Visual Arts Studio Courses
Welcome
At the Visual Arts Department at Temple College we offer a dynamic and comprehensive range of courses designed to enhance the foundational skills necessary for success in both academic and professional artistic fields. Whether you're pursuing a transfer to a four-year institution or preparing for a career in the visual arts, our programs provide the knowledge and hands-on experience you'll need to excel.
Ceramics
This course introduces students to the art of ceramics, focusing on wheel-throwing and pottery techniques. Students will also explore hand-building methods, including soft and hard slab construction, as well as pinch and coil techniques for creating unique projects. The fundamentals of glazing and firing will be covered to help students complete their work. Students will research contemporary ceramic artists and share their findings through a written paper.
Design
In this course the students will learn the visual elements of 2-dimensional design as well as the basic principles of design. The basic introductory course is essential in learning to arrange visual elements in photography, painting, drawing, digital design, and we will explore various materials and approaches including collage, digital design, photography, pencil drawing and painting in acrylic. Five weeks of the course is spent on learning and exploring the use of color in art. Lab work is supplemented with lectures weekly.
Drawing
Students learn to perceive and draw shapes as well as shading basic shapes. Most projects will concentrate on learning to draw with pencil, but also students will work on pen and ink and marker. Creativity and skills are foundational components of the course. Various approaches to drawing will be explored. The lab portion of the course is supplemented with lectures on the nature and elements of drawing including perspective.
Painting
In this course the student is introduced to working in oil, acrylics, or watercolor paints. Each student chooses their own subject matter and style, and the instructor works with the individual student to explore their personal vision. Originality and painting subjects that the student is familiar with are essential. Each class day will include a technical lecture or a biography of an important painter.