Art 120 Drawing I Winter
’06 Mon. & Wed. 4:30-7:20 Instructor: Linda Thomas Bellevue Community
College Room C256 e-mail
lindthomas@aol.com
How to contact your
instructor. Office C250B
(top of spiral staircase) by appointment and during class.
The best way to reach me: e-mail to: lindthomas
@ aol. com Important : write in subject
line: BCC Drawing.
I often send information by e-mail throughout the quarter. Many
accounts (e.g. hotmail/yahoo) deposit unknown addresses into the trash. You
must add my address to your address book to get my messages.
If you have not received an
e-mail from me by the 2nd week, e-mail lindthomas@aol.com to inquire.
Course Description: You will draw primarily from
observation. Instruction and exploration will focus on foundation level
techniques, wet and dry media, and graphic concepts to develop drawing skills
and visual thinking. In-class exercises are designed to improve your ability to
see, expand visual literacy and encourage creative expression. An important
goal is to learn the established visual language and combine it with “your own
voice” for more effective communication. Examples from art history will be used
to illustrate topics.
Educational Outcomes for Art 120 Drawing: Student’s increased development of the
following abilities:
to see & accurately translate formal components
of a subject, with correct scale, proportion & contour
to translate visual images with contour
line only
to observe and translate light and shadow
on a subject by using a wide range of values
to create the illusion of advanced space
in a drawing via atmospheric perspective
to observe and translate an applicable
interior space with one point perspective
to analyze and verbally articulate
drawing objectives in a formal critique/review process
YOUR QUESTIONS
I appreciate questions. Please ask questions during
class lessons, demonstrations, work time, at break, during office hours, and
via e-mail. It is sometimes inconvenient to respond to questions before class
when I’m setting up the room.
Absolute
beginners have the same chance to improve and do well in this class as a more
experienced student. I aim to alleviate performance anxiety (AKA: fear of white
paper and charcoal-a-phobia). Normal inhibitions about drawing can be overcome.
I support sincere attempts and I emphasize process, persistence and hard work. I hope to inspire imagination, invention and
experimentation.
Everyone has to practice
a lot to master skills and techniques. You will gain confidence in your drawing abilities as your skills
develop through practice. Drawing
takes a lot of time and patience. Some
individuals may have “natural facility” or more drawing experience; however
talent is nothing without work. Drawing is fun, but
it can also be frustrating. Be patient with yourself. All drawings including homework may be
done repeatedly to improve quality, demonstrate mastery of skill and improve
the grade.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some advice for preparation and success in this 3 hour class
______Always have all art materials
easily available for use during class (see lockers)
______Put your name on all your art
materials and remember them at the end of class.
______Have access to e-mail and check it
regularly
______Use the internet to access art
information and terms, especially: artlex.com
______Carry sketchbook habitually and
draw from observation every chance you get
______Hand in homework on time and
present homework drawings for critique
______Refer regularly
to the syllabus for lesson summary, deadlines, requirements, etc.
______Develop some
tolerance for ambiguity
STUDY GROUPS: Research shows that students who study together do better.
Therefore you are encouraged to participate in a drawing group and join at
least one other person in an art partnership.
BCC Art 120 Drawing I, Room C256
Instructor:
LOCKERS: You will need to share a locker with two
other people. Write names/class on the label on the front of the locker. You or
your locker-mates must provide a lock. Be sure to remove your materials by the
last class.
STUDIO CLASS GUIDELINES
Arrive on time with materials and ideas.
Studio/class time is for practice of specific drawing skills and
exercises.
If
you work on other assignments, don’t participate, or leave early you may be
considered absent for the day.
Your participation in class critiques will add
to the effectiveness of this course.
Maintain academic honesty; plagiarism is
intellectual theft.
Maintain appropriate behavior in
class—treat everyone with respect.
Please program-off cell phones, pagers, etc. unless necessary due
to emergency or on-call.
There will be a 10 - 15 minute break half way through class.
Please review Student
Procedures and Expectations, Arts
& Humanities Division on the web at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.html
or you may request a hard copy.
ATTENDANCE: Since much of the learning will occur
through class participation, attendance is most important.
Art
is traditionally taught in a studio where an instructor can help in your
achievement of stated objectives.
After
two unexcused absences, please arrange a conference with me to see whether you
will be able to succeed in this course. I invite you to e-mail or call me
206-633-0967 if you have an emergency or illness. 100% attendance assures the benefit of lectures, slide presentations,
assignments, directions and critiques.
Absence from class will affect your grade unless the missed
material has been adequately made up.
LATE to Class: I generally give instructions/demonstrations/handouts at the
beginning of class. If you must be late consistently you will miss significant
instruction and should consider a better time. If you are late or absent you are responsible for all missed information, changes and assignments. Please search
out that information from another student, the syllabus, or drawing book.
