Introduction to Digital Technologies within an Art Practice

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None.

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• A selection of personal studies and ideas based on a project or subject of interest in either a digital or physical format,

• USB Stick or External Hard Drive,

• Sketchbook.

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

• Physical or digital sketchbook of personal studies and ideas supported by a range of photographs,

• A range of drawing and painting materials, as required,

• USB Stick (8GB-16GB) or External Hard Drive,

• Painting surfaces, such as one-sided card,

• Drawing surfaces such as Cartridge paper and Newsprint, as required,

• A digital camera or smartphone to document work in the studio or on location.

Content of Course

Students will work on a series of projects which will enable them to develop their ideas to create a body of work. These will include:

1. An introduction to the basics functionalities and navigation of Adobe Photoshop.

2. An introduction to scanning, editing and resizing images.

3. An introduction to working with layers, tools, colours and transparencies within Photoshop.

4. Explore methods for digitally collaging printed materials.

5. Develop a directed study project moving ideas from the physical into the digital and vice versa.

6. Develop a personal Project.

7. Explore a range of appropriate drawing and painting methodologies, approaches and vocabularies relevant to their ideas.

8. An introduction to relevant contextual references, developing an awareness of the work of artists working with similar or associated themes, materials or techniques.

Teaching method(s)

Students will be taught as a group, introducing them to a series of prescriptive tasks and exercises, and introducing them to working with Adobe Photoshop, through a directed project to generate a series of ideas. The students will then move on to translating their personal ideas into a series of drawing and painting studies employing appropriate methods, processes and techniques before then documenting those works through a series of photographs to be worked back into Photoshop to create a further series of ideas. This pattern and structure will be repeated in the second half of the course, but with the students employing the methods, skills and techniques learnt to their personal project. Students will be introduced to relevant artists,working in similar or associated themes as they develop a body of practical work. Students will also be supported through one-to one discussions and group critiques at relevant stages of the course.

Learning outcomes

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

• Employ a range of digital approaches to develop personal ideas.

• Employ a range of drawing and painting approaches, appropriate to the ideas generated.

• Resolve and present a series of coherent pieces of work.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Aver, T., 2014. Fiona Rae, Dan Perfect. Nottingham: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries

• Butin, H., Gronert, S., Olbrich, T. and Richter,G., eds.2014.

• Gerhard Richter: Editions 1965-2013: Catalogue Raisonne. Stuttgart: Hatje Cantz

• Mehretu, J., 2013. Julie Mehretu. London:White Cube

• Benefield,R., Hockney,D. and Howgate,S., 2015 David Hockney: A Bigger Exhibition. Munich: Prestel

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk 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.