Course Description

An introduction to developing fundamental drawing skills and concepts; consideration of line, space, form, and perspective in drawing from still life, landscape and the human figure. Emphasis will be placed on composition and the development of hand-eye coordination.

Instructional Methodology & Rationale

The purpose of Drawing I is to provide each student with specific drawing media experiences and to build basic perceptual skills in terms of drawing from studio setups. An emphasis will be put on establishing unity between drawing and seeing, rendering what one experiences accurately, developing a sense of composition and introducing a variety of drawing media. 

The student will also gain basic knowledge of the elements of art: line, value, shape, volume, and texture to lead to their deliberate manipulation for different types of spatial illusion, compositions, and expressive meaning.  Presentations, one-on-one instruction, group discussion, and class involvement and interaction are a crucial part of the learning process.

Course Policies

Attendance, Withdrawal and Incomplete grades.  Attendance is crucial for your grade in this class.  Poor attendance and consistent tardiness will be reflected in your final grade regardless of work quality.  Students are allowed three (3) absences in this class.  Three (3) tardies shall be counted as one (1) absence.  Students with an excess of three (3) absences, including tardies, will have their grade lowered by a full letter grade for each additional absence over three (3) for the semester.

An incomplete grade will be given under extreme circumstances that are completely unavoidable.

Preparedness is important in order for the classroom experience to be most effective. Please keep all of your materials well stocked.  Students who do not have required materials and who do not use class time effectively will be asked to leave and be counted absent for the day. 

 Cookie rule in effect the moment you enter my class!  Any student (, or teacher,) who’s device interrupts class, in any way, will be required to bring cookies the following class meeting for the entire class.  In addition students who texts in classroom shall be required to bring cookies for the class.  Students who do not wish to participate shall receive a daily grade of “, F,” for each infraction.  Turn off all cellular devices before the start of class! 

Week by week:

1. Introduction:  Review of course materials, objectives and expectations of students.    

                  Assignment: Self-portrait. Due following class.

1. Gesture and organizational line.

                  Assignment: 6 eggs. Due following class.

1. Visual measuring and angle taking. 

                  Assignment: Still life. Due following class.

1. Planar analysis.

                  Assignment: TBA

1. Value scales in multiple media

                  Assignment:  Television set. Due following class

1. Line quality and form.  Implied line and form. 

            Assignment:  Photo crop. Due following class.

1. Contour line and cross contour. Positive negative reflection

                  Assignment: Self-portrait. Due following class.

1. One point perspective

                  Assignment:  House drawing. Due following class.

1. Two point perspective 

                  Assignment:  Room drawing. Due following class.

           10.  Sfumato and atmospheric perspective

           11.  Chiaroscuro: India ink and wash. Gray scale and gridding. Begin Old master copy.

                  Assignment: Old master copy.

          12.   Continuation of Old Master copy.  O.M. due following class.

          13.   Skeleton and muscles. 

                  Assignment:  Final self-portrait.  Due final class meeting.

           14.  Life drawing with nude model.  Review sketches for self-portrait.

           15.  Final Self-portrait due and final review.  Bring first self-portrait for review.

 All material contained here-in, subject to change at discretion of instructor.

Books:

I strongly recommend the follow books for puchace, however, they are not manditory:

Drawing to See  Goldstein, Harris  Prentice Hall Books  ISBN:  0-13-098178-8

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-See-Nathan-Goldstein/dp/0130981788/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291749446&sr=1-1 

Also, recommended but not manditory:

Drawing Basics   Jacklyn St. Aubyn  Thomson Advantage Books  ISBN: 13:978-0-495-00628

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Basics-Jacklyn-St-Aubyn/dp/0155038621/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1291749002&sr=8-3 

Course Outline/Calendar

• Introduction to Drawing-Students are informed of what they can expect and what can be expected of them. Course requirements, sketch-book, supplies and criteria of grading are discussed.
• Accuracy & Seeing-Working from still-life setups, students use tools (sighting, organizational line, positive/negative space) to accurately represent geometric objects in relation to each other.
• Blocking & Gesture-Students break down complex objects with simple geometric shapes and continue to use tools to check accuracy. Gesture is incorporated as a starting point for drawings and in describing organic objects.
• Value-Students practice seeing value (light and dark) on an object; examples are shown of how light on the object creates value changes and illusion of mass, volume and space. Students practice from geometric and organic objects held under one and two light sources trying to match observed values.
• Composition & Mark Making-Students focus on and edit sections of many complex still-life and landscapes to develop dynamic compositions in a given image area. Molding a drawing through a progressive evolution and creating an appropriate and interesting surface by responding to materials are emphasized.
•  Human Figure-Students draw the human form, learning basic anatomy and utilizing the skeleton and live models. Use of all tools for accuracy and approaches is needed in responding to this complex subject matter.

All material contained here-in, subject to change at discretion of instructor.

Common Course Objectives (ACC Standardized)

• Students will analyze visual information in terms of proportional relationships, spatial relationships and basic geometric shapes in order to accurately depict objects and grouping of objects.
• Students will use shading (continuous tones, cross contour, cross hatching and stippling) to create the illusion of volume, depth, and the natural way light describes forms.
• Students will describe texture and organic rhythms drawing from still life objects and landscapes.
• Students will execute one and two point perspective drawings.
• Students will use a variety of tools and techniques spontaneously to interpret subjects in particular expressive ways.
• Students will discuss drawing using a commonly understood terminology.
• Students will make drawings from the human figure to depict anatomical relationships.
• Students will present their completed work in a professional manner.

Goals and Objectives (Instructor specific)

This course is designed as a16-week basic studio experience in drawing. Students will be required to complete a series of graduated exercises that will help to develop multiple approaches to drawing. Goals include:

• Compile a portfolio of finished drawings.  Each drawing must have the artist’s name, date, and medium used and written objective in the bottom right corner.
• Learn to utilize a sketch book.  A minimum of 60 pages must be completed by semester’s end for one letter grade.

All work must be presented professionally!  Clean and free of defects 

MATERIALS LIST