Please ask instructor for specific handouts.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CREDIT :
1. Attendance and participation (draw
in-class, group work and critiques)
2. Complete weekly assignments and final
project. on 18”x 24” drawing paper (unless noted) Name/assignment # on
back--Please NO CHARCOAL ON BACK of drawings.
3. Present
Weekly assignments for critique. Due
Wednesdays
4. Sketchbook. Consistent practice (20 minutes a day) outside of class.
Date & label.
Sketch
book grade is based on the number
of drawings from observation and
effort.
Do
not use sketchbooks in class unless directed to do so. Use only one side of the
paper.
5. Visit one museum. Record the exhibit visit at
the end of your sketch book. Include: name of museum, postcard/ticket, date,
your comments, sketch of art,
artist, title, medium
6. In-class work will be collected/evaluated at
mid-term and end. (Separate each sheet from tablet)
7. KEEP ALL
work until the final grade has been posted.
If you require accommodation based on a documented disability,
have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in
case of emergency evacuation; please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible. If you would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student you may
call 425-564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services)
reception area in B132.
BCC Art 120 Drawing I Instructor:
GRADES: Class work and all other requirements will be evaluated and
grades based on the following:
Effort. Amount of work and practice (time commitment)
Quality of work—care taken (thinking,
effort, exploration and use of techniques)
Process and authentic engagement in daily
activities
Completion of requirements
Individual progress (improvement and
quality of investigation)
It is expected that as the quarter
progresses your ability to draw will improve. Work will be evaluated and graded
more strenuously in relation to the demonstration of skills and knowledge taught
in class.
All drawing work may be done repeatedly to improve the quality or
demonstrate skill mastery.
Label homework with your name and HW #. Re-submit original HW #and
re-do HW# together, labeled as “re-do”.
If you work hard you will do well.
Most students who have attended every class session and completed all of
the requirements on time are able to achieve a level of drawing that earns a B
final grade.
Persons
who extend a reasonable effort and meet all the requirements should be able to
attain a “C” level.
“A” grade requires outstanding drawings,
outstanding skills and demonstrated mastery of the objectives.
“B” grade requires a reasonably complete
mastery of the drawing objectives.
“C” grade signifies that you are
competent in your abilities to carry out the drawing objectives.
|
Decimal Grades |
Letter Grade
Equivalencies |
Number Grade Equivalencies |
|
3.9 - 4.0 |
A |
97-100 |
|
3.5 - 3.8 |
A- |
92 -96 |
|
3.2 - 3.4 |
B+ |
87-91 |
|
2.9 - 3.1 |
B |
84-86 |
|
2.5 - 2.8 |
B- |
80-83 |
|
2.2 - 2.4 |
C+ |
77-79 |
|
1.9 - 2.1 |
C |
74-76 |
|
1.5 - 1.8 |
C- |
70-73 |
|
1.2 - 1.4 |
D+ |
67-69 |
|
0.9 - 1.1 |
D |
64-66 |
|
0.7 - 0.8 |
D- |
60-63 |
|
0.0 - 0.6 |
E/F |
57-59 |
40% In-class work
15% Attendance, participation,
effort
25% Drawing Assignments
(Homework)
15% Sketchbook
including (museum & written work)
5 % Final project
“I” Grade or Incomplete. If an extended illness or specific
emergency warrants an Incomplete grade, you will need to notify your
instructor. 70% of course work must be completed for an Incomplete “I” grade.
Late Work. I ACCEPT ALL LATE WORK. Late Work will be
lowered in grade by .3 and may take longer to grade and return. More
than one late work affects your effort grade
Work not presented (hung)
for homework critiques will be considered late and lowered in grade by .3
Missing Work. Missing work receives an “F” or 0 points. Don’t expect an “A” grade if you have
missing work or habitually late work.
BCC Art 120 Drawing I, Room C256
Instructor:
Week 1
Day 1 Introductions.
Information re: materials and the course, photos, questions, slides
Day 2 Line. Gesture Drawing: mass, line, scribbled and sustained. Texture: tactile and visual. Collaborate:
Mark making, frottage, line, texture—imaginary landscape
Materials: charcoal,
newsprint, drawing paper. Wear old clothes/apron.
Homework #1 A dozen(12) gesture drawings of people/animals
done in your sketchbook, 2- 3 to a page.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 2
Texture. Line and Shape. Shape
(rectilinear, curvilinear)
Day 1 Continuous line. Blind contour. Contour. Positive/negative shape.
Materials: Sharpie pen, glue stick,
scissors
Day
2 Contour
Line and Positive/Negative space. Shape. Materials: sumi brush & ink.
Homework # 2
Due next Wed. Draw a landscape from observation featuring a variety
of textures.
