Exploring the figure: Drawing and Painting with Claire Kidd

Program Overview

This 9-week figure drawing and painting course explores traditional and contemporary techniques, including life drawing, dynamic movement, portraiture, and dreamlike portraits. Led by an experienced artist, the course emphasizes experimentation and finding one's artistic voice, with a focus on the human form. Participants engage in workshops, demonstrations, and critiques, and are encouraged to practice independently. The course is suitable for beginner to intermediate students and is delivered at Gray's School of Art, renowned for its excellence in Art and Design.

Program Outline

Outline:

Throughout this series of drawing and painting workshops, participants are invited to engage with both traditional and contemporary approaches to figure drawing. Participants can expect to learn measuring techniques, tonal drawing and painting techniques and are invited to experiment with movement and mark making techniques in order to produce their own studies of the human form.

Content:

The 9-week course focuses on the human figure. Participants will engage in various figure drawing techniques, including:

• Life drawing: This involves drawing from a live model.
The course covers measuring the proportions of the human body and creating tonal sketches.
• Dynamic movement and mark making: Participants explore different ways to capture movement and expression in their drawings.
• Portraiture: Using images, participants will learn about lighting and tone, and practice mapping the face using oil pastels.
• Dreamlike portraits: Blending oil pastels and oil paints to create portraits inspired by artists like Ruprecht Von Kaufmann and Xiao Wang.

Structure:

• The course is divided into 9 weeks with workshops held every Wednesday from 18:30 - 21:00.
• Participants are encouraged to keep a personal sketchbook to practice figure drawing and collect imagery for inspiration.
• A minimum of 8 students and a maximum of 15 are allowed in the group.

Course Schedule:

• Week 1: 4 September 2024 - workshops start
• Week 2: 11 September
• Week 3: 17 September
• Week 4: 2 October (no class on 25 September due to public holiday)
• Week 5: 9 October
• Week 6: 30 October (no class on 16 & 23 October due to public holidays)
• Week 7: 6 November
• Week 8: 13 November
• Week 9: 20 November – last workshop

Assessment:

This course is not formally assessed.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The course is delivered on campus with a combination of:

• Life drawing sessions: Drawing from a live model.
• Demonstrations and guided practice: The instructor demonstrates techniques and provides guidance to participants.
• Individual and group critique: Participants receive feedback on their work.
• Independent study: Encouraging participants to continue practicing and exploring figure drawing outside of the workshops.

Faculty:

The course is taught by Claire Kidd, an alumna of Gray's School of Art. She specializes in figurative art and oil painting and uses a variety of dry media.

Unique Approaches:

The course emphasizes experimentation with different drawing and painting techniques, encouraging participants to find their own artistic voice. It also incorporates aspects of art history and encourages participants to be inspired by the work of other artists.

Other:

• Participants are encouraged to source their own sketchbook and camera, although a phone camera is sufficient.
• Essential core materials are provided, but additional costs may apply for accommodation, living expenses, and printing.
• The course is suitable for beginner to intermediate level students.
• All students must be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
• If minimum participant numbers are not met, the course will be canceled and participants will receive a full refund.
• Participants are encouraged to cancel their place at least 48 hours prior to the first session if they wish to receive a refund.
• The course is delivered at Gray's School of Art, which is ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction in Art and Design.

The tuition fee for the course is £270 per person. The fee is to be paid as part of the sign-up process and prior to the first session.