This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs
and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program
approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available
in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Peter Baldes
Associate professor and chair
Faculty and students in the Department of Painting and Printmaking work together in a professional and creative learning environment. The undergraduate curriculum enables students to adopt a specialized focus within the discipline and use elective options to pursue other areas of interest in the School of the Arts, the university and the community. It also permits students to tailor a course of study suited to their professional and personal ambitions. The undergraduate program provides students with opportunities for concentrated experiences in both practice and theory as a foundation for independent exploration and artistic development. Classroom discussions invite students to examine a range of contemporary critical issues, which enable them to understand their own studio work in relation to historical continuum. As students develop their skills in critical analysis they are challenged to articulate and justify their ideas both visually and verbally.
The size and diversity of the faculty guarantee exposure to a plurality of ideas and stylistic approaches. In addition, the department's visiting artist program brings to campus leading figures in the world of contemporary art for discussions of their work, critiques of student work and workshops.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this program:
- Students are expected to achieve technical proficiency in painting and printmaking, and possess the skill to translate their creative ideas through studio practice.
- Students are expected to develop personal voices as artists based on an awareness of social, historical and critical issues.
- Students have the ability to think critically and to articulate their ideas via conversation, public speaking and writing.
- Students comprehend the potential impact of contemporary art on culture.
Special requirements
- Open electives: The 12 credits required in this area may be either academic (lecture) or studio, but nine additional studio credits must be taken outside of the Department of Painting and Printmaking.
- Studio courses are designed to be taken in the following sequence: 200 level (basic), 300 level (intermediate) and 400 level (advanced). Instructors may ask you to withdraw from a course if you lack the appropriate background of knowledge and experience.
Degree requirements for Painting and Printmaking, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| PAPR 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 231 | Drawing from Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 290 | Concepts and Issues | 2 |
| PAPR 292 | Concepts and Issues II | 2 |
| PAPR 390 | Junior Seminar | 2 |
| PAPR 402 | Senior Degree Project | 4 |
| PAPR 490 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Select two from: | 4 | |
| Print Techniques: Etching | ||
| Print Techniques: Screenprint | ||
| Print Techniques: Lithography | ||
| Print Techniques: Digital | ||
| PAPR 304 | Paint Practice and Theory | 4 |
| or PAPR 314 | Print Practice and Theory | |
| • Major electives | ||
| PAPR 300- to 400-level courses in painting, printmaking or drawing | 12 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| ARTH electives | 9 | |
| Studio electives (outside PAPR) 1 | 9 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Select from COAR, CRAF, DANC, FASH, GDES, IDES, KINE, APPM/MHIS, PHTO, SCPT or THEA.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 231 | Drawing from Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 290 | Concepts and Issues | 2 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 212 or PAPR 213 | Print Techniques: Etching or Print Techniques: Screenprint | 2 |
| PAPR 292 | Concepts and Issues II | 2 |
| PAPR 306 or PAPR 307 | Print Techniques: Lithography or Print Techniques: Digital | 2 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR 300- or 400-level elective | 4 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Studio elective (from outside the department) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 304 or PAPR 314 | Paint Practice and Theory or Print Practice and Theory | 4 |
| PAPR 390 | Junior Seminar | 2 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Studio elective (from outside the department) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR 490 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| PAPR 300- or 400-level electives | 8 | |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 402 | Senior Degree Project | 4 |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Studio elective (from outside the department) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
PAPR 201. Painting From Observation. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Introduction to the materials of oil and/or acrylic paint through a practice of painting from observation. Students will practice fundamental concepts in the medium and gain understanding of the context of contemporary and historic painting.
PAPR 206. Drawing for Nonmajors. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to non-art majors; students may not be enrolled in the School of the Arts. An introduction to the tools and methods of drawing. Emphasis will be placed on drawing from observation with a focus on compositional organization and the use of traditional drawing materials.
PAPR 210. Painting for Non-majors. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 1 lecture and 6 studio hours. 3 credits. Open to non-art majors only. The course will offer an opportunity for students to work with some of the ideas and materials of painting through lecture and studio involvement.
PAPR 211. Print Media I. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Designed for students beginning to explore the development of their visual vocabulary utilizing the multiple. This course is meant to be taken as part of a year-long module including etching, lithography, screen printing and digital imaging.
PAPR 212. Print Techniques: Etching. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in School of the Arts. A seven-week course that engages students with one of the earliest means for creating a multiple -- the incised plate. A variety of procedures for crafting the copper plate such as etching, drypoint and aquatint will be introduced. The ability to print and discern a quality impression will be developed. What connects printmaking’s various techniques is the initial production of a matrix from which the image is transferred to another surface and potentially reproduced multiple times. This course is one of a four-part series of printmaking studio courses designed for students beginning to explore the development of their visual vocabulary utilizing the multiple.
