He's not for everyone, but he's really great. He grades you on your own progress, and as long as you work hard and produce consistent work you'll get an A. Don't count on natural talent to get you through. Out of my com arts classes, his are the only ones where the work I make i actually love, and love generally all the pieces that come from them.

Professor Alcorn is an awesome teacher, talent and asset to Comm Arts. His passion for his craft is definitely clear through his own work and is contagious in the classroom. He is always eager to help and assigns interesting projects. He really pushes you to create both intelligent and technically sound artwork. Highly recommended, took 3 times.

I took two of his classes and I am glad that I did. He’s an extraordinary teacher. The assignments are interesting, his instruction is helpful, and he motivates a creative class with thought-provoking critique and insight. If you want an opportunity to improve on practical technique without being bored and frustrated, I suggest Professor Alcorn.

Fabulous instructor and a true professional. He will go above and beyond to help you and the passion he has for his subject is evident. To really 'get' his class, you need to have an appreciation for Art History and traditional methods. If you don't want to put a lot of time or thought into your work, this might not be the best fit.

Great professor and a true professional. Take this class if you have an interest in Art History and traditional methods and materials. If you want to work quick and thoughtless, you might not like his class, but you will nevertheless get something out of it. You will come away with true portfolio pieces and a better working method.

Prof. Alcorn is a great teacher and a fantastic person. I had him for two classes, Concept drawing and The Face. If you have the opportunity takes his class! Stephen encourages discipline, exploration and putting the best into your work. I finished the class with an impressive amount of work that I was proud of. I cannot recommend him enough

Mr. Alcorn is a great source of information and inspiration and you will leave his classes with several portfolio pieces. He goes far out of his way to deepen students’ understanding for traditional art making methods, which can be used as a foundation when enhancing student’s own styles. I highly recommend him as an instructor and mentor!

Senior Portfolio taught by Professor Alcorn has been an amazing experience, learning and exploring at the same time, building sound artworks, improving skills of drawing, rendering, design layout, learning more about the subjects we are interested and myself. I highly recommend Stephen to students who like to expand knowledge of communication arts.

The quality of the class was a great way to wrap up the past four years of my college art education. And the knowledge that I have gain was also a firm foundation for my future career.I highly recommend professor Alcorn to other senior commart students.

Stephen Alcorn is a brilliant artist with a passion to help his students create a body of work that best defines them. If you are committed to the class, he will do his best to guide you in the direction that will help you be ready for once you graduate. His personal dedication to each of his students is genuine and very helpful.

Mr. Alcorn is one of the best teachers that I have had. He is easy to talk to, has great project ideas, and is extremely creative. I also really like the work that I made in his classes. Especially take The Face if you get a chance - probably my favorite class that I have taken in college.

Professor Alcorn is a greta person and an inspiring teacher. He is always willing to help and will answer any questions you might have - very easy to talk to. I had fun and enjoyed working on every single assignment and really saw progress and improvement in my artistic abilities and creativity.

I took part in an art-based study abroad trip to Florence, Italy in the summer of 2012 led by Mr. Alcorn. As an LSEE major with no previous art experience, partaking in an art-based program was very intimidating. Mr. Alcorn was very patient with me and encouraged me to explore my own creative abilities, helping me when needed. Very recommended!

I recently had the pleasure of working under Stephen Alcorn's instruction for the 2012 VCU Education Abroad program in Florence, Italy. From my experiences, he has one of the most enthusiastic, strong-willing passions for teaching and creating art that I've ever seen. I strongly believe his assets are of great importance to the growth of VCU Arts.

Drawing studio with Professor Alcorn provided solid, transferrable perceptive skills that drew from masters of the drawing tradition in a way that was both challenging and inspiring. His expectations of the quality of work and his suggestions in-class on how to improve technique pushed students to not just perform, but to develop as artists.

Stephen Alcorn is an amazing professor. He pushed me to do my very best, which resulted in some of my strongest work to date. Mr. Alcorn is helpful, kind, and his guidance as a mentor and teacher helps you to grow as an artist. I would highly recommend that you take his class.

This class developed my skill in composition and idea generation. He challenged me to create images that are elegant and illustrate my ideas concisely and clearly. When he says 'concept drawing', he means 'interpreting ideas with images', not your standard video game character design--but don't knock it! I learned SO much abt communication and art

professor Alcorn is a wonderful teacher and friend. I had the privilege of being in his awesome class "the face." He was always there for advice on concepts and technique and was open to ideas from the student. You get what you put into a class and if you are willing, Professor Alcorn help you become a better artist. Take his classes!

I had this professor my freshmen year for drawing studio and it was my favorite class I took that year, he is very helpful and really brings out a whole new level of understanding with technical skills. I learned so much in this class that has been vital to my years in art. Students who work hard and just try the best they can will succeed.

The class is not easy to say the least, you will spend hours on assignments in and outside of class, and he will call you out on laziness. However if you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to learning the skills he teaches, you will learn how to draw. It's an extremely valuable class, and I highly recommend it.

This class is not easy but extremely enlightening. The professor expects you to put in hours into your assignments and will call you out if you do not. The discussions are very stimulating and you get the sense that he appreciates different backgrounds and disciplines. If you follow his instructions and put in the effort, it will pay off though.

INNO 221 was an enlightening course. Prof EXPECTS a dedicated intellectual and imaginative effort. Those truly endeavoring to grow should enroll. With an interdisciplinary approach in mind Prof guides a technical, formal and philisophical journey evidencing personal and professional gowth--dependant upon student's willingness. Take with caution!

I learned a lot during this class and most importantly I learned how to draw. Discussions were encouraged and thoughtful. That being said this class is not easy, you have to be dedicated to completing the work.

Professor Alcorn teaches you drawing in a different light. It's can be hard to spend hours drawing every week. He will critique your work and call you out on your work-ethic. But if you can take it constructively you improve a lot. An open mind is a must. You'll not only do well, but learn how to draw convincingly with passion and insight.

I had Alcorn my first class on my first day of college and it set it off to a good start, if you have the opportunity to have him as a teacher i would definitely jump on it. The class he teaches has a very calm but focused atmosphere and he seems very willing to work with students to reach their individual potential and the workload is appropriate

TOPICS: THE FACE taught by Professor Stephen Alcorn was a brilliant class about literal and metaphorical interpretation of self portraiture. The class was fast-paced, and packed with conceptual exploration as well as technical refinement of drawing skills. I highly recommend this class to any student looking for artistic growth in skill and mind.

Alcorn is by far one of my favorite professors at VCU. I learned how to improve my drawing ability so much when I took one of his Drawing classes during AFO. He is very kind, comfortable to talk to, and truly cares about helping students improve in becoming better artists. VCU is very lucky to have such a great guy! Take his classes!!

Prof. Alcorn, in "Art as Ideation," encouraged students to embrace art and science not as contrasting disciplines but as layers of the complete human identity. Prof. Alcorn is an enthusiastic, committed teacher who invests time in and out of class to model the techniques he aims to impart. Pay attention, follow instructions, and you'll do well!

The FACE enhanced my ability to express an idea through elements of design, presentation, and exploration of different media. I came out with a great portfolio, an appreciation for the design process, and a broadened understanding of new materials. Professor Alcorn is a great leader, is encouraging and has a wealth of knowledge in art and design!

