Drawing I
Frederick Community College, Frederick MD (2012-2013)
Course Objectives
Students will develop skills in using different drawing mediums and approaches. This course emphasizes learning how to draw still life, landscape, drapery studies and experimental problems. Includes problems of scale and collage. Students will acquire a portfolio of drawings from studio work. Students must furnish supplies.
Core Learning Outcomes
Instructional Methods
Progress Reports
Students will receive some form of written assessment of their progress in the course no later than the seventh week of the semester.
Grading
In Class Work Portfolio 1: 10%
In Class Work Portfolio 2: 10%
In Class Work Portfolio 3: 10%
Museum Visit Write-up: 10%
Home Drawings: 60%
Extensions may be possible with prior conversations with me regarding your situation.
Any project accepted will not receive full credit and will be graded at my discretion.
Participation Policy
Participation: To maintain the highest quality of academic work, the course level class participation policy encourages and expects the student to participate fully in all course activities.
In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course.
A letter grade will be deducted from the student's final grade due to non- participation in each class missed beyond three (3).
Satisfactory Participation:
Cell Phones
Please turn off all phones while in the studio.
Extra Credit
Students may receive additional credit for attending an art event or local exhibition, lecture or art demonstration. Students must write a two-page critique of the event. See instructor for specific outline. One (1) extra credit project per student. Deadline for all extra credit is 2 weeks prior to last class.
Required Materials
Recommended Texts
Drawing Basics, Jacklyn St. Aubyn
The Pencil, Paul Calle
The Pastel Book, Bill Creev
Starting to Draw, Wendon Blake
Museum Visit Requirements
The student is asked to visit an Art Gallery or Museum, select a work of art and address the following questions. In the introduction of the written narrative, the student is to identify and briefly describe the location, and to include a copy of the image which is being critiqued and a postcard of the organization. The student may find the image in an Art History Text, on the Web or take a digital photograph of the image. The Student must provide the post card evidence of their on site visit. The written narrative will be at least 2 typed pages when completed.
Describe:
Academic Integrity
Students are required to uphold the Code of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Conduct. Students who violate either of these codes may receive a failing grade in the class. Information about these codes and other student policies, procedures, and penalties is available on the Student Policies and Procedures web page.
Included among dishonest behaviors in an academic setting are cheating (using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, materials, information, or study aids in an academic exercise), fabrication (falsifying or inventing information in an academic exercise), plagiarism(adopting or reproduction of ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment), interference (stealing, changing, destroying, or impeding another students work), and facilitating (intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another student commit an act of academic misconduct.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page.
Course Calendar
Week 1
Introduction:
Week 2: Line
In Class:
Check in on materials
Look at Homework 1
Drawing:
Week 3: Value
In Class:
Look at Homework 1
Demo:
Week 4: Geometry in Everyday Objects
In Class:
Homework 1 Critique
Drawing:
Week 5: Organic (Non-Geometric) Objects
In Class:
Look at Homework 2
Drawing:
Week 6: Texture in Organic Objects:
In Class:
Drawing:
MUST HAVE CHARCOAL FOR NEXT CLASS
Week 7: Charcoal Drawing Demos
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 1
Homework 3 Critique Questions
Charcoal Drawing: Demo and Instructions
Week 8: Break
Week 9: Chiaroscuro
In Class:
Homework 4 Critique: Questions
Lecture: Chiaroscuro
Drawing: Continue still life from last week
Museum Visit Assignment Due
Homework 5:
Week 10: Outdoor Drawing
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 2
Homework 9 Critique
Bring Drawing Boards Outside
Make View Finders
Outdoor Drawing Demo
Drawing:
Week 11: Expansive Landscape Drawing
In Class:
Bring Drawing Boards Outside
Make View Finders
Drawing:
Week 12: Self- Portraits
In Class:
Critique Homework 6
Set up 2 Easels per student
Homework 7: (two week project)
Week 13: Partner Portraits
Drawing: Partner Portraits
Homework 7: (continue two week project)
Week 14: Reflections and Transparencies
In Class:
Critique Homework 7
Reflections and Transparencies
Homework 8:
Week 15: Final
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 3
Critique Final Drawings - Homework 8
Watch Film
Grading Criteria
A: OUTSTANDING WORK!
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows exceptional attention to detail and excellent craftswo/manship demonstrates outstanding creativity and initiative
B: GOOD JOB! YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
Demonstrates a good understanding concepts and techniques presented shows attention to detail and commendable craftswo/manship demonstrates creativity and initiative.
