A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
Abstracted painting of a person by Larissa Borteh

Larissa Setareh Borteh

Assistant Professor, Adjunct

Bio

Education: BFA, 2010, School of Visual Arts, NY; MFA, 2014, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Exhibitions: Julius Caesar, Chicago; Evanston Art Center, Chicago; Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Chicago; Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago; Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills; The Union League Club, Chicago; Skylight Gallery, New York; 1708 Gallery, Richmond; Yvon Lambert Gallery, Paris; Greenpoint Gallery, New York; Visual Arts Gallery, New York. Awards: MacDowell Colony Fellowship; Leon Levy Foundation Grant; The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists Residency; George and Ann Siegel Fellowship; Steketee Scholarship; George and Isabel Brown Scholarship; Dave Bown Projects Award.

 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This course is intended for students with little to no oil painting experience and introduces this medium's specific materials and processes. You'll get hands-on experience with essential skills through demonstrations on stretching canvases, setting up your paint palette, and applying various techniques. You'll also learn how to mix colors. These foundational skills will prepare you to create work for your portfolio. Throughout the course, you'll delve into color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective while painting from observation. Experiment and discover your unique artistic voice and style in a supportive and encouraging environment. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience is required. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School. Other painting and drawing classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

2334

Credits

1

Description

This course is perfect for students passionate about drawing but new to painting. Build your drawing skills as a solid foundation to explore exciting new painting techniques as you define your unique artistic vision with the guidance of your instructor. You will explore essential skills such as line, volume, space, materiality, form and function, and color. Various traditional and contemporary materials will be utilized, including graphite, charcoal, pastels, water-based paints, mixed media, and collage. Additionally, visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and discussions about contemporary artists will enhance the studio experience and inspire students to develop conceptual ideas in their artworks. By the end of this course, you'll have a deeper understanding of different art materials and the confidence to transition from drawing to painting. This course is beneficial for beginners as well as those looking to refine and enhance their skills. Note: Figure Drawing and Figure Painting use nude models hired by the School. Other painting and drawing classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

2335

Credits

1

Description

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Class Number

1914

Credits

3

Description

Students draw from the model as a means of understanding form, shape, and line using a variety of media. The course emphasizes shorter poses as training in immediate response to gesture and form. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Figure Drawing B classes.

Class Number

1590

Credits

3

Description

Students draw from the model as a means of understanding form, shape, and line using a variety of media. The course emphasizes shorter poses as training in immediate response to gesture and form. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Figure Drawing B classes.

Class Number

1882

Credits

3

Description

This course investigates painting materials, application, color, form, and ideas through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Designed to accommodate many skill levels, students can explore various creative strategies through a skill-based curriculum as well as individual projects. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Painting Studio Multi-Level B classes.

Class Number

1903

Credits

3

Description

This course is designed for students who want to engage the human figure as subject while learning/reinforcing the fundamentals of painting. By observing the model in space, students will investigate form, color, composition and the properties of paint.

Humans have been depicting humans with paint for tens of thousands of years. The human figure continues to be a vital subject in contemporary art. The work done in this class exists in this broad context.

This is a multi-level class. Painting perceptually (from life) is challenging at all levels. Painting a human being from life further deepens and expands this challenge.

The artwork referenced may range from prehistoric to contemporary. This course has many sections; the exact focus of each class will depend on the teacher, and so the work shown will vary from class to class. Work will likely be seen via lectures in class and/or visits to the museum. Other material, such as readings, will also vary.

Expect to paint the figure from life in class. Other in-class activities will vary. Outside assignments will vary.

Class Number

1620

Credits

3