In this unforgettable study abroad experience I was able to build my drawing and design skills in one of the most inspiring places: Florence, Italy. For 1 month we lived and studied in beauty, history and culture with Mr. Alcorn, who is from Florence, serving as the perfect teacher and guide. Nothing compares to studying the masterpieces themselves

Studying abroad in Florence with Professor Alcorn remains one of the best experiences of my life. He encouraged us to use our sketchbooks to record our stay through drawings and notes. The result was a collection of thoughts and visions representative of the magical atmosphere of Italy. Alcorn's guidance and knowledge made the trip unforgettable.

Professor Alcorn is the best professor ever in my university life! He's very patient and helpful, and he'd love to be everyone's friend. He inspired me a lot and provided me a lot of very useful feedback about my artworks. The more important thing is, he encourged me all the time and he just helped me to find my confidence! I really appreciate it!

This class will develop you're fundamental drawing abilities as well as expand your creative capacity. Wonderful course.

The Face is a perfect opportunity to build an impressive portfolio while exploring new design techniques. Professor Alcorn always has intriguing projects, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and allows you to enhance your voice as an artist. You'll try new media and will find a great balance of technical and conceptual processes in this fun course!

Engaging, explorative, scientific and experimental. Encouraged interaction led to incredible conversations about art by students and professors alike. We share stories and draw each other in class, sharing materials and techniques. At home we turn to the introspective, drawing ourselves; investigating and building foundational skills as artists.

This professor practices what he preaches and proves that you can accomplish greatness with hard work and structure.

Before this class I had not cut linoleum to the size I had. Professor Alcorn makes it easy to follow a structure to get your your greatest idea.

One of my favorite classes that I took at VCU! I learned so much and was really able to expand and grow as an artist. The professor took the time to thoroughly teach the necessary techniques so students could perfect their craft. Once the technique was learned the assignments were very open ended and you were encouraged to push your own boundaries.

He expects his students to put in the time and thought to create create pieces. He also expects to see progress every single class. Process is extremely important to this class and he will definitely help you if you ever get stuck.

I loved this class and can honestly say that some of my favorite pieces we're created in "The Face." You need to expect to have a new portrait due every 1-2 classes. It was extremely intense, but really amazing to see the amount of work that you have at the end of the semester. I would highly recommend this class.

Professor Alcorn is one of those teachers who will end up being an great influence on your work. He is great on giving feedback. If you end up stuck with a project he will do his best to help you out. His work ethic is motivational when it comes to being consistent with your practices; especially since he shows a large amount of his amazing work!

Print Media is woodblock printmaking class. Professor Alcorn is an expert on the subject and clearly very passionate about teaching it. Carving proved to be a meditative break from the stress of other classes. You are expected to push yourself, but he is very understanding and you are allowed much freedom in the pursuit of projects that drive you

Stephen Alcorn is a wonderful professor. His views on communication arts as a major are honest and really make you think about why you as an individual are in art school and for what purpose. I highly encourage anyone interested in a real-world application of the arts to try out this project class and find out if it is a good fit for you.

Taking Print Media with Professor Alcorn was a great experience. He places as much value in the process work that goes into creating a linoleum cut/print as he does with the finished print itself which allows for a much more relaxed classroom environment and better work from everyone. I would gladly recommend this class and professor to anyone.

This class gives you the opportunity to explore, not only in different mediums, but styles of art as well, one's you might not have ever seen yourself attempting or enjoying for that matter. Alcorn is a true artist in every sense of the word. If you ever feel like you're stuck in an artistic rut, he is the one that will help you out of it.

The CommArts project class is difficult, but Prof. Alcorn is easily one of the best professors I've ever had. He's easy to talk to, genuinely cares for the improvement of his students, & always has suggestions that will improve your sketchbook by leaps and bounds. It's doable to finish your sketchbook on time if you keep up w/ the schedule he sets!

One of my favorite Professors at VCU! Not only will you will learn a lot from his classes, you create beautiful work and learn so many things throughout the semester. He is an inspiring and very informative professor.

Alcorn is an upbeat guy and very considerate of his students and their time. He offers great suggestions and is very encouraging. He doesn't expect perfection or any professional-looking technical skill, but what he does expect is creativity, an open mind, and a polished finished product. It's NOT easy, but if you LOVE to draw, you'll be okay. :)

If you love drawing and sketchbooks then this class is a great choice! Mr. Alcorn is an easy-going, and helpful teacher who is interesting and gives fun assignments. Loves to see your creative side and your progress throughout the class. I do recommend his course if you are intreated in com arts or just like to keep a cool sketchbook.

This was such an amazing class, it was a TON of work but it was totally worth it. I learned so much about how to improve my work and how to manage my time. He was one of the nicest teachers I've had this far and he's very understanding... Highly recommend (if you don't mind all nighters)

I had Professor Alcorn for the Comm Arts Project Class. While he expected a lot from his students in regards to effort, he was understanding when we couldn't make all the deadlines in order to have quality work. He engages with his students and really encourages uniqueness and creativity. Class time was mostly spent working.

Although this class is only five weeks, you learn a lot about yourself and your artistic process. The rigor of the work is intense, but it pushes you to be determined and see it through to the end. Professor Alcorn is very supportive, and wants to see everyone succeed. As long as you try your best and are proud of your work, you'll be fine.

The class was time consuming but also enjoyable

Yo Professor Alcorn is chill. So long as you are genuine about your craft and are willing to learn then you will do just fine. The sketchbook stuff can feel like a drag at first but take it as a chance to build good habits.

Work hard and get a good grade.

Mr. Stephen is very nice and his class is awesome he also makes cool artworks, I love him.

I had heard from my peers about the intensity of this class, and as it turned out there was very little exaggeration when it came to the work load and dedication required. That being said, I feel as though I learned a lot about my own artistic process and abilities. Professor Alcorn made the class quite enjoyable while keeping it challenging.

It's a tough work load, but it gives you the chance to form good work habits and have a taste of the kind of art Comm. Arts involves. The teacher is fun to talk to about anything, and he's good at helping you understand your strengths and weaknesses in your illustration work.

Relief Block Printing was an exceptional course! It is time-consuming to complete the drawings and the dictionary sketchbook, as well as the woodblock cutting itself, but it is all worth it. Both professors were always there to help and offer advice. Take this if you want to explore the exciting world of woodblock printing. I would take again!

He's really nice and inspirational. Manage your time for the loads of work and you'll survive. Really pushed me forward to make some good artwork.

Relief block printing will force you to visualize composition in a new form, which greatly improves your design skills in every sense; the course & Prof. Alcorn (who is awesome, knowledgable, & helpful) give you a new found admiration for technique, craftsmanship, & the process it takes to get to your final image. Take it! Was my favorite class

Really fun class, great for improving your facial drawing skills. Professor Alcorn really teaches you to take new approaches & push your abilities, you will leave any of his classes having grown as an artist. There is a unique emphasis on the process of each piece of work, not just the end result. Easiness/work load is the same as all COAR courses!

He was a great professor for this class! Frequently had interesting discussions during class and made that time of day really nice. If you keep up with the homework you should be fine, don't be afraid to ask about the sketchbook and for feedback.

This was one of the few classes at VCUarts that I can say I most benefitted from. I recommend all students to take this course. Alcorn is a mastermind and it was a pleasure taking this course with him. I saw improvement in both my artwork and technique after enrolling in this course. Not an easy course unless you're dedicated to improving your art.

Alcorn's Class Print Media is great. Printmaking is a fantastic medium every illustrator should try. Made sure to instill in us the importance of the process. I learned much more about design, value, composition, and legibility in a super helpful environment. Discussions were stimulating and Alcorn's passion about art and his students was evident

This class was more than just beautiful sights and amazing food. The lessons I learned during this class was critical to my growth as an artist. Having observational drawings of magnificent architecture and statues coupled with compelling lectures that evoked conceptual thought made the adventure even more enriching. I promise you wont regret it!

