Specialization in Miniature Painting was established in 1982; in this course, students are taught the skills and traditional techniques of miniature painting. They are encouraged to develop an awareness and sensibility of contemporary practices of this art form. They learn the preparation of wasli (traditional paper), handmade brushes (squirrel hair and bamboo stick), and preparation of colours. The use of the traditional along with the contemporary brings about a fusion that essentially becomes the essence of the ‘spirit of the times’.

The Painting course introduces students to a variety of media, including oils, acrylics, water colours, mix-media and tempera. Students are encouraged to articulate their visual and verbal ideas. They experiment with materials to formulate an individual approach to image making. Three well-lit studios provide sufficient room for the painting projects.

The Cowasjee Printmaking Studio is one of the best equipped workshops in Pakistan. The course imparts training regarding all intaglio techniques such as dry point, etching, engraving, photo-etching and aquatint on copper and zinc plates.

An extensive course in the planographic processes, such as offset and direct method lithography; relief printing processes such as woodcut and lino-cut are taught along with silkscreen printing and digital printmaking. An introduction to qualities of paper, printing inks and materials is an integral part of this course.

Sculpture as a medium has a lot in common with the disciplines of architecture, design and new media. The multidimensionality of this process links it with technology and materials, both new and old. It allows the students to explore and define new frontiers in material, form and expression. The students are encouraged to experiment with a range of mediums and materials; produce relief and round sculptures, installations and site specific sculptures.

An integrated programme of study has been formulated that combines both theoretical and practical modules for the students of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design. The programme considers all creative disciplines in the visual arts as having similar perceptual, theoretical and historical underpinnings. Beginning a course of study in any creative field through an inter-disciplinary approach provides a strong base for a wider understanding of the subject. This is what we offer to our students in the foundation year, the ability to think, understand, connect and analyse in the context of personal and wider human experience.

History and theory courses are compulsory in the foundation year. Project based studio courses include Sculpture, Drawing, Drafting and Design. The aim is to develop technical and critical skills by the introduction to essential media, basic techniques, creative expression and the use of tools and equipment. Personal understanding and insight is developed through tutorials, seminars, and critiques. Musicology and Film & Television have their own foundation year courses that are specific to their disciplines.

The foundation year also serves as an introduction to the city of Lahore, where students are required to study past and present practices first hand and develop an understanding of the connection between culture, visual language and creative practice.

The foundation year is demanding, rigorous, and challenging. Aside from the compulsory theory and practice components, the course also includes extended visits to historical monuments, contemporary buildings of architectural value, galleries, museums, industrial and commercial units and various other sites where art and music are practiced as part of a living tradition. The foundation year faculty is drawn both from the College and prominent names as visiting faculty. Students are required to pass all the subjects to be promoted to the second year.

The Second year in Fine Art provides an introduction to the fields of specialization within the Department: Printmaking, Painting, Miniature Painting and Sculpture. Students are divided into four groups. Each group in rotation attends introductory courses in the four disciplines, eight weeks per discipline. This familiarizes students with basic principles and techniques and enables them to choose the areas of specialization at the end of the first term. Drawing classes are compulsory in second year. In addition to studio courses, students are required to study history of design, history of art, a fine art seminar combining history and theory and communication and cultural studies.

Students who successfully complete the second year continue to work in their areas of specialization in the third year. In addition to the major subjects students also choose one studio elective in each term for which other departments run specific projects. Students are encouraged to develop their understanding of various traditions to further explore different media using basic skills acquired in the 2nd year.

Miniature Painting-II
Painting-II
Printmaking-II
Sculpture-II
Drawing Studio-II
Communication-II
History of Art and Architecture-II
History of South Asian Design-I
Fine Art Seminar II
Studio Elective: See List of Studio Electives

Students continue in the first term of their final year with their choice of major and elective subjects under the supervision of group tutors, articulating their ideas in their specific disciplines. A survey course on contemporary Pakistani art is also conducted. The second term is devoted to thesis work (independent study). Although fourth year students are supervised by a class teacher, they are also required to choose a thesis advisor. Thesis is meant to test a student’s ability to work independently on a project of his/her own choice incorporating his/her experience and vision of the discipline.

The thesis along with major and minor selective assignments from previous three years is evaluated by external examiners in the degree show.

Miniature Painting-III
Painting-III
Printmaking-III
Sculpture-III
Drawing Studio-III
Contemporary Art Seminar-III