Studio Painting (10 credit points)

Course Times & Enrolment

Thursdays from 28th September 2023 (Code DP219-101) Thursdays from
28th September 2023 6:30pm - 9:30pm • (10 classes) G10 Thomson's Land, Holyrood Campus • Tutor: Olivia C Irvine BA, DipPGS, MA

This course is now closed for enrolments

Course Summary

The aim of this course is for students to understand and practise ways of transferring ideas and visual research into a series of personally ambitious and compelling paintings. The course investigates several ways of making these steps including ways of recording visual information in a sketchbook, how to investigate the paintings of other artists, exploring ways of applying paint, and implementing colour theory, composition and tonal design.

The course is practical in nature with the emphasis on painting. The immersive nature of the course will provide in-depth understanding of the iterative and experimental nature of creative practice as well as the practicalities of translating ideas developed in a sketchbook into resolved outcomes. To complement this there will be demonstrations of sketch book use, mind-mapping and colour theory. There will also be frequent referrals made to the paintings of other artists and the opportunity for one-to-one, peer-to-peer and group critiques and discussions.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

This course is not suitable for beginners.

Special Information

This course will include a limited supply of basic papers and cards. However please do acquire the materials recommended for this course.

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

Good quality acrylic paints in a range of colours: cadmium red, crimson, cadmium yellow, lemon, ultramarine, cobalt or cerrulean blue, phthalo green, yellow ochre or raw sienna, burnt or raw umber, titanium white. Do not bring supermarket or The Works paints.

A range of brushes, falt and round in a variety of sizes, including a small sable type and a 5cm priming brush.

Palette

Palette knife

Sketchbook and sketching materials

Supports: paper, card, canvas, board

Content of Course

Week 1- Composition. Working from a still life set up students will create a series of six small paintings investigating composition. Students will prepare card with white and coloured priming ready for next week. An introduction to the use of sketchbooks will be given and students will be encouraged to complete sketches at home.

Week 2- Scaling Up. Working from one of last weeks paintings, students will scale up and investigate mark making and composition on white and coloured grounds. A range of tools and approaches will be used. There will be an introduction to mind-mapping. Students will be asked to complete three mind maps at home.

Week 3- Generating ideas. Looking at the mind maps and sketchbooks, students will be encouraged to start thinking of their own ideas. Collage and monoprinting will be demonstrated as a way of freeing up this investigation.

Week 4- Colour and Tone. Students will explore various limited palettes. There will be a demonstration of colour mixing and tonal design. Working from the model (optional).

Week 5- Students will start developing a series of paintings from their own ideas. There will be a further demonstration of colour mixing and colour theory and a talk on how to set up an efficient work space.

Week 6- Students will continue working on their own ideas, supported by peer-to-peer discussions.

Week 7- Students will continue working on their own ideas. Formative Assessment.

Week 8- Students will continue working on their own ideas.

Week 9- Students will continue working on their own ideas. There will be a final group crit.

Week 10- Students will continue working on their own ideas. There will be a demonstration of how to present work for assessment.

Teaching method(s)

The course will draw from some group activities leading towards a focus on individual interests and personal projects. Over the course the students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor via presentations, practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

There will be an emphasis on keeping a Learning Journal throughout the course, which should provide a clear and continuous reflective record of any research, ideas and practical work, and a place to record and analyse any challenges experienced and to reflect upon how they were addressed.

Students will be actively encouraged to investigate the work of other artists through looking at books brought into the studio and visiting the library themselves. There will be an emphasis not only on well-known historical and contemporary painters, but lesser known artists who may be found through online platforms. Students will be prompted to attend exhibitions and record opinions from these and their reading in their Learning Journal as well as sharing with the class.

Formative feedback will be offered by the course tutor to the student via their Learning Journals. On completion of the course, students will submit a portfolio of work ready for summative assessment. To pass students will be required to meet the three learning outcomes.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

Research, record and develop ideas visually through the use of a sketchbook and Learning Journal, supported by contextual references to enhance lines of visual enquiry.
Develop and employ personal painting strategies, processes and skills to develop a series of resolved paintings.
Select, edit and present a coherent body of paintings that show an informed and individual response to the research.

Sources

Core Readings

DOIG, P., 2008, Peter Doig, London: Tate Publishing

DIXON, A. G., 1994, Howard Hodgkin, London: Thames and Hudson

HOCKNEY, D., 2012, David Hockney : a bigger picture, London: Thames and Hudson

PEARSON, F., 2007, Joan Eardley , Edinburgh: Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland

SCHWABSKY, B. 2005, Triumph of Painting: The Saatchi Gallery, London: Jonathon Cape

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.