This class was amazing! It is a lot of work but if you enjoy portraiture or simply want to get better at it, this class is for you. It is a lot of self portraiture, which I was okay with, but you should know that walking in. There is a great range of experimentation with materials though that you seldom find in any other classes. Fully recommend!

COAR421 IMAGERY FOR CHILDREN is not an "easy" class and therefore not for the lazy. That being said, this class is very rewarding and I learned just how deceptively easy it is to make images for children's books. A heavy emphasis is placed on following procedural steps to develop and edit images as you progress resulting in stronger pieces.

Natural aptitude and a rigorous atelier background, allow him to offer his pupils an assiduous understanding of the fundaments of draftsmanship and composition at the core of all figurative art. His unique international perspective has granted him a wealth of cultural/art-historical knowledge, which he delivers with engaging eloquence. Great prof!

Alcorn is a very inspirational teacher who is willing to help his students to be successful. During the duration of Florence Reaveled/observed he works side by side his students and answers any and all questions. What makes his the perfect teacher for this class/trip is that he was born and raised in Florence, giving a new perpective for us.

Florence Revealed with Prof Alcorn is really cool, you very much get to experience Italy in the most authentic artistic manner possible. He also gives you a lot of freedom stylistically in your travel sketchbook which let me experiment and grow as an artist. Would definitely recommend the experience go if you get the opportunity!

Professor Alcorn is a great professor! He's very insightful and knowledgable. He also can critique and lead students to critique very well by giving the necessary feedback you need. He not only applauds your work but gives you many suggestions for improvement. I recommend taking any his classes.

A great teacher and artist. He is great at building people up and helping them improve. He wants everyone to express his or her own style while also capturing the life of the figure. This course is all about creating a sketchbook and documenting it. It's a lot of work but you will end the class with a physical look at how much you've progressed.

Professor Alcorn is a wonderful professor and mentor! I had him for COAR 300. He gives great advice and is very easy to talk to. He encourages students to go outside of their comfort zone and will support you and assist you every step of the way. He's very knowledgeable and takes the time needed with his students so they can produce great work.

Hands down my favorite professor I have yet to take a class with. He pushes his students to work as much as he is motivational and encouraging.

Prof. Alcorn loves drawing and it shows. His love for making art is positively infectious. The COAR202 class - The Figure In Context - takes the students through an expansive variety of media (such as graphite, ink, pastel, etc.) while observing the model. This leads the student to break out of their comfort zone and learn. His class is a joy!

Alcorn is from Florence & gives a new perspective of the city so you dont have a normal tourist experience. You get to draw in some of the most amazing places. The work is challenging but dont let it deter you; a positive challenge and he work with & helps students along the way. You will be challenged & grow as an artist all in an amazing city!

Alcorn is an enthusiastic, talented professor and is always available for outside help. He goes out of his way to give critique and advice and encourages students to have fun and experiment while making art. There's a lot of projects so keep up with the sketchbook and assignments, and you'll end up with some killer portfolio pieces.

He teaches with an open mind and ready to answer/help with anything and everything. He is open to experimentation with mediums, styles, etc. His assignments do require a lot of time/attention, but they are worth it. This was one I never stressed about, but enjoyed doing the rigorous work for. You can see your improvement in your sketchbook.

Honestly one of the more refreshing courses I've taken. He provides an engaging and comfortable environment to learn and experiment with new mediums and techniques. He also practices what he preaches which I personally appreciate greatly. There is consistent hw but the end product is a satisfying visual log of your progress throughout the semester.

As a student outside the Communication Arts major, I found this professor to be incredibly insightful. He helped me build a skill base that I would not have been able to get in the PAPR department. My ability in drawing figures accurately and quickly has increased exponentially since only four months ago. I HIGHLY recommend taking this course!!

It was a great class. I learnt how to replace old habits with new techniques, and to challenge myself. He was very inspiring and always made sure that you reached your potential. I grew in that class and i would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to take their abilities to the next level.

I had Alcorn for The Figure In Context course, and I must say it was one of my favorite classes of the semester. I have improved tremendously and learned so much from his class. His passion for drawing shows through in his teachings.

He cares very much about the success of his students and will always apperatie students doing more and working as hard as they can.

He's laid back and easy to talk to. He's fair but You must pay attention to his instructions. Listen attentively and take notes. Show interest and don't be afraid to asks questions if you don't understand something. Show up everyday, do all your homework, and don't forget to sign the role.

Alcorn is a professor that cares for his students, and you do want to hear the feedback of your works from him. Please be cherish to all the course time. Not just because you paid for it, it's more about how you use the course time wise to improve yourself.

Alcorn is a great professor. Very inspirational and brings up interesting topics during class. He truly cares about every individual in the class and makes sure to ask everyone if they're doing okay with personal life/school/etc. Show up for class, be respectful, and willing to take his feedback on your work and apply it.

Alcorn is an amazing professor. He's very approachable and really cares about the progression of each and every student in his class. His knowledge of the subject shows through his (rare) lectures and overall insight. If you listen and use the lessons he teaches, the possibility of you being successful in the class is very high.

Professor Alcorn is an extremely helpful, talented, and passionate individual. His feedback in class is well-thought out and articulated. He truly cares about his students and gives 100 percent in every class, always doing his assignments alongside students. He is full of knowledge in his area of expertise, and is always ready to share it.

Professor Alcorn focuses on a strong understanding of the foundational art skills every artist must posses, while emphasizing creativity and personal exploration within your work. The class has a level of professionalism that is expected in both the work and the students. This class will push your work further and is a very positive experience.

Professor Alcorn is amazing. I walked into this class with little to no drive to continue to create art and I walked out feeling more inspired than ever. He encourages going outside of your comfort zone and is open to giving feedback. The class is rigorous and requires commitment to deserve a good grade, but it is well worth the experience.

Alcorn was one of the best professors I have had. He helped me become more comfortable with drawing figures and is very supportive. He introduces different techniques in class so you will find something you like that you probably haven't used before, so try not to miss classes or else you might miss something important. Come prepared!!!

If you want a good grade you need to participate in the class. Stay on top of your work or you won't be able to catch up.

I wish that I had this class in AFO. He teaches great classical technique and emphasizes this as a necessity for all art. He is passionate, and teaches everyone based on their skill levels. Although this class was The Face, this class was well rounded in all aspects for art theory. I would take him again.

Professor Alcorn displayed a knowledge and passion for art that was quite inspiring. He's very even tempered and has a good sense of humor once you get to know him. I would describe his style of teaching as very poetic. He gives a lot of homework but I think it's really for the best. The lessons he taught me improved my drawing process immensely!

Professor Alcorn's classes have helped me immensely as an artist. His figure drawing class was the most helpful, as the way he teaches you to observe the figure bleeds into any kind of observational art. He encourages creativity as well, letting you experiment with style towards the end of the semester.

Great professor with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for art. His classes are structured and informative while still being explorative and engaging. Keep up with the work and you'll have a richly illustrated sketchbook that documents your growth as an artist both technically and stylistically. He's friendly, funny, and a pleasure to talk to.

I would take any class with Alcorn. He's a really great professor who cares about his student and their art. He treats his students like adults and equals and he will draw alongside the class. You'll learn a lot in any class he teaches.

