This course is designed to encourage students to explore and examine the historical development and fabrication techniques of faux finish decorative painting, the history of decorative arts, and three-dimensional properties construction. As part of this exploration, particular attention will be paid to research, identification, and restoration of historical artifacts.
The role of a scenic artist is one that requires communication skills as there is a lot of teamwork involved, and most importantly, flexibility and creativity in order to adapt and change your perspectives to solve problems and to meet deadlines. In order to best carry out their responsibilities, scenic artists, not only have to learn and acquire skills in their artistic and scenic abilities, but also need to have a good understanding of art history, period styles, motifs, and architecture.
Within the course, students will examine elements of the history of décor techniques, the theories of design, and the methods as well as materials applied in scenic art. As it is a studio course, the students will be heavily working with hands-on applications of art work; there will be minimal lectures and no written papers other than keeping a journal of the techniques applied within the course and reflected in their art work as well as some historical context notes.