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Pennsylvania State University

Introduction to Art: Concepts & Techniques

Pennsylvania State University via Coursera

This course may be unavailable.

Overview

Introduction to Art: Concepts & Techniques is an art appreciation course created for individuals without any artistic background. This course introduces you to various art movements, cultural influences, artistic genres, artists, and their artwork. The main emphasis of the course is to teach you hands-on studio arts techniques as you conduct personal research and explore your own creativity. While utilizing historical and contemporary art concepts, the course guides you through different time periods. Examining and discussing artwork is a crucial part of this course, encouraging you to express your opinions about art in an intelligent and articulate manner. By the conclusion of the course, you will compile a portfolio of artworks reflective of your research, understanding, creativity, and personal growth.
 
Subjects discussed: Fantastic Art, Mail Art, Black and White Portraiture Photography, Installation Art, and 3-D Art.
 
Art Concepts explored: Line, Shape, Value, Texture, and Color.
 
Art Mediums used: Graphite Pencils, Charcoal, Pastels, Ink, Watercolor, Acrylic Paint, Collage.

Syllabus

Week 1: Art Elements & Techniques
Week 2: Fantasy & You
Week 3: Correspondence with Memory
Week 4: Stories Through the Lens
Week 5: Inside the Space
Week 6: Personal Collections
Week 7: The Artist Critique

Taught by

Anna Divinsky

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 6 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Introduction to Art: Concepts & Techniques

  • Profile image for Michele Engel
    Michele Engel
    I loved this course and would happily take it again. A unique, enlightening, and engaging way to learn about art--conceptually and historically. I undertook a few of the assignments to create art and thoroughly enjoyed the process. It wasn't about c…
  • Chelsea
    Loved this course! I was hoping for more fundamentals in drawing/painting but got other mediums. I still thoroughly enjoyed the coursework, class layout and especially the interaction. This course left me with an understanding of different mediums, their history and artists of each movement and the confidence to share my work with others. The student grading platform was at first daunting but turned out to be one of the highlights of the course. Some of us students who met on the forums decided to keep it going and formed a Facebook group with ongoing art lessons :). Highly recommended.
  • Anonymous
    I liked this course despite of not learning professional techniques to being able to make a realistic portrait or still life. But who cares? I had so much fun just creating!!! My fantastic art was inspired by great Mark Shagall and Salvadore Dali, the postcard - by Eleanor Antin and her travelling boots, the portrait I made - by Dorothea Lange.

    Remarkable people, unforgettable art and stories. This is what this course was about - TELLING THE STORIES WITH YOUR HEART!
  • Aana
  • Sajan Skandakumar

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