I really enjoyed his class, he is always available to give constructive feedback, and consistently encourages students to push themselves creatively and academically. He seems to genuinely care about the success and wellbeing of his students both within and outside the classroom. And, of course, hes an incredible artist.

Professor Alcorn is an amazing professor who encourages experimentation through medium and style. He allows you to alter assignments to fit something you are truly interested in doing. He is very encouraging and always gives helpful critiques. This class was a fun stress free environment and I would recommend taking it.

Professor Alcorn's class really helped with my understanding of portrait drawing, he references past masters and finds a way to incorporate those lessons while encouraging you to develop your skills. His assignments are pretty open as far subject goes, and this allows you to take more of an active interest in his assignments.

I had been looking forward to taking one of Professor Alcorn's classes since entering the department. This class was based on relying on your classic drawing skills and then trusting your hand to abstract what you see into more of a designed element. This class pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best, most constructive way possible.

The Florence Revealed classes are the best I've ever taken and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who has the opportunity to spend a month abroad. It was not only immensely educational from an academic drawing perspective but we were all encouraged by Prof. Alcorn to engage in the Florentine culture as much as possible. Absolutely go!

Florence Revealed was the most amazing experience of my life, and Professor Alcorn went above and beyond as a professor and mentor. He is inspiring, adventurous, encouraging, and made everyones experience beyond wonderful. Everyday was an adventure, and I was excited to learn, observe, and grow. If I could I would go back every summer I would.

Absolutely amazing professor! Taking his class will forever change the way I look at and make art. Professor Alcorn is incredibly caring, kind, and patient. His encouragement really brought out the best in all of his students and I was able to learn so much from him. Take as many of his classes as you can, you definitely won't regret it!

I went to Italy with the summer study abroad program that Alcorn directs, Florence Revealed. Alcorn gives supportive, helpful feedback and knows the city and its history well. We primarily drew in sketchbooks in different locations around Florence every day, so we got to see a lot of the city. It was great experience that I'd definitely recommend.

Stephen Alcorn is definitely my favorite professor in the Communication arts program. He has a really good way of making students feel comfortable while also pushing you to be better. He is extremely passionate about what he does and has a lot of important information to give. I have taken multiple classes with him and every time I feel inspired.

Professor Alcorn has been an inspirational and thought provoking teacher. I attended his study abroad program in Florence, Italy this summer and have taken his Fashion Illustration course. Both of these have allowed me to grow greatly as a designer and a person. Professor Alcorn has truly given me the tools to find my voice through illustration.

Prof. Alcorn made Transfiguration one of the most interesting and special classes I took at VCU. He is incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and passionate about inspiring students. He embraces every style and pushes students to step out of their comfort-zone. You'll gain so much from this class not just artistically but mentally. Overall amazing!

Alcorn led the study abroad trip: Florence Revealed. He is one of my favorite professors. He is so supportive of his students and worked with my family to ensure I would be well taken care of. He also knows his stuff. Not only will it change your life, you know you will come back with an extraordinary sketchbook when you go on this trip.

Professor Alcorn makes me wish I had double majored in Communication Arts! His teaching style is so inspiring and he is so caring and genuine. I was part of his Florence Revealed program, and it was the most enriching part of my college career so far, largely because of Alcorn. He is open to all drawing styles, and is the most positive teacher!

I had a great experience this summer studying abroad. Alcorn's program was a ton of fun and really worth while. I produced a lot of great work and awesome memories. One month wasn't enough in Florence, I could have spent all summer there. I hope to go back some day and I am very grateful for the experience.

I had an incredible time studying abroad with Prof. Alcorn through the Florence Revealed program. Florence is such a culturally and artistically rich city, and with a teacher who grew up there, Alcorn was able to give us very deep personal perspective, and art historical insight, into the whole experience. I would absolutely do it all again.

Professor Alcorn really wants to ignite the passion for art in every student. His class The Face really helped open up a new side of art and portraiture for me and it soon became one of my favorite subjects. He will do his best to guide you and develops your skills while allowing you to express yourself. If I could take this class again I would.

Alcorn is one of the kindest teachers that Ive ever known. He genuinely wants you to grow in both the technical & imaginative areas of your artwork. He tries to teach you to be passionate, creative, and skilled as an artist. That, in my opinion, makes this one of the most influential classes, with one of the most inspirational teachers. Take him!!

He is a great teacher to learn with because he knows what he is doing and more importantly knows how to get that idea across to students. He is very Kind and understanding so if you ever need help he is eager to lend a hand. He is quite strict on attendance but the attendance taking method can be a little messy at times.

A phenomenal professor! He is very passionate about what he creates and cares about exposing his students to multiple new mediums/techniques. He has brilliant values regarding how we should appreciate our materials and content when developing our skills in his class. 100% open teacher to student environment & he'll always be there to help you grow!

Professor Alcorn is such a fun teacher to have. You learn so much and different techniques with art. He's very understanding and always takes time helping each student.

I was nervous starting this class and I think I was intimidated by Alcorn but once the class began and I was able to receive feedback on my work all the nerves were gone and I just wanted to do what I could to continue to improve. While his style of teaching is relaxed, the lessons are inspired by classic art techniques and have stuck with me.

Professor Alcorn's class is a great mixture of gaining invaluable skills and building community with the class. He is very receptive to his students' wishes, such as letting us choose what medium to use many times in class. Overall, I feel I was able to grow substantially alongside my classmates, guided by Professor Alcorn's wonderful instruction.

He treats his students as fellow working artists and encourages each students individuality. I learned a new way of understanding portraiture by studying and drawing a persons face and how their unique features can reveal that persons character. Instead of a typical sit-down lecture, students learn through their own consistent drawing practice.

Alcorn is a great professor who truly cares about the success and growth of his students. He has many helpful tips and tricks for drawing. If you have the chance to take one of his classes, I highly recommend doing so!

Great educator! I was fortunate enough to have him for three semesters. Mastering the Masters was the final course I had with him, then it was a new course. Didnt know exactly what to expect, but I knew it would be world class instruction. He fosters a delightful learning environment. I strongly recommend this course and any others taught by him.

Not only is Prof. Alcorn an incredibly inspirational figure drawing professor - but he's also a phenomenal artist. His feedback is gentle but sincere and he really pushes each of his students to do their best. Everyone's work from this past semester showed signs of significant improvement, including my own! He's seriously a great professor!

I have had Professor Alcorn for two semesters and I am planning to take another his class. I put a lot of effort in this class. Professor Alcorn is looking for the growth of the student, so the best tip for his class is to complete all the work and finish them on time.

This has been my third class I've taken with Prof. Alcorn. Not only is he incredibly knowledgable, he's always willing to share that knowledge and help his students grow artistically in the fashion that suits them. He's always been understanding of his students' situations, whether personal or academic, and fosters a great learning environment

This is a great class to take if you want to see visible improvement in your work. It was very well-paced, so I felt like no time was wasted. There were lots of projects, but they were not excessively demanding. In them, there was room for experimentation and learning. Critique was gentle but honest, and he was understanding of mistakes.

Professor Alcorn is passionate about art and cares about the growth of his students. His critiques are helpful and positive. This class prepares you to become a professional artist. The only negative is that occasionally instructions and expectations could be unclear and inconsistent. Other than that the class is great and you will learn a lot!

His class is very hands-on - you will produce a lot of work, and you'll see visible improvement over the semester. His feedback is valuable, encouraging, and honest without being cruel, and he is incredibly enthusiastic about both student work and his field. He can be very strict about technical requirements; however, he rewards effort and growth.

