Painting, Printmaking and Drawing major – Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata

Explore painting, printmaking and drawing methods, processes and technologies, and develop creative artworks that express your unique voice as a visual artist.

You’ll be based in our collaborative wānanga/studio environment, and have lots of opportunities to experiment with drawing, painting, relief, intaglio, screen and digital printing, virtual reality drawing/painting and bookbinding.

Throughout this major, you’ll become familiar with painting, printmaking and drawing in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand but also explore global trends in the art world. You’ll have access to AUT’s excellent art and design facilities to help you create your artworks.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata.

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As a painting, printmaking and drawing student, you create artworks that express your unique voice as an artist, and experiment with different painting, printmaking and drawing methods and processes.

Year 1

In the first semester, you’ll study core courses that introduce you to fundamental visual arts principles and processes. You’ll focus on basic 2D and 3D media, materials and processes; visual language, contemporary and historical visual arts contexts, and the importance of mātauranga Māori.

In your second semester you’ll take your first painting, printmaking and drawing course, which is your chance to explore contemporary theories, concepts and techniques in our supportive wānanga/studio environment. You’ll also start your courses from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 courses

Year 2

You deepen your knowledge of painting, printmaking and drawing practices and conventions. Based in our collaborative wānanga/studio environment, you’ll explore analogue and digital materials, concepts and technologies, and critical theories within a contemporary visual arts context.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 courses

Year 3

You continue to advance your understanding of painting, printmaking and drawing processes, technologies and techniques, working in our collaborative wānanga/studio environment. In your final semester you apply what you’ve learnt in a practice-based project and further your understanding of what to expect from a career in the art industry.

Semester 1 courses

Semester 2 courses

*Two 15-point courses or one 30-point course.

Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/art-and-design/courses/bachelor-of-visual-arts/painting-printmaking-and-drawing-major

Ready to enrol in your courses?

Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.

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Theory's important. But at AUT much of the real work happens in our world-class facilities.

In this major the facilities you use include:

The careers listed here are just some of the directions your studies could lead. Career titles can vary, but the skills behind them often connect. Explore our career finder to discover related careers, learn what they involve and view salary information.

Related careers


AUT visual arts alumni are now carving successful careers around the world, as notable artists, curators, arts administrators, academics, teachers and technicians.

Art industries

  • Artist
  • Arts administrator, manager or director
  • Art consultant
  • Art critic, historian, commentator, writer or researcher

Museums and galleries

  • Art gallery manager or owner
  • Curator
  • Gallery technician
  • Conservation

Arts education

  • Teacher
  • Community education
  • Gallery educator

Creative technologies

  • Film industry
  • Commercial photographer
  • Interactive designer
  • Web designer

Community development

  • Community and public art management and coordination
  • Arts advocacy roles

Creative entrepreneur

  • Craft business
  • Art fair developers

Other majors in the Bachelor of Visual Arts Te Tohu Paetahi mō Toi Ataata

a painting
Jordyn Norman-Te Maro, Waiata Ma Te Toi, Songs through Art, 2023
a painting
Olivier Stein, nota, 2023
a painting
Emma Richards, Heavenly Creatures, 2023
a painting
Emily Wharekura, That’s Something That’s Been, 2023
a painting
Installation View of Year 2 Student Foyer Exhibition, 2024
Key features
  • Covers a range of methods and processes related to painting, printmaking and drawing
  • Learn in a supportive studio environment
  • Access to outstanding visual arts facilities
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
See yourself as
  • A story-teller
  • Visually creative
  • Innovative
  • A problem-solver

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.