FACULTY OF VISUAL ARTS
PAINTING
      BA 2        
code subject name ECTS type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
  Composition I (connected with "Painting") 3 Students are encouraged to solve creative tasks in painting given by the lecturer using the skills acquired in the course "Painting", as well as to express themselves in other media. The course focuses on generating ideas, highlighting the individual artistic interests of each student, and the direction of their creative processes. In the framework of the course, students will examine current processes in contemporary painting. Practical work Assessment show    
  Expressive Means Composition 3 The course of lectures encourages artists to get acquainted with the most significant elements of the art world. Each lecture examines a part of the art environment infrastructure and its functions, using the art scene of Latvia and the world as an example. Lectures cover different institution models and their activities: museum, gallery, artist-run exhibition venue, non-governmental organization, art market, art criticism. An expert from each specific field is invited to every second lecture, allowing students to ask any questions they may have. Lecture Assessment show Auguste Petre The course may take place online.
  Composition II (option to choose the professor) 3 Within the framework of the course, students are allowed to study this subject under their chosen Painting department's teaching staff member. Since all the lecturers in the department are also practicing artists, students have the chance to choose a professor whose artistic interests overlap with their creative interests. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to solve creative tasks in painting given by the lecturer, as well as to express themselves in other media. The course focuses on generating ideas, highlighting the individual artistic interests of each student, and the direction of their creative processes. It consists of work on the tasks set by the lecturer and individual workshop visits, which incorporate a critical evaluation of the student's creative work. Practical work Assessment show Student chooses the teacher himself  
      THE DEPARTMENT'S ELECTIVE SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.        
      COMPOSITION (student must choose one of proposed subjects)        
  Practical Composition 3 The course aims to develop students' critical thinking, ability to express their thoughts and ideas logically, both orally and in writing, ability to speak in public, discuss and defend their opinion. The course includes open talks, debates, discussions on the presented topics, group visits to current exhibitions, in-depth acquaintance with LNMA exhibitions and collections, meetings with artists, visits to relevant public lectures, group discussion, and review and analysis of current art events in Latvia. As part of the course, each student is trained to create their resume, artist statement, and portfolio. Lecture Test Auguste Petre The course may take place online.
  Contextual Composition 3 The course programme consists of modules or short masterclasses (a few days long). Each month the student is offered 2-3 masterclass options, of which one must be selected. Each semester, different guest lecturers from Latvia and abroad are invited to the masterclasses to offer students a short lecture or workshop module. They can be art theorists and practitioners, as well as representatives of other humanities — philosophers, musicians, dancers, movement therapy specialists, literary students, etc. Lecture, practical work (depends on the specifics of each module) Test Guest lecturers The course may take place online.
      TECHNOLOGY (student must choose one of proposed subjects)        
  Painting Technology 1,5 Throughout the course, students learn different classical painting techniques such as oil paint, egg tempera, fresco. They are also trained to prepare the base of painting — to prime the canvas and wooden boards, to prepare the wall for fresco. The course focuses on practical technological knowledge acquisition; painting techniques are learned by painting copies of historical works of art. Practical work Assessment show Dmitrijs Laščetko  
  Art Mediums and Techniques 1,5 Within the framework of this subject, students may choose to study any technique taught in any of the AAL's sub-fields — analog photography, sculpting, graphic art, textile art, animation, etc. If students choose this course, they must fill out a questionnaire sent by the methodologist of the Painting department at the beginning of the semester, stating which technique in which sub-field they want to study. Practical work Assessment show Authors team Due to pandemic restrictions, the student will not be able to choose the technique he/she wish to obtain freely, instead  the student will obtain one specific technique that will be chosen by the department. 
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
      The department teaching the subject assesses the student's skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ2046 Painting 4,5 The goal of the course is to develop the painting skills by mastering painting of human face and hands by painting portraits and semi-figures from nature. The course focuses on learning the basic structure of the human body and tonal relationships. Practical work Assessment show    
MākZ2113 Drawing 3 Nude figure. Materials: pencil, paper, charcoal, etc. Format by choice. Figure from different angles. Dimensional drawing using the modeling of lights and darks. Practical and individual work Assessment show    
  Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.
Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer  
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ2961 Art History of Latvia 6 The lecture course "Art History of Latvia" is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history.                                                                                                                                                            In the first semester the lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 1950ties. The course continues in the second semester, providing the students with the basic knowledge about events of the second half of the 20th century.                                                                                                                           Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper, seminar Ieva Rosne Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online in two groups: 1. Visiting students from the 1st semester, 2. New visiting students.
MākZ2960 History of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, discussion Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and is intended only for new visiting students.
MākZ1261 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
MākZ5125 Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy 3 The course "Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy" prepares students for planning and conducting art-based visual arts classes for school age children. Such an experience can be useful in teaching for both - formal and non-formal education. Graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in transforming an idea based on creative practice (art or design) into a teaching practice. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.        
      BA 3        
code subject name ECTS type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
  Composition II (option to choose the professor) 3 Within the framework of the course, students are allowed to study this subject under their chosen Painting department's teaching staff member. Since all the lecturers in the department are also practicing artists, students have the chance to choose a professor whose artistic interests overlap with their creative interests. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to solve creative tasks in painting given by the lecturer, as well as to express themselves in other media. The course focuses on generating ideas, highlighting the individual artistic interests of each student, and the direction of their creative processes. It consists of work on the tasks set by the lecturer and individual workshop visits, which incorporate a critical evaluation of the student's creative work. Practical work Assessment show Student chooses the teacher himself  
  Contextual Composition 3 The course programme consists of modules or short masterclasses (a few days long). Each month the student is offered 2-3 masterclass options, of which one must be selected. Each semester, different guest lecturers from Latvia and abroad are invited to the masterclasses to offer students a short lecture or workshop module. They can be art theorists and practitioners, as well as representatives of other humanities — philosophers, musicians, dancers, movement therapy specialists, literary students, etc. Lecture, practical work (depends on the specifics of each module) Test Guest lecturers The course may take place online.
      THE DEPARTMENT'S ELECTIVE SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.        
      TECHNOLOGY (student must choose one of proposed subjects)        
  Painting Technology 1,5 Throughout the course, students learn different classical painting techniques such as oil paint, egg tempera, fresco. They are also trained to prepare the base of painting — to prime the canvas and wooden boards, to prepare the wall for fresco. The course focuses on practical technological knowledge acquisition; painting techniques are learned by painting copies of historical works of art. Practical work Assessment show Dmitrijs Laščetko  
  Art Mediums and Techniques 1,5 Within the framework of this subject, students may choose to study any technique taught in any of the AAL's sub-fields — analog photography, sculpting, graphic art, textile art, animation, etc. If students choose this course, they must fill out a questionnaire sent by the methodologist of the Painting department at the beginning of the semester, stating which technique in which sub-field they want to study. Practical work Assessment show Authors team Due to pandemic restrictions, the student will not be able to choose the technique he/she wish to obtain freely, instead  the student will obtain one specific technique that will be chosen by the department. 
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
      The department teaching the subject assesses the student's skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ5131 Painting 4,5 The aim of the course is to develop painting skills at the next level of complexity by painting a nude figure from nature, as well as staying on top of the world's current trends in painting. The assignment focuses on the study of the relationship between the figure and space, emphasizing the emotionality of the positioning of the figure in space. Practical work Assessment show    
MākZ3099 Drawing 3 Nude figure. Large-format (min. 120x80 cm) primed canvas or paper. Soft materials (coal, sanguine, sepia, etc.). Figure from different angles. Dimensional, tonal or line drawings. Practical and individual work Assessment show    
MākZ3099 Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.
Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer  
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ2961 Art History of Latvia 6 The lecture course "Art History of Latvia" is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history.                                                                                                                                                            In the first semester the lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 1950ties. The course continues in the second semester, providing the students with the basic knowledge about events of the second half of the 20th century.                                                                                                                           Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper, seminar Ieva Rosne Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online in two groups: 1. Visiting students from the 1st semester, 2. New visiting students.
MākZ2960 History of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, discussion Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and is intended only for new visiting students.
MākZ1261 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
MākZ5125 Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy 3 The course "Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy" prepares students for planning and conducting art-based visual arts classes for school age children. Such an experience can be useful in teaching for both - formal and non-formal education. Graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in transforming an idea based on creative practice (art or design) into a teaching practice. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.        
      MA 1        
code subject name ECTS type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
MākZ6824 Composition With the Master's Thesis Supervisor 3 Throughout the course, students must start working on the development of their Master's thesis and individually consult with their Master's thesis supervisor. Practical work Assessment show Master's thesis supervisor The visiting student chooses a teacher by consulting with the department and works on an individual topic.
