City Lit fine art: year 1

What is the course about?

This course provides a solid introduction to the practice of contemporary fine art at advanced level. This involves the development of existing skills and the understanding of the relationship between studio production and contextual and theoretical ideas.
Core-teaching is delivered live on-line on alternate Mondays 10 – 12pm, and on alternate Tuesdays in studios between 10 and 5pm. Further sessions in fine art digital media will run on alternate Tuesday eves between 6 and 9pm.

This course will be delivered online and in person, and will involve tutor presentation and class discussion. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. To fully participate in this online class you will need:
- An email address
- A reliable internet connection
- A computer/laptop/tablet with a fully updated browser (preferably google chrome). Your device will need a microphone, and preferably a camera.

What will we cover?

The course will develop a range of skills centred around drawing, painting, 3D, print, digital arts, moving image and mixed media. The various specialist artist/tutors will provide insight and information about the various approaches to fine art practice. This will be supported by an introduction to contextual ideas and creative processes designed to complement the various practical projects.
This course concerns contemporary practice and debate. As such you can expect to be stimulated and
challenged by some of the ideas and artwork discussed.

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

- apply your creative skills at an advanced level, in a variety of fine art disciplines
- explore different combinations of fine art disciplines
- recognise and utilise relationships between studio work and theoretical ideas
- discuss and reflect critically upon the work you produce
- develop a personal sketchbook/notebook and understand the importance of visual research methods.

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

The VM551 course functions as a standalone 1-year course, or as the first stage of a 2- or 3-year programme designed for those who wish to explore contemporary fine art in a structured and supportive environment, and develop or enhance a personal artistic practice over a sustained period. You will have the opportunity to extend and refine your existing studio skills and you will also be able to consider ideas, themes, and subject matter in relation to the work you produce. A willingness to work in a self-motivated matter will become more important as the course progresses, ultimately leading to the development of a self-motivated approach to making artwork.
We welcome applications from creative individuals with a level of experience in one or more areas including: drawing, painting, 3D/sculpture, print, photography, moving image and digital media. You may have studied various short courses or FE courses in visual art, or perhaps studied a BA in the past and want to re-establish contact with your skills and creative thinking.
You can apply for CLFA online now, and will be asked to attend a short, informal interview. For this please choose 5 pieces of recent work/video/sketches and be prepared to discuss your creative interests with the Course Leader, Steven Scott.

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

On this course you will develop new artwork through a series of interrelated, set projects in different media areas. These involve tutor led workshops and studio activities, supplemented by short online Zoom sessions. There will be practical demonstrations, individual creative experiments and responses, contextual research, group discussions, seminars, individual tutorials, practical group and individual projects, plus museum and gallery visits.

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

A basic materials list will be provided in the course handbook, this is devised to minimise expenditure and waste. For the first few weeks of term you will need the following:
-Box of medium charcoal
-Hard eraser
-HB, 1B and 4B pencil (essentially hard to soft)
-Black pastel
- White pastel
-Black Indian ink, a 5-7cm wide bristle or nylon brush (can be household) and 2 jam jars
-A2 sketchpad
-Notebook.

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

The VM551 course prepares you for year 2 of the City Lit Fine Art course (VM552) and provides you with the basic studio skills, and an understanding of yourself as a creative individual. You will have developed an awareness of ideas relevant to contemporary art practice and an initial understanding of your options for future study and what you might want to do next.
Entry to stage 2 will be by discission and advice and will involve a review of your creative work and engagement with year 1.