Fine Art Painting and Drawing

Effective: Fall 2022
Associate in Arts Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description
Students graduate from the Painting and Drawing program with the critical thinking, leadership, and visual literacy skills to forge their own distinct paths. The principal component of the program is hands-on art-making that demonstrates individual expression, critical thinking, and an awareness of historical and contemporary art making. Rigorous expectations about craftsmanship and studio best practices help students to create a professional portfolio of work.

What can I do with this major?
Job titles include: Professional Artist, Commercial Artist, Designer, Exhibition Designer, Art Critic, Art Director, Art Historian, Art Therapist, and Art Educator, Business owner in the creative field. Common Transfer Majors: BFA in Painting and Drawing, Studio Arts, Art Education, Art History, Photography, Digital Arts and Multimedia/Graphic Design, Arts Technology

Learning and Career Pathway
  • Arts and Design

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

16-17 units

ART 2A
Introduction to Drawing

3 units
This course provides direct experience in exploring basic drawing concepts, including the expressive use of contour, value, perspective and composition while using a variety of media. Assigned projects may include still life, landscape, portraiture and figure. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter.
Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • ART 23
    2-D Foundations

    3 units
    Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical/multicultural references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study and analysis of the basic principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion. Development of a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem solving and written assignments. (May not receive credit if ART 10 has been completed)
    Course Details:

    ART 24
    3-D Foundations

    3 units
    Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to three-dimensional design and spatial composition, including the study of the elements and organizing principles of design as they apply to three-dimensional space and form. Development of a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations and use of appropriate materials for three-dimensional studio projects.
    Course Details:

    English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

    4 units
    GE

    Math Course for General Education: see a counselor to choose the appropriate course.

    3-4 units
    GE

    Semester 2

    15-16 units

    ART 3A
    Figure and Composition I

    3 units
    Fundamental skills, techniques and knowledge of art related to drawing of the human form using graphite, charcoal, ink, and conte crayon. Compare figurative compositions using the human form through design, master paintings, verbal and written descriptions, and critiques. Awareness of the creative process as it applies to anatomical analysis by class drawings, anatomy assignments, and figurative compositions which require the student to explore drawing techniques, compose, and evaluate drawings. Open to any student, no drawing experience required.
    Course Details:

    ART 25
    Color Theory

    3 units
    A study of the principles, theories, and applications of additive and subtractive color in two dimensions. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects in applied color, and the elements of design as they apply to color.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Spring

    Art History Elective course

    3 units
    Choose any 3 units from the list below.
    See the full list: (Click here)

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3-4 units
    GE

    Semester 3

    15 units

    ARTH 5
    Art History - Renaissance to Modern-Day

    3 units
    History of Western art covering Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Modernism and Contemporary developments. (Formerly ART 5; may not receive credit if ART 5 has been completed.)
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • ART 12A or ART 13A or ART 14A (Choose one)

    3 units

    ART 13A
    Acrylic Painting - Beginning I

    3 units
    Introduction to principles, elements, and practices of acrylic painting. Focus on exploration of painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A
  • Transfers to CSU
    • or

    ART 12A
    Beginning Oil Painting

    3 units
    Introduction to principles, elements, and practices of oil painting. Focus on exploration of painting materials, perceptual skills and color theory, paint mixing and technique, as well as creative responses to materials and subject matter.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A
  • Transfers to CSU
    • or

    ART 7A
    Introduction to Watercolor Painting

    3 units
    The student will learn materials, methods, techniques and watch demonstrations of transparent watercolor painting, including its effects and possibilities. The student will work with the instructor to maximize watercolor painting skills during class and at home.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A
  • Transfers to CSU

    • ART 2B
    Drawing and Composition

    3 units
    Development of knowledge and skills introduced in Art 2A, emphasizing exploration of artistic concepts, styles, and creative expression related to intermediate-level drawing, focusing on complex subject matter and concepts using a variety of drawing mediums, techniques, and methodologies. Students in this course will build on fundamental drawing skills to develop personalized approaches to content and materials in exercises covering multiple historical and contemporary approaches to drawing.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: ART 2A
  • Transfers to CSU

    • Art Studio Elective #1

    3 units
    Choose one course from Art Studio Elective list below.
    See the full list: (Click here)

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    Semester 4

    14.5 units

    ART 45
    Artist Portfolio and Self-Promotion

    1.5 units
    Development of an artist's/ designer's portfolio and strategies for self-promotion in the art and design industries. Students will work to revise existing projects, create advanced projects and select and organize projects for promotion. Includes use of effective techniques of presentation. Includes creation and revision of resume, business card, and template based website.
    Course Details:

      ART 12B, ART 13B or ART 7B (Choose one)

