Advanced figure and portrait

What is the course about?

This year long, non-accredited programme has as its focus the human figure; you will explore historical, contemporary and conceptual approaches to visualising the figure in life, action, the imagination and personal narratives, through depth of visual study and sustained studio practice. Where you will develop your skills in traditional mediums, you will also engage with the portrait as a conceptual idea, rather than just a picture of a person. By doing so, we will cover and explore the complexities of human experience, identity, and existence.

What will we cover?

Working with drawing and painting, collage and mixed media, the course covers working from life/observation, and from found images/photography as well as from memory and the imagination to develop personal project work. Stimulating studio projects and off-site work will present experimental and exploratory approaches that question and reflect on Life and Portrait drawing and painting traditions. Tutor-led workshops will develop your skills, techniques and methodologies throughout the course. Visual research referencing artist contexts and use of sketchbooks and gallery/museum visits also form a fundamentally important part of the course. Themes on the course include: contemporary notions of identity, the Classical tradition, the physical body and anatomy, the dynamic figure, the appropriated figure and the figure in public space.

Recognising, presenting and celebrating students' achievements is an important part of our advanced courses. There will be an opportunity to exhibit your work during or at the end of this course, either within the college or at an external venue.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Visualise, represent and express your ideas about the human form with increased confidence, informed and inspired by historical and contemporary artist contexts
- Develop and sustain an ongoing figurative practice that relates to contemporary contexts
- Critically engage with your practice and that of your peers.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

As this is an advanced course, you will need to have prior experience of life/portrait drawing and/or painting, for example Year of the Figure and Portrait, or demonstrable evidence of at least one year's previous study in the subject area and a real engagement with the figure and/or portrait genre. You will be expected to engage with traditional mediums as well as more conceptual ideas and methodologies.

Self-reflection is an important part of art education and practice. You will be encouraged and expected to evaluate and review your own learning, ways of working and progress. As a student on an advanced course, you should also be prepared to engage with concepts, debates and methods that may differ from those with which you are familiar.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Tutor-led workshops and practical demonstrations
- Taught by a team of different artist-tutors with diverse figurative practice
- Practical demonstrations
- 1:1 support
- Engaging in constructive critical discussion
- Individual tutorials
- Group critique and peer feedback
- You will be expected to make visual research in sketchbooks and to develop personal project work outside of class time, including homework assignments.
You will have frequent tutorials with the Course Leader to discuss your practice, technique and what you want to get out of the course.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

All basic 2D materials are supplied however you are encouraged to invest in your own brushes, canvas, boards etc if you specialise in painting. Advice on this will be given throughout the course.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Prossible follow-up courses in the Advanced Practice area include:
City Lit Fine Art (VM551/VM552); Developing Art Practice (VM563); Extended drawing for Artists and Makers (VH835/VH796).