Painting

Painting can take many forms and approaches. In the Painting program, you'll have the opportunity to experiment across a full range of materials and styles. From acrylics to mixed media, analogue to digital, students are given an unparalleled chance to explore their interests and discover their own artistic practice.

Your education will focus on the studio. Beginning with the foundations, you'll start by focusing on colour, form, and paint handling before moving into advanced classes where you'll develop your individualized painting practice. Along the way, you’ll receive support and personal instruction from accomplished professional artists.

Alongside painting techniques, you'll learn critical theory and history. While most of your time will be spent in the studio, you'll also engage in collaborative work, theoretical research, and group critiques. Expect to delve into a network of artistic peers — one where you can exchange ideas, share findings, and help each other grow as both artists and citizens.

Through your courses and ECU's vibrant, artistic community, you'll not only develop your skills, but you'll also be able to situate your own work in relation to larger social themes, histories, communities, and contemporary styles. By graduation, you’ll have produced a body of work that demonstrates your vision, skill and maturity as a painter.

Visual Arts students have access to our spacious and well-equipped shops and studios. Studio culture is at the heart of your educational experience at Emily Carr, as spaces where you can create, learn, collaborate, experiment, and play.

Each space is maintained by expert technical staff who collaborate with faculty and staff to provide students with instruction and guidance. Technical staff ensure safe and accessible working environments and lead instructional workshops to enhance your learning.