Course Information

This course is unique to the west coast of Scotland and offers the student an opportunity to study in an intimate and stimulating environment. It is designed for people who wish to gain access to degree study at art school or would like to study art at a deeper level. Many mature students have used this course as a sabbatical or as a chance to develop a new direction in their lives. The course offers excellent studio facilities for twelve students ensuring a personal input in a creative and supporting environment. As the course is short, delivering two, eight week terms, it is structured and intensively taught, covering all aspects of what is required of a portfolio. The first term is structured such that the students are given the basics of artistic experimentation covering a wide variety of disciplines, including drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, life drawing, artists book-making and 3D subjects such as small sculpture and textiles. The use of sketchbooks is encouraged as an essential element to personal development and as such, forms a critical part in the students visual research. The history of art is taught in direct relation to the course structure giving students a clear context in which to place their work. A project is set towards the end of the first term to help students develop a critical response to their own work and to that of chosen artists. The main tutoring is shared between Eleanor White and Kittie Jones. Both of these tutors have a wide range of teaching experience. Other visiting artists and teachers will complement the general programme to respond to specialist discipline requirements. Opportunity is given for group seminars to study the work of artists and students are also encouraged to take part in group critiques. Tutorials are given throughout both terms. A research project is given over the Christmas break where students endeavour to find a personal response to their chosen discipline building on the first terms exploration. This project becomes the springboard for the structure of the second term, during which students learn the practice of good shared studio discipline, respecting each others work place. The second term is a time for real experimentation to take place, and although it is taught it is primarily student led, thus forming the backbone of the personal work that is the main part of the portfolio. The course is taught Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 4.30pm, with additional weekend projects.

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