Intermediate Painting: Abstraction, Representation, and Criticality (PAI-0117)

Spring 2026 · PAI 0117 · Tufts University · 4 credits · Undergraduate

This course will introduce students to the practical and historical dialog between representational and abstract modes of painting. A series of class projects lead students through a conversation between these two modes of painting, with the goal of examining their underlying assumptions, and complicating the categories of "representation" and "abstraction". It has often been said "all painting is abstract and in that the artist chooses to emphasize some things over others". Class projects distinguish between categories of “non-objective”, abstraction in the sense of emphasis or distortion, as well as the quality of abstraction inherent in conventional representation. Class concludes with several weeks of independent student work. Emphasis will be production of paintings, and talking about painting with informed intent. Students will leave this class able to understand and apply the basic techniques of representational painting (modeling to create form, atmospheric and linear perspective to create space, proportion and good composition), able to understand and apply basic techniques of abstraction (composition, materials, color, brushstroke, layering, transparency, abstraction from nature). Students should also be able to understand and discuss the historical roles abstraction and representation have played in painting history and how they apply to their own work. Some prior painting experience and an introductory Painting course is required before taking this course. Non-SMFA students and MAT Art Education students will receive a letter grade.

Course codes: PAI-0117, PAI 0117, PAI0117, PAI-117, PAI 117, PAI117

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