THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2018/2019

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : Creative Arts

Undergraduate Course: Life Drawing: The Hidden Structure (LLLA07257)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryReveal the hidden structure and the forms of the human figure by exploring a range of drawing approaches.
Course description This course will introduce and examine ways to interpret and record the underlying structure, form and proportions of the human figure. An evolving sequence of life poses will be contextualized in the drawing studio to provide the student with a basic understanding of human anatomy to create a body of considered works, generated from a range of drawing approaches.

Outline of Content
The course teaching is typically delivered over weekly class sessions of around 3 hours each and totaling 30 hours. Alternatively, the course can be delivered more intensely or as a block if required.
Over the class sessions the course will cover:

- Introduction to the figure- Finding the figure in space through line.
- Classical and contemporary, bridging the gap. Examining classical representations of the figure and the contemporary resonance.
- Deconstruction- Identifying and defining bone structure and muscle through tone.
- Load-The figure at rest. Volume and displacement. Measuring the figure.
- Transition- The ecstatic figure in the moment.
- Movement- The figure at work.
- Expression- Investigating mark making and identifying key parts of the body as emotive signifiers. Head, hands and feet.
- Rapid recording- time restricted drawing.
- Embedding- drawing from memory.
- Scaling up- developing the figure from thumbnail sketches and study drawings.
- Beyond the framework- the figure in composition.

The Learning Experience
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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Unless otherwise stated, all students on this short course pay a published course fee per enrolment.
In addition to the learning and teaching resources and content, this fee also includes:

- Easels.
- Drawing Boards.
- Tables and chairs.
- Life model.
- Access to ECA cast collection and reference skeletons.

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment:
Essential materials to bring to the first class:

- A1 cartridge paper x2.
- A1 newsprint x2.
- Charcoal.
- HB, B and 2B pencils.
- Pencil sharpener.
- Masking tape.
-Sketchbook.

Essential materials throughout the course:

- A selection of cartridge drawing papers.
- Willow charcoal.
- Compressed charcoal.
- Chalk pastels or conte sticks.
- Black drawing ink.
- Drawing nib.
- Small and medium brushes.
- Selection of pencils including HB, B, 2B and 4B.
- Graphite stick.
- Eraser.
- Fixative.
- Masking tape.
- A3/ A4 sketchbook.
- White acrylic paint.
- Sponges.
- Rags.
- Apron or old shirt.
- Scalpel.

Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2018/19, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  10
Course Start Lifelong Learning - Session 3
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 30, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 68 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Formative Assessment (required for all credit courses).
(Occurs in weeks 6 or 7 of the 10 week course)

A formative assessment session will occur in week 6 or 7 of the taught element of the course. Each student will undertake a 5 minute verbally presentation with their practical work in progress to other members of the class group followed by a 5 minute group critique supported by the course tutor. Each student will also electronically submit their work in progress digital journal to the course tutor.

Indicative and supportive feedback will be summarised in written form on the digital journal which will give an indication of what areas requires to be address in order to meet the published learning outcomes. This will comprise of short written summary of action points.

Summative Assessment
(Occurs at least 2 weeks after the last taught class)

Two weeks after the end of the class teaching, this course will be assessed by the submission of:

A digital journal documenting a summary of the learning journey as evidenced in the portfolio
(Indicate time spent: 20 hours)
This will include a summary of idea development, media exploration, contextual research, critical reflection and outcomes through notes, annotation, illustration and photography.

A portfolio of visual art/design works
(Indicate time spent: 80 hours)
This will include a selection of resolved design works, sketchbook works, preparatory studies, visual research and evidence of a contextual awareness.

The Digital Journal and Portfolio must be presented in a clear and professional manner appropriate to the discipline. The submission should include work undertaken within the class as well as directed and independent study out with the class.

The combined Digital Journal and Portfolio submission will be assessed against the three learning outcomes for this course. These are equally weighted (33.3% each) and each will be given a percentage grade. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 30% in each learning outcome and an overall combined mark of 40% minimum.
5.2 Relationship between Assessment and Learning Outcomes
Feedback Formative Assessment
This will comprise of short written summary of action points of areas requiring addressing to meet the learning outcomes - but no indicative grades will be given.

Summative Assessment
On completion the assessment - each student will receive a % mark for each learning outcome along with written feedback putting in context the % mark and outlines areas for development.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Research, context and ideas: Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and basic anatomy of the human form through observation and research into how other artists approach the figure.
  2. Practice, skills and techniques: Create a series of investigative drawings which demonstrate an understanding of the structure and form of the human figure exploiting a range of media.
  3. Selection, presentation and reflection: Select, edit and present a body of drawings and research which demonstrate a considered and personal approach to the human figure.
Reading List
Suggested Reading
Marsh, R., 1970. Anatomy for artists. London: Dover.
Wolff, E., 1958. Anatomy for artists, 4th ed. London: H K Lewis.
Figura, S. and Freud, L., 2007. Lucian Freud: The Painter's Etchings. New York: Museum of Modern Art.
Browse and Darby, 1999. Euan Uglow, London: Browse and Darby
Kantor, J., Zabel, I., and Dexter, E., 2005. Vitamin D: New Perspectives in Drawing . London: Phaidon
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Ability to make effective use of observational drawing techniques
An understanding of the anatomy of the human body.
An understanding of proportion and form.
Ability to undertake research and reflective practice and apply these in the context of life drawing within visual culture. This applies to sculpture, fashion, textiles, product design, interior design and architecture.
KeywordsAnatomy,figure,proportion,structure,drawing,mixed media,life model
Contacts
Course organiserMr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk
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