PAPR 213. Print Techniques: Screenprint. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. A seven-week course that is structured to provide an understanding of the history, techniques, materials and contemporary practice of screenprinting in a fine arts context. Both analog and digital techniques for creating stencils on screens will be introduced. The ability to recognize technical quality and analyze content in a printed image will be fostered through group discussions and individual tutorials. Safe studio practices will be emphasized. This course is one of a four-part series of printmaking studio courses designed for students beginning to explore the development of their visual vocabulary by utilizing the multiple.
PAPR 215. Printmaking for Nonmajors. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to non-art majors; students may not be enrolled in the School of the Arts. The course will offer an opportunity for students to work with some of the ideas and materials of printmaking through lecture, studio practice, technical demonstrations and individual and group critiques.
PAPR 231. Drawing from Observation. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. This course continues the development of students’ proficiencies in drawing through an emphasis on representation, illusion and mimesis. Students will gain an understanding of fundamental concepts in drawing, including figure/ground relationships, planes and volumes, and formal and expressive approaches to mark-making.
PAPR 290. Concepts and Issues. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. A lecture course that familiarizes students with contemporary artworks, as well as modern and postmodern concepts. Students will be introduced to contemporary issues in art through the presentation of slides, films and visiting speakers. Visits to outside events and lectures will be required.
PAPR 292. Concepts and Issues II. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 290 or SCPT 290. A lecture course that builds on the prerequisite and covers contemporary art from recent decades. Students will be introduced to issues in contemporary art, including recent debates in the field. Crosslisted as: SCPT 292.
PAPR 301. Painting Strategies. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 201. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. This course will explore contemporary ideas in painting through studio practice, critique, lecture, reading and discussion. Students will be exposed to relevant contemporary theory and will pursue issues such as abstraction, installation, site specificity and process, as well as systemic and conceptual approaches to painting.
PAPR 304. Paint Practice and Theory. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 301. This course utilizes the group critique as its principle teaching methodology and explores critical issues in the field of painting. Each student will pursue a studio practice, complete assigned reading and participate in discussion.
PAPR 306. Print Techniques: Lithography. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. A seven-week course that is structured to provide an understanding of basic techniques for printing from polyester and aluminum plates. Instruction will be provided on plate preparation, drawing materials, chemical stabilization of the drawn plate, press set-up, proofing, paper selection, and printing and signing an edition. The ability to recognize technical quality and analyze content in a printed image will be fostered through group discussions. Safe studio practices will be emphasized. This course is one of a four-part series of printmaking studio courses designed for students beginning to explore the development of their visual vocabulary utilizing the multiple.
PAPR 307. Print Techniques: Digital. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 2 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. A seven-week course that investigates the history of digital printing and imparts an understanding of what it means to have a digital studio practice. While expanding the notion of print’s history of dissemination to the virtual, students will develop a working knowledge of image-editing software, image acquisition methods, digital file maintenance and color management. This course is one of a four-part series of printmaking studio courses designed for students beginning to explore the development of their visual vocabulary utilizing the multiple.
PAPR 308. Programming for Artists. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. Explores computer programming and computational thinking using processing language, enabling artists to create their own software rather than being the user of someone else’s tool/idea. Students will learn the basic foundations of the computer programming environment through lectures, projects, critiques and quizzes.
PAPR 309. Electronic Strategies. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. A digital media course designed to acclimatize students with the use of computers in the context of fine art. As opposed to common perceptions of "computer art," students will learn to use the computer as they would any other tool -- to articulate their ideas and add to their artistic practice. Through in-class exercises and homework assignments emphasizing problem-solving, students will learn to express their ideas through this emerging medium.
PAPR 311. Print Media II. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Further studies for students exploring the development of their visual vocabulary utilizing the multiple. This course is meant to be taken as part of a year-long module including etching, lithography, screen printing and digital imaging.
PAPR 314. Print Practice and Theory. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisites: PAPR 212 or PAPR 213; and PAPR 306 or PAPR 307. This course utilizes the group critique as its principle teaching methodology. It builds advanced printmaking skill and is a seminar on critical issues in the field. Each student will pursue a studio practice, complete assigned reading and participate in discussion.
PAPR 315. Printmaking, Intermediate (Etching). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 212 or permission of instructor. Investigation of etching printmaking, drypoint, engraving, aquatint, soft grounds and related techniques.
PAPR 317. Printmaking, Intermediate (Lithography). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 306 or permission of instructor. Investigation of techniques and technical printing problems in lithographic printing process from stones and plates.