MākZ6810 Contextual Composition 3 The course programme consists of modules or short masterclasses (a few days long). Each month the student is offered 2-3 masterclass options, of which one must be selected. Each semester, different guest lecturers from Latvia and abroad are invited to the masterclasses to offer students a short lecture or workshop module. They can be art theorists and practitioners, as well as representatives of other humanities — philosophers, musicians, dancers, movement therapy specialists, literary students, etc. Lecture, practical work (depends on the specifics of each module) Test Guest lecturers The course may take place online.
MākZ6951 Painting 3 The aim of the course is to expand the individual field of artistic activity within the framework of one's creative practice by developing the ability to orient themselves in different contexts and discourses of art periods and contemporary art, as well as to stimulate students' critical thinking, ability to reflect upon and realize their activity idea. The course consists of group analysis and workshop visits, where the lecturer reviews each student's creative practice development, critically evaluating it. There may also be some teaching assignments, but it may not be mandatory. Practical work Assessment show    
      THE DEPARTMENT'S ELECTIVE SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.        
MākZ6957  Painting Technology 3 Throughout the course, students learn different classical painting techniques such as oil paint, egg tempera, fresco. They are also trained to prepare the base of painting — to prime the canvas and wooden boards, to prepare the wall for fresco. The course focuses on practical technological knowledge acquisition; painting techniques are learned by painting copies of historical works of art. Practical work Assessment show Dmitrijs Laščetko  
MākZ6828 Composition II (option to choose the professor) 3 Within the framework of the course, students are allowed to study this subject under their chosen Painting department's teaching staff member. Since all the lecturers in the department are also practicing artists, students have the chance to choose a professor whose artistic interests overlap with their creative interests. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to solve creative tasks in painting given by the lecturer, as well as to express themselves in other media. The course focuses on generating ideas, highlighting the individual artistic interests of each student, and the direction of their creative processes. It consists of work on the tasks set by the lecturer and individual workshop visits, which incorporate a critical evaluation of the student's creative work. Practical work Assessment show Student chooses the teacher himself  
MākZ6813 Contextual Composition of a Drawing 3 The course consists of practice, assignments, and lectures, using drawing and its techniques both as an autonomous art form and as a medium of contemporary interdisciplinary practice. The assignments of the course are created in cooperation with guest lecturers and artists from different fields. The thematic emphasis, depending on the task, is the importance and practice of technical knowledge, as well as the exploration and expansion of each student's artistic interests. Practical work Assessment show Authors team  
  Art Mediums and Techniques 3 Within the framework of this subject, students may choose to study any technique taught in any of the AAL's sub-fields — analog photography, sculpting, graphic art, textile art, animation, etc. If students choose this course, they must fill out a questionnaire sent by the methodologist of the Painting department at the beginning of the semester, stating which technique in which sub-field they want to study. Practical work Assessment show Authors team Due to pandemic restrictions, the student will not be able to choose the technique he/she wish to obtain freely, instead  the student will obtain one specific technique that will be chosen by the department. 
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
      The department teaching the subject assesses the student's skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ6813 Drawing 3 Nude figure. Large-format (min. 120x80 cm) primed canvas or paper. Soft materials (coal, sanguine, sepia, etc.). Figure from different angles. Dimensional, tonal, or line drawings. Practical and individual work Assessment show   Elective subject
  Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.
Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer Elective subject
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ2961 Art History of Latvia 6 The lecture course "Art History of Latvia" is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history.                                                                                                                                                            In the first semester the lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 1950ties. The course continues in the second semester, providing the students with the basic knowledge about events of the second half of the 20th century.                                                                                                                           Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper, seminar Ieva Rosne Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online in two groups: 1. Visiting students from the 1st semester, 2. New visiting students.
MākZ2960 History of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, discussion Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and is intended only for new visiting students.
MākZ1261 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
MākZ5125 Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy 3 The course "Creative Methods in Art Pedagogy" prepares students for planning and conducting art-based visual arts classes for school age children. Such an experience can be useful in teaching for both - formal and non-formal education. Graduates will gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in transforming an idea based on creative practice (art or design) into a teaching practice. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special course for Erasmus+ students / The course takes place online and have one common group for new visiting students together with the students from the 1st semester.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.