ILLUS-3224

LANDSCAPE PAINTING

Faculty: Trent Burleson

Course Level: Junior, Senior, 5th Year

3 CREDITS

Throughout history, the natural environment has been a subject of charm and awe for the artist, from the delicately painted frescoes in ancient Roman homes to the 16th century, when the landscape transcended the role of “background” and gained momentum as a sublime subject in its own right. This is a course on the history of techniques, concepts, possibilities, and purposes in landscape painting. The class will encourage exploration of landscape as sublime subject, as metaphor for human experience, or as the battleground for politically charged debate of environmental issues, among other possible approaches. Students will work on location and in studio, learning approaches to plein air painting as well as incorporation of references in the construction of natural environments.

We begin in the balmy days of September so students can study directly from nature and work on-site in the open air. When cold weather closes in, we rely on a mix of resource materials (photographs, sketches) in the warmth of the studio. During the last part of the semester, we review each student’s work and progress in weekly group critiques. Major emphasis is placed on developing a personal vision of nature and an individual approach to transforming landscape into art.

Capacity: 15

Registration Restriction: Major elective; restricted to Illustration juniors and seniors; open to non-majors pending seat availability and permission of instructor. 

Semester Offered: Fall