Art 120    Drawing I                         9-09                                                                  Instructor: Linda Thomas                

Bellevue College   Room C256                                                                    e-mail    lindthomas@aol.com
Fall Quarter 2009

 

                                                                               

Course information at: http://mybc.net  My Office C250B (top of spiral staircase) meetings by appointment and during class. The best way to reach me: lindthomas @ aol. com    SUBJECT LINE: Drawing.  I send important course information by e-mail; Please add this address to your contact list.

 

 

ART KIT for Drawing I. A custom art kit has been specially assembled for this class by the BCC art store staff. The art store is in the C Building hallway between the student lounge and the cafeteria.

Additional COSTS: art supplies, photocopies, museum fees, etc. There is not a required text

 

 

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 sequentially 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--demonstration or work time, and via e-mail. It is sometimes difficult to address questions as I’m setting up before class. Assignments and sketchbook are completed out of class; try to get comfortable with media and technique and ask questions before the weekend.

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Absolute beginners have the same chance to improve and do well in this class as the 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. Drawing is fun, but can also be frustrating.  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. Be patient with yourself. All in class drawings and homework may be done repeatedly to improve quality, demonstrate mastery of the skill and improve the grade.

 

AFIRMATION OF INCLUSION Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at BC, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.

 

CHECKLIST

·                Always have all art materials easily available for use during class (see lockers)

·                PUT YOUR NAME ON your art supplies and learn how to take care of them; they are costly

·                Remember to take your materials and personal belongings at the end of class.

·                Carry sketchbook habitually and draw from observation every chance you get

·                Check e-mail regularly and use the internet to access information artlex.com, chalkboard.com  

·                Hand in homework on time and present it for critique to earn full credit

·                Keep the syllabus handy and refer regularly to it for lesson summary, deadlines, requirements, etc.

·                Develop some tolerance for ambiguity

 

 

LOCKERS:  are shared with two classmates. 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.

 

OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs

are required to meet with the Director of the Disability Resource Center (in Room B132) to establish their eligibility for accommodation. Telephone: (425) 564-2498 or TTY (425) 564-4110. In addition, students are encouraged to review their accommodation requirements with each instructor the first week of the quarter.

 

STUDIO GUIDELINES

Arrive on time with art supplies and ideas.

Charcoal is messy. Wear old clothes/apron.

CLEAN UPTake full responsibility for yourself, clean and replace/return everything you use.

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. (listen to instruction/ student comments)

Please program-off cell phones, pagers, etc. unless emergency or on-call. No text-messaging during class

There will be a 10 - 15 minute break half way through class.

Please review Student Procedures and Expectations, Arts & Humanities Division on the BCC web site

 

STUDY GROUPS:. You will be asked to participate in a sketchbook/drawing group

 

ATTENDANCE: Because this is a studio class 100% attendance is required. Studio/class time is designated for practice of specific drawing skills, lectures and demonstration. Art is traditionally taught in a studio where an instructor can help you achieve the stated objectives. Learning and skill acquisition occur through class participation. If you work on other assignments, don’t participate, or leave early you may be considered absent for the day. Absence from class and arrive-late/leave-early incidents will directly affect your effort grade and your final grade. If you have an ill-timed, obligatory, “planned” absence, please inform me ASAP and reiterate the dates and specifics of your absence in writing via e-mail. Arrange to complete assignments and compensate for missed classes. Please ask instructor for missed handouts.

 

LATE to Class: I give instructions/demonstrations/handouts at the beginning of class. If you must be late consistently you should select another time. If you are late or absent you are responsible for all missed information, changes and assignments. Please get that information from a classmate, the syllabus, or a book.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR CREDIT :

 

1. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION (in-class, group work and critiques) see Studio Class Guidelines.

 

2. GRADED IN-CLASS work and PORTFOLIOS of in-class work (a stack of drawings collected/evaluated at mid-term and/or end). DO NOT include homework in the portfolio. Separate each drawing from drawing pad. Portfolios will not be accepted beyond one week after portfolio due date.

