Many incoming students are drawn to 2D art, but not everyone realizes how many forms this creative field includes. Two-dimensional art is artwork created on a flat surface, using height and width instead of depth—and this art form can take on many different appearances.
BYU-Idaho’s Fine Art: 2D Emphasis explores many of these art forms and helps students refine their skills through practice, critique, and portfolio development. This overview will help prospective students better understand different forms of 2D art taught on campus.
Drawing
Drawing is the core skill that supports nearly every other form of 2D art. While it is most associated with pencil work, drawing includes other materials such as charcoal and ink. Many courses at BYU-Idaho focus on traditional forms of drawing, with select opportunities in digital drawing as well.
Drawing courses teach students the fundamentals and how to best use them in their artwork: light and shadow, line work, value, color, proportion, figure drawing, and composition.
Drawing-related courses at BYU-Idaho include:
- Drawing I and II
- Figure Drawing and Advanced Figure Drawing
- 2D Digital Illustration
Painting
Painting involves applying wet paint or pigment onto a solid surface. This can be accomplished with different paints such as watercolor, acrylic, or oil. In painting courses, students learn both the technical aspects of painting and personal expression through their work.
Many courses also encourage exploration of mixed media and varied painting methods, allowing students to expand their creative range while strengthening their technical skills.
Painting-related courses at BYU-Idaho include:
- Painting I
- Watercolor
- Figurative Painting
- Painting Methodologies
Printmaking and Book Arts
Beyond drawing and painting, students can explore additional 2D art mediums such as printmaking and book arts.
Printmaking focuses on creating artwork that can be transferred from one surface to another, often in multiples. Most often, ink is applied to a prepared surface—called a matrix—and is transferred onto a flat surface such as paper, fabric, wood, or metal. Students will learn the various techniques and tools to best create their own prints.
Book arts courses focus on methods of creating handmade books and boxes. Techniques taught may include bookbinding, letterpress printing, and page manipulation.
Related courses at BYU-Idaho include:
- Printmaking I, II, and III
- Book Arts and Advanced Book Arts
Other Forms
There are many different ways to experiment with 2D art, ranging from traditional methods to other forms that utilize modern technology. Examples of other 2D art forms include:
- Illustration
- Animation
- Collage Art
- Calligraphy and Hand Lettering
- Murals and Street Art
While some forms of art may not be focused on at BYU-Idaho, several courses explore different forms of 2D art. There are also options that stray from 2D, such as 3D art and photography, for students to explore alongside their primary focus.
Examples of the diverse courses taught at BYU-Idaho include:
- Media Experimentation
- Introduction to Illustration
- 2D Digital Illustration
- Painting Methodologies
- Photography (various courses)
- Sculpture and Ceramics (various courses)
Conclusion
The key forms of 2D art taught at BYU-Idaho are drawing, painting, complemented with exploratory options such as printmaking, book arts, and other experimental media. Developing skills across multiple art forms helps students build skill, confidence, and creativity.
While many other types of 2D art exist beyond the curriculum, the fine art program focuses on building strong artistic foundations for its students. Exploring 2D art at BYU-Idaho is not only about creating artwork, it is about developing skills that extend beyond the studio and into a wide range of professional and creative pursuits.
For more information, please visit BYU-Idaho’s Fine Art degree page and course list.