C: YOU ARE DOING OK, BUT COULD BE DOING BETTER. ASK FOR HELP.
Demonstrates a base level understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows little attention to detail and lacking in craftswo/manship lacking in creativity and initiative.
D: POORLY EXECUTED.
Demonstrates no understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows no attention to detail and deficient craftswo/manship demonstrates no creativity or initiative.
F: NOT EXECUTED OR FRAUDULENT SUBMISSION.
Student does not attempt the course activity or submits a project which shows evidence of plagiarism, fraud, or copyright violation.
Examples of Student Work:
Students will develop skills in using different drawing mediums and approaches. This course emphasizes learning how to draw still life, landscape, drapery studies and experimental problems. Includes problems of scale and collage. Students will acquire a portfolio of drawings from studio work. Students must furnish supplies.
Core Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate college-level communication skill:Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret both written and oral presentations in English. Students will continue to develop and enhance their communication skills through the visual language of drawing.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills: Students will demonstrate a disposition toward critical thinking in their choices of media, subject and technical approach to drawing. Students will solve a series of conceptual and observational assignments using creative thinking and originality.
- Students will display general knowledge and historical awareness: Students will demonstrate a knowledge of and appreciation for American culture as expressed in the visual arts. Students will continue to use a variety of materials and media that visual artists throughout history have used to execute their work.
- Students will understand and be able to interpret social and educational values: Students will value the importance and responsibility of the individual. Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze, compare, and critique drawings that they, their peers and other artists have created.
- Students will be able to make informed critical responses to the arts and to the human values expressed in all art forms: Students will demonstrate an awareness of the visual arts as both a record and a reflection of our culture. Students will recognize that the visual arts provide opportunities for self-expression and personal growth.
Instructional Methods
- Lecture/discussion with audiovisual material (slides/videos/CDs).
- Readings from recommended texts and other suggested sources.
- Students produce drawings that interpret and expand upon the ideas and assignments introduced by the instructor.
- Individual and group critiques serve to analyze the work produced and enhance the student's understanding of the concepts and physical skills that constitute each drawing assignment
Progress Reports
Students will receive some form of written assessment of their progress in the course no later than the seventh week of the semester.
Grading
In Class Work Portfolio 1: 10%
In Class Work Portfolio 2: 10%
In Class Work Portfolio 3: 10%
Museum Visit Write-up: 10%
Home Drawings: 60%
Extensions may be possible with prior conversations with me regarding your situation.
Any project accepted will not receive full credit and will be graded at my discretion.
Participation Policy
Participation: To maintain the highest quality of academic work, the course level class participation policy encourages and expects the student to participate fully in all course activities.
In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course.
A letter grade will be deducted from the student's final grade due to non- participation in each class missed beyond three (3).
Satisfactory Participation:
- Present at start time of the class
- Attending class for the entire duration of the class
- Bringing all supplies and reference materials to class
- Actively working on projects to completion
- Taking notes
- Listening attentively and silently to presentations and explanations
- Participating in activities assigned by the instructor
- Voluntarily participation in class critiques and discussions
- Working in groups as assigned by the instructor
Cell Phones
Please turn off all phones while in the studio.
Extra Credit
Students may receive additional credit for attending an art event or local exhibition, lecture or art demonstration. Students must write a two-page critique of the event. See instructor for specific outline. One (1) extra credit project per student. Deadline for all extra credit is 2 weeks prior to last class.
Required Materials
- Drawing Pad, 18x24 (rough surface)
- Pentalic Woodless Pencils, Grumbacher – 2B, 4B, 6B, and 8B (1 – 2 each)
- Venus or Staedtler Pencils – 4H, 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B (an 8 if you come across them) (1 – 2 each)
- Colored Pencils
- Kneaded Eraser
- Pink Pearl Eraser
- Blending Tools: Tortillons (a.k.a. paper stumps), paper towels, chamois cloth, Q- tips, and the like
- Masking Tape
- Charcoal – soft or extra soft and hard
- Drawing Board (for home use)
- Mirror: 8"x10" minimum
- White Chalk/Charcoal
- Multi Colored Construction Paper
Recommended Texts
Drawing Basics, Jacklyn St. Aubyn
The Pencil, Paul Calle
The Pastel Book, Bill Creev
Starting to Draw, Wendon Blake
Museum Visit Requirements
The student is asked to visit an Art Gallery or Museum, select a work of art and address the following questions. In the introduction of the written narrative, the student is to identify and briefly describe the location, and to include a copy of the image which is being critiqued and a postcard of the organization. The student may find the image in an Art History Text, on the Web or take a digital photograph of the image. The Student must provide the post card evidence of their on site visit. The written narrative will be at least 2 typed pages when completed.