 

3. WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Complete 10 weekly homework assignments on 18”x 24” white drawing paper (unless instructed otherwise). Weekly assignments must be presented for critique. Label all homework with your name and HW # on back—in pencil. Please NO CHARCOAL ON BACK of drawings.

 

4. SKETCHBOOK: Draw only from observation. Avoid clichés. Develop a habit of consistent practice (20 minutes a day). Skip the first page. Draw only on one side of the page. Please number the back of each drawing. You may include date, place, time spent, subject, skills practiced, ideas generated. Aim for a total of 40 or more sketches  Your grade is based on quantity, effort, quality. Participation in a sketchbook Group will earn additional points.

        

5. MUSEUM VISIT: You may record the visit in your sketchbook. (You will tear it out and turn it in separately).  Attach your ticket/receipt, museum name, exhibition title, date. Important: write your comments about the art viewing experience. Include sketches of several preferred works of art with artist, title, medium and date. Grade will be averaged in with drawing assignments.

 6.  FINAL PROJECT: see weekly schedule

 

7.  KEEP ALL work until the final grade has been posted.

BC Art 120 Drawing I, Room C256                                                                Instructor: Linda Thomas

                                              APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE

 

Week 1                                  

Introductions. Information re: materials and the course, photos, questions, slides     

       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, drawing board.      

Homework #1  A. On 18” x 24” white paper. Sustained gesture drawing (10 min) of a plant, animal, or person.                                       Use the whole page with marks touching 4 edges of the paper.

                            B. Bring in sketchbook: Skip first page. Draw on only one side of the paper.

                                 Experiment with each of your drawing tools. Try gesture drawings and textures.

                      C. Bring in 4 small containers for water

                            (If HW # 1 is on time, complete and includes in-class modifications it earns an automatic “A” 3-8-4.0)

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Week 2           Texture. Line and Shape. Shape (rectilinear, curvilinear) (Continue Gesture)

                     Continuous line. Blind contour. Contour (LSD). Positive/negative shape.

                     Materials: Sharpie pen, glue stick, scissors

                     Contour Line and Positive/Negative space. Shape. Materials: sumi brush & ink.

 

Homework # 2   Texture Drawing. Draw a landscape from observation featuring a variety of textures.

       Criteria:    Use of whole page (2” margin) and extreme variety of visual textures from repetition of 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

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Week 3 (Continue Line) Measuring tools and perceptual grid

       Shape and Proportion. Relationship of parts to the whole. Accuracy through measurement.             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 (LSD)

         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.

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Week 4  Value. Light and Shade. Cross contour. Cross hatch. Gray scale. 

         Materials: gray paper and white soft pastel stick. Framing.

         Value. Chiaroscuro.  Shape into volume. 3-D Illusion. Modeling,

 

Homework # 4 Proportion and Perceptual Grid  Two drawings. Half sheet each 12” x 16” (vertical orientation)*.

1st Drawing: Set up 9 -13 bottles arranged into depth on a flat surface (36” deep or more). Use the perceptual grid process to locate the bottles in space. The drawn bottles will emerge concurrently with a visible web of vertical & horizontal search lines. Use basic linear perspective: overlapping, placement on the page, and diminishing size. The image should touch three sides of the paper and may be cropped. Medium: 6B pencil for 1st Drawing.

 

 2nd Drawing: On a window or light table, trace the outlines of bottles onto the 2nd half sheet. Develop the drawing further to make a pleasing image.  Medium: Your choice of B & W medium for 2nd Drawing.

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Week 5  DUE:   Museum visit. Please remove the pages from your sketch book, Include your name.              Atmospheric Perspective  Spatial illusion. 

         Clear/obscure, detail/plain, dark/light, saturated/neutral.

         Materials: sumi brush & ink. Leave margin of 1 ½ “ - 2” on paper. Problem: Interior/exterior.

 

Homework # 5   The Mysterious Wrapped Object. Use a white or light colored fabric to cover an intriguing object. Aim a strong light at the object. Obscure the object just enough to attract the viewer’s curiosity.  Use only value (no lines) to describe how light determines the illusion of 3-D volume.  Drawing tools: charcoal on white paper or white pastel on black paper 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.

