Introduction to Painting Media

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge of the subject is required.

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• Watercolour paints

• Coloured pastels

• Quink ink

• Gum Arabic

• Masking fluid

• Bleach

• A range of brushes

• Absorbent rags, cotton wool, sponge, cotton buds

• Plastic dropper

• Spray gun

• Wax candle

• Rock salt

• Craft knife

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

• Oil pastels

• Small beginners pack of oil and acrylic paint

• PVA glue

• Acrylic medium

• Acrylic gel medium

• Impasto texture paste

• Zest it

• Palette knife, roller, scraper (old credit card), craft knife

• Cold pressed or not watercolour paper

• One-sided card

• Canvas or fabric acrylic paint

Content of Course

Each session, students will be introduced to various aspects in relation to the course. The sessions will explore a combination of contextual references and practical exercises and demonstrations, which include:

1. An exploration of various tools and surfaces, working with paint both thickly and thinly.

2. An understanding for the value of grounds and developing a knowledge for various painting surfaces.

3. Working with Monotype.

4. Working with inks, watercolour, acrylic and oil paint and respective mediums.

5. An introduction to the history of working with paint and painting techniques.

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 and introductions to techniques, processes and concepts. This is supported by practical demonstrations, group discussions, contextual references and one-to-one support.

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate and understand a range of different painting media, mediums, tools and surfaces.

• Develop a contextual knowledge of a range of painting techniques.

• Demonstrate an awareness for working appropriately with different painting media.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Godfery, T., 2014. Painting Today London. Phaidon

• Januszczak, W., 1997. Techniques of the Great Masters New York: Chartwell

• Hudson, S., 2015. Painting Now Thames and Hudson Ltd; 01 edition 

• Elkins, J., 2000 What is Painting Routledge; 1st Edition edition 

Class Handouts

Will be provided as required.

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.