      3 units

      ART 12B
      Intermediate Oil Painting

      3 units
      Intermediate projects in oil painting focusing on more complex and varied subject matter, media and concepts. Special emphasis is placed on the development of creative, individualized approaches to materials and content.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 12A
      or

      ART 13B
      Acrylic Painting - Beginning II

      3 units
      Projects in acrylic painting focusing on more complex and varied subject matter, media and concepts. Special emphasis is placed on the development of creative, individualized approaches to materials and content.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 13A
      or

      ART 7B
      Intermediate Watercolor Painting

      3 units
      Continued development of knowledge and techniques introduced in Beginning Watercolor Painting. Emphasis on intermediate watercolor techniques that that advance the student’s skills and portfolio of paintings. Students will begin to create work based on their individual style.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 7A

      Art Studio Elective #2

      3 units
      Choose one course from Art Studio Elective List
      See the full list: (Click here)

      General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

      3 units
      GE

      General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

      3 units
      GE

      General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

      1 unit
      GE
      PE course recommended

      Art History Electives (Choose any three units from the list below)

      ARTH 4
      Art History-Ancient to Gothic

      3 units
      History of Western art and architecture from prehistoric times through Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque and Gothic civilizations. (Formerly ART 4; may not receive credit if ART 4 has been completed.)
      Course Details:

      ARTH 6
      Art History - Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Art

      3 units
      History of significant Modern, Postmodern and Contemporary art movements. Lectures include discussions of works made in various media by well-known and lesser-known makers, including women artists, non-western artists, and artists of color.
      Course Details:
    1. Transfers to CSU

      2. ARTH 8
      Art History - A Global Perspective

      3 units
      This course offers an overview of the rich visual cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Our focus is on perspectives, philosophies, and aesthetics developed before and/or outside the European tradition, thereby providing students visual and intellectual lessons from civilizations with distinctive and exceptional non-white worldviews. Each unit of study addresses a non-Western civilization’s visual cultures and the aesthetics associated with that civilization’s periods/kingdoms, religions, and favored art types. This course is especially appropriate for visual learners.
      Course Details:

      Art Studio Electives (Choose any 6 units from the list below)

      ART 16A
      Introduction to Ceramics I

      3 units
      Instruction in the fundamental techniques of wheel-thrown and hand-constructed clay forms. Survey of clay and glaze materials and reaction to fire will be included. Methods of decorating using glazes will be introduced. Influence of Eastern and Western contemporary and historical works and the students' creations. Formulate personal creative process, including inspiration, experimentation, and evaluation. Designed for art majors as well as non-majors.
      Course Details:
    2. Transfers to CSU

      3. ART 2C
      Individual Projects in Drawing

      3 units
      Individual project development for advanced drawers to create a personal and related body of eight drawings. Concept definition and development to be determined by the student and approved by the instructor.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 2B

      ART 7C
      Advanced Watercolor Painting I

      3 units
      Builds upon the skills and techniques introduced in Art 7B, so that the student can solve composition problems as well as begin to utilize personal expressions. Emphasizes composition, concept and visualization skills.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: ART 7B

      ART 17A
      Beginning Sculpture 1

      3 units
      Construction methods in clay through design of three-dimensional and relief sculptures. Includes an introduction to ceramic art history and fundamentals of ceramic glaze and firing technology. Elements and principles of three-dimensional design are emphasized in oral and written critiques. This course is designed for art majors as well as general education students.
      Course Details:

      ART 12C
      Advanced Oil Painting I

      3 units
      Continued development of advanced projects in oil painting with emphasis on individual creative work and development of personal ideas and style.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 12B

      ART 17B
      Beginning Sculpture 2

      3 units
      Further development of the technical skills of three dimensional sculpture and bas relief. Development of style in surface decoration, using various glazing techniques and methods of slip decoration are continued. Designed for art majors as well as general education students.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 17A

      ART 18A
      Wood and Stone Sculpture I

      3 units
      Design and carve Bas-relief sculptures, using subtractive methods in wood and stone. Includes an introduction to art history and fundamentals of pneumatic (air power) technology. Elements and principles of three-dimensional design are emphasized in oral and written critiques. Designed for art majors as well as general education students.
      Course Details:

      ART 13B
      Acrylic Painting - Beginning II

      3 units
      Projects in acrylic painting with an emphasis on fundamental painting techniques and approaches.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 13A

      ART 18B
      Wood and Stone Sculpture II

      3 units
      An intermediate course in the Design and carving of more advanced 3-dimensional sculptures, using subtractive methods in wood and stone. Includes care and maintenance of pneumatic (air power) technology. Elements and principles of three-dimensional design are emphasized in oral and written critiques. Designed for art majors as well as general education students.
      Course Details:
      1. Prerequisite: ART 18A

