Courses

Break free from realism and explore the imaginative, conceptual world of abstraction. We will use a variety of strategies—from highly structured plans to wildly spontaneous accidents—to examine what it means to create abstract art. In weekly projects, we will experiment with various drawing materials (pens, pencils, and sumi ink and brush, among others), techniques, and strategies, including gesture drawing, collage, mixed media, and chance. We will explore a variety of ideas and subject matter through the lens of abstraction, including nonrepresentational geometry, repetition, pattern, ambiguity, and metaphor. Students will share their work in weekly online discussion threads, where they can give and receive feedback and inspire one another in a supportive community. The course also includes warm-up exercises, technical and conceptual information, step-by-step demo images, and links to relevant artists. Weekly live one-hour videoconferencing sessions provide a real-time venue for asking questions, getting feedback, and participating in short drawing exercises and small-group discussions in breakout rooms.