Course detail

Art Techniques – Colour

FA-VBA-NEAcad. year: 2021/2022

Classes on colours in terms of practical understanding of the theory of colours, develop the sense of colourfulness of the environment, light, artistic expression, deepens the understanding of the meaning of colours and extends the work with them. The course focuses on the optical and psychological character of colours with the emphasis on the colourfulness in architecture. It helps to overcome the fear of colours and their application in architectural designs. The course is divided into four blocks: introductory lecture, optical characteristics of colours and their mixing, representation of space, form, and light via colours, and final work as a summary. Integral parts of the course are home assignments, individual work consulted in the seminars, and individual visits to selected exhibitions or places, and work with further cultural sources.
In the study programmes “Architecture and Urban Design” the course is part of the courses on tools.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová

Department

Department of Drawing (UZ)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Learning outcomes of the course unit

  • Students will learn how to work with colours self-confidently and sensitively and how to express their individuality.
  • Students will orient in the theory of colours and in the optical characteristics of colours; will get information on technology and technique of creative work with colours, and about the importance and meaning of colours for the human society.
  • Students will test the theory in practice, will meet colours as material, will touch the technology and technique of working with colours in the practical classes.
  • Students will gain general knowledge about the psychological influence of colours and how to work with it in architectural thinking.
  • Students will overcome the fear of colours and will be able to use them knowledgeably and in original way in architectural designs.
  • Students will familiarize themselves with the development of using colours in the history of human society and should be able to continue with it.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course on colours includes theoretical, creative, observational, and practical components and monitors their understanding and intensification, complementation, directing and development of individual student abilities. The centre is in the practical experience with colours and gaining personal relationship, as well as general understanding of the meaning of colours. Students will learn how to see and understand the results and potential of their own work, which will direct them forward. It is a comprehensive process, and it namely influences perception, feeling, and the ability of expression, inner freedom and phantasy.
The centre of the course is regular work and correction, as well as the final summary of results over all works, completed by the home assignments.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

To be awarded the credit, it is required to submit a collection of drawings from the classes, with representative from all blocks, including the final work and home assignments. The particular specification of all works for submission and their numbers will specified in the written assignment at the beginning of the semester.
Grading consists of quality of the submitted drawings, development during the semester, reflecting the engagement and originality.

Course curriculum

Semester block schedule:
  1. Lecture: introduction to the theory and psychology of colours and to the topic of the course
  2. Practical classes: mixing colours, their optical characteristics
  3. Practical classes: representation of space, form and light using colours
  4. Practical classes and home assignment: final work

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to learn how to work with colours self-confidently and sensitively and to learn how to express your individuality. The practical classes on colours shall bring your mind closer to the nature and its colourful changeability and richness, and to increase the sensitivity to lively and courageous application of colours in architectural designs, and later in the practice. The aim is also to get practical experience with colours as materials when the known theory becomes reality. The aim is also to understand the development of use and perception of colours by the human society, and to participate in the continuation. The aim requires not only participation at the practical classes, but also visits to selected exhibitions, places, expositions, and study of sources.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Students participate in the introductory lecture and are obliged to participate in the classes. Two absences from the classes are tolerated; excuses and more absences in case of serious reasons are discussed with the teacher.
It is possible to compensate the absence by taking part in the parallel groups, submission of drawings.
Upon the agreement with the teacher, the absences in the classroom can be compensated via online participation.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ERNST, Bruno. The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher, Taschen, 2018. ISBN: 978-3836574006. (EN)
ESCHER, M.C. The Graphic Work. Taschen, 2016. ISBN: 978-3836529846. (EN)
GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von. Goethe’s Theory of Colours. Routledge, 2019. ISBN: 978-0429682223. (EN)
HUTTUNEN, Martti. Beneath the Surface of Colours. Books on Demand 2018. ISBN: 978-9528007319. (EN)
ITTEN, Johanes. The Element of Color. John Wiley & Sons, 1970. ISBN: 978-0471289296. (EN)
KAMPENHOUT, Daan van. Images of the Soul: The Workings of the Soul in Shamanic Ritual and Family Constellations. Carl-Auer: 2001. ISBN: 978-3896702319. (EN)
KLEE, Paul. Pedagogical Sketchbook. London: Faber & Faber, 1973. ISBN: 9780571086184. (EN)
PIJOAN, Joseph. History of Art. London: Batsford, 1933. Series. (EN)
SEILER-HUGOVA, Ueli. Colour: Seeing, Experiencing, Understanding. Temple Lodge Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 978-1906999230. (EN)
STEINER, Rudolf. Colour. Rudolf Steiner Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-1855840850. (EN)

Recommended reading

BOETIUS, Henrik; LEFÉVRE, Marie Louise; LAURIDSEN, Marie Louise. Light Darlness and Colours, Goethes theory of colours (film). Magic hour films, 1998. 52 min. (EN)
SAMARA, Timothy. Design Elements. Rockport Publishers Inc., 2020. ISBN: 978-1631598722. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NX_A+U Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
  • Programme BX_A+U Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
  • Programme NE_A+U Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme ARCHURB Bachelor's

    branch ARCH , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

  • Programme ARCHURB Master's

    branch ARCH , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

2 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

akad. mal. Milada Gabrielová