      ART 20
      All Media Sculpture

      3 units
      Concentrated individual studies in sculpture, designed to provide opportunity for continued investigation in the possibilities of a particular sculptural medium for the purpose of creating individual expression.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: ART 17A

      ART 61
      Illustration

      3 units
      Creation and execution of conceptual ideas in illustration. Includes a variety of mediums and contemporary application styles. Emphasis on skills in traditional draftsmanship, craftsmanship and presentation.
      Course Details:

      DIGM 1
      Introduction to Digital Art

      3 units
      Introduction to fundamental concepts, practices, and theories of digital art production. Topics include integration of traditional design, color, and compositional principles with contemporary digital tools.
      Course Details:

      DIGM 2
      Introduction to Graphic Design

      3 units
      Introduction to the essential visual elements of graphic design. Exploration of the principles, concepts, and protocols used for effective visual communication. Cultivation of the designer’s creative process and problem-solving skills. Emphasis on strong conceptual development and solid craftsmanship through design execution. Projects explore creative development of graphic design ideas from start to finish.
      Course Details:

      DIGM 4A
      Digital Illustration

      3 units
      Introduction to the principles of illustration using digital tools. Through lectures, demos and assignments students are exposed to and practice digital illustration skills for design, editorial, and animation. Emphasis is placed on the use of vector-based tools for artistic drawing and graphic design. Students explore the relationship of digital illustration with the field of Graphic Design, Animation and Fine Art.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A

      DIGM 6A
      Photoshop

      3 units
      Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure, color balance, to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of images and composite images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A

      DIGM 10A
      Introduction to Animation

      3 units
      The history and evolution of technical aspects of animation are examined. Students explore animation principles using analog media, including, phonotropes, stop motion animation, claymation and flip books. Digital aspects of animation are also explored to create short mini animated sequences.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 11

      DIGM 11
      Video Editing

      3 units
      Introduction to the art of digital video editing using industry standard software. Students explore the theory and practice of various editing styles in order to gain a better understanding of how stories are constructed in the editing room. Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, students learn advanced editing techniques with an in-depth examination of the art of the edit. Strong emphasis is placed on post-production techniques that improve the sound and image quality of the videos.
      Course Details:

      FILM 16
      Documentary Filmmaking

      3 units
      Introduction to documentary filmmaking and current techniques of digital documentary including, sound, video and mixed media documentary. Story basics, research, structure, objective/subjective approach, audio recording, shooting setups, interviewing, and rough-cut editing.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: FILM 15
    3. Transfers to CSU

      4. PHOT 1A
      Digital Photography I

      3 units
      Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of digital photography. Course provides an overview of digital camera functions for automatic and manual exposure, image creation and capture, file management, and image editing. Students may use any appropriate digital camera including; DSLR, mirrorless, point & shoot or smartphone. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in digital photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 50 has been completed successfully.
      Course Details:
    4. Transfers to CSU

      5. PHOT 2A
      Black and White Darkroom Photography

      3 units
      Introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of black and white darkroom photography. Course provides an overview of 35mm cameras and materials for exposure and development of black and white film. Traditional darkroom techniques will be used for the exploration and refinement of gelatin silver processes for printing and toning photographs. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, film cameras, materials and equipment, and contemporary trends in film photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 60 has been completed successfully.
      Course Details:
    5. Transfers to CSU

      6. PHOT 3A
      Introduction to Studio Lighting

      3 units
      Introduction to basic studio lighting skills using electronic flash, static, and strobe applications. Course will familiarize students with lighting techniques for portraiture, product and still-life photography, in a studio setting with specialized equipment and digital cameras. Digital production techniques and processes including basics of shooting, editing and output for digital photographs. Professional setups and standard practices, as well as alternative lighting solutions will be covered. May not receive credit if PHOT 64A has been completed successfully.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
        2. or
      2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50

      PHOT 4A
      Color Theory for Photographers

      3 units
      This course will cover the basics of color science, color theory, language of color, color primaries and color relationships, applied using digital photography techniques. Students will study the principles, theories and applications of additive and subtractive color in photography. These concepts will be framed in a way that is relevant for photographers in composition, control of mood, emotional content, and image processing. Topics will include major historical and contemporary color systems, production of projects using applied color and the elements of color and design as they apply to photography. May not receive credit if PHOT 61 has been completed successfully.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
        2. or
      2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50
    6. Transfers to CSU

      7. PHOT 6A
      Photoshop

      3 units
      Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure and color balance to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of photos and composite the images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
      Course Details:
      1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 1
      2. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A
        3. or
      3. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 50
      Total Units: 60.5-62.5 units
      This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.