Drawing Practices: Contemporary Approaches (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

It is recommended that students have some drawing experience.

Special Information

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of materials.

I would suggest you start by purchasing a very small supply of those items listed below and then you can increase your materials depending on your use and direction within your work through the course.

• Pencils such as 2b,4b and 6b.
• Range of coloured pencils (water soluble would give you options)
• Oil bar blending stick
• A small selection of Marker pens such as Posca, Molotow or brush markers including white.
• Plastic rubber
• Masking tape
• Sketchbook A4
• Chalk pastels (small set)
• Black or Quink Ink
• A digital camera, smartphone or tablet
• A means to print out colour and/or black and white images.

​Note: You may want to employ the use of paints, such as watercolour, gouache or acrylic but don’t buy these specifically for the course. 

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

• Employ a range of traditional drawing materials and approaches.
• Exploring the potential of image transfer.
• Working with various drawing surfaces (substrates).
• Explore the basic functionality of Adobe Photoshop for image manipulation.
• Explore fusing traditional techniques with digital imagery.
• Employing the use of the sketchbook for recording, researching and evidencing work.
• Develop a series of works, based on directed and personal themes and subjects.
• Use photographic references to support developing ideas and themes.
• Engage in group discussions throughout the course.
• An Introduction to a range of relevant artists and their practices.

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 an enquiring work ethic and range of personal strategies for recording and developing visual ideas and concepts, integrated with a range of relevant contextual research.

• Demonstrate a range of imaginative and inventive approaches to explore the possibilities within drawing, to create a range of focused and coherent visual studies and resolved works.

• Evidence independent and appropriate judgement in the documentation, selection, editing and presentation of a body of coherent artworks.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• BRADLEY, F. 2008. Lucy Skaer. The Fruitmarket Gallery.
• Calame, I. 2011 Ingrid Calame, The Fruitmarket Gallery.
• DAVIDSON, M., 2011, Contemporary Drawing, Watson-Guptill.
• DEXTER, E. 2010. Vitamin D: New Perspectives in Drawing. Phaidon Press
• DOWNS, et al. 2007. Drawing Now: Between the lines of Contemporary Art. I.B.Tauris.
• KOVATS, T. 2005. The Drawing Book, a survey of drawing: the primary means of expression. Black Dogs Publishing.
• TRACEY. 2015. Drawing Ambiguity: Beside the Lines of Contemporary Art. I.B.Tauris

Web Sources

www.drawing.org.uk

http://drawingcentre.org

http://a-vass.co.uk

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/microsites/sota/tracey/journal

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.