Painting students at UAB begin with an intense, academic, oil painting course, which focuses upon elements of contrast while painting the still life and portraiture. This course provides the student with the knowledge base and strong skill set to develop the confidence to advance toward more personally driven objectives, whether that be a continued interest in observational painting, or expressive, abstract, experimental or a combination of these directions.

At the intermediate level students are free to choose their medium and are challenged with a range of assignments designed to push their understanding of the medium as well as develop their own creative and critical thinking when making their art.

At the advanced level painting students are charged with developing a self-designed course of study, which focuses upon their personal interests with paint and art-making while still being challenged technically and conceptually by the professor and their peers.

Painting students at UAB are encouraged to focus on discovering what is driving their work and to develop an aesthetic and the proper techniques to complement their voice. The teaching philosophy at this level pushes students to fuel their creative interests with a hard work ethic and personal research.

For more information about the painting, please contact Gary Chapman, the Painting Area Head.