 

BC Art 120 Drawing I, Room C256                                                                         Instructor: Linda Thomas

 

 

Week  6 DUE 1ST PORTFOLIO of in-class work.  

                       Linear Perspective. One point perspective. Hallway drawing.

                   Materials: Pencil, ruler, eraser

 

Homework # 6   Use Atmospheric perspective to create the illusion of depth in a landscape. You may      include a          childhood backyard memory. When using Sumi ink leave a 1 ½ margin on the paper.

         Criteria: Use of atmospheric perspective/consider whole page.

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­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Week 7           Linear Perspective 2-point    Video: Masters of Illusion.

                     Advanced Linear Perspective 3-pt., inclined planes, elipses, diminishing intervals 

 

Homework # 7  TBA

Include: A. 1 point perspective, B. basic linear devises: size, overlap, placement and C. illusion of volume to create the illusion of depth on a drawing.

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Week 8  DUE:  Sketch books.

                              

Homework # 8   2 Point Perspective Psychological Space. Do a tonal drawing of an interior or exterior of a      building in two-point perspective. Suggest strong feelings or sentiments by the use of visual devices (value,        light, contrast, space, etc.) Do not include human figures. Avoid ruler lines.

                     Criteria: Clear demonstration of two-point perspective, drawing quality and effort.

 

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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. Criteria: Quality and effort in relation to the degree of challenge. Final Project Handout.

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Week  9          High Contrast for Expression.  (skeleton) Formatting.

                 Materials: sumi brush & ink. or charcoal  /choice . 2 sheets of white paper taped together.

                     Pictorial Space. Abstraction. Contrast Visual shorthand: Thumbnail Project.

                     Simplify; eliminate detail. line, rhythm etc. take precedence over description.

                     Materials: black electrical tape, scissors

 

Homework # 9 High Contrast Drawing.  Use high contrast (black & white) to create drama and expression. First    manipulate representational images to develop abstracted solid black shapes that express fears or another          strong emotion. Materials: sumi ink, charcoal, conte.

         Criteria: Use of high contrast for expression.

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Week  10        DUE: IN-CLASS WORK (2ND  PORTFOLIO) 

         Portrait/figure. Video: Jim Dine: A Portrait on the Walls (?)

         Self-portrait. Use light and shade (tone) to render volume in the face

          

Homework #10 Self Portrait. Value. Expression. Create a mood. Self-portrait. Light and shade.

                     Materials: Bring a small mirror.    

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Finals week DUE: Final Critique. Final Project Due. 

                 Surrealism.Exquisite Corpse.     Composition: Scale.

                     Exaggerated scale. B & W Collage. Dream imagery, chance, and absurd juxtapositions

 

Work from week 11 and other work as directed.

Final Exam Time  TBA  Please pick up all work. Unfortunately, artwork not claimed will be discarded

 

 

 

 

 

BC Art 120 Drawing I                                                                                  Instructor: Linda Thomas

 

GRADES: If you work hard you will do well. Most students who attend every class session and complete all requirements on time can achieve a level of drawing that earns a B final grade.

 A” grade requires outstanding drawings, outstanding skills and demonstrated mastery of the objectives.

 

Class work and all other requirements will be evaluated and grades based on the following:

 

Effort: apparent in amount of work, practice, time commitment and engagement in daily activities

Quality of work—care taken (thinking, effort, exploration and use of techniques)

Completion of requirements

Individual progress (improvement and quality of investigation)

Proficiency in mastering course objectives as demonstrated in your drawings. Work will be evaluated in relation to skills and knowledge previously taught. It is expected that as the quarter progresses drawing skills improve.

 

All drawing work may be done repeatedly to improve the quality or demonstrate skill mastery.

Re-submit original HW and the re-do (labeled as “re-do”) together. Extra credit may be offered

for additional museum visits, art lectures, field trips, etc.

