First Year

The first year is project based and focuses on the genres of  figure painting, still life, transcription, urban landscape and rural landscape. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of both the historic and contemporary  issues surrounding these genres.

Drawing is essential to the project base and it is encouraged as the main form of exploration throughout the course. Alongside this, students experience a broad range of painting skills acquiring the technical knowledge necessary to develop the individuality that is encouraged within the department

During the first and second year, students attend Art Historical and Theoretical Studies for one day a week, leaving four days for Studio Practice.

Second Year

The establishment of skills and the strengthening of identity which is a large part of the first year experience prepares students for a more independently motivated second year where they work alongside both the third year and postgraduate peer group. In the recent past this combination has produced a highly energised atmosphere and work of considerable individual distinction.

Third Year

From this point on, and into the third year, students mainly determine their own area of "research" in consultation with a team of tutors, who are all practicing artists and whose own interests and expertise represent the diversity of contemporary art-practice. Within the crosscurrents of debate, students are challenged and encouraged to see their own positions critically within the contemporary fine art arena. A series of Professional Practice Seminars from artists, critics, gallerists and other art world professionals helps to construct a framework for professional practice beyond the educational establishment.

Educational Field Trips

Biannually, the whole Fine Art department visits Cologne in Germany. This trip takes in the major  contemporary museums and galleries in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Duisburg and Bonn.

Annually, the first year BA students travel to Cornwall for two weeks as part of the Urban/Rural Landscape Project, specialising mainly in drawing.

Head of Painting - Robin Mason MA (RCA)

Teaching Staff - Assistant course co-ordinator - Kate Palmer MA (RCA), Michael Buhler ARCA, Teresita Dennis MA (RCA), Andrew Grassie MA (RCA), Katarina Ivanisin MA (RCA), Reece Jones RA (Cert), Jane Langley MA( RCA), , Alex Morrison MA (RCA), Rosie Snell MA, Amikam Toren.

Visiting Staff - Basil Beattie, Sarah Beddington, David Burrows, Alex Calinescu, Professor Graham Crowley, Marion Coutts, Adam Dant, Jane Dixon, Dan Hays, Paul Hedge, Barnaby Hosking, Jefford Horrigan, Vanessa Jackson, James Jessop, John Kirby, Rannva Kunoy, Hew Locke, Fred Mann, Ian McKeever, Hugh Mendes, Kim Merrington, John Murphy, Avis Newman, Jane Simpson, Jo Stockham, Tomoaki Suzuki, Richard Talbot, Christian Ward, Miranda Whall, John Wigley, Paul Winstanley, Jenny Wright.