Describe:
- The presentation & context of the work(s) of art using the appropriate arts vocabulary
- The elements of the work of art
- The emotional value of a work of art
- The artist's intent
- The creative quality of the work of art
- The execution of the work of art
- The personal impact of the work of art
- The link between the work of art & the human condition
Academic Integrity
Students are required to uphold the Code of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Conduct. Students who violate either of these codes may receive a failing grade in the class. Information about these codes and other student policies, procedures, and penalties is available on the Student Policies and Procedures web page.
Included among dishonest behaviors in an academic setting are cheating (using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, materials, information, or study aids in an academic exercise), fabrication (falsifying or inventing information in an academic exercise), plagiarism(adopting or reproduction of ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment), interference (stealing, changing, destroying, or impeding another students work), and facilitating (intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another student commit an act of academic misconduct.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page.
Course Calendar
Week 1
Introduction:
- Course Description
- Materials
- What is Art?
- What is Drawing?
- On Site Gallery or Museum Visit
- 8 Home Drawings
- Still life based in rule of thirds
- Blind Contour Drawings
- Contour Drawing Demo
- Contour Drawing Practice
- Focus on Proportion of objects to one another
- Situation of objects in space
- Buy materials
- Do Basic Contour Drawings of 5 of your most important objects
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on too
Week 2: Line
In Class:
Check in on materials
Look at Homework 1
Drawing:
- Students set up still life from object in cabinet
- Balance? Strength of composition
- Line drawings again for first half of class
- Demonstration in the behavior of light
- Identify light source
- Always moves in a straight line
- Darkest on opposite side of the light source
- In class practice identifying darkest areas and using dark lines to indicate darkest areas
- Pick favorite line drawing to line with sharpie and enhance with thicker lines
- Continue working on your 5 object still life
- Light and dark line emphasizing space
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
- Draw surface textures and details
Week 3: Value
In Class:
Look at Homework 1
Demo:
- Lesson in creating Value Scales: High and Low Key Values, Value Transitions
- Create Value Scales Together: Using Graphite Stick Pencil/Woodless
- Create 3 Different Value Scales: 1 with 3 Variations, 1 with 5 Variations and one with 7 Variations
- Review the behavior of light
- Geometric Still life set-up (simple tubes and boxes)
- Light with single light source
- Start with contour drawings of Geometric Set-up
- Add shading to 5 object drawing with different blending techniques
- Light and dark line emphasizing space and capturing cast shadows, paying attention to value differences.
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
Week 4: Geometry in Everyday Objects
In Class:
Homework 1 Critique
Drawing:
- Stack of Books Still life in the round
- Think of these as cubes
- Cube Drawing Demonstration
- See book page 36
- Double Light source
- NO WHITE SPACE ON PAGE
- Start with contours focusing on proportion and placement
- Shading and value attention
- 5 Value tones
- Pay attention to darks being DARK and lights being LIGHT
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
- 1 Drawing made up of relatively geometric shapes
- At least 3 Objects
- Value in 7 different tones
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
Week 5: Organic (Non-Geometric) Objects
In Class:
Look at Homework 2
Drawing:
- Organic Shape Still life
- Look at the basic shapes that make up these objects
- Draw shapes first with 4B pencil
- See book page 36
- Double Light source
- Use WHOLE PAGE
- NO WHITE SPACE ON PAGE
- Start with contours focusing on proportion and placement
- Use your woodless pencil and softer pencils to shade and add value transitions
- Line variation, shading and value attention
- Pay attention to darks being DARK and lights being LIGHT
- Shade in your DARKS first
- 1 drawing: Composition of 5 objects:
- 1 plant
- 1 natural object that is NOT a plant
- 3 other objects that are MEANINGFUL TO YOU
- REMEMBER COMPOSITIONAL ELEMETS: Height variation and Balance
- ZOOM IN!