I've been in Alcorn's class twice now and the second time around left me quite disappointed. While his instruction and support were incredible, he tends to repeat himself quite often and rant about the same things - how young artists go for details first, traditional drawing skills > digital drawing skills... It got old and stale very quickly.

This is my second semester w/him and I was left a bit disappointed by this class- his anti-technology/digital art rants seemed to be more prevalent this semester and he tended to repeat himself often. When hes not on a rant, I really enjoy his lectures and drawing from live models. Prof Alcorn has been very understanding throughout the pandemic.

I honestly cant recommend Alcorn enough. Class was always so fun and exciting. Hes extremely passionate about drawing and I learned so much from him. If you work hard you'll definitely earn an A. Critique isn't stressful at all and every class we had great conversations and shared our work with one another. Your art will thank you for this!

It's always nice to have a professor that is actually passionate about the subject they teach. This professor accommodated everyone regardless of their drawing experience. Manage your time and follow his timeline for sure because his classes are set up so that by finals week there's not much work to do! Overall it was a wonderful experience!

This is my second semester in a class with Professor Alcorn. He's incredibly passionate about drawing and the role that art can play in our lives in a way that I haven't experienced in a lot of instructors. There is a lot of work, but it's not unmanageable and definitely rewarding if you stay on top of it.

If you love art history and want to hone your skills take a class with Professor Alcorn. He appreciates all styles and types of art, but takes craftsmanship seriously. His class will make you a better version of yourself as an artist by understanding all you have at your disposal. I loved mastering the masters course and would highly encourage it!

You're drawing skills will improve drastically in any of his classes becuase we draw all the time and he is great at giving specific, concrete advice on technique. He's incredibly passionate about what he teaches and gives wonderful, eccentric speeches about art. We had an average amount of homework and he isn't strict about deadlines.

Stephen cares greatly about the art of drawing, and as long as you're also passionate then it'll be a perfect match.

He definitely likes participate during class. He also doesn't grade everything until the midterm and final. You put everything in a slideshow and then he sends you the grade for what you completed. There are no grades given at any other time. This gives time to finish everything, but you also don't know your grade until the end.

I cant stress enough how refreshing and fun Stephen is. If you're passionate you will thrive in this class. I guarantee you'll see LOTS of growth in your art and processes. Stephen is one of the few profs left who doesnt push industry standards or stresses competition. The readings are relevant and inspiring. He truly cares about his students.

Professor Alcorn has a very traditional, yet influential teaching style that preaches the importance of taking responsibility for ones craft as an artist, as well as having a deep rooted comprehension of the foundations of drawing. He leads by example, working alongside students, and encourages thoughtful discussion. I really enjoyed this class!

Professor Alcorn is one of the most insightful professors that Ive come across in my art career. Not only is he passionate about the learning of art, he is talented in making others around him feel passionate and inspired. Im not going to lie, he has rigorous expectations for the quality of art produced, but I feel that helps more than anything.

Stephen loves having lengthy philosophical discussions about art. If you aren't used to these kinds of discussions his class may feel drawn out at first but if you stick with him your art will improve over the semester. There is a lot of class work, but rarely any mandatory homework. As long as you keep posting your work then you should do well!

Absolutely a joy having Alcorn as a professor. His passion for art, discussion, and working alongside us really kept the class engaging, which is honestly such a hard thing to do in online classes due to covid. Its not a light workload so keep that in mind but it really helped me improve in such a short amount of time. Definetly recommend!

When academia began to feel like exactly that, Professor Alcorn breathed life into my experience with figure drawing. He encourages creativity, challenges your gaze of the figure, and keeps each class lively and engaged. We were able to create pieces that were rooted in our personal experiences, from which we emerged better artists. Enroll now!

Professor Stephen are very patient. The class atmosphere is lively and you can learn a lot about the theory of body modeling.

Prof. Alcorn puts immense care into his work and teaching. He is attentive to students' needs, willing to work with you outside of the classroom, and invested in your personal success. His study abroad program in Florence was a learning experience in many ways. He has a personal connection to Florence, so it made the trip extra special.

I highly recommend that students who want to improve their foundation take his class. He is always patient, providing valuable feedback to each student. His teaching style is humorous and relaxed, you can feel profound knowledge in the field. He has been an excellent guide on my artistic journey. He is a highly respected and great artist.

Professor Alcorn is an incredibly talented artist, and a patient & rewarding professor. Studying under his guidance during Florence Revealed Study Abroad Program was a wonderful experience. Alcorn has an immense knowledge of art and history that he smoothly incorporates in his lessons and feedback, without overbearing you or undermining your work.

Professor Alcorn is a down to earth guy. For this class you should be drawing continuously as no feedback can be given without work. Conversation and inquiry are highly encouraged in his classes. Lessons are enjoyably unconventional. In Florence we studied in the gorgeous outdoors each day. Instruction, projects, and feedback are very constructive.

Florence Revealed has been the highlight of my time at VCU. It's evident how much Professor Alcorn cares about this program, and knows so much about the history of art. Drawing around Florence and the surrounding cities and learning about the art history was so exciting and fulfilling creatively. I'd recommend this program a thousand times over.

I had Alcorn for Florence Revealed and it was amazing! First of all, everything in his life revolves around the city of Florence, he knows so much. He is really understanding, even for someone with accommodations like me! Please take Alcorn if you can. He works you hard but you will enjoy ever second of it.

Professor Alcorn brings to Comm Arts perspective & experience that no one else has; inspired by the artwork of the Renaissance? you should make it priority to have him as a professor, he is so knowledgeable. The Florence Revealed trip was the most life changing experience I've had at VCU. Class didn't feel like class, we were in museums & outside!

Professor Alcorn is the sole reason I am finishing my Fall 2023 semester instead of dropping out. He has reignited my interest for drawing as he has helped me learn a LOT about drawing as a whole. He has a passion for art and will always be willing to help if you need it. It is absolutely worth it to attend every class you can to learn from him.

Professor Alcorn is incredible! He has a very traditional teaching style and everything is done in a sketchbook. If you want to really learn the figure, he is the professor to take. Classes are live figure sessions and HWs are usually self portraits or master copies. No matter your skill level you will improve with him. I cannot recommend him more.

Alcorn is an incredibly inspirational and educated professor. Heavily values classical art and the fine arts, very opinionated, but I genuinely improved so much throughout his classes. Very hands on learning rather than step by step instructions. He really values people who participate in conversation and critique, so try to talk in class.

Definitely be prepared and be on time, otherwise he will definitely scold you. Don't take any of his scoldings to heart though, because if you show effort and passion in this class he will be amazing. I've learned so much from this on prof, and he's so invested in his students success. Every critique he gives is for your betterment!

Stephen is one of my favorite professors to this day. He always creates a space for interesting conversation and gives meaningful advice. I actually found myself looking forward to this class. He is a true artist at heart- you will no doubt learn a lot from him. As long as you put in the time and effort, you'll do good in his class.

I took Figure in Context two semesters ago and now I'm taking Mastering the Masters with Professor Alcorn as well. He is very well spoken and genuinely cares about what he is teaching and the department as a whole. He allows students to have creative freedom in class and inspires you to draw on daily basis without it feeling like a chore.

Professor Alcorn's Transfiguration course pushed me to new artistic heights. His nurturing yet disciplined approach fosters creativity, inspiring students to explore beyond boundaries. His insightful critiques and challenging assignments led to surprising portfolio pieces. Highly recommend!

