ARTS211: Drawing I

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/08/2024

Course Description

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Drawing is one of the fundamental elements of visual thinking; it involves both an overt process of thought and the progressive development of the student’s skill. Becoming an accomplished draughtsman remains foundational to nearly all other disciplines in visual communication arts—in theory and in practice.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to post an original image followed by a response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each post must be at least 150 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the post, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ posts. Each reply must be at least 100 words.

Warm-Up/Free Drawing Assignment

This project is an exploration of different sorts of stylistic mark-making. More precise directions are to be found on page 4 of DRAWING: A Sketch and Textbook by Lazzari, Schlesier, and Schlesier. The student will upload a photograph of the completed assignment.

Basic Still Life Drawing Assignment

Using vine and compressed charcoal and newsprint, the student will make a series of 8 quick sketches of individual, everyday objects based on the basic geometric shapes. The student will spend 15 minutes per sketch, then upload a photograph of the completed assignment.

Contour Drawings Assignment

These exercises are designed to enhance visual sensitivity as well as hand/eye coordination. The student will make 3 drawings using different kind of lines, then upload photographs of the completed assignment.

Space and Perspective Drawing Assignment

The student will create 4 drawings for this assignment. The student will create a sphere, a spherical object, and 3 cubes in linear perspective. Additionally, the student will compose a cubic still life drawing. Once completed, the student will upload photographs of the assignment.

Drapery Drawing Assignment

This assignment will introduce the student to the anatomy of drapery, as well as to the study of light and shade, value shifts, and contrast. The student will complete a value-study drawing of a piece of drapery as well as a drapery still life. The student will upload a photograph of his/her completed assignment.

Profile Portrait Drawing Assignment

Advanced Portrait Drawing/Value Study Assignments (2)

Advanced Portrait Drawing/Value Study Assignment

These exercises present the discipline of copying self-portraits of both Käthe Kollwitz and Umberto Boccioni. The student will use charcoal for the Kollwitz reproduction and graphite for the Boccioni reproduction. The student will upload photographs of the completed assignment.

Advanced Portrait Drawing/Value Study Self-Portrait Assignment

The student will conclude his/her study of the portrait by executing 2 original self-portraits. The student will create 2 self-portrait drawings/value studies by using 2 different types of drawing media, and upload a photograph of the completed assignment.

Analysis Paper Assignment

The student will choose 1 artwork from a list of options and develop an Analysis Paper Assignment of at least 2 pages that describes the techniques and principles of drawing as they are used in the chosen piece. The paper must be in current MLA format and must cite three scholarly references.

Quizzes (7)

Each quiz will cover the Textbook Material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open–notes, contain 10 multiple choice and/or true false questions, allow 1 attempt, and have a 20–minute time limit.