Artist: Oils & Acrylics Certificate

Your at-home learning program includes courses designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career in Artist: Oils & Acrylics. Your first course will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other courses will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer (running Windows Vista® or later) and the Internet in order to complete your program with ICS Canada.

Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your learning materials:

ART020 Drawing Essentials

This course provides an overview of critical concepts for the artist including two-dimensional design and perspective. In addition the student will obtain instruction and practice in basic drawing techniques. The course includes a sketching kit and a DVD that demonstrates basic techniques.

Lesson 1: Two-Dimensional Design
Lesson 2: Perspective
Lesson 3: Basic Drawing
DVD: Drawing for Beginners
Drawing Supplies

ART080 Painting

The painting course begins with a fundamental lesson on color theory. The student then learns the fundamentals of oil painting, including canvas preparation. The student will learn how to handle the subject of a still life, landscape, and portrait. In addition, the student will learn how to plan and execute a complete oil painting.

In this painting course, the student will also learn the techniques for applying acrylics, including glazing, scumbling, blending, blocking in, underpainting, grisaille, and applying acrylic watercolor. Finally, the student will produce an acrylic painting to submit for grading.

Lesson 1: Color Theory
Lesson 2: Oil Painting
Lesson 3: Acrylic Painting
Graded Project: Acrylic Painting Project
DVD: Color for the Artist
DVD: Oil and Acrylic Painting
Oil Painting Supplies
Acrylic Painting Supplies

ART075 Presentation and Business Skills for the Artist

To begin this course, the student will learn the basic techniques of matting and framing artwork. The student will then learn how to develop and present a professional portfolio as well as techniques related to finding employment (freelance) and selling your work. This course also covers basic business skills for the artist including basic contracts, copyright laws related to art, setting fees, invoicing, and basic tax concerns.

Lesson 1: Matting and Framing Your Work
Lesson 2: Professional Presentation
Lesson 3: The Business of Art
Lesson 4: Painting Project submission
Reference Text: Artist’s Market

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change course content and materials when it becomes necessary.