Taking Prof. Alcorn's Transfiguration course was truly life-changing. Beyond just teaching us how to draw figures, he encouraged us to think outside the box and explore new ideas. His feedback was not only helpful but also made me see art in a whole new way. He created a supportive environment where creativity thrived, making learning fun.

Professor Alcorn is very knowledgeable and a good professor to take to learn from the classics. You get to experiment with a variety of mediums along with reasonable deadlines and workload, but you will not go into anatomy as much as other profs. If you get to class early and prepared, and you're willing to put in your own effort, you'll be fine.

Professor Alcorn is an incredible artist who infuses illustration into his teaching of the figure. He encourages experimentation with style and medium in a way I haven't seen in other figure drawing classes. He does have large class sizes, so participation is needed if you want more feedback. Don't take critiques personally and get there early!

Professor Alcorn is a very professional and nice teacher to have. The class is very drawing focused, with more time in class being spent on actual drawing than on lectures. Even so, there are fairly insightful discussions during class time. Professor Alcorn himself is very nice, helpful, and open to questions during class time.

Alcorn has been one of my favorite professors. I have improved so much learning his methods of viewing the figure to help draw it. COAR201 is an academic drawing class, so the emphasis is on realism, but has room for different ways of shading, and then different mediums and styles in COAR202. He is always draws alongside students and is very caring

Stephen Alcorn is the professor you want to take if you want to learn how to draw the figure and get it right. He provides honest criticism you need to hear and by the end of it, you will realize how much better your gestures/figures have become. Stephen is also very understanding and works with you as long as you put the effort in his class!

Alcorn was one of my favorite professors. He is all about embracing your own hand in drawing. He gives great feedback on completed or in progress works. The expected work is clearly stated and if you have any questions he doesn't mind explaining it again. He gives occasional homework which is given plenty of time to complete. A great professor!

Being in Professor Alcorn's class requires attention and attendance. He's a wonderful professor who gives great feedback and will take the time to help students individually when asked. As long as you put in the effort to improve and actively engage with the class material, you will succeed!

Professor Alcorn is one of the most supportive instructors I've had at VCU. His feedback is always constructive, pushing the class to improve, while also celebrating our progress. I saw improvement in my art while working in his class and was able to complete several portfolio pieces thanks to his mentorship. I highly recommend his classes!

If I can advise you to take at least one professor during your time in the CommArts program, it would be Professor Alcorn. I've taken 3 courses with him and recently completed the Florence revealed program lead by him, and the cumulative experience has been inspiring, incredibly educational, and massive in my own improvement as an artist.

If you want to grow as an artist take Alcorn!!I had Alcorn for the Figure observed and Florence Revealed and both have been my best experiences at vcu. Alcorn is incredibly insightful, and truly cares about drawing for the love of drawing. He taught me so much and created a space where I could really grow as an Artist! He is the best!

Prof. Alcorn continues to be a wise inspiration to me and the Florence program has once again strengthened that respect. He practices what he preaches alongside his students and is very respectful of each students' needs. You work at your own pace with your own subjects and it's a very freeing program that further inspires artwork after the trip :]

After taking both sections of Figure Drawing, and recently returning from the incredible Florence Revealed program, I can confidently say Professor Alcorn is one of the absolute best professors at this school. His dedication to his students and his own love for his craft is unmatched. If you care about your artistic success, take Alcorn!!!!!!11/10

This was my first time having Prof. Alcorn and the whole experience was amazing. Extremely passionate about Italy and Florence culture as well as every piece of art in the city. Cultivated an amazing environment for creating art that I still miss to this day. If you have the means, would highly recommend this trip or any of his other classes. 10/10

I can confidently say that out of all the classes I've taken at VCU, his Figure Observed and more recently, his Florence Revealed program, have been the most memorable and enjoyable. He teaches you the fundamentals so that you have no choice but to improve. His love for drawing is undeniable along with his desire to aid the growth of his students.

Professor Alcorn is incredibly caring, supportive, dedicated to his students' success, and passionate about what he teaches. Florence Revealed is a masterfully crafted program grounded in life drawing with the freedom to experiment artistically. It had a huge impact on my artistic growth - highly recommend if you have the ability to go!

Alcorn's Mastering The Masters is a great class! His knowledge of art history and the masters made the class both interesting and informative. Watching him work alongside us and seeing classmates' versions of the copies made a great environment to just sit and work. I recommend it if you want to explore different mediums and art works from history.

The Florence Revealed program was a life-changing experience. Prof Alcorn allows all students the freedom to experience Florence in their own way while also working tirelessly to get us into as many amazing places as possible. It is a lot of work, but completely worth it and it helped me grow so much as an artist in such a short amount of time.

Coming into COAR202, I was demotivated and considering changing majors. Working with Professor Alcorn helped change my mind. He will meet you where you are and give precise, important feedback that completely changed my drawing process (for the better!). Truly one of the best professors in the department who I hope to learn under again.

I recommend that you take the opportunity to join the abroad program held in Florence. I went the summer after my sophomore year(2024) and the trip was amazing. One month spent exploring the city and learning about the history of Florence is something you'll never forget.This is a wonderful chance to build your portfolio and improve your skills.

Professor Alcorn is challenging & vibrant. It's been 5 years since I took his class, & his is one of the personalities that's stuck out to me after all this time. He's a real character. You'll learn a lot from him about drawing from observation, color theory, & materials! He is extremely willing to hear you out, & totally flexible within reason.

As an emerging artist who has recently begun to break into the gallery space, win awards, gain recognition in publications, etc., I really benefited from the structure and methodology of his course. He inspires growth and excellence for and from his students. He sets the bar high, and the results are so rewarding.

This course was a highlight of my time at VCU. It's great to read about the masters like Botticelli and Michelangelo, but seeing their work in person is mesmerizing! Professor Alcorn's knowledge of and reverence for Italian art was infectious, and he pushed my draftsmanship and creativity in ways that I didn't know were even possible!

This was an immersive course from which I greatly benefited. Professor Alcorn gave us an opportunity to explore art through the philosophy, history and practice of medicine. This included chances to speak with doctors and patients and draw them from life. He cultivated a course that fostered creativity, empathy and introspection.

His professionalism as well as his knowledge of the material is greatly appreciated. If I didn't understand the concept of the assignments, he showed me grace and patience by providing me with the information that I needed to be successful. His art presentations were always a blast to view. His kindness was abundant. Stay cool Professor Alcorn!

He is respectful and kind. He would let us know that we all have to continue our dreams and to never give up.

Professor Alcorn's study abroad program in Florence, Italy was such an enriching and eye-opening experience! He showed us all there is to see in Florence as well as other cities. I really got to know Florence and created everlasting bonds with my peers. I would 100% take this course again. If you plan to take this, get ready for LOTS of walking!

Professor Alcorn's Florence Revealed month-long program improved my art faster than any other class I've taken at VCU. He teaches in the context of art history and studying the compositions of old masters' honed my eye for design. He gladly recognizes when students are doing well and will always lend a guiding hand if someone isn't getting it.

I took Professor Alcorn for the Figure Observed online as my first class focused on the figure, and it was a wonderful introduction. Alcorn taught the class through zoom with live models on the call, and I found the format to be extremely effective.

With repeated focused sessions laden with instruction throughout and encouragement for the love of drawing, Professor Alcorn fosters a learning environment dedicated to a whole-hearted embrace of the process of both drawing the figure and improving at the craft of drawing.

