You can prepare for this free course, Making sense of art history, by looking around you. It's likely that wherever you are you'll be able to see some images. It's also likely that many of these will be intended to have some sort of effect on you. In the course itself you will be exploring the power of images via a study of contemporary art from the 1980s onwards. Taking the time to look beyond the immediate appearance of an art work to consider what the artist might be trying to say can be immensely rewarding.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
identify the effects of art works
understand a range of artistic techniques, such as the use of colour, composition and medium
recognise the relationship between effects and techniques in a range of art works
understand some of the factors involved in interpreting meaning
understand the significance of context in informing the interpretation of art works.
The course was truly an INTRODUCTION course. By that I mean, as a person who's been studying art most of my life, most of it seemed like common sense rather than me learning.
Also, this course is art history, however it is art from the 80s and later, mostly abstract and it mostly focuses on the structure of art and colours and techniques rather than historical value and such.
Additionally, it is marked as 5h, and so I expected to get it done in approx. 2 days, however, if you're like me and you take notes and participate in activities, it'll take longer than 5h. (It took me double the expected time.)
Other than this, it was good (the colour section dragged a bit), it was well written and easy to follow.
I really enjoyed this course.The course brought new reflections on how I observe, appreciate, and interpret art. More than just looking at a work of art, it's interesting to perceive the different elements that are part of it: the colors, the composition, the techniques, the context, and, above all, the possible messages and effects that an image can evoke.
Also, this course is art history, however it is art from the 80s and later, mostly abstract and it mostly focuses on the structure of art and colours and techniques rather than historical value and such.
Additionally, it is marked as 5h, and so I expected to get it done in approx. 2 days, however, if you're like me and you take notes and participate in activities, it'll take longer than 5h. (It took me double the expected time.)
Other than this, it was good (the colour section dragged a bit), it was well written and easy to follow.