Week 2 & 3: Program Major : PAINTING + PRINTMAKING

About this class

This is a major course for the Summer Art and Design Program 2025 This course cannot be taken separately.

The course will cover the fundamentals of fine arts, including conceptual development, techniques and methods, critical thinking/decision-making, and prospects in the fine arts. This approach aims to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the cultures and traditions of Qatar, enabling them to contribute to shaping the contemporary art scene.

The program is structured in two parts: in-class lectures and studio time. Throughout the course, participants will engage in three different projects and presentations. By the end of this class, participants will have acquired technical skills in drawing, painting, and sculpting, as well as practical skills in creating art. Moreover, they will have gained insights into the culture and traditional objects of Qatar. 

Class Outline

Class 1: Mini lecture on Painting + Printmaking techniques and art basics, begin Project 1 (watercolor)

Class 2: Continue Project 1

Class 3: Continue Project 1, Mini lecture on how to critique art.

Class 4: Critique Project 1, begin Project 2 (stamping)

Class 5: Continue Project 2, transfer techniques demo.

Class 6: Critique Project 2, Begin Project 3 (collage)

Class 7: Continue working on Project 3, fluid painting demo.

Class 8: Continue working on project 3, paper marbling demo.

Class 9: Continue working on Project 3, paper collage demo.

Class 10: Critique Project 3, mixed media workday, photo documentation

Materials needed

Please note: VCUQatar reserves the right to cancel classes for which not enough participants are registered. Already paid fees will be refunded.

Please do not purchase materials until VCUQatar has sent final course confirmation.

Items to buy for this class

• Set of watercolors (tube)
• Set of acrylic paint (tube)
• Set of synthetic paint brushes
• Set of bristle paint brushes
• Set of sculpting tools
• Polymer clay (a water-based modeling clay)
• Palette knife
• Tabletop easel
• 2 canvases (any size between 8×10” and 12×16”)
• Arches watercolor block (any size between 7”x10” and 10”x14”)
• Glass palette (ex. a picture frame with tape on each side)
• Large rubber erasers, eraser blocks, or linoleum block
• Exacto blade
• Painter’s tape
• Liquid school glue
• Superglue (small tube)
• (Optional) Toy wood blocks
• (Optional) Pan watercolors
• (Optional) Liquid watercolors
• (Optional) Liquid acrylic paint
• Watercolor paint
• Acrylic paint
• Painter’s tape
• Liquid glue (or archival PVA glue)
• Glue stick
• Palette knife
• Paint palette
• Paint brushes (various sizes)
• Watercolor/mixed media paper
• Canvases (8×10” and above)

On occasions, there may be additional materials to be purchased, and if so, it will be advised by the instructor.

Where to buy your materials

Most of the materials are available from any art supply shop, for example:

• Cass Art (Fire station): Community Classes students get a 15% discount upon presenting the registration ticket
• Jarir Bookstore: on Rayyan Road or Salwa Road
• Color Note: on Al Nasser Street
• Ibn Al Qayyim: at Markhiya Roundabout
• Al Rawnaq

Schedule

Start: Sun, July 20, 2025
End: Thu, July 31, 2025
Lessons: 10
Days: Sunday through Thursday
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Location: LAS building opposite VCUarts Qatar Building

Instructors

Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim

Habeeb M. Abu-Futtaim is an artist, educator, and Arab art specialist based in Doha. Born and raised in Qatar with a multi-cultural Hadhrami Yemeni background, he holds a BFA in Painting and Printmaking and a minor in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He later pursued a Master’s in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. Abu-Futtaim has been part of several Biennials and group shows internationally including Berlin, Dubai, Doha, Santa Cruz, and more, alongside notable Arab artists. His work is part of several collections including the Barjeel Art Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Cruz, and other private collections. Abu-Futtaim co-founded and led the Modern and Contemporary Arab Art Auctions at AlBahie Auction House in Doha for over seven years from 2017-2024 and helped with the presence and growth of the Arab art market in the region and internationally.

Abu-Futtaim is currently a Junior Faculty and Artist in Residence with the Department of Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.