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
Week 6: Texture in Organic Objects:
In Class:
Drawing:
- Same Still life as last week
- Adding and working with Texture in Organic Shape Still life
- Keeping attention on Light source
- Values stay in consideration
- Use a range of pencils to give textural variation
- 1 drawing: Composition of 5 objects:
- 1 plant
- 1 natural object that is NOT a plant
- 3 other objects that are MEANINGFUL TO YOU
- REMEMBER COMPOSITIONAL ELEMETS: Height variation and Balance
- ZOOM IN!
- Need to be on 18x24" paper
- Use full space of each sheet – Not tiny drawings in the corners!
- Draw the surfaces they sit on
MUST HAVE CHARCOAL FOR NEXT CLASS
Week 7: Charcoal Drawing Demos
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 1
Homework 3 Critique Questions
Charcoal Drawing: Demo and Instructions
- Tools
- Charcoal pencils vs. Sticks
- Soft vs. Hard Charcoal
- Paper Stumps
- Q-tips, tissues, misc tools
- Coarse toothed paper (to hold the charcoal)
- Workable fixatives
- Techniques
- Value variation with charcoal
- Stumps and charcoal
- Blending with charcoal
- Removing value with charcoal
- NEW STILL LIFE: GEOMETRIC AGAIN FOR PRECISION
- Contour drawing with Charcoal
- Value Scales in Charcoal
- Texturizing with charcoal
- 2 Drawings
- Pick Items from your Kitchen
- Both geometric and organic in shape
- Place them on a counter top or some surface with some character (tile counter? table cloths?)
- 2 Drawings at 2 Different Angles
- FILL THE PAGE!!
- NO WHITE SPACE!
Week 8: Break
Week 9: Chiaroscuro
In Class:
Homework 4 Critique: Questions
Lecture: Chiaroscuro
Drawing: Continue still life from last week
Museum Visit Assignment Due
Homework 5:
- Home Chiaroscuro Drawing
- DRAMATIC lighting set-up with lots of DARK darks and a few Highlights
- ZOOM IN!
- 9"x 9" square
- FILL THE SQUARE!
- NO WHITE SPACE!
Week 10: Outdoor Drawing
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 2
Homework 9 Critique
Bring Drawing Boards Outside
Make View Finders
Outdoor Drawing Demo
Drawing:
- Outdoor still life with natural lighting and setting
- In charcoal
- Keep it LIGHT!
- Not TOO DARK!
- 1 drawing – exterior landscape considering value, texture, perspective.
Week 11: Expansive Landscape Drawing
In Class:
Bring Drawing Boards Outside
Make View Finders
Drawing:
- Outdoor landscape drawing with natural lighting and setting
- In charcoal
- Keep it LIGHT!
- Not TOO DARK!
- 1 drawing – exterior landscape considering value, texture, perspective.
Week 12: Self- Portraits
In Class:
Critique Homework 6
Set up 2 Easels per student
- 1 for mirror
- 1 for drawing pad
- Demo: Drawing Faces
- book pages 62-65
- Circle shape first
- Placement of features
- Contours of head and features
- LIGHTLY!
- Adding Value moments and transitions for shape
Homework 7: (two week project)
- Finish Self Portrait
Week 13: Partner Portraits
Drawing: Partner Portraits
Homework 7: (continue two week project)
- Continue Self-Portrait
Week 14: Reflections and Transparencies
In Class:
Critique Homework 7
Reflections and Transparencies
Homework 8:
- Work on Final Drawing: your choice.
- Must show your understanding of line, value, depth of space, tone, composition
- 9"x 12" Rectangle
Week 15: Final
In Class:
Turn in Portfolio 3
Critique Final Drawings - Homework 8
Watch Film
Grading Criteria
A: OUTSTANDING WORK!
Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows exceptional attention to detail and excellent craftswo/manship demonstrates outstanding creativity and initiative
B: GOOD JOB! YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
Demonstrates a good understanding concepts and techniques presented shows attention to detail and commendable craftswo/manship demonstrates creativity and initiative.
C: YOU ARE DOING OK, BUT COULD BE DOING BETTER. ASK FOR HELP.
Demonstrates a base level understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows little attention to detail and lacking in craftswo/manship lacking in creativity and initiative.
D: POORLY EXECUTED.
Demonstrates no understanding of concepts and techniques presented shows no attention to detail and deficient craftswo/manship demonstrates no creativity or initiative.
F: NOT EXECUTED OR FRAUDULENT SUBMISSION.
Student does not attempt the course activity or submits a project which shows evidence of plagiarism, fraud, or copyright violation.
Examples of Student Work:
