Art 2 Course @ CSN: A student's Perspective

Gerry Horan

Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa

Art 2 - FETAC level 6

Background

My name is Gerry Horan, I’m 19 years old and I’m from Tipperary, Ireland.

This is my second year in Colaiste Stiofain Naofa. In my first year, I obtained a FETAC level 5 qualification in Digital Media. Over the year in Digital Media I realised that I wanted to make art for a living, and that I wanted to work as an Illustrator.

CSN – FETAC Level 6With the realization that I wanted to make art for a living came the realization that I need to become very good at it.

This year I switched courses within CSN, and I am now in the second year art course.

The learning curve actually turned out to be steeper than last year initially, because I came in thinking that I knew what I was doing.

The subjects I am studying are as follows:

– Communications– Art Appreciation– Digital Photography– Drawing– Combined Materials– Printmaking– Painting

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

I will now go through with you what I am doing in each module, why I’m doing it, and what I have learned so far.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

CommunicationsIn communications I am learning how best to communicate with a variety of audiences as an artist. I am learning about legal and ethical issues within the art world, and how best to make money from my practice.

Communications is essential training for everyday life after college. I need to know how to best present myself, how to manage costs, and even how to create an artists cv.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

Art AppreciationIn art appreciation I’m learning about contemporary artists and their practice. The purpose of art appreciation is to open our eyes to the variety and scope available to us as artists.

Its important to learn about the methods, concepts, mediums and practices of professional artists. In particular, I like to learn about the artists process of making, from beginning to final piece.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

Digital PhotographyDigital photography is a module that I really enjoy. I mainly use it to collect source material for other modules.

My portfolio theme is Decay, in our environment and in the mind.

I find photography a great way of capturing anything that interests me as I search for physical objects to draw.

Here are some examples of my work in Digital Photography so far.

Digital Photography – FETAC Level 6

Digital Photography – FETAC Level 6

Digital Photography – FETAC Level 6

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

DrawingDrawing is crucial for the kind of work that I want to get into.

Lately I’m seeing an improvement in my drawing, a slight one but its encouraging none the less.

I find life drawing to be a big help because everything I’m learning about structure and investigating relationships in that can be applied all of my other work.Here’s an example of object drawing.

Drawing – FETAC Level 6

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

Combined MaterialsIn combined materials I’m further exploring my theme of decay.

Combined materials is a very broad subject, in which you can really explore your practice. You can make anything from an image and stitching to sculpture out of almost any material.

Combined Materials – FETAC Level 6

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

PrintmakingFrom printmaking I’ve learned that I'm actually very interested in textures.As I said the learning curve for a lot of these subjects has been pretty steep as its my first time doing it, I didn’t even know printmaking existed until September.I’m really enjoying printmaking, and some of my best pieces so far are prints.

Printmaking – FETAC Level 6

Printmaking – FETAC Level 6

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6

PaintingAs I have no real past experience painting, I found it very challenging at the beginning.

The things I'm finding most challenging is the idea of blocking in shapes of colour first and mixing colours.

My work is beginning to take a direction now, but its going to take more work to tie them all together.

The main artists I’m looking at for painting at the moment is an illustrator named Ben Tour, and an artist called Otto Dix.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa – FETAC Level 6