[Initially posted 2nd Nov. 2020 - Edited version re-uploaded]
At this early stage in my project, I have decided to outline some ideas and early plans I have to create a starting point. I feel this is important to do because it begins to create a clearer direction of how I am using my practice, what I want to achieve and also what areas I am going to begin researching. As this is the early stages of planning, these ideas will be in note form and will be expanded upon at a later point in the project.
Project Basis
The basis of my project will be around creating a virtual, educational platform that aims to provide workshop-like content to both school age students and adults, focusing on teaching and developing skills. The content on the platform will be based around my practice, painting and drawing, with the examples being based on my current interests:
architectural based drawings/paintings
My theme follows my connection to specific places; memories from growing up gardening with key family members and their friends. Now that those people have passed away, I am documenting how those same places look now. Sheds and agricultural/horticultural buildings are the significant buildings.
Why I feel this subject matter is appropriate for an online, educational learning platform: because the subject matter requires the use a lot of relevant skills such as perspective, tonal range, mark making skills, the ability to draw from both observation and from references effectively and also how to use materials properly. The subject matter can also be interpreted in a range of different ways, making for a variety of ‘right’ outcomes. In comparison to portraiture or life drawing where, I believe, the formal elements are more daunting for a student or someone keen to learn artistic skills. Although it is important to note that both aspects are challenging, I think working with buildings as a subject matter is a more straightforward and approachable method of learning.
Basing the educational platform’s content around my own practice allows me to engage with those using the learning resources, while pursuing my own practice as an artist. The experience creates an online community where ideas can be shared, questions can be asked and I can progress with my practice with new ideas from others. It makes the approach more informal - an artist to participant rather than teacher to student dynamic.
The platform will consist of printable activity packs, pectoral tutorials and possibly videos (time dependent)
What is the purpose of the online platform?
- Having an online educational platform is useful and modern part of how we can learn. Due to the current times where meeting up in groups is severely limited, art based workshops are more challenging to put on safely. Having an online platform allows people to still learn key skills and be immersed in learning about art, while being in the comfort of their own home.
As well as this, due to the rise in children being educated at home, the availability of meaningful, thought provoking and interesting educational material on the arts is seemingly sparse. Having a platform such as this allows children / students who are home educated to learn directly from an artist, and gain meaningful arts education from home.
Also, arts eduction in the UK national curriculum is catered around passing exams, rather than teaching children how to think creatively and to draw or paint. This often puts students off from pursuing arts qualifications and jobs in the arts. As there is such a focus on passing exams, those who have an interest but may not have the ability or the understanding of technique are left behind, as well as those who may struggle with exams, subsequently isolating them from the opportunity to be involved in the arts. Having an online platform such as the one I have set out will aim to expand the curriculum, making learning and developing skills the priority as well as providing an alternative method of teaching from an artist rather than a teacher. The objective becomes more about enjoyment and learning rather than passing an exam. Ultimately, it brings the artist with their own chosen specialisms back into education, which is not a necessity in the UK curriculum.
I intend to outline a plan to make the creation of the platform attainable within the confines of the deadlines set. Although the project is ambitious, I feel that as all of the content is based around my practice, I will be able to produce the content for the platform in a straightforward manner.
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