Undergraduate Course: Life Drawing: The Hidden Structure (LLLA07257)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Reveal 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.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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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.
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Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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
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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.
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| Keywords | Anatomy,figure,proportion,structure,drawing,mixed media,life model |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
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