opportunity to develop innovative ideas based on their own knowledge and skills together with tutors' suggestions and guidance within a carefully structured course framework. There will be continuous evaluation and assessment of all your samples of techniques and advice and guidance about final assessment pieces.
Q Why am I only given access to one Module at a time?
A Just like a college based course, the programme is designed to build on the knowledge and skills gained from a structured sequence of activities. Access to subsequent Modules is opened as the previous one is completed to a satisfactory standard.
Q What is involved in each of the 10 modules?
A Just to give an idea of what's in store, see the following brief description;

Module 1 - Introduction to the elements of design. What they are and how and where to find them. Focus on line.
Module 2 -Characteristics of a range of art materials and effective ways of using them. Focus on colour, colour theory and beginning to work creatively with use of colour.
Module 3 - What makes a good source of design inspiration and how do you begin to record what you see? More paint techniques explored.
Module 4 - Creative ways with more art techniques and using masks and stencils to make the most of shapes and patterns.
Module 5 - Recording and creating texture, both tactile and visual.
Module 6 - Exploiting the computer and photocopier in unexpected and artistic ways.
Module 7 - Principles of design put into practice with exciting print techniques.
Module 8 - Improving drawing skills and creating 3D form using manipulation and simple construction techniques.
Module 9 - Creating the sketchbook assessment from a personal design source.
Module 10 - Designing and making the final assessment.

Throughout the course you will be encouraged to analyse and evaluate the outcomes and achievements of your work and guidance will be given on the potential of technique and future self development.

Q What equipment and materials will I need during the course?
A We aim to keep the requirements as simple as possible. This not only keeps costs to a minimum but also makes for greater creativity with basic materials. The requirements list shows the basic items you will need to take the course. These are guidelines only as the range and variety of art materials available worldwide is huge and students may wish to experiment with other comparable media or utilize some of the products they already own. Over and above the syllabus requirements, students choose for themselves how much of something they do and sometimes how large the pieces will be and so it isn't possible to give exact quantities of any item. Please bear in mind that you can begin the course with basic items and make additional purchases as they become necessary. This would help to spread the costs involved over a longer period. Anyone who has already done any art and design will probably have some of the items already to hand.

Basic art and design materials will include:
Sketchbook or drawing paper
Watercolour paper
A selection of other papers including brown parcel paper, tissue paper, tracing paper, textured wallpaper, manilla envelopes, handmade paper, etc.
Heavy card or mount board
Graphite pencils
Eraser
Black fine liner pen
Tracing paper
Gluestick such as Pritt
Hi tack white PVA glue in a bottle with a nozzle (Berol Marvin Medium or similar)
Masking tape
Double sided tape
Paper punch
Scissors for cutting paper
Wax crayons or oil pastels in a basic range of colours
Soft pastels in a basic range of colours
Charcoal
Artists fixing spray or hairspray
Pair of compasses for drawing circles and arcs
Protractor for drawing angles
Paintbrushes to include one at least 1" wide
Sponge wedge brushes
Acrylic paint - student quality is fine - red, blue, yellow, white and black
Acrylic paint - gold metallic
Craft knife and cutting mat
Water colour paints in red, blue, yellow and black
Plastic ring binder file for storing all kinds of useful information (notebook)
Linoleum sheet or equivalent
Lino cutter
A rule