy atlas filling it with gestures, lecture notes, and studies from the skeleton.
3 hours; FA
ART 508 Drawing – Life Size
This class offers students who have had two drawing classes or more (anatomy is suggested) an opportunity to explore the human figure further in terms of a real sense of space and solid forms as well as rhythms of human body movements. This class is going to draw two life-size figures: male and female with long-term rendering through analytical construction study of human form based upon anatomy, value scales, planar structures and a sense of light. The class trains students to observe human forms systematically and critically and to select visual dialogues carefully to intemperate on drawing.
3 hours; SP
ART 509 Drawing – Bookmaking
This course provides a forum to explore and learn how to make books in small editions and how to fashion book-like concepts and ideas into unique objects. The studies in this class should be seen as a bridge and merger of the other skills, which might take a direction. During the initial stages we will touch on fundamental know-how, such as proper use of paper, typography, binding, and on presentation in general. We will do a number of small, short-term projects to get familiar with a variety of different formats and techniques. The class will involve presentations of samples, demonstration, and discussion of various materials and techniques, critiques of individual works, and hopefully a healthy dialogue.
3 hours; SP
ART 511 Painting Clinic
This class is designed for students who already have had painting experience in class or studio at Fontbonne University or other colleges/universities. Such students may, however, continue to have particular painting problems demanding individual clinical treatment. Such problems may include color observation, color theory, oil painting technique, painting composition, and oil medial materials, etc. Particular attention will be given by the clinic instructor to the fundamental problem of giving expression to the student’s feelings through the choice and use of color. There are no regular assignments, but rather the instructor will offer advice and instruction according to the student’s ongoing projects and problems, and the problems encountered. Students will be treated individually and in small groups.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 513 Painting – Life Size
This class offers students an opportunity to explore the human figure further in terms of real sense of space and solid forms, as well as skin color. This class requires the completion of two life-size figure paintings: male and female with long-term rendering through Grisaille, which is the value study of human form and color skin sensitivity with the source of light interaction based upon realistic and impressionistic color theory.
3 hours
ART 514 Painting – Survey of Artist’s Materials
This class will explore mediums and methods used by painters from antiquity to the present. Special attention will be given to mediums and surfaces that have proved to be archival over the past two millennia. Techniques in encaustic, egg tempera, fresco, metal leafing, and oil will be studied, as well as acrylics and latex, alkyds, and various processes of image transfers will also be investigated. Each student will give a presentation on an artist (or period) who has used the studied mediums in their work.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 515 American Artist
This course will provide a forum for discussing issues relating to the visual arts in America from the seventeenth century to the present and to the political, religious and social histories that influenced them.
3 hours; SP
ART 516 Fibers
Advanced methods of using fibers in a three-dimensional context. Different basketry methods will be used to create both traditional and experimental free-form sculptural pieces.
3 hours; FA
ART 517 Illustration Techniques
Advanced illustration techniques incorporating mediums such as pen and ink, pastels, acrylics, and collage; and using tools such as opaque projectors, photographic equipment, and the airbrush.
3 hours; SP
ART 518 Digital Imaging
Introduction to scanning, correction, and digital manipulation of images. File preparation and conversion. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 hours; FA
ART 520 Sculpture
This class consists of work from life (primarily the figure and portrait head) in wax and clay. Methods of casting the works in plaster, bronze, and other media will be introduced and practiced as needed. Students lacking specific experience in these areas will initially focus on acquiring the basic skills and techniques required when working from life. As students gain experience, emphasis shifts to concept development and the formation of an individual direction. Concept and direction will be a primary concern of students at the graduate level.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 530 Metalsmith
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic techniques of traditional and non-traditional metalsmithing, and the review of current and historical jewelry concepts (i.e. books, periodicales, show reviews, etc.) Most of the class time will be spent on demonstrations/ critiques as well as individual attention as needed. As students gain experience, emphasis shifts to concept development and the formation of an individual direction.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 540 Ceramics
Advanced methods of construction-slab, coiling, and wheel throwing. Advanced technical information on clay, glazes, and kilns will be presented. Students will develop projects which will expand, both technically and conceptually, on basic techniques. Students in this course are also responsible for clay/glaze making and kiln firing.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 550 Elective Series
3 hours; Course offered as needed.
ART 563 Aesthetics
A study of the nature of art and beauty, the characteristics of aesthetic experience, and the relation of art to the human experience as a whole. Offered odd academic years.
3 hours; SP
ART 580 Photography
Advanced techniques of expressing and communicating ideas through photography as an art medium. Includes the photographing of a variety of subject matter and the solving of problems and darkroom techniques within a 32 mm format.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 590 Graduate Seminar and Critique
The Graduate Seminar and Critique will be a mix of lecture, discussion, one-on-one, and group critiques with each graduate student. Topics will be both aesthetic and technical in nature and students will be encouraged to suggest directions for the dialogue. Conversations will focus on rigorous analyses of the student’s current work, but also include contemporary ideas and trends in the major field as it relates to the art field in general.
3 hours; FA, SP
ART 592 The American Photograph: 150 Years of American Culture
The American Photograph is a course designed to accomplish three objectives. It will provide an introduction to select periods of American history, from 1840 to the present, through the exclusive use of photographs as evidence. It will explain the history of photography itself, how it came to be and why it grew in popularity. Finally, and perhaps most challenging, the course will introduce the participants to the field of visual culture, using the photograph to examine how we see and how images are used to influence our act of knowing.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 593 Renaissance Art
A survey of the art of the Renaissance in Europe covering the beginning of the Renaissance in the 13th century on into the 16th century. We will look at major trends and artists and the social and political factors which influenced the art of the period.
3 hours; Offered as needed.
ART 594 Special Topics
Course offered to supplement regular course offerings and to provide students the opportunity to explore subject areas of unique interest.
1-3 hours; Offered on a one-time or irregular basis.
ART 595 Independent Study
Individual study in areas not covered by courses offered.
1-3 hours