<p>I’m currently attending State College of Florida (formally known as Manatee Community College). I’m working on getting my A.A. degree and only have 9 more credit hours to finish my degree but I have to be a full time student (12 credit hours) in order to receive my scholarships. I wanted to take something interesting and fun, and a hobby of mine is painting. I took up to painting 3 in high school and have continued to paint at home in my free time for fun but I’m not, in my opinion, an incredible painter. I just do it for fun. I really would like to take the Painting I course offered at SCF but I am worried about skill level. What are painting classes like in college? Do you get to paint in class, or is it mainly lecture based? Is there usually tests, or is mostly based off of your paintings? Any info or experience anyone would like to share would be appreciated. </p>
<p>It all depends on the college and the professor. Read the course catalog carefully and email the professor if you need any clarification.</p>
<p>Some painting classes are intended for your average non-major dabbler who wants to do something different. Others are for those looking to major in art eventually. Others still are for advanced students in the major.</p>
<p>At the level you’re looking at, they’ll be mostly or all practical. They’ll also include drawing and learning about the materials you’re using. You’ll probably be using acrylics since they’re affordable and can be used opaque or thinned. Beware deciding to use oil bars for a project- they’re shockingly expensive and it feels like you’re waving an outsized crayon. You’ll also be drawing/painting from life. Often still lifes of those weird objects like sheep sculls which only ever seem to be found in a school art room. </p>
<p>Painting 1 sounds fine for a non-major. If you find you’re advanced, the teacher can still push you at your own level. Have fun!</p>
<p>Not sure about grading as the college courses I took were not for credit (Edinburgh college of art summer school)</p>
<p>You never want to take a fun class that will ding your gpa.
Carefully read the course description, pay attention to if it is for non majors.
Go talk to the prof.
Projects can take up a lot of time.
Even pass/fail can be a struggle if you have little talent.
Well worth the effort if you want to further your hobby.</p>
<p>I was going to take a ceramics class the semester before I transferred. First day I have a 40 page syllabus and need to buy $50 worth supplies, come in on the weekends to clean up (I commuted an hour away), etc. Harsh grader on pieces…in a beginning ceramics class. I dropped it immediately when I realized it was going to be too much of a time devotion for a “fun” class.</p>