PAPR 319. Printmaking, Intermediate (Screenprinting). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 213 or permission of instructor. An investigation of cut, hand-drawn and photographic stencil techniques and printing on a variety of surfaces.
PAPR 326. Color. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 201. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. A course examining the concepts governing the use of color. Historical and contemporary concepts and methods of application will be explored.
PAPR 330. Figure Painting. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 201. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. Designed to allow advanced painting students to focus on figurative work in painting. Historical and contemporary figurative painters will be examined in the context of developing each student's individual approach to form and content.
PAPR 331. Experiments in Drawing. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 231. Lecture, studio practice and historical context. Students will practice exploratory notions of drawing and be provided with relevant examples of contemporary approaches to drawing.
PAPR 390. Junior Seminar. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 290. Enrollment is restricted to painting and printmaking majors or requires permission of the instructor. This course introduces students to the basic concepts and skills necessary to participate as a professional in the field of contemporary art.
PAPR 392. Independent Study in Painting and Printmaking. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of six credits. Prerequisites: junior standing as a major in painting and printmaking and approval of department chair and instructor. Individual instruction and supervision of a special project. Learning experiences should be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor. This course is limited to those students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of ability and intense commitment to their discipline.
PAPR 401. Painting Investigations. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 304. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. With the emphasis on the exploration of an individual direction, this course continues the development of a student’s technical and conceptual proficiencies in the context of contemporary painting practices.
PAPR 402. Senior Degree Project. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 304 or PAPR 314. In this course the student will pursue an independent studio practice toward the development of a personal and informed body of advanced work.
PAPR 408. Senior Degree Project II. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 402. Enrollment is restricted to painting and printmaking majors. This course builds on the prerequisite course to allow students to continue their independent studio practice toward the development of a personal and informed body of advanced work.
PAPR 409. Large Format Digital Printing. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. Engages students in the use of digital tools in printmaking. Students will investigate developments in digital culture in relation to print's history and future. Creative applications of digital tools, with an emphasis on the digital print, form the heart of this course.
PAPR 415. Printmaking, Advanced (Etching). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 20 credits. Prerequisites: 4 credits of intermediate printmaking or permission of instructor. Specialization in one medium with emphasis upon technical research and aesthetic suitability of the design to the particular medium used.
PAPR 417. Printmaking, Advanced (Lithography). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 20 credits. Prerequisites: 4 credits of intermediate printmaking or permission of instructor. Further investigation of techniques and technical printing problems in the lithographic printing process from stones and plates.
PAPR 419. Printmaking, Advanced (Screenprinting). 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 20 credits. Prerequisites: 4 credits of intermediate printmaking or permission of instructor. Further exploration of cut, hand-drawn and photographic stencil techniques and printing on a variety of surfaces.
PAPR 421. Drawing, Advanced. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 331. Enrollment is restricted to students in the School of the Arts. A studio for drawing with individual criticism. Special attention is given to contemporary concepts.
PAPR 423. Experimental Printmaking. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 studio hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Prerequisites: 3 credits of intermediate printmaking or permission of instructor. Relief printing, collographs, monoprints, photoengraving and mixed media will be investigated.
PAPR 431. Drawing and the Model. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 6 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: PAPR 231. Historical and contemporary figure drawing will be explored with an emphasis on developing the student’s individual approach to the figure.
PAPR 480. Critical Issues. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture and 2 studio hours. 4 credits. Prerequisites: ARTF 131, 132, 133 and 134. Enrollment is restricted to students with junior or senior standing in the School of the Arts. This advanced course comprises two parts. The first examines diverse critical and aesthetic issues through the study of a select group of highly innovative international artists. In the second part, students will participate in studio visits. Crosslisted as: SCPT 480.
PAPR 490. Senior Seminar. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PAPR 390. Information to help graduating seniors in the department of painting and printmaking meet the professional requirements involved in exhibiting and promoting their creative work and in functioning as an artist. Writing intensive.
PAPR 491. Topics in Painting and Printmaking. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; 1-4 credits. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 12 credits. Topical course focusing on creative expression and research in the areas of painting and printmaking. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered.
PAPR 492. Independent Study in Painting and Printmaking. 1-4 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum total of six credits. Prerequisites: senior status as a major in painting and printmaking and approval of department chair and instructor. Individual instruction and supervision of a special project. Learning experiences should be designed with the supervising faculty member in the form of a contract between student and instructor. This course is limited to those students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of ability and intense commitment to their discipline.
PAPR 493. Internship for Painting and Printmaking. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; 1-6 practicum hours. 1-6 credits (40 work hours per credit). May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors in School of the Arts with permission of the department chair. A practicum that provides students with valuable real-world experience to work in the field of contemporary art.