Foundation Drawing at BU School of Visual Arts
Drawings from the classes of Jill Grimes, Senior Lecturer in Art, Painting (2006–present)

Foundation Drawing (AR131 and AR132) is more than an introductory sequence of classes—it is the cornerstone of the Boston University School of Visual Arts undergraduate curriculum, rooted in a tradition dating back to the 1950s. 

These courses embody the belief that a robust drawing practice and a disciplined work ethic are essential to a life of creative expression in all visual disciplines. Many of the lessons learned in Foundations Drawing courses initiate lifelong parameters for healthy critical thinking and problem solving skills.

They also establish drawing as a foundation for artistic research—a process-based practice for exploring formal and conceptual ideas. Through drawing, students visualize concepts, study structure, and refine technique, bridging observation and imagination. 

While many art schools devote less emphasis to drawing, SVA’s commitment to this discipline remains strong. In a screen-saturated era shaped by AI, slowing down to see and interpret the world in an embodied way through drawing is more radical than ever. Beyond image-making, drawing teaches the search for form, meaning, and the deep connection between hand and mind where the artist’s vision takes shape.