Are AUP Art Courses Right for You?
Over the past four years at AUP I've taken eight art courses and want to provide an honest assessment of whether they were worth the time, effort and additional fees required on top of regular tuition—because if you didn't know, almost every art course requires a course fee in order to provide supplies.
So, if you're debating whether to add an "AR" course to your degree worksheet, this review might give you the insight you were looking for. And yes, I do recommend pursuing artistic courses—but only if you're committed to taking them seriously.
Keep in mind that the curriculum is ever-changing, so the experiences documented here may not fully reflect the current state of the class. If you'd like to compare my review side-by-side with the latest course catalog, click here.
Before I get into the reviews, a bit about me: I'm a Creative Writing major on the fine arts track and the daughter of an artist. The artistic field is one I am fairly experienced in, which informs my perspective on these courses.
Printmaking
Taught by: Stéphane Treilhou / No prerequisites needed.
This course is beginner-friendly and structured to gradually build up your experience with printmaking skills, starting with basic tools like vegetable stamps before progressing to more complex techniques like metal printing.
While most of the work in the course focuses on carving linoleum, one notable project involved raw fish ink prints pressed onto poster paper, which were then hung to dry in the Montessuy building.
Most of the work has to be taken home for printing or completion the following week in class. If you prefer a course where you can fully immerse yourself in the creative process only during class time, this may not be what you're looking for.
Painting I
Taught by: Sophie Pigeron / No prerequisites needed.
If you've been looking to get into oil painting and have no clue where to start, this is it.
The subject material builds up from simple still life-like fruit to nude models, a big leap, but a well-guided one. Color use and composition techniques are thoughtfully explained, and your efforts are always celebrated.
Paints and brushes are not provided, so end results may vary on the quality of paint that suits your budget. But don't worry, if you're in a real pinch, there's a big basket of oil paints available for use... if you don’t mind their less-than-ideal (and very sticky) condition.
Painting II
Taught by: Delphine Debord / No prerequisites needed.
It's not necessary to complete Painting I before attending this course, but following the sequence may be worth considering. There's no expectation for everyone to paint like a professional, but if you're completely new to the medium, progressing from one basic level to the next might be more beneficial.
This course jumps straight into compositional paintings of still-life setups arranged by the professor. It also introduces more challenging mediums, such as mixing milk protein with pigment to create paint.
There's less demonstration and more hands-on practice—learning through trial and error rather than theoretical explanations. If you're looking to expand your painting capabilities to a more advanced level, this is the course for you.
2D Mixed Media
Taught by: Frederick Betz / No prerequisites needed.
AUP's course catalog states that this class "demands experimentation" and they're right. Out of the eight courses reviewed, this one is best suited for those with little to no experience or those seeking a class that emphasizes creative freedom.
The topics and techniques are assigned, but the content is flexible. One assignment required no thinking, just drawing with charcoal—let the medium guide you.
You're taught how to experiment with layering paints, charcoals, paper and more. Gradually, each piece evolves into a more unique and complex expression of yourself.
The only thing to be aware of is that materials were often scarce, so bringing your own supplies became increasingly necessary when I took this course.
Intro to Sculpture
Taught by: Ines Winckler / No prerequisites needed.
If you're reading this and the course catalog still says you will "work from plaster copies and nude models," I can't guarantee that this will be the case, as it wasn't for me.
While there was some involvement of clay carving to mold skulls, bones and bas-reliefs, I believe the course catalog should emphasize the part that says "mastery of structure and architecture," as that is mainly what the course focuses on.
The topics varied and were all interesting in their own right, but recurring technicalities of what the class was described, and therefore thought, to be disconnected from reality. Being charged a course fee while repeatedly using your own recycled materials makes the "reduce, reuse, recycle" concept feel a bit unreasonable, especially considering the course aims for "mastery" of clay.
I recommend bringing your own scissors, cutter and tape, as materials were, once again, somewhat scarce.
Materials & Techniques of the Masters
Taught by: Stéphane Treilhou / No prerequisites needed.
As the title suggests, this course has a much heavier focus on the technical aspects of producing not only artwork but also the materials used to create them.
Each class begins with a lecture on a specific medium, such as silverpoint drawing or making paint from egg yolk and pigment, followed by a hands-on exploration of that medium. In this class, generally, a homework assignment is due for the following class using what was learned that day.
Given that the final project involves a deep dive into a specific pigment assigned to each student, who must then recreate that pigment recipe or technique, I would say this class requires a genuine interest in art beyond its surface level. It can be considered a bit research-heavy.
Jewelry Making
Taught by: Stéphane Treilhou / No prerequisites needed.
Are you up to date on your tetanus shot? Because that's a serious question we were asked on the first day. A good sense of safety is crucial in this course, as it involves tools that could require more caution—just make sure you’re prepared!
If you're not one for painting, drawing or sculpting but still want to get creative, I highly recommend this course. It's challenging and will leave you with a few cuts and scrapes, but with a bit of dedication, it'll be well worth your time.
The techniques are always demonstrated thoroughly, and examples are passed around the room for a tactile understanding. Safety is closely monitored, and there is a clear concern for the appropriate progression of your project.
Just make sure to use your time wisely! It's easier to work on campus than at home. After all, you can't take an electric saw home, and cleaning wood shavings from a carpet is tough work.
Botanical Drawing
Taught by: Delphine Debord / No prerequisites needed.
This course focuses on the use of watercolor, and thankfully, a good palette is provided (thanks to the course fee—still, it's a nice bonus!)
For each class, a variety of dried or fresh plant parts are presented, and you're instructed to follow the standards of professional botanical drawing: accurate proportions, color matching and calligraphy of the name.
It's a new skill to add to your collection, but you primarily learn from doing and figuring things out on your own. This course takes patience—I once spent 5 minutes mixing the right shade of green—so make sure you're up to the challenge.
Respecting the Creative Space
So, if you've decided by now that you would like to take one of these courses, allow me to leave you with just one last message. It's essential to remember that the art studios at AUP are shared spaces, used not only for these courses but also by students who work in the studio after hours. Paying attention to reorganizing materials and ensuring everything remains in good condition will not only demonstrate professionalism but also foster a positive and collaborative atmosphere. Even if you're not a Fine Arts major, everyone deserves to create art, so let us all do our best to maintain an environment that benefits everyone involved.
