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 indepth investigation of subject and materials towards more self directed work in the second year. In the recent past this 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.

Robin Mason MA (RCA) Head of Painting  

Kate Palmer MA RCA Senior Lecturer

Teaching Staff Teresita Dennis, Keira Bennett, Matthew Collings, Sarah Douglas, Andrew Grassie, James Jessop, Jasper Joffe, Reece Jones, Jane Langley, Hugh Mendes, Alex Gene Morrison, Gavin Nolan, Amikam Toren.

Previous Visiting Staff - Max Attenborough, Paul Becker, Gillian Carnegie, Gordon Cheung, Chris Davies, Zavier Ellis,Tom Godfrey, Nick Hackworth, Alexis Harding, Anne Hardy, David Kefford Francesca Lowe, Andrew Mummery, Neil Rumming, Colin Smith, Helen Sumpter, Will Turner, Christian Hidaka, Jonathan Wateridge, Lucy Williams, Paul Winstanley,
Adam Dant, Jane Dixon, Dan Hays, Paul Hedge, Barnaby Hosking, Hew Locke, Fred Mann, Ian McKeever, John Murphy and others.