Fine Art (Certificate)

Painting of a cabin near a body of water - by Christina Rasmussen

The four year certificate program provides students with a disciplined approach to the study of Fine Art. Student portfolios will demonstrate the variety of skills and creativity developed. Graduates enter the field prepared for professional opportunities in Fine Art. Students take electives and art history courses to round out their experience. Unlike the BFA program, students pursuing the Certificate program do not take liberal arts coursework.

Certificate
Core Classes

This program is available on campus

FA 222

Heads and Hands Core/3

Attention Illustration, Visual Development, Animation, and Fine Art students: take this class. You'll focus on the form and structure of the head and hands to create dynamic drawings that include expressions and emotions.

FA 224

Composition and Painting Core/3

Increase the quality, scope, and breadth of your imaginative compositions. Make better paintings through a better understanding of the creative process and a deep dive into composition, value, pattern, tone, staging, mood, and color theories.

FA 420

Senior Portfolio Workshop/Professional Practices Core/3

Become an artist-entrepreneur. You'll increase your business acumen in resume and biography preparation, invoicing, commission work, grant applications, public relations, income tax, contracts, insurance, and portfolio assembly.

FND 110

Analysis of Form Core/3

In-depth study of classical drawing principles on achieving heightened realism in imagery. Learn how to incorporate accurate geometrical construction and use the five-value system to analyze light and shadow on forms. Gaining skills in perspective, composition, and rendering of various textures and materials.

FND 112

Figure Drawing Core/3

Learn to draw the human figure with accuracy. You'll draw from the nude model to develop an understanding of gesture, proportion, rhythm, balance, structure, and musculature.

FND 116

Perspective Core/3

Learn comprehensive principles of perspective drawing. You'll gain conceptualization skills to create credible real-world and otherworldly environments from imagination. Plus, you'll integrate figures, specific atmospheres, and moods into scenes by plotting accurate light and shadows.

FND 125

Color and Design Core/3

Take a deep dive into color and design. Using traditional media, explore color harmony using different color schemes. Learn how psychology, simultaneous contrast, proportion, atmospheric depth, muting and toning, light temperature, design unity, and visual emphasis can enhance imagery.

ILL 120

Clothed Figure Drawing 1 Core/3

Draw the clothed figure in various situations. You'll study physical flexibility in observational drawing, the essential relationships of the body, how to achieve three-dimensional form, proportion, foreshortening, and how to construct folds.

ILL 133

Digital Media: Digital Manipulation Core/3

Combine essential camera and digital imaging skills to augment your imagery. Using a camera for reference, inspiration, and digital imaging to manipulate photo images, you'll learn to create narrative content, increasing your skills in a fun yet challenging environment. Phone camera or digital camera and computer access are required.

PH 103

Photography for Artists Core/3

Designed for all majors interested in photography, students will be presented an inspired approach to using photography across mediums. Topics include proper exposure, lighting, composition, and optimizing photos for a digital workflow. A smartphone or digital camera is required for this course.

Degree Requirements

Unit RequirementsUnits
Core24
Sophomore Portfolio3
Senior Portfolio3
Major48
Art History6
Art by Advisement24
Elective12
Total120

FINE ART CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum 2.0 GPA

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Visual Communication

  • (Painting & Printmaking) Produce a consistent body of work demonstrating proficiency in a breadth of fine art disciplines
  • (Sculpture) Demonstrate understanding of three-dimensional composition, crafting (technical skill) and applying underlying concept to the overall sculpted solution.
  • (Painting & Printmaking) Demonstrate basic skills in composition
  • (Sculpture) Demonstrate basic skills in 3D composition
  • (Painting & Printmaking) Demonstrate effective use of color theory
  • (Painting) Demonstrate effective use of proportion and gesture
  • (Painting) Demonstrate effective use of perspective
  • (Painting & Printmaking) Use value effectively when creating form
  • (Painting & Printmaking) Use appropriate style and techniques to effectively execute ideas
  • (Painting) Apply anatomical knowledge to accurately draw the human form
  • Demonstrate craftsmanship and fine attention to detail
  • (Sculpture) Develop ideas (concept) that supports the overall composition (or construction) of a sculptural form.
  • (Sculpture) Devote attention to transitions and effectively solve transition problems
  • (Sculpture) Present and light work in gallery-ready form, including designing effective mounting systems

Technical Execution

  • (Printmaking) Demonstrate technical proficiency in the six major components of printmaking (etching, lithography, silkscreen, monotype, relief and book arts)
  • (Printmaking) Demonstrate technical proficiency in editioning
  • (Sculpture) Execute sculptural solutions with media-specific technical proficiency

Concept Development and Critical Analysis

  • Explore and clearly articulate concepts and creative possibilities with a given topic or subject
  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of concept and execution of a given artwork

Professional Communication

  • Describe work effectively

Professional Readiness

  • Produce a professional-standard portfolio of well-crafted artwork demonstrating personal vision