Beginners Drawing

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course offers a basic introduction and starting point to the language and grammar of drawing from direct observation for students with little or no experience. Working from studio set ups, the life model and from students’ own collected visual ideas, students will be guided through approaches and processes of looking and recording using line, tone, colour and composition in a range of drawing techniques. Over the 10 weeks, students will build confidence in the uses of materials and techniques ‘step-by-step’ to begin to make more imaginative and distinctive images underpinned by a formal understanding of visual enquiry.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

no previous knowledge is assumed.

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:

* A3 Cartridge pad or separate sheets of white cartridge paper

* HB, 2B or 4B graphite pencils

* Eraser

* Willow stick charcoal

* Putty rubber

* One sheet A3 blue / green grey pastel / sugar paper

* Soft colour pastels

* Scissors

* Masking tape

* Protective clothes

* Drawing fixative or non perfume hair spray

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

N/A

Materials and equipment available for purchase during the course:

N/A

Essentials materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

N/A

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:

* Additional materials will be advised

Content of Course

Over the 10 weeks the course will cover:

Week 1 - Familiarisation and exploration of drawing media focusing on the representational and expressive qualities of line and the process of mark making
Week 2 - Achromatic drawing - tonal value and its relationship to three dimensions will be discussed and demonstrated. Negative space and its relationship to positive form will be explored
Week 3 - Monochromatic drawing – limited colour in drawing with attention on building interest and focus in a composition will be looked at and investigated.
Week 4 - Colour theory will be discussed and its use to create mood and dynamic compositions explored in full colour drawing
Week 5 - An introduction to the basics of perspective and its importance in creating ‘believable space’ will be demonstrated
Week 6 - Drawing the human figure using skills gained in the course so far will be practised.
Week 7 - Figure drawing
Week 8 – Figure drawing
Week 9 - Familiarisation and exploration of drawing techniques and media with discussion regarding researching creatively subjects personal to the student with the intention to develop individual drawing compositions.
Week 10 - Resolving compositions and/or developing further compositions.

Teaching method(s)

This course 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.

Each week, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor who will suggest follow up reading, research and practice to undertake each week to support their studies. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learning outcomes

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

demonstrate basic drawing skills with increased confidence.
identify appropriate materials and techniques of drawing.
apply a range of techniques and approaches for making original drawings.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

Gordon, L. (1998) Anatomy and Figure Drawing. London: B T Batsford.

Web Sources

Specific Web resources may be provided by course tutors.

Class Handouts

Course information will be provided on enrolment and handouts provided during the course.

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.