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Welcome to Illustration at Norwich

We hope that you are having a good summer. We are looking forward to welcoming you onto the course in September and working with you. This is your Welcome Pack which tells you a little bit more about how to prepare and what to expect when you are here.

Welcome Week starts on Monday 15 September, and this is when we will meet you on campus and introduce you to our buildings and facilities. You will meet the staff team and other students on your course and take part in some introductory activities designed so you can get to know each other and remain safe on campus. You will be invited to a session to collect your ID card and you will also have the opportunity to watch some videos about the services and facilities the University offers. Above all, this week is about having fun and making connections so we have a full and exciting timetable of social events and activities you can sign up to in conjunction with our fantastic Students’ Union team.

The first taught day of your course is the Monday 22 September. Generally, you will have timetabled sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays each week. The rest of the week will usually be independent study time for you to research and develop your projects. Wednesday afternoons are free for you to plan and take part in other activities such as Student Union events, clubs and societies. Individual timetables will be given the start of the course. In addition to sessions on campus, there will also be digital teaching sessions such as lectures and individual tutorials too. You will meet some of your Year 1 tutors including Nigel Coton, Bee Willey, Katie Walker and Christian Petersen.

You will be introduced to all these elements so don’t worry about any of this now!

On independent study days, and days where digital teaching is scheduled, you will be able to access the campus to continue your work as needed, or you can elect to work remotely. We will help you understand the nuances of your timetable, and also to plan your time.You will see that we’ve included some suggestions of things you might like to read, watch and do before you arrive, and provided suggestions about equipment and materials you are likely to need, so please read through the information carefully.We look forward to seeing you in September.

Things you might like to watch, read and do before you arrive:

Watch the video and explore the links below for ideas and inspiration

Exploring sketchbooks / Animating the Archives

An excellent short film highlighting the reasons for, and process of, maintaining a sketchbook featuring contemporary illustrators, designers and artists. See also: Tate sketchbooks

Vitamin D3: Today’s Best in Contemporary Drawing

A recommended watch, although an hour long! The published book is available in the Norwich University of the Arts Library when you arrive.

Axel Scheffler: Top 3 tips for budding illustrators.

Suggested reading

Online articles about illustrators and their sketchbooks

  • It’s Nice That is a website full of inspirational and diverse approaches to illustration. A great resource that offers both intellectual discussions, professional discussions and work from emerging Illustrators.
  • Read about contemporary illustration online at The Association of Illustrators, providing an overview of contemporary illustration that supports students and industry professionals through online resources, competitions and events.
  • Read and find creative inspiration from across art and design practices

Things to Do

Explore the Picture Book Makers website as a fantastic resource and eclectic overview of illustration practice.

Watch ‘5 Talks to inspire / illustration’, with talks from illustrators such as Martin Haake, Tomi Ungerer and Tara McPherson.

Research museums, internet, libraries e.g., explore current news and themes such as endangered animal facts, features, characteristics, biology, science, environments, and links with current illustration and contemporary drawing including:

Ethos

Our course will support you to explore a wide range of possibilities for your work and develop your interests and individual voice as illustration practitioners.

Throughout the course you are asked to be innovative, experimental and open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking and making.

What constitutes an artist’s materials list depends on their particular practice. When selecting materials try not to say no, try to think what if ? E.g. What happens when you tip food colouring into household emulsion paint or mix oil pastels with ink?

Here is a basic list of materials that are an essential tool kit for your learning:

  • A materials toolbox container: something light, cheap and easy to carry. You can buy tool boxes from a local DIY store or Halfords for example. You will need one of these to transport your materials.
  • A range of sketchbook sizes (cartridge paper) e.g A4, A3, A2.
  • Drawing board: MDF – A3+ (approximately 330 x 500mm) for location drawing.
  • (you can buy wood cut to size from your local DIY stores)
  • Masking tape
  • Soft pencils and graphite sticks • Charcoal, conte crayons
  • Dip pens, drawing inks.
  • Gouache paints.
  • Oil pastels.
  • Glue/PVA
  • Scalpel and blades
  • Metal safety ruler
  • Scissors
  • Brushes: Look at a range
  • Mixing pots, small pots with airtight lids.

Useful links:

Extend and add to your existing materials

Consider the following:

  • Colour palettes, dark and moody, bright, wild and expressive.
  • Surfaces – plain paper, brown paper, textured wallpaper, can you draw on sandpaper, wood, glass or metal?
  • Brushes, big & small, cheap or expensive, what is the difference?
  • Drawing implements, consider line, different weights & thicknesses.
  • Experiment cheaply and with a wide range of materials.
  • Learn the difference between expensive and cheap – learn what is important to you and where to best spend your money.
  • Try what you don’t know, in lots of different combinations on lots of different surfaces

Explore more

Undergraduate Course Information