THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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

Undergraduate Course: Life Drawing: Light and Proportion (LLLA07256)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryWork with human anatomical proportion and the use of light to develop personal approach to life drawing
Course description This course is designed to develop students' understanding of the human anatomical proportion and the use of light to sculpt body masses. Observing and drawing directly from the life model, students will use materials such as charcoal, conté and ink to explore and give expression to proportion and form. Over the course, students will be encouraged to extend their technical skills as they focus on proportion and light to develop a series of personal works.

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:
- Concentrated and sustained studies of the figure from longer, single pose each week
- Working with perspective, foreshortening, dealing with scale etc.
- Considering mood and drama in historical drawings e.g. Masters' use of techniques such as chiaroscuro
- Using knowledge gained to build body of work in own personal style and approach to life drawing
- Individual guidance to help students reflect and evaluate progress

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 or designers and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness of the sculpted figure in visual culture. The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes.
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 course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment

Essential materials throughout the course:
- A selection of cartridge drawing papers.
- Masking tape.
- Sketchbook.
- Willow charcoal.
- Compressed charcoal.
- Chalk pastels or conte sticks.
- Black drawing ink.
- 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 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  10
Course Start Lifelong Learning - Session 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 98 )
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.
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 observational studies and research supported by contextual references.
  2. Practice, skills and techniques: Create a series of investigative drawings which demonstrate an understanding for light and proportion of the human figure, exploiting a range of drawing 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
BAMMES, G. 2011. Complete Guide to life Drawing. Great Britain, Search Press
CADENHEAD, W,C,M. 2009. A Philosophy of Drawing (based on the Human Figure) Great Britain, Scotprint.
NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND, 1999. The Draughtsman's Art. Great Britain, BAS printers.
HALE COYLE , 1991. Master Class in Figure Drawing. New York N.Y. Watson-Guptill publications
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Transferable skills:
Observation of light and shade
Understanding the proportion and form of the human figure
Critical thinking
KeywordsDrawing,sketchbook,research,proportion,light,anatomy,art,Light,Proportion
Contacts
Course organiserMr Robbie Bushe
Tel:
Email: r.bushe@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk
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