Course Syllabus

This is a studio art course (for non-majors) introducing students to contemporary and historical approaches to art.

In this course students will work on individual and independent art projects, based on field studies to exhibitions and museum collections.

This course aims to extend basic drawing and art making skills in a variety of media : visual note taking, drawing, water colour, collage, printmaking and book making, the art of mixing media. 

Students are encouraged to seek inspiration from nature and we will explore land art, natural inks, eco printing, creating art resourcefully and how to be waste conscious in the art studio.

Each session will start with a short lecture with an introduction to a new medium, offering historical and cultural insights, followed by a workshop where techniques will be presented, discussed and tested. Often, there will be a specific assignment to encourage the student to explore the medium further.

Emphasis is placed on individual creative experimentation explored according to the concepts and techniques introduced in this class.

Students will learn how to create a portfolio, to document their personal 'Art in the Making' journey.

Students will learn how to explore their chosen media further in the design of Independent Art Projects which will demonstrate what they have learnt.

Classroom Etiquette: Please do not use your phones in the classroom unless instructed to do so.

 

Learning Objectives

• Develop a deeper understanding of artistic techniques, content and contexts;
• Practice critical discourse through studio work sessions and field studies;
• Obtain the ability to work with a number of artistic materials and techniques;
• Enable students to visually manifest their ideas;
• Produce and exhibit a larger individual art project.

 

Instructor: Sarah Alfast

Dip.Arch. Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow, 2008, BA Hons, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, 2007, Assistant Architect at Groves Raines Architects 2006-2007, Assistant Architect at Frank Harmon Architect pa, NC, USA 2009, Collaboration with arki_lab, Copenhagen 2012, previously Urban Design Journal and Visual Journal Lecturer for DIS, Architect at Schulze + Grassov, Copenhagen

2014, Design Architect for Azuko. Employment at DIS since 2010.

Consultation

sarah.alfast@dis.dk

 

Course Evaluation

Assignment	Percent
Sketchbook (in class and homework assignments)	50%
Participation in class discussion, attendance, presentations	20%
Collage Book  10% Independent Entries to Sketchbook  (min. 10 drawings outside class) 10 % Final Art Project  20%	40 %

PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that the students attend each session and that they engage deeply and actively with the creative process during class and at home.

 

Required Materials

(We will discuss and sample these materials; you do not have to bring them for the first session, suggested art stores: Tutein and Koch, Farvergade and Stelling, Store Kirkestræde 1. Ask for a student discount)

1. A4 Sketchbook hardbound with good quality paper.
2. Graphite pencils HB, 2B ; Eraser, Sharpener.
3. Artist Drawing Pen Black ( 0.3 or 0.5)
4. Water colour brush.
5. Glue stick.
6. Good quality found papers- check in with Sarah before you use these!  from old books or recycling of varying texture and formats will come in useful for some of the assignments and for the independent entries to your sketchbook.

 

Reading

(Available on Canvas; readings must be completed before the class that they are assigned to)

Dobie, Jeanne, Making Color Sing, New York, Watson-Guptail Publications, 1986.

Edwards, Betty, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, London, Harper Collins Publishers, 2008.

Golden, Alisa, Making Handmade Books, New York, Lark, 2010.

Harmon, Katharine, Intro to The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists explore cartography, New York, Princeton Press,  2009. 

Howard, J. Smagula: Creative Drawing, London, Lawrence King Publishing, 2002, #4 Line, pp. 84- 87, #10 Exploring Color, pp. 204-221.

Hustved, Siri, Notes on Seeing, The Drama of Perception, in Living, Thinking, Looking pp. 223-231, London, Sceptre Books, 2012.

Jackson, Paul, Cut and Fold Techniques for Pop Up Designs, London, Laurence King Publishing, 2014.

Rhodes, Shelley, Sketchbook Explorations for Mixed Media and Textile Artists, London, Batsford, 2018.

 

Field Study Sites 

Copenhagen's Botanical Gardens

Design Museum Denmark

Thorvaldsens Museum

The David Collection

Kunstforeningen GL Strand, Gl. Strand 48

 

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org