Drawn from life: Techniques and Perspectives of Observational Drawing

With a focus on drawing in a studio environment, 'Drawn from Life', enables students to develop an understanding of the principles of direct observational drawing, and substantially build on their skills and confidence. Relevant to students with any level of experience and from all visual arts and design disciplines, this course introduces a range of drawing techniques and concepts to support future specialised practice-led research. Each week students are presented with different tasks and approaches to seeing and drawing observationally by identifying space, shape, form, line, gesture, expression, movement, colour, tone, and composition. The course includes a study of the human body and employs professional life models. The experience of drawing is broadened by testing a variety of drawing mediums and techniques through haptic exploration. In class students build up a substantial portfolio of work for assessment and extend their drawing skills through take-home, guided, and self-directed activities. A deeper knowledge of drawing in context of historical and contemporary art and design practices is furthered through weekly tutorial slide presentations and critical reflections.