Contemporary Watercolours: Expressive Approaches (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

It is recommended that students have passed Contemporary Watercolours: An Introduction.

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• A4 Sketchbook (at least 140gsm paper)

• An A3 watercolour pad (Hot Pressed around 190gsm)

• A range of artist quality watercolours, (tubes for larger studies) such as: Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Lemon Yellow, Crimson, Cerulean Blue, and Payne’s Grey.

• Small set of drawing inks (acrylic or shellac based)

• Pencil 2b and 4b

• A set of watercolour brushes

• Sponge

• Mixing palette

• Water pot

• A camera

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

• Paper: A range of papers as and when required from newsprint, printing paper such as South Bank, Bread and Butter paper. Watercolour Paper A2, NOT (cold pressed) and Hot Pressed between 190-250gsm.

• Black Quink ink

• Indian Ink

• White ink

• Graphite pencil 4B

• A small set of gouaches

• Chalk Pastels (and oil pastels as required)

• Wax candle and Cling film

• Masking Fluid and Gum Arabic

• Gum Tape and masking tape

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Employ the use of the sketchbook for recording, researching and evidencing work.

2. Explore working with collage and watercolour approaches.

3. Exploration of fusing inks, gouache and other mediums with watercolour.

4. Explore resist approaches.

5. Working the scale and challenges of working against a wall.

6. Working with non-traditional drawing and painting tools.

7. Develop works through a series of studio, personal and directed reference.

8. Exploration of work on various surfaces and coloured grounds.

9. Make site-specific observational studies (as required).

10. Considering compositions and paper formats.

11. A series of demonstrations and discussion relating to each of the exercises.

12. Introduction to a range of relevant artists.

13. Keep a log/blog during the period of the course to record learning, achievements and challenges.

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

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate a range of watercolour approaches and developing strategies for recording and developing visual information, supported by contextual research.

• Show an expressive and enquiring use of approaches and processes to explore watercolours, inks, gouache and mixed media, to create a range of visual studies and resolved artworks.

• Demonstrate appropriate judgement to document, reflect, select, edit and present a body of coherent art works.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• THOMAS, M. 2008. Cézanne's watercolors: between drawing and painting. Yale University Press.

• BLOCKLEY, J. 1987. Watercolour Interpretations. Collins.

• HAMMER, M. 1999. Graham Sutherland: Landscapes, War Scenes, Portraits 1924-1950. Scala Publishers Ltd.

• JENKINS, D.F. & SPALDING, F. 2003. John Piper in the 1930s: Abstraction on the Beach. Merrell.

• ORMOND, R. 1970. John Singer Sargent: paintings, drawings, Watercolours. Phaidon.

• FRANK, E. 1991. Eva Hesse Gouaches 1960-1961. Robert Miller Gallery, U.S.

• JENKINS, D.F. 2012. John Piper: The Forties. Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd.

• WILTON, A. 1982 Turner Abroad: France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. BCA.

• NEWALL, C. 2014. John Ruskin. Artist and Observer. Paul Holberton Publishing, London.

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.