Digital Drawing (10 credit points)

The course teaching is delivered over weekly class sessions. Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. A tour of the interface will be provided and through the weeks, explanation for all of the key tools associated with Adobe Photoshop.

2. An introduction to themes and concepts of the work of artists working with Photoshop.

3. Importing from the internet, digital cameras, scanning drawings or working directly with the computer are all options for developing source material. Getting this content into the software will be demonstrated.

4. The course aims to tailor a working method to the individuals creative vision. Photoshop is vast and you will be encouraged to learn utilities strategically through discussion with the class and tutor.

5. How the image pane is constructed as a dot matrix. Resolution and sizing images will be discussed and we will consider the different modes of interpolation and extrapolation (adding or removing pixels).

6. We will look at how images are constructed in terms of layers and how to manage these.

7. An early tutorial to introduce the selection tools and how to resize and move articles around the picture space.

8. A more in depth look at selections and how to refine them will lead to introduction to distributing pixels within these boundaries. Here we introduce tools such as paint bucket and the brush tool as a way to further develop the compositions

9. An in-depth explanation will be provided on all settings and palettes associated with the brush tool and how these can be controlled using devices such as graphics tablets. You will see how to create your own brushes and manage pallets of these custom brushes

10. We will learn to use layer masks to obscure and reveal areas within the image pane and edit brightness / contrast, hue and saturation, amongst other adjustments, applying these effects discriminately.

11. How to convert your content into a smart object and apply effects, filters and textures in a non destructive mode of working (ensuring your file remains as open and malleable as possible)..

12. Vector functionality using the pen tool. How the tool works and its specific attributes including, stroke and fill paths, vector masks, shapes and text.

13. A presentation on digital printing techniques and the potential for vectors to programme machines such as vinyl cutters and cnc routers.

14. Advice on proofing and setting artwork up to present to industry.

15. An introduction to the animation and 3 dimensional editing functionality that Photoshop provides.

16. Directed study devised in discussion with the student to encourage more personal and focused work.

17. We will construct a presentation of the work we have created using the utilities and techniques picked up through the course.

18. A group critique to share students’ findings and new techniques within the course.

This course will be based and delivered in specialist design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration.

Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use a range of digital media to research, explore and exploit a body of personal research.

• Demonstrate a range of creative possibilities for developing drawing ideas and design content using a range of digital imaging software processes.

• Demonstrate an awareness of how to document, select and edit art work using Photoshop as a tool for presentation.

Recommended:

• BAUER, P., 2008. Photoshop for Dummies CS4 , Hoboken NJ; Hoboken

• DEJEN, J., 1983, Computer Images ; The State of the Art, London: Thames and Hudson

• BIRD, T., 2001, New masters of Photoshop, New York: Friends of ED

• Crawford, M., 2007, 500 Photoshop Hints and Tips, Hove: RotoVision

• LIVINGSTONE, M., 1990, Pop art: A continuing history, London: Thames and Hudson

• HOCKNEY, D., 2012, David Hockney: A Bigger Picture, London: Thames and Hudson

• 2001, Jeff Koons, Easyfun Ethereal, Deutsche Guggenheim

• COOKE, L.,  1994,  Julian Opie, London: Thames and Hudson