Painting
As one of three areas of emphasis in Fine Arts, Painting students learn the basic principles, techniques, and concepts of painting and drawing while developing their talent. Students learn to translate their ideas, passions, and interests into compelling works of art.
Students are exposed to the ideas and methods that make up the long, rich history of painting. Classes include abstract and representational approaches to the medium and how to use them to make successful paintings. Students in the Painting concentration work on surfaces ranging from paper, canvas, panels, and walls, among many other possibilities. They experiment using a wide variety of materials (oil, acrylic, watercolor, spray paint, and others) as part of their journey to become professional artists with their own unique direction.
Painting students work in two studio environments: the Galef Center Painting Studio, which has 24/7 access, a storage facility, an outdoor work area, and an adjoining clean space where students present work for critique; and the Senior Studios, which offer each student a private space to work in for the entirety of their senior year.
Drawing Emphasis
The Drawing Emphasis is created by a structured series of courses in Fine Arts as well as available courses in other programs at the college. Students explore how mark-making can be a powerful tool for communicating ideas. Material choices range from the traditional (graphite, charcoal and ink) to the conceptual (mud, oil, thread, marker and more).
Photography
Focusing on a medium with a wide presence in popular culture, students in the Photography area of emphasis in Fine Arts gain technical and conceptual skills to analyze and make photographic works of art. They learn analog and digital approaches to the medium, digital, and analog 35mm-, medium-, and large-format cameras, and scanners. Printing in traditional black-and-white and digital forms is explored as well as mural prints, light-boxes and alternative processes, and a full set of skills in studio lighting and Photoshop.
The Senior Studios offer each student a private space to work for the entirety of their senior year in the Fine Arts program.
Editorial/Fashion Photography Emphasis
The Editorial/Fashion Photography Emphasis is created by a structured series of courses in Fine Arts where students learn how to create images for use in print and online publications. Working in the spacious Lighting Studio, which features a permanent green screen, and well-equipped Photography Lab, student photographers have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Students work with live models and props in the studio or travel to sites around Southern California to shoot on location.
Sculpture/ New Genres
As one of three areas of emphasis in Fine Arts, students working in Sculpture/New Genres learn to create three-dimensional and time-based works of art. This very broad area allows students to explore the traditional forms of sculpture as well as the contemporary genres of installation, performance, sound, video, film, and art and social practice. Skills as diverse as ceramics, woodworking, mold-making and casting, sewing, weaving, welding, dance, and a wide range of digital media production are covered as tools for creating exciting new forms of art making.
The Senior Studios offer each student a private space to work in for the entirety of their senior year in the Fine Arts Program.
Contemporary Clay Emphasis
The Contemporary Clay Emphasis is created by a structured series of courses in Fine Arts where students explore both traditional and new approaches to working with the medium. Students have access to throwing wheels and kilns in the Ceramics Studio. They may also work on large-scale projects in the Sculpture Studio. Student artists are creating a new legacy of excellence with clay at Otis College in the 21st Century.
Film/Video Emphasis
The Film/Video Emphasis is created by a structured series of courses in Fine Arts as well as available courses in other programs at the college. Students explore the technical and aesthetic aspects of film and video as art forms.