Criteria:
Use of whole page and extreme variety of visual/surface textures from
line/marks.
Texture = 1. visual = pattern on the surface
created by repetition of marks and frottage
2. tactile/ physical = actual
raised dimension on the surface
3. illusion of texture = the
representation of the look of skin, feathers, fabric, glass, etc.
Line =
solid /broken, scratchy, straight/curvy, fast/slow, thick/thin
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week
3 Measuring tools.
Day
1 Shape and Proportion.
Relationship of parts to the whole. Accuracy through
measurement. Day 2 Basic Linear
Perspective. Diminishing size,
overlapping, placement.
Spatial relationships.
Locate objects in space; foreground, middle ground, background.
Homework # 3: Contour drawing of a room in your
house. Observe carefully and use a controlled (slow moving) line. Deliberately
vary the line to include thick/ thin, dark /light and
horizontals/verticals/diagonals. Criteria: Contour line only, effort, quality,
use whole page.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 4 Value. Light and Shade. Cross
contour. Cross hatch. Gray scale.
Day 1 Materials: gray paper and
white soft pastel stick. Framing.
Day 2 Value. Chiaroscuro. Shape into volume. 3-D Illusion. Modeling,
Homework # 4 Demonstrate relative proportion and basic
linear perspective in a still life drawing. Use overlapping & diminishing
size to locate objects in space. Depict foreground, middle ground and
background.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 5
Atmospheric /Linear Perspective Spatial
illusion.
Day 1 Clear/obscure,
detail/plain, dark/light, saturated/neutral.
Day
2 Atmospheric
Perspective.
Materials:
sumi brush & ink. Problem: Interior/exterior.
Homework # 5 Arrange a still life of variously shaped, white
or light colored objects (eggs, dishes, etc) on a mid-value surface. Aim a strong
light at the objects. Use only value (no
lines) to describe how light determines the illusion of 3-D volume. Drawing tools: charcoal and eraser.
Criteria: Use of subtle modeling from
light to dark to create volume and a broad range of values, absence of line,
and use of entire page.
_______________________________________________________________________________________.
Week 6 Linear Perspective. One point perspective.
Day 1 Hallway
drawing. Materials: Pencil,
ruler, eraser
Day
2 DUE
1st Portfolio of in-class
work. Linear Perspective. One point perspective
Homework # 6 Use
atmospheric perspective to create the illusion of depth in a landscape. You may
Include
childhood
backyard memory. Criteria: Use of atmospheric perspective/consider whole page.
BCC Art 120 Drawing I, Room C256 Instructor:
Homework # 7 The main subject
of your drawing will be a house or building exterior drawn in two-point perspective. You may include
texture on bldg. or in vegetation. Avoid visible ruler lines. Criteria: Clear
demonstration of two-point perspective technique.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 8 DUE: Sketch books. Museum visits included.
Day 1 High Contrast
for Expression.
(skeleton)
Materials:
sumi brush & ink. or
charcoal /choice . Formatting.
Simplify;
eliminate detail. line, rhythm etc. take precedence over description.
Materials: black electrical tape, scissors
Homework # 8 Use high contrast to create drama and
expression in a drawing.
Criteria:
Use of high contrast for expression.
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Looking Ahead--Final
Project: Produce
Two drawings related
to one another in some way. Define
your own drawing challenge based on two class lessons. Submit brief
proposal by e-mail. (Highly recommended for ID students: Draw a grand interior public space. Accurately depict
perspective, proportion and scale.)
Criteria: Quality and effort in relation to the degree of
challenge. Final Project Handout.
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Week 9 Composition. Unity. . Balance.
Asymmetry/symmetry.
Day 1 Repetition of elements. Materials: sumi ink,
brush, containers.
Bring an object you want
to draw. Drawing groups determine set up
Day
2 Composition. Unity. Volume vs. line Create
a mood. High/key or low/key
Recognize
value as shape and surface pattern. Use value to create balance.
Homework # 9 Achieve
unity in the composition through
repetition of elements, a consistent drawing style and handling of materials. Develop
a balanced, asymmetrical composition.
Include several things with similar shape (e.g a group of animals, plants,
trees, dishes, etc).Wet or dry media.
Criteria:
unity and asymmetrical balance, consideration of whole page, and quality.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Week
10 Portrait.
Day 1 Portrait/figure. Video: Jim
Dine: A Portrait on the Walls
DUE: In-class work (2nd Portfolio)
Materials: Bring a small mirror.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 11
Day 1 Surrealism.Exquisite Corpse.
Composition:
Scale. Exaggerated scale. B & W
Collage. Dream imagery, chance, absurd juxtapositions
Day 2 DUE: Final Critique. Final
Project Due. Work from week 11
and other work as directed.
Syllabus is subject to
change at any time. Ó