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| Portfolio Development for Students |
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Part 1: Portfolio Development Course – Fiona Calnan
This course is arranged by appointment
In this course, students will be advised on the basic requirements of a portfolio for entrance to third level study in Art. This will include working to a theme and producing evidence of an investigative creative process. Students will prepare more finished work demonstrating an ability to carry the idea through to some sort of conclusion. In tandem with this, students will be instructed in basic drawing, painting and 2D mixed media image-making techniques, and advised on portfolio presentation. The course focuses on helping students to understand the importance of being able to show how they work using a visual notebook or sketchbook. It is underpinned by a focus on strong drawing and each week will combine some technical work with a review of the visual notebook and development of a theme.
Artists referenced range from Renaissance to Contemporary, Commercial to Street – thereby illustrating the relevance of the suggested approach to artists working across the myriad fields of Art & Design.
Week 1: Explain what a brief is and how this should be approached in terms of producing finished work backed up with evidence of investigation, observation and creative process
· Sketch/Visual Notebooks
· Themes & Briefs
o Agree a theme for each student
· Students to produce a drawing from observation of still-life to illustrate ‘where they’re at’
· In own time: Students to take 6 Photographs/find 6 images/objects based on chosen theme, to bring along in Week 2 which they will use as basis for work produced during the course
Week 2: Brainstorm/Idea sheets referring to 6 photos and Sketch book notes
· Basic drawing techniques working from still life
o Focus on observation skills and hand-to-eye coordination
Week 3
· Drawing Techniques from observation of still life
o Focus on tonal values and negative space
· Composition
o Use of thumbnail sketches to plan drawing/piece
· Choose favoured composition to produce a drawing based on their chosen theme working from photos/sketchbook notes/brainstorm sheets
Week 4
· Painting techniques with Acrylics
· Colour theory
· Apply these to producing a piece based on their theme working from photos/sketchbook notes/brainstorm sheets
Week 5
· 2D Mixed media
o Experiment with collage, layering, incorporating text and found images/materials (sand/leaves/scrim/cloth etc) into drawing/painting
· Produce a piece based on their theme working from photos/sketchbook notes/brainstorm sheets
Week 6
· Review Sketchbooks and Brainstorm/Ideas sheets
· Review work produced and complete with assistance where necessary/possible
· Portfolio presentation
Part 2: Preparation for entry – Stephen Brandes
This course is arranged by appointment
An intensive six-half-day course with an extra one hour personal mentoring session per student. The whole series comprehensively prepares a student to present their portfolio for a 3rd-level art & design course, though single modules will be available to individuals with specific interests. With critical attention to the students' home study and research, the aim is provide practical advice and tutorage to put them ahead of the competition.
Week 1: What do colleges want to see from your portfolio, and what will put you ahead of the crowd? Paricipants will be asked to make a short presentation of their own artwork to date.
Week 2: Observational drawing and painting. Choosing your objects and identifying strengths and weaknesses with a number of short observational exercises.
Week 3. Brainstorming and the development of ideas - what are sketchbooks for? Using and showing resource material
Week 4. Painting, drawing and 3-D work - skills with materials and how to present it... Participants will be asked to bring three examples of drawings, paintings and 3-D work in a variety of media.
Week 5. Talking about art. Participants will be asked to make a short presentation about artists they like, those they feel influenced by and what makes them tick. This will be followed by an informal discussion about art - why do we make and who is it for?
Week 6. Review of portfolio presentation. An informal group critique on the students work to date, paying particular attention to strengths and gaps in the overall collection of students work.
Week 7. Individual one-to-one mentorship in preparation for interview.
Stephen Brandes
Stephen Branded was born in Wolverhampton, UK, in 1966 and now lives and works in Cork, after moving to Ireland in 1993. He has exhibited extensively in Ireland and internationally including solo projects Travelogue at Rubicon Gallery Dublin and Ways of Escape, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, and recent group exhibitions in Dusseldorf, Berlin, Milan, Melbourne and Cork. He represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale 2005, and is represented at IMMA, and in private collections in Europe and USA.
 To Book
Students can book Part 1 for €150 (Fiona Calnan), Part 2 for €250 (Stephen Brandes) or both parts together for €350, by calling or emailing Adrian Wistreich at Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre, 021 4777758/0879696901 or adrianwistreich@eircom.net. A deposit of €50 per student is required on booking and the full course fee is then payable on the first day of attendance. Places are limited, so immediate booking is recommended
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