In addition to breaking down the fundamentals of figure drawing, Prof. Alcorn encourages his students to look beyond the physical form, into the very soul of their drawing subject. His passion for the subject is infectious, and his commitment to student growth makes this course an excellent primer for his follow-up course, The Figure in Context.

Professor Alcorn's course The Figure in Context pushes students to explore the human form beyond technique, diving into historical, psychological, and social contexts. His insightful critiques and engaging discussions foster creativity, expression, and a sense of community among his students. A perfect continuation after The Figure Observed.

One of the best professors Ive seen, he'll push you but it will ultimately make you a better artist. Ive been in multiple of his classes and everytime I left with skills I believe I wouldnt have learned anywhere else. He taught me that I was capable of much more than I assumed and then helped me get even better.

Professor Alcorn has created an amazing program exploring Florence, Italy. Not only are you taken on a journey through Florence's history of art, but Steven takes you on a deep exploration of the culture through his deep connection with the city. There is never a shortage of fun!

Alcorn is an extremely talented professor who will engross you in the art history lectures and information he provides. Loved taking all of his courses (Florence revealed being my absolute favorite), he doesn't micro manage and lets you draw at your own pace while giving help advice for your progress.

I have an immense amount of respect and admiration for Professor Alcorn to this day. I had the pleasure of taking 3 courses with the professor where I was able to learn what it means to truly be an artist. If you are seeking a path as a working artist, I highly recommend any of his courses. His wisdom and work ethic will surely inspire you.

I've taken several courses with the professor where I was able to learn what it means to truly be an artist. If you are seeking a path as a working artist, I highly recommend any of his courses. This specific course provided me with many lessons on the rich tradition of the masters detailing the careful training needed to excel in the arts.

Professor Alcorn brings passion and enthusiasm to the class. While the workload is reasonable, active engagement and early preparation are key to success. unstuckstudy proved a helpful study tool alongside the free course materials.

Alcorn is a educator that undoubtedly cares for his student's development as artist. Over several semesters I witnessed Alcorn work and create alongside students, this is one of the characteristics about him I most admired. His dedication and passion for teaching help shape my academic path.

The Florence program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This program introduces students to an entirely new perspective on art and life. Alcorn has a close connection with Florence and his appreciation for the city is infectious. Students can learn from the masters in the most impactful way possible. It was inspiring and reinvigorating.

Alcorn is a deeply talented teacher who is excellent at identifying what each student needs to take their art to the next level. He's truly excited to see students improve, and he celebrates hard work and passion. He has an infectious passion for art, and while rigorous, his class is more than worth the effort. His lessons are truly invaluable.

Professor Alcorn was the best professor during my VCUArts time. He is so passionate about art and has a very distinctive style. He would often draw us in class as well which was really cool. I am always excited to come to class and to see what we are going to do that day. 10/10 wish I had taken more classes with him.

Florence Abroad was such an inspirational program. It was cool that he is from there and provided a lot of interesting insights. He was so knowledgeable about all the sights we visited and drew. The program is well planned out and organized. My only complaint during the whole trip is that he walks really fast. Haha, we need to sprint to keep up.

It was such a treat to take Alcorn's Florence Revealed Program back in the summer of 2022. Not only was the scenery beautiful, but the masterful paintings and sculptures of old were inspirational for a budding artist like myself. I learned so much and made so many wonderful memories. But it was certainly a hike! Alcorn walks like a bullet.

This class focuses on fundamental figure drawing by studying and copying masterwork. It's pretty beginner-friendly, but it challenges you to use different techniques and approach art from a different angle (e.g., continuous line, cell shading, pos vs neg space.). It was also fun to draw our classmates at the start vs the end to see how we improved

Alcorn's good at giving a wide variety of work. You're going to be drawing a LOT of figures in this class. It's nice that we get to draw different body types too. **There is a specific requirement for your sketchbook.** All in all, Alcorn can be a little eccentric at times, but he's really passionate about art--it's infectious.

Professor Alcorn truly cares about his students. He is one of the kindest and most intelligent people I've ever met, and his teaching style reflects that- there is never a dull moment in one of his courses. Individual attention is paid to each student's work, and feedback is specific. Expect to improve dramatically and have a great time doing it :)

Professor Alcorn is great! He's got a lot of great insight into many different facets of art history, philosophy, theory, etc beyond just technical work. It's also very refreshing to have a professor who encourages creative expression and individuality in such a technical course like figure drawing!

Florence was genuinely one of the best things I've ever done, and I cannot recommend it enough if it's within your means to go. Professor Alcorn's connections to Italy also made the experience ten times better, both with his understanding of historical sites and the culture in general

Just a fantastic professor. If you engage with his lessons and take his feedback I guarantee that you will see immense improvement in your work by the end of the semester. Beyond technical skills, we have very interesting and insightful conversations during class about art history and the state of art education. I always forward to class!

This professor makes it extremely clear at all steps that he actually cares about art and figure drawing, and he's extremely genuine. He's not afraid to bluntly state his opinions, which helps you see him as a peer and a person. Class is a comfortable, relaxed environment, though not in an un-serious way.

It was really refreshing to take a figure drawing class that lets you think outside the box more. Alcorn gives a lot of creative prompts and teaches figure in a wide range of mediums (not just graphite!) Super knowledgeable about art history and gives good feedback.

He truly is the best. Professor Alcorn puts effort into both you and your artistic journey, treating everyone with respect and compassion as long as you push yourself. This class isn't difficult if you love your craft. Along with respect for students, he respects his models as well, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for learning.

This guy is really passionate about the figure and made learning it really fun. I learned so much and am taking more classes with him. I had the class over zoom, and while weird for a first time figure class, I had a great time. This guy gets amazing models! If you need help he's happy to and gives honest criticism when you really need it.

Professor Alcorn is an amazing teacher to have for any of the Drawing classes. He is incredibly passionate about the process of drawing itself, and will always draw alongside his students instead of sitting idle, which I greatly respect. He is very good about giving critiques, which can be harsh, but it is always to the benefit of the student.

Alcorn is great! He gives good critiques and will always help correct your mistakes if you just ask. I had never taken a figure drawing class before, but thanks to his feedback and demos I quickly got the hang of it. You can tell he loves what he does and it helps to create a positive atmosphere for the class.

Professor Alcorn is a excellent professor with a range of artistic knowledge. He's open to discussion, gives good feedback, has clear expectations, and he creates a great environment to learn, think critically, and grow as artists. He wants to see effort and understanding of his teachings, and he embraces the artistic variety among student work.

Professor Stephen Alcorn's class, The Face, was transformative. Unlike others, he nurtured each student's unique artistic voice rather than enforcing a standard style. His poetic, musical strokes reflected the energy he helped us cultivate. The skills I gained still shape my art today. His mentorship was invaluable—highly recommended!

Professor Alcorn led my Florence Revealed study abroad trip back in 2016 and to this day it's still one of the most inspirational experiences I've had as a budding fine artist. Being from Florence, he added a new level of insight, teaching our class a lot about the culture, the sights, and of course the famous artwork all around the city.

The Face is the class I felt that I learned the most out of technically out of all the classes I took as a ComArts major. Professor Alcorn gave creative assignments, had a fun classroom environment we were excited to come to every day, and endless amounts of artistic wisdom.

Professor Alcorn is well-known and respected. I took him for the figure, where I knew nothing. Through his teachings, drawing from what you SEE, I improved in a year. He cares deeply about the work his students are doing. Take his class if you want to improve. Just know you need to have a little passion. You want to appreciate the craft.

