Life Drawing 1: Tone and Form (10 credit points)

Special Information

This course requires you to bring your own art and design materials. Most of these can be sourced and purchased in advance from any good art material supplier such as the Art Shop at ECA Lauriston Place Campus. Essential items not readily available will be provided during classes and you will be invoiced at the end of the course for items used. Listed below are the materials and equipment requirements for this course and an estimated cost. You are advised not to purchase any materials until you have received confirmation the course is running – usually 7 days before the start of the course.  You will be guided by the tutor as to which materials you need to bring to classes each week.

 

Essential materials you will need to bring to the first class:

* Sugar paper size AO or recycled paper.

* Willow charcoal medium and thin

* Dealer Rowney putty rubber (large)

* HB,HB2,HB6 pencil

* Fixative ( hairspray cheap option )

Materials and equipment provided for students as part of the course and included in course fee:

 

Materials and equipment available for purchase during the course:

 

Essentials materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

 

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

Introducing a range of drawing methods that define shade, depth, weight and form

Changing model/gender/pose to develop considered work with tonal qualities

Practicing different techniques to describe the tone and form of the figure e.g. combining line with shading or hatching.

Developing work with the figure, contour and planes

Considering historical drawings e.g. use of Masters’ techniques to sculpt body masses

Development of personal practice and approach to life drawing

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and 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. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists or designers and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness of the sculpted figure in visual culture. The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes. 

Learning outcomes

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

Research, context and ideas (33.3%) Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and basic anatomy of the human form through observational studies, research and contextual references.

Practice, skills and techniques (33.3%) Show a confidence and enquiring use of materials and processes to investigate drawing approaches which demonstrate an understanding for tone, describing the human form.

Selection, presentation and reflection (33.3%) Select, edit and present a body of drawings and research which demonstrate a considered and personal approach to the human figure.

Sources

Core Readings

Suggested Reading

BAMMES, G. 2011. Complete Guide to life Drawing. Great Britain, Search Press

CADENHEAD, W,C,M. 2009. A Philosophy of Drawing (based on the Human Figure) Great Britain, Scotprint.

NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND, 1999. The Draughtsman's Art. Great Britain, BAS printers.

HALE C. 1991. Master Class in Figure Drawing. New York N.Y. Watson-Guptill publications

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

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.