Art and Design Taster Sessions

Drawing: Life Drawing (with life model)

This session will introduce you to life drawing of a live model. ​ If you’ve not worked from direct observation before this is a great way to explore the process of observing and recording. And if this is not new to you, it affords you an opportunity to extend and refine your skill.

Key Components:

• We will consider different ways of mark-making, using and creating texture and surfaces, layering marks in one drawing and using mistakes and error to create the base of a new drawing.​
• Group size: 15 max
• Duration: 2 hours

Drawing: Figure Drawing (clothed model)

This session will introduce you to life drawing of a live model. ​ If you’ve not worked from direct observation before this is a great way to explore the process of observing and recording. And if this is not new to you, it affords you an opportunity to extend and refine your skill.

Key Components:

• We will consider different ways of mark-making, using and creating texture and surfaces, layering marks in one drawing and using mistakes and error to create the base of a new drawing.​
• Group size: 15 max
• Duration: 2 hours

Drawing: Experimental Drawing with Scale

In this session we use plant specimens to consider drawing 1 to 1 scale, as well as projected shadow images to develop largescale drawings.

Key components

• We will look at experimental composition, observational drawing, as well as pattern and shape. We use light and shadow to create dramatic largescale drawings.
• Group size: 15 max
• Duration: 2 hours

Printmaking: Print Cultures

On our printmaking taster session, you will explore techniques of mono-printing to create unique hand-made prints. Starting with mass-produced images, you will rework what you might see day to day, as a way of engaging in dialogue with popular culture. This is a chance for you to develop your skills in drawing and printmaking using our well-resourced, creative print studio.

Key components:

• Mono-printing
• Group discussion
• Group size: 15 (max)
• Duration: 1.5 hours

Sculpture: Algorithmic Sculpture Machine

“the mind is merely a meat machine” (attrib. Marvin Minsky 1972)

When you look at the work of many artists it is possible to break down their processes and use of materials into a set of simple instructions. If this is the case, then is it possible to think of art making in terms of an algorithm? This introductory session is intended to get you thinking about this idea and its limitations while introducing you to some of the materials and processes available in the sculpture workshop. This session will give you the opportunity to make sculpture in new and unexpected ways.

Key components:

• Group discussion
• Introduction to a variety of materials and processes (do not wear your best clothes)
• Modes of display
• Group size: 15 (max)
• Duration: 2 hours

Painting: Colour mixing in oil

Explore colour mixing with oil paints. Gain an understanding of the uses of oil mediums and warm and cold colours

Key components:

• Introduction to oil paint
• Colour mixing
• Brush Care
• Group Size: 15 max
• Duration: 1 hour

Video Art: Desktop Video Art

Explore camera-less film making as an art form. During the session you will make your own desktop video art on a lucky dip subject. You will explore chance and failure as integral aspects of choreographed ‘live’ screen capture editing.

Key Components:

• Introduction to using screen capture as an editing/compilation tool
• Group screening and discussion
• Group Size:15-20
• Duration:1-2hrs

Facilities Tour and Course Insight

A guided tour of our specialist facilities, including an overview of equipment, module content, and studio spaces. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about university life, the course structure, and future career pathways.

Visual messages

Graphic design surrounds us wherever we go and whatever we do. In this taster session, students will explore the communication potential of working with images and typography for a range of different applications and outcomes. Delivered by lecturers who are also practicing designers and illustrators, this interactive session will be highly creative and hands-on, whilst also firming-up the relationship between design education and future employment. Please note, this taster session is delivered on campus.

Printmaking

This session offers a range of printmaking skills from monoprints to risographs. Skilled artist, designer and illustrator tutors and technicians will guide students through the process from image construction to printed outcome; a wonderful way to learn about the possibilities of printmaking, as well as refining skills they may already have. This session is run with either a Fine Art or Graphic Design focus; please mention which you are interested in when booking. Please note, this taster session is delivered on campus.