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Art History

Colour, Pattern and Texture

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course uses the collections housed in the newly refurbished Art & Design and Science & Technology Galleries of the NMS to explore the roots of our relationships and skills with colours, patterns and textures.

Please note, this course takes place in the National Museum of Scotland (meet at the Information Desk in the entrance hall).

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required. A keen interest in colour, pattern and texture is essential and consulting the course text books is recommended. In addition, some drawing and painting experience would be good but not essential, as full advice and tuition will be given. It would be beneficial for students to have watercolour paints/watercolour pencils, sketch pad/watercolour pad. These can be used in an effective way on a small scale to create patterns and textures and produce colour charts that will enhance the overall experience of this course.

Content of Course

1. Colour in nature.

2. Historical developments of colour.

3. Natural and synthetic pigments used in dying, painting and decoration.

4. Pattern in the natural world.

5. The creation of pattern.

6. Historical and cultural influence of pattern around the world.

7. The combination of colour and pattern to produce dramatic variations.

8. The importance of texture throughout history to present day.

9. Historical and cultural uses of colour, pattern and texture in the ceramic, furniture and textile industries.

10. The future of design and science and the integral role that colour, pattern and texture will play.

Teaching method(s)

Teaching will be a combination of classroom and gallery based talks/tours that will focus on the collections and fabric of the buildings of the NMS, paying close attention to the practicalities of colour, pattern and texture creation. Hand-outs will be available and time will be made for Q&A and group discussions.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Understand colour, pattern and texture in historical and cultural context;

  • Assess the relationship between the natural world, and science, technology and design.

  • Display creativity through an understanding of colour, pattern and texture.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

  • Delamare, F. and Guineau, B.,1999. Colour Making and Using Dyes and Pigments. London: Thames & Hudson.

Recommended:

  • Bloom, S., 2006. Elephant. London: Thames & Hudson.

  • Byatt, A., Fothergill, A., and Holmes, M., 2001. Blue Planet

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.