Drawing and Writing — University of the Arts London Occupational Qualification Art and Design Revision

    Drawing and writing are fundamental tools for visual communication, allowing artists to influence appearance and meaning through mark-making and text. This

    Topic Synopsis

    Drawing and writing are fundamental tools for visual communication, allowing artists to influence appearance and meaning through mark-making and text. This topic explores how different forms of drawing and writing can be combined to convey ideas and emotions.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Drawing and Writing

    UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
    vocational

    This unit explores the relationship between drawing and writing, how they influence appearance and meaning, and contextual perspectives. Learners experiment with combining text and image.

    7
    Learning Outcomes
    14
    Assessment Guidance
    13
    Key Skills
    8
    Key Terms
    17
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    UAL Level 3 Certificate in Drawing
    UAL Level 3 Award in Drawing
    UAL Level 2 Award in Drawing
    UAL Level 2 Certificate in Drawing

    Topic Overview

    The UAL Level 2 Award in Drawing is a foundational qualification that introduces you to the core principles and practices of drawing within art and design. This award focuses on developing your observational skills, hand-eye coordination, and ability to translate three-dimensional objects onto a two-dimensional surface. You will explore a variety of drawing media, including pencil, charcoal, ink, and pastels, and learn how to use line, tone, texture, and composition to create expressive and accurate drawings. The course emphasizes both technical proficiency and creative exploration, encouraging you to experiment with different approaches to mark-making and visual communication.

    Drawing is a fundamental skill that underpins all areas of art and design, from fine art to graphic design, fashion, and architecture. This qualification not only builds your practical drawing abilities but also develops your visual literacy and critical thinking. You will learn to analyze what you see, make informed decisions about composition and technique, and evaluate your own work and that of others. By the end of the award, you will have a portfolio of drawings that demonstrate your growing confidence and understanding of drawing as a creative and communicative tool.

    This award is part of the UAL Level 2 suite of qualifications, designed to provide a solid foundation for further study at Level 3 (such as a UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design) or for entry-level roles in creative industries. It is ideal if you are new to formal art education or looking to strengthen your drawing skills before progressing to more advanced courses. The practical, hands-on nature of the award means you will spend most of your time drawing from observation, working from still life, the figure, landscapes, and your imagination.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Observation: The ability to accurately perceive and record what you see, focusing on proportions, angles, and relationships between objects.
    • →Line and Tone: Using line to define edges and contours, and tone (shading) to create the illusion of form, light, and shadow.
    • →Composition: Arranging elements within the picture plane to create a balanced, engaging, and meaningful image.
    • →Mark-making: Exploring different techniques (hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, blending) to create texture, depth, and expression.
    • →Media and Materials: Understanding the properties and effects of various drawing tools such as graphite, charcoal, ink, and pastels.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Understand forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning., Understand contextual perspectives and approaches to drawing and writing.
    • Analyze the formal qualities of drawing and writing to determine their combined impact on meaning.
    • Apply techniques for integrating drawing and writing to create works that influence perception and narrative.
    • Evaluate contextual perspectives that shape contemporary and historical approaches to combining drawing and writing.
    • Synthesize personal visual language by experimenting with hybrid drawing-writing methods.
    • Know forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning.
    • Know forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Understand different forms of drawing and writing.
    • Use drawing and writing to convey meaning effectively.
    • Analyse contextual influences on visual and textual communication.
    • Create work that integrates drawing and writing.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a clear understanding of how the juxtaposition of text and image alters interpretation.
    • Look for evidence of experimental practice combining handwritten text with drawn elements to create cohesive compositions.
    • Assess the ability to discuss contextual influences (e.g., Dada, concrete poetry, graphic novels) on the work.
    • Credit for documenting the development process, showing iterative integration of drawing and writing.
    • Examine the effective use of materials and techniques to achieve desired aesthetic and communicative outcomes.
    • Identify various forms of drawing and writing.
    • Explain how drawing techniques affect visual appearance.
    • Demonstrate use of writing to alter meaning in artwork.
    • Combine drawing and writing to create a cohesive piece.
    • Identify different forms of drawing and writing.
    • Use drawing and writing to create specific visual effects.
    • Explain how the combination of text and image affects meaning.
    • Produce a piece that integrates drawing and writing effectively.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Experiment with different styles and media.
    • 💡Research artists who combine text and image.
    • 💡Reflect on how your choices affect interpretation.
    • 💡Practice rapid thumbnailing to experiment with different text-image layouts before finalizing a piece.
    • 💡Research artists who integrate drawing and writing (e.g., Cy Twombly, Jenny Holzer, Chris Ware) to inspire informed approaches.
    • 💡In your development work, annotate your sketches with reflective writing to demonstrate critical thinking about the integration.
    • 💡Use writing not just for explanation but as a graphic element; consider scale, placement, and rhythm.
    • 💡Refer to the UAL assessment criteria (e.g., Research, Experimentation, Evaluation) when presenting your work.
    • 💡Experiment with different materials and styles before finalising.
    • 💡Consider the relationship between text and image carefully.
    • 💡Use annotation to explain your creative choices.
    • 💡Experiment with different fonts and hand-lettering styles.
    • 💡Consider the balance between image and text.
    • 💡Use contrast to highlight key elements.
    • 💡Show your working out: Include preliminary sketches, notes, and experiments in your portfolio. Examiners want to see your thought process and how you developed your ideas.
    • 💡Vary your mark-making: Don't rely on just one technique. Demonstrate a range of marks (e.g., hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, blending) to show versatility and control.
    • 💡Consider composition: Before you start drawing, think about how you arrange elements on the page. Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and negative space to create a dynamic composition.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Treating drawing and writing as separate rather than integrated.
    • Ignoring the impact of layout and typography.
    • Failing to consider audience and context.
    • Treating drawing and writing as separate entities without exploring their interaction.
    • Over-reliance on literal illustration, failing to use writing to add ambiguity or depth.
    • Neglecting the visual quality of the written word (e.g., poor handwriting, inappropriate font choice).
    • Lack of contextual understanding, leading to clichéd or superficial combinations.
    • Confusing descriptive writing with expressive mark-making.
    • Overlooking the impact of scale and placement on meaning.
    • Failing to integrate text and image harmoniously.
    • Treating drawing and writing as separate rather than integrated.
    • Overcomplicating the message with too many elements.
    • Neglecting the impact of typography on meaning.
    • Misconception: Drawing is only about talent, not skill. Correction: Drawing is a learnable skill that improves with practice, observation, and understanding of techniques. Everyone can learn to draw.
    • Misconception: You must draw exactly what you see, like a photograph. Correction: Drawing is an interpretation. You can simplify, exaggerate, or distort for expressive effect. Accuracy is important, but personal style and creativity are valued.
    • Misconception: Only expensive materials produce good drawings. Correction: While quality materials help, it's your understanding and application of techniques that matter most. Simple pencils and paper can produce excellent results.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 2 award, but a basic interest in art and a willingness to practice regularly will help you succeed.
    • •Familiarity with basic drawing materials (pencils, erasers, paper) is beneficial but not essential, as the course will introduce you to them.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Understand forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning., Understand contextual perspectives and approaches to drawing and writing.
    • Interplay of text and image
    • Narrative construction
    • Semiotics of mark-making
    • Historical and contemporary hybrid practices
    • Personal expression through mixed forms
    • Know forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning.
    • Know forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning.

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