This class goes over the more figurative rather than the technical skills. It's very similar to COUR 201. So if you liked that class take Professor Alcorn again. He teaches as the old painters and artists once did. It's all very interesting even though there's a lot of work. Most of it is done during class.

I cannot give higher praise for Alcorn and Figure Observed. His class fostered the healthiest, most welcoming learning environment in which I've ever had the joy of participating, and his supportive attitude made class a highlight of my day. I was considering dropping out of art school, but his love of the craft convinced me to stay. 10/10.

Figure in Context is a study in honesty and genuine expression, and has taught me a love of imperfection to heal the art student perfectionism. Alcorn is kind, empathetic, inquisitive, and pushes you to create to your greatest potential while supporting your health and journey. He encourages creativity and exploration, personal and extrapersonal.

This class gave me a newfound appreciation for art and learning. Compared to some other Comm Arts courses, I felt I was actually taking a college level art course. Professor Alcorn is truly inspirational and his passion for the arts shines through and is absorbed by his students. Everyone I've seen leaves this course a better artist than before.

If Observed is technique, Context is expression. Alcorn's approach to teaching both how to accurately create artwork and then break those molds is admirable and inspirational. I wouldn't be the artist I am today without his teachings and the environment he creates. If you're looking to improve yourself and your work, take this course.

Very knowledgeable educator and artist with decades of experience. I love how frequently he shares his work when applicable to our lessons. Alcorn has a passion for art history and introduced us to many artists with a large variety of different techniques. He has an infectious love for drawing. I guarantee you will leave his class a better artist.

Professor Alcorn is a wonderful wonderful teacher. He really takes time to help his students and provide honest, clear feedback and follows up to see how you've been improving on those specific skills. He is excellent at teaching all levels of skill, and truly it is an honor to be a part of his class.

Florence was life changing, I still stick to the art practice I learned there. I label my sketchbooks and take them everywhere like he showed me, I fill 2 a year. He goes out of his way to create a sense of community and togetherness with the whole class. My current roommate I met there. I still see many people from the trip years after graduation.

His passion for art/how he talked about it had a big impact on me, I learned to let go of the noise/pressure I was putting on myself in my head, I could seek out drawing for the love + fun of it again. I remind myself like he taught me to be grateful that I have the time and ability to do draw for myself, my skills and speed increased drastically

Getting my teaching license, I'm 2yrs out of school. He challenges you and gives a good honest critique, feedback that's helped me in my career and for fun. He regularly talks about his passion for art and engages students in that conversation. I hope I can have that kind of impact and share that passion for art with my own students in the future

Extremely knowledgeable and in-touch with students about current events. Workload is reasonable and he encourages students to try new mediums and push themselves. Sadly though if you're not one of a few students he's had before, he won't pay much attention to your work.

I took this class out of order, after loving Professor Alcorn's Figure in Context course. We concentrated on the fundamentals of anatomy and how to capture form. There is a friendly atmosphere to be had, but only if you engage. I had an incredible time and have seen a massive improvement in my art. I can't recommend Stephen Alcorn enough!

As someone who transferred into the Communication Arts Program in the Spring, I was worried taking these classes out of order would detract from my experience, but I'm happy to say Alcorn's teaching saved me from that fate! I can confidently say that Alcorn's teaching has changed the trajectory of my work and my appreciation for the figure.

Alcorn is a well-spoken and highly skilled educator of the arts. Through his class my artwork has improved immensely due to his emphasis on individual feedback and viewing the figure in full rather than by pieces. The respect and and friendliness between Alcorn, the models, and the students is telling of the nurturing environment of his class.

Professor Alcorn is a respected Communication Arts professor who grades based on artistic growth rather than individual assignments. He values quality over quantity. The final will be a review of your class sketchbook. While his expectations can be vague at times, he is accessible via email and open to conversations before and after class.

Attentive, caring, and kind beyond belief. Cares about your artistic journey and will not let cutting corners slide, professor Alcorn nurtures a cozy environment that feels less like a chore and more like a break from the chaos school can be sometimes. Fun and engaging assignments and wants you to do the best you can do. :)

Professor Alcorn is not only passionate about art but a wonderfully zealous teacher. He takes the time to get to know each student as an individual and truly cares about their wellbeing and success in his class. I will never forget his patience with me through the growing pains of college and how much his own artwork inspired me!

Professor Alcorn makes an effort to get to know his students. While some courses may feel tense & awkward, he encourages students through productive conversations & insightful critiques. His talent and personal connection with students inspired me to go the extra mile in my work, & in this course, I gained technical skill and confidence in my art.

One of the best Professors VCU has to offer. If you go to VCU you should try to take an Alcorn class at some point. He has a unique classic approach to drawing that encourages students to push their technical skills and their style. The work I drew in his class has been extremely helpful for finding art opportunities outside of college.

This was my second class with Professor Alcorn. I feel like I've grown so much as an artist thanks to him. He fosters a positive and welcoming environment in class. I'm the type of person who gets stressed & anxious about assignments, but Alcorn is very understanding and was willing to work with me. Ended up being my favorite class of the year!

Professor Alcorn is probably the most aspirational art teacher I have ever had His passion for the craft bleeds into every piece of work he does His critiques are straight forward and while he may seem intense at times he is genuinely one of the most caring professors out there There is a lot of emphasis on learning from the masters (rightfully so)

Alcorn was a joy to have as a professor. His teachings greatly improved my technical skills, particularly when it came to gauging proportions. He is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher who pushes his students to produce their best work. Most importantly, he values growth over an individual grade or deadline.

.Alcorn is incredibly friendly and always happy to give hands-on demonstrations and assistance for those who need it, so do not be afraid to ask for his insight. His passion and high experience in the arts is evident, making his lectures inspiring and thought-provoking. He is adamant on the continuous exercising of one's skills.

Prof Alcorn is true master; He makes sure the model's time is valued and shares his vast experience with us via his work. His method of shape helped me understand form better, and I keep his critiques with me always. I 100% recommend taking him if you want to understand the basics of figure drawing with a Professor who is passionate about the work!

I felt as though Alcorn pushed us to expand our creativity; he never accepted mediocrity, and made it very clear that he believed we could do better than even our best. He had us try a variety of mediums and used figure drawing as a tool to take "escapism" and turn it into artistic reality. Overall this class was amazing and I would take it again!

I've taken Alcorn's figure observed and figure and context courses, both inspired me to view my drawings from a different perspective without the pressure and control that I felt from previous art instructors. This course was more about the lessons from history and applying them in art, while also discovering the lifestyle and beauty of Italy.

Florence Revealed was a life-changing experience for my artistic practice. You get to draw and live in the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Alcorn is an excellent instructor. He was very encouraging and supportive of his students. He pushed me to develop my own artist voice while on this trip.

In Florence Revealed, we meet at various locations within Florence and travel beyond the city by train. We draw from life and create master copies of historical artworks as Alcorn invites us to learn the history, influence, and meaning of the art we study to grow a deeper appreciation for art history and its relation to us and our own creations.

If you have the opportunity to study abroad in Florence with Professor Alcorn, do it!!! It was the most incredible, life changing experience. I felt so inspired the whole time and I learned so much about Italian art and history. I'm looking forward to taking another class with Professor Alcorn in the spring (in a real classroom)!

He is a great professor who obviously actually really cares about teaching and about figure drawing. Unlike some professors, it doesn't feel like he's just therr because he has to be, and it makes you motivated to actually try as well. As long as you apply the specific things he's talking about in class, you'll do well.