Bill Barnes - College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Professor: Bill Barnes

Department: Fine Arts

College: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ART316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Art is visual expression that encompasses all aspects of the human condition including conceptual, emotional, spiritual, and intuitive. Prof. Barnes is a master painter and educator. Be patient and listen. Technique is easy to discuss. Discussing art requires much more effort and verbal exploration.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ART420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Terrible teaching, enjoys hearing himself talk. Can be obtuse. No grading criteria provided, so attending each class and illustrating talent matters. He actually changed my transcript grade to lower than what he verbally conferred! Really awful. One of the worst WM profs. Expect minimal learning and a major time investment.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ART211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Awful. The worst professor I've had at W&M during my 4 years here. Absolutely unclear about his expectations from any assignments, and often berates students who are not naturally talented in the arts. Half of the class will never pick up a pencil to draw again after this class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ART211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Possibly the worst art teacher I've ever had, and I've been doing art since I was in kindergarten. He knows what he's talking about, but takes ten times the amount of time it should to convey what he's trying to say. Is extremely unhelpful in critiques, though he never stops talking. I was thoroughly disappointed in the class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ART315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Barnes is very wise. He will teach you how to paint colors, not objects. I would say this class is more impressionistic and more about technique than anything else. He's funny, too. Don't worry if he gets up in your face; I think he's a little deaf.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ART315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Prof. Barnes is very knowledgeable. He's direct and always full of comments. He's a color enthusiast. I've really grown in painting.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PAINTING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Barnes is very knowledgeable about the history of painting and specific school of thought(styles and artists). He knows what he is doing and he will help you improve GREATLY! If you are willing to listen and work, you work will show great improvement. He does not favor a specific style, but rather a clear understanding about painting technique.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ART316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Barnes is the fist painting instructor who I've had any faith in. When he comes by to offer advice or make a demonstrative change to my painting I know that he'll help improve it. He really knows his stuff, is great at offering feedback for your specific style. Lot's of fun and very helpful after class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: 211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A super nice guy and he clearly loves what he is doing. If you talk with him after class or show any extra interest at all he will be thrilled. The class isn't easy and takes up a lot of time, but is definately worth it.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ART211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Useless class...When taking a class from him, make sure you're work is as abstract as can be...he doesn't seem to like representational art (slathering a canvas in oil and claiming you "infused emotion" into it seems to be the way to an "A")

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ART315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I'm not gonna lie. He grew on me a lot. Yeah, he'll annoy the hell out of you while youre working, but he knows his stuff and he's actually really helpful. Also true, he doesnt tell you your grades. BUT he's super nice and funny in a quirky way. PLUS i think he's slightly deaf-which can be fun.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ADVPAINTI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Confusing delivery, flighty, frequently changed mind and criteria.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ART316
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Good professor. Very knowledgeable and eager to help, but often confusing delivery. Verbose.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ART420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

crazy, likes to hear himself talk but obviously knows what he's talking about and never gives you grades. Not good about leaving you alone and letting you work even in upper level classes