Introduction to Portraiture | Fall

This online course focuses on portraiture and figure drawing, taught from a foundation of respect for human creation and reverence for the Creator. Students will learn accurate anatomical understandings, from skeletal systems to musculature, to create expressive and dynamic figures. Central to the course is the exploration of what it means to be made in the image of God, informed by Scriptures and texts like "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis. Through demonstrations, personal instruction, and studio exercises, students will explore various mediums, compositions, and techniques. The course encourages self-reflection through artist statements and fosters peer collaboration via regular class critiques. Additionally, it provides insights into the history and role of classical portraiture, contemporary art, and Christian imagination in relation to faith and the arts through readings and reflections by authors like C.S. Lewis, Francis Shaffer, and Makoto Fujimura.