Summer School 2018 - Week 1

Students at the ISCA Summer School enjoyed a busy first week both in and out of the studios. The programme kicked off with an investigation into the theme 'Points of View', with drawing and illustration as the main skills being explored by students.

After a day of drawing exercises, the group travelled to the picturesque town of Windsor for a research exercise. There, students drew from the grand and historic buildings, portraits, statues and decorative ornaments, while also stopping to view the changing of the guard and basking in the English sunshine.

Following on from the successful research trip to Windsor, everyone improved their handling of drawing materials and techniques during workshops on tone, scale and mark-making. Tutors were beginning to also notice how everyone had already improved their confidence and ability in drawing, a very encouraging outcome after only three days!

Thursday’s workshop focused on the brief of producing a challenging creative response to movement. Using chalk and charcoal, as well as working from observation, the outcomes were both exciting and dynamic.

Friday included workshops in the ISCA studios, with themes relating to fashion illustration and perspective drawing. On Saturday, the group travelled to London for an exploration of high and low perspectives. The morning began at Tate Modern, with an introduction to the collection of great works by artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Mark Rothko. Then, from high above the city, students drew vertical scenes of London’s iconic skyline. After a walk across the river, the students turned their attention to the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral for an extended drawing exercise (with a quick break for ice-cream!)

As the first week of the ISCA Summer Programme came to a close, the group reflected on their many valuable lessons and experiences. Overall, a great deal of progress and special memories have been made.