How does Ed Ruscha achieve his trademark sunset-like fade? Or Gerhard Richter his dreamy, cinematic blur? What might a painter like Dana Schutz do to make an irresistibly juicy brushstroke.or Alex Katz an unfussy line? How do hard edges, transparency, luminosity and distinctive mark-making affect the tone of a painting, and how are these effects best achieved? In this course, we will look to contemporary painters as guides for answering questions about how to create striking compositions by the most relevant methods possible. From taping and scraping to glazing, layering and trompe l'oeil tricks, we'll pinpoint technical solutions that align with each student's conceptual goals. Open to both experienced painters and those relatively new to the medium, thematic projects will be assigned each session. Included will be presentations on contemporary artists to foster a dialogue about possibilities for painting.