22/3/2017 1.

1 Introduction to the Course | Coursera

Home Next

Welcome to In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting!

Mark Rothko wrote, "The satisfaction of the creative impulse is a basic,

biological need, essential to the health of the individual.Art is one of the
few important means known to man for the articulation of this impulse."
This course invites anyonefrom those who know their way around the
studio to those who have never picked up a paintbrushto explore the
materials, processes, and minds of seven New York School artists. These
artists were active in New York in the decades after World War II, and were
central to the rise of abstract painting in the mid-20th century. Combining
studio techniques, visual analysis, and art historical insight, the course o ers
you an opportunity to experience postwar abstract painting from an artists
point of view.

In the rst week, you will become acquainted with the foundations.
Instructor Corey DAugustine will walk you through setting up your studio
and preparing a canvas, and provide approaches to painting in both oil and
acrylic. Each of the weeks that follow will focus on an individual artist.
Starting with Barnett Newman, you will be introduced to Willem de Kooning,
Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Ad Reinhardt, and Yayoi
Kusama. All of these artists made abstract paintings that helped to de ne
the course of modern and contemporary art and that have become some of
the 20th centurys most celebrated works.

A variety of readings and resources will introduce the life, work, and social
and historical contexts of these artists. Videos will take you into MoMAs
galleries to look closely at their paintings, and into the studio, where Corey
will demonstrate how the paintings were made. Through hands-on
experimentation, you will gain a deeper appreciation of how the materials
and techniques of the New York School artists in uenced the development
of abstract artand how they can be used to make your own, unique works
of art.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/painting/supplement/s3UFf/1-1-introduction-to-the-course Mark as completed 1/2

22/3/2017 1.1 Introduction to the Course | Coursera
Mark as completed

https://www.coursera.org/learn/painting/supplement/s3UFf/1-1-introduction-to-the-course 2/2