I’m starting my course on Tuesday. I thought it was Monday but I was wrong. Shame I was looking forward to tomorrow. Oh well, it’s only 1 day more. I found out what courses I’ll be studying though.
2D & 3D Design
Fashion, illustration and product design. This is designing clothes, jewellery and…cornflake packets…or something along that lines. Not really my cup of tea but it’s a core subject, so I’ll just go with it.
Colour Theory
How colour is created and used in art & design. I can’t wait for this bit. I’m rubbish with colour theory. Well I haven’t actually learned much colour theory. I’ve read about it. Reading is not the same as doing.
Computer Applications
Using computer software and photographic software. This will be Photoshop and Quark. Never used Quark but Photoshop I’m completely comfortable with. I may even be ahead of the game on this one!
Drawing Skills
A variety of drawing techniques will be provided which explore the line and tone quality of objects. Now this I need! Not sure how advanced it will be. I hope not too much, but I imagine there will be gesture drawings, tonal drawings, varieties of shading, etc. This will be highly beneficial I’m certain.
Expressive & Design Activity
This contributes to the art exam. I imagine I’ll feel right at home with this one. Expressive I can do. I love expression in art. It’s liberating and doesn’t really allow for detail, which kind of suits my level!
Life Drawing
Exploring the human form in a variety of drawing media. I’m really excited about this but only up to a point. There will be no nude life drawing, which I feel you need in order to draw the figure with clothes on. The reason for no nudity? Get this. Because there will be 16 and 17 year olds in the class, and legally they’re not allowed to. You may think that’s sensible. Not when you think that in this country you can legally get married, have sex and have children but you’re not allowed to see nudity in an art class. Come to think of it you’re also not allowed to see pornography. You can touch but don’t look. Bonkers! The law is an ass.
Painting
Use a variety of media to experiment with traditional and contemporary styles. Speaks for itself really but I’m going to love this class. Hopefully I can learn technique here. And finally…
Photography
Traditional photography skills. This will be using the darkroom and various other photography related stuff. I can’t wait to do this. I would love to hone my photography skills, plus you get to use a traditional SLR camera. My daughter studied full-time Photography in the same department last year. I can pinch her notes!
So there’s a good mix of stuff in there. I know some people who did this course last year, and one thing they did say is that it was rather heavy on design and not enough art. There has been much beseeching to separate the two but it’s only for one year and it is an entry level course to the Art & Design department. The following year is when you can branch off into your desired areas. Although, the following year still has textiles in the Art course. I’m not sure that there is any need for textiles to be part of the course but it’s only a small part of the course. So just have to suck it up and you never know it could be fun!
So what do you think? Does this sound like a good course?
Oh!!! This sounds like so much fun. Every class interests me (expect, perhaps, the computer one). I’m so envious!! I want to be doing what you’re doing!
You might be surpised about textiles. I never had an interest in textiles until recently. I think it’s very underrated in our culture. I hope you will find some inspiration in the class.
Best wishes for a great course!!
I’ll sneak you into the class Resi…as my scribe! Lol. I am very excited about it. I’m extremely stressed out today because I have so much to do at home before I start. Hubby won’t do it so I’ll have to!
I’m keeping an open mind about the whole thing. I saw some of the work of students at the End of Year show in June and lots of it was great. I wasn’t overly enamoured with the product design side of things nor the textiles or fashion but seeing is one thing…I might enjoy the doing aspect. You never know!
@Art is for the making
nice to get an overview of as much variety as possible. the key is to KEEP doing….
Absolutely! I’ve heard a few moans from students, but when you are starting out in a field they always give you a great variety to choose from. People are always surprised to find out that they actually like something they thought they’d hate, and some even change their path towards that. Plus, being art, you can always combine many aspects. I’ve seen plenty of mixed media paintings which include photography and textiles. It’s nice to have options!
@judy
Just popping back in to say Good Luck on your first day!
Aww thanks Resi! That’s so sweet. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m excited!!!
@Art is for the making
Bah…I want to do this course now… it sounds simpler for me
Portfolio building looked complex… 
I thought this looked like a GREAT course and diverse. Not for me apparently! Takes huff. I was going to be the mummy of the class too. Sign up for it! Do it, do it now! Tell your boss to go to hell. Come on, I know you’re dying to.
@Saz