Bachelor of Fine Arts in 
Online Visual Art Course
30 hours
4801: Intro to Visual Arts
Explore the purpose and process of art-making
What makes a painting work? What inspires a sculptor to create? Artists are influenced by the language of art and visual communication, historical and social forces, and the evolution of new modes of expression. In this online visual arts course, you'll deepen your art knowledge by exploring your own artistic creativity. You'll look at paintings, sculptures, experimental pieces, and more, learning to critique composition and decode their social or political purpose. Course projects include art themes and creating your own art pieces that demonstrate your grasp of course concepts in the medium of your choice.
Course At A Glance
Course Features
- 100% online
- Project-based
- Instructor-led
- Study at your own pace
- Complete this course in 3-4 weeks
Instructor(s)
The course is taught by the following instructor(s):
Take this course as a standalone or as part of the following program(s):
Course Projects
The Visual Alphabet
No matter the medium—paint, clay, photo, video, or beyond—the fine arts is based on a fundamental visual language. In the first lecture, you will be introduced to the foundations of fine art work including compositional and visual communication techniques. A wide range of essentials such as positive and negative space, balance and tension, and continuity and interruption are explored. In a feature interview, you'll be introduced to artist Raimond Chaves and his art and design techniques
Historical and Social Function of Art
Some might say that all art is political in a way, reacting (or choosing not to react) to historical or social events. This week introduces classic and contemporary pieces created to illustrate, enhance, or protest historical, religious, and social events. You'll learn how art tells stories, records data, is used in rituals, makes social commentary, and even is used as therapy.
Art as an Expressive Medium
Fine arts are all about expression, but there's more to it than just drawing, painting, and sculpture. In the final lecture, we'll compare and contrast the traditional fine arts with other categories of the arts, including visual, applied, and experimental. Interdisciplinary arts that include contemporary dance, fashion, and more are explored, as well as game art through a feature interview with controversial game artist Anne Marie Schleiner.
Sample Student Work
by Stephanie Pitsch
Course Outcomes
What Are The Course Projects?
In a series of artistic projects, you will be asked to explore the art by art-making, through emotional/composition, by exploring purpose in art, and by creating an interdisciplinary art piece.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Basic supplies for an artistic medium of your choice (drawing, paint, video, digital imaging, and so on).
- A digital camera (or ability to digitize film photos) to present your artwork digitally.
What Will I Learn?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Identify the basic visual elements that form aesthetic experiences.
- Identify fundamental composition and visual communication techniques.
- Create art pieces that elicit emotion using specific composition techniques.
- Identify historical and social purposes of art including religious ceremonies and rituals, storytelling, describing events, creating beauty, generating emotion, recording data, and art as therapy.
- Identify historical and current uses of art as protest, propaganda, and commentary.
- Create a composition relating to specific purposes for creating artwork.
- Identify the relationship between the fine arts, visual arts, applied arts, and performance arts as components of the arts.
- Identify types and movements of interdisciplinary arts such as fluxus and contemporary dance.
- Identify trends in interdisciplinary practice such as fluxus and game modding.
- Create a personal definition of the arts.
- Create an interdisciplinary art piece demonstrating a specific theme.
Getting Started
Course Registration
- Enroll today, start tomorrow
- Study at your own pace
- Complete within 3 months
| Course Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $619 |
| Registration Fee* | $50 |
| Total Course Price | $669 |
Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from enrollment. All tuition includes a digital materials fee for course content.
Click Register Now to enter your information and desired start date. An Admissions Advisor will contact you to arrange payment and provide you with an Enrollment Agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are The Courses Like?
Our courses are project-based. There are no set logins, so you can study at your own pace. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures and projects designed to stretch your creative skills.
How Much Time Do I Need?
This course can be completed in 30 hours or less. You’ll have three months from enrollment to complete the course studying at your own pace. Extensions are available for those who need more time.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our faculty of professional artists, designers, and photographers. You’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work.
Is Sessions College accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).