The "Saturday Program: Painting" by The Cooper Union is designed to delve into the fundamental principles of painting for individuals seeking to understand or broaden their knowledge of this artistic discipline. The course emphasizes a variety of techniques, including the use of color contrast to establish focal points, patterns to guide the viewer's eye, rhythm to lead across the canvas, balance achieved through mass, and line utilization to initiate visual journeys. Tools employed in this course may include paintbrushes, sponges, spray paint, or knives, illustrating the diverse methods artists may use to express themselves. The program culminates in a Year End Show where students' work is shown for friends and family. The Painting course is part of Cooper Union's free Saturday Program, a series of art and architecture classes aimed at public high school students from historically underserved communities. The program runs throughout the school year, with classes held on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, semesterly in the fall and spring. Specific dates vary, but the Fall term typically begins in early October and runs through mid-December, while the Spring term starts late January and concludes in early April. The instructors for this course are visiting professional artists as well as current Cooper Union undergraduate students, providing a "near peer" mentoring experience for the high school participants. Eligibility for the program prioritizes students with limited access to educational opportunities in the arts as well as coming from historically underrepresented communities. Criteria include attendance at a New York City public or charter high school, attending a school without a comprehensive visual art program, qualifying for free school breakfast and/or lunch, or coming from a low- or moderate-income household. The Saturday Program: Painting course is taught by current Cooper Union undergraduate students, offering a “near peer” mentoring experience. This approach allows high school students to learn from individuals closer to their age group who are actively engaged in higher education. Skill acquisition is a significant outcome of this course. Participants are expected to develop and refine various painting techniques and principles, thereby deepening their understanding and appreciation of this art form. The course also aims to foster creativity and artistic expression, equipping students with valuable skills that extend beyond the canvas.