 

 

Basic Grading Formula 

Decimal Grades

Letter Grade       Equivalencies

Number Grade Equivalencies

3.8 - 4.0

A

97-100

3.4 - 3.7

A-

92 -96

3.1 - 3.3

B+

87-91

2.8 - 3.0

B

84-86

2.4 - 2.7

B-

80-83

2.1 - 2.3

C+

77-79

1.8 - 2.0

C

74-76

1.4 - 1.7

C-

70-73

1.2 - 1.3

D+

67-69

0.8 - 1.0

D

64-66

0.5 - 0.7

D-

60-63

0.0 - 0.4

E/F

57-59

 

40%      In-class work

15%      Effort, attendance, participation,

25%      Assignments (Drawing Homework and Museum visit)

15%      Sketchbook (and Sketchbook Group)

  5%      Final project

 

 

LATE Work. I ACCEPT LATE WORK. Late work will be lowered in grade by .5 and will take longer to grade and return. Late work can affect your effort grade. Homework not presented (hung) for critiques will be considered late and lowered in grade by .5 All late work must be in one week before the last class.

 

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.

 

“I” Grade or Incomplete. If an extended illness or specific emergency warrants an Incomplete grade, please notify your instructor before the final exam. 70% of course work must be completed for an Incomplete “I” grade.

 

 

Syllabus is subject to change at any time.                                                                                                  ÓLinda Thomas 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

BC  Art 120 Drawing I    Room C256                                                        Instructor: Linda Thomas                                           

Drawing Materials  (ART KIT available for Drawing I in the BCC Art Supply Store).

When shopping off campus ask about the student discount w/ID

 

ALWAYS have materials available for use during class. Lockers are provided for this purpose.

Write YOUR NAME on your art materials. Look in the emergency supply cupboard for lost materials.

 

REQUIRED SUPPLIES                                  ART SUPPLY STORES

 

 (first three items necessary for 2nd class)                              BCC Bookstore Art Store 

1.Drawing board  23" x 26" masonite with clips                                        in “C” Bldg. near cafeteria

2.Newsprint 18” x 24”  (100 sheets)                                                     Artist & Craftsman Supply

3.Char-kole brand compressed charcoal sticks ½ box             4350  8th Ave. NE, Seattle,  206-545-0091 

sketch book  spiral bound approx. 6 x 9” or  9x12” (50 sheets)             Dakota Art Supply  206-523-4830

18” x 24” white drawing paper pad (50 sheets) 60# or med. weight           6110 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle

willow or vine charcoal (soft)                                                             Daniel Smith, 15112 NE 24th St. Bellevue

Pink Pearl eraser (1 or 2)                                                                    (NE of Overlake Sears) 

EF Kneaded eraser (small)                                                                Daniel Smith, 4150 1st Ave. S, Seattle,

Black fine-tip Sharpie or flair pen                                                                                   206-223-9599

glue stick                               

drawing pencil (6B very soft)                                                     University Bookstore, 990 102nd NE Bellevue         Chinese round Sumi brush                                                                     425-462-4500

sumi ink (black) or water soluble black India ink                         Univ. Bookstore, 4326 Univ. Way NE, Seattle

1 sheet gray paper approx. 18” x 24”                                                       206-634-3400

1 sheet black paper approx. 18 x 24”

1 white soft/dry pastel stick                                                        Utrecht Art Supply Center, 1124 Pike, Seattle

1 plastic slide mount or cardboard “L” view finder                                       206-382-9696

5 recycled plastic containers (yogurt size) for water                                                   

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RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES/very useful

X-acto knife or scissors

clear plastic C-thru ruler 12” with protractor markings                                                                                                

container for supplies (shoe box, tool box, art bin, etc.)

portfolio (inexpensive paper or cardboard version

brown paper grocery sacks (large) or kraft paper

 

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OPTIONAL (NOT REQUIRED) SUPPLIES

apron

wet wipes for quick hand clean-up (charcoal mess)

disposable gloves (vinyl)

pencil sharpener

masking tape

toothbrush for spreading glue and/or cleaning brushes    

paper stumps

 

 

 

9/2009