Instructor-Led Art Certificate Programs
Fine Arts Certificate
Expand your drawing, painting, and photography skillsProgram Overview
In the Sessions College Certificate in Fine Arts program, students gain a foundation in art theory and artistic technique. Students enjoy a wide-ranging training in drawing and painting that instils a rigorous, traditional approach to representing still life and human figure subjects with attention to critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, and composition.
Instructor-Led Program
- Project-based courses led by design and digital media professionals.
- Learn at your own pace, on your own schedule—no mandatory logins or preset meeting times.
- Build skills through mentoring and critique from expert instructors.
A Better Way to Learn
Online
Study 100% online from anywhere with 24/7 access to classes.
Self-paced
Complete your program on your own time in 9 months or less.
Industry Relevant
Develop in-demand skills for your creative field.
Customizable
Fine Arts Courses
Program Curriculum
Designed for the busy adult learner, the Certificate in Fine Arts is a 360 clock hour program completed in nine months or less studying part time.
Level 1
- 4803 Intro to Visual Arts - 30 hours
- 4018 Intro to Drawing - 30 hours
- 4800 History of Art - 60 hours
- 4501 Drawing I - 60 hours
Level 2
- 7002 Digital Photography I - 60 hours
- 4502 Figure Drawing - 60 hours
- 4700 Painting I - 60 hours
Course Descriptions
4803 Intro to Visual Arts
Develop an understanding of the visual arts by exploring your own artistic creativity. You'll explore paintings, sculptures, experimental pieces, and more, learning to critique their composition and decode their social or political purpose. You'll be introduced to the elements that make up a visual message and build a vocabulary of fundamental terms and compositional techniques. Learn more
4018 Intro To Drawing
Learn how to draw with proper techniques, learning how to represent what they see through studies in contour drawing, perspective, positive/negative space, and value. As you progress through this class, you will develop a better understanding of the forms you are observing and become more skillful in representing those forms. Learn more
4800 History of Art
Build a foundation in art history and gain a deep understanding of art and the artists who create it. Explore profound themes that have concerned artists for centuries: nature, the human body, society, religion, and politics. Through engaging lectures and projects, you’ll learn how to identify the mediums, materials, and techniques artists use and discuss the styles of important artists, art movements, and historical periods from antiquity through the mid-20th century. Learn more
4501 Drawing I
Learn how to analyze what you see in the world around you and communicate it on paper. Through hands-on projects, and guided by a professional artist, you will explore the critical concepts of line, mass, form, perspective, value, and composition, building a solid foundation for all your art and design work. Learn more
7002 Digital Photography I
Explore the interaction of photography techniques and environmental factors to create powerful digital images. Students learn the fundamentals of lighting, perspective, and set up and explore techniques for classic assignments: portraits, product shots, indoor and outdoor location shoots, and fast-action sports. Whether you’re a fine artist, graphic designer, or Web developer, a mastery of digital photography gives you creative control of the medium. Learn more
4502 Figure Drawing
Follow traditional methods to learn the standard measures and proportions artists use to achieve naturalistic and expressive figure drawings. Illustrations and activities guide students through the structure of the human skeleton and help them understand how the body’s anatomy shapes its external form. The course builds progressively from the fundamentals to the challenges of portraiture, three-dimensional form, composition, and expression. Learn more
4700 Painting I
After a thorough orientation to the painter’s materials (paint, canvas, brushes, and solvents), students study a systematic and time-honored approach to painting that enables them to capture proportion, perspective, and lighting. Students learn how to build a foundation with preparatory sketches and underpainting, then gain control over value through monochromatic painting and color studies. Learn more
Build Your Own Learning Path
This program is adaptable to a wide range of experience levels. Choose the option(s) below that best meet your learning goals.
Option 1
Specialize
New to the field? Simply complete all required courses in the certificate program.
Option 2
Customize
Already have some industry and/or software experience? Customize up to 50% of your programChoose from courses in Graphic Design, Software, Motion & Video, and more by choosing alternate courses.
Option 3
PLUS
Need more training? After you've completed your program, add concentrations at reduced tuitionChoose from concentrations in Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Illustration, and more to enhance your creative skills.
Program Outcomes
By completing the program, Certificate in Fine Arts students develop the following competencies:
1. Drawing
Draw utilizing traditional media and classic techniques, demonstrating a command of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and the human figure.
2. Painting
Paint utilizing traditional media and classic techniques, demonstrating a command of proportion, perspective, value contrast, and the human figure.
3. Photography
Demonstrate effective and efficient use of a digital camera to create photographs applying well considered framing, exposure, composition, perspective, distance, and lighting.
4. Art/Design Principles
Demonstrate the ability to produce visually compelling artwork by applying knowledge of color and composition.
Sessions Student Work
Student Work
What Students Say
Sessions College provided exactly what I was looking for. They were willing to help me even though I wasn’t an “artist” with a portfolio. I wanted to better educate myself in the fine arts and learn the basics of drawing and painting. Sessions College is doing that for me. I have also been able to travel and take my studies with me. I really like that I can go online anytime and work on one of my courses!