Beginning Course Syllabus

Fan Lee Warren Laney College

Art Department Fall 2017

Classroom AC125 Wed. 12:00 pm-5: 50 -3: 50 pm

Office Location: AC125A Office Hours: Wed. 11:00am-12:00 pm

Office Phone: 510 464 3266 Email: fwarren@peralta.edu

Drawing Composition

Art 20- Beginning

Course Syllabus

“Drawing not only develops hand -eye coordination, it teaches one to really observe, to see, as nothing else ever will.  Nancy Marulewicz

Course Description:

This is an introductory course that explores the basic principles and elements of composing drawings using a variety of exercises and techniques. The exploration of line, value, form, shape, spatial development and composition will be emphasized. Drawings will be created from observation and exploration of still life, interiors, landscapes and the figure.

Course Objectives:

1. The class goals include learning to allow the creative part of our minds to create more freely, while learning basic techniques of drawing.

2. This course will explore theory and the practice of drawing and composition.

3. Beginning problems will be structured into fundamentals exercises.

Student Learning Objectives:

1. Student will be able to comprehend and execute the basic principles of composing a drawing using traditional drawing techniques.

2. Students will be able to observe and illustrate 3 dimensional objects using light and shadow.

4. Students will have a portfolio of drawing for educational assessment and student exhibitions.

Class Procedures & Policies:

Assignments

Drawing assignments will be given weekly. You will be required to use time in class and outside of class to complete the assigned work. The more you draw the more you will learn and build your drawing skills. Assignments are given with a specific due date. If the class is working more quickly or slowly the due date will be revised. If you have any questions about an assignment or don’t understand the instructions… please ask questions.

Class Blog

http://drawingandcomposition.blogspot.com

The class blog contains information and demonstrations about each drawing assignment.

Critiques

On the day an assignment is due we will have a critique. It is required that you attend and participate in all critiques. Do not miss critiques, even if you have not finished an assignment. It is mandatory to put up your work to receive credit for your participation. Any and all critiques are about the work. It is your opportunity to talk, ask questions and receives feedback about your drawings from your classmates and instructor. It is important to hear what is said about other work and that you offer your own ideas. Private conversations or texting during critique are inappropriate. If you want to rework a drawing based on comments offered during critique, you are welcome and encouraged to do so. You can resubmit work at any time to try and improve your grade.

Participation and Attendance

You are strongly encouraged to attend all classes as participation crucial to your success as well as your grade. This is a studio class and drawing is a hands on activity. What you miss can never really be made up. If you miss a class, you are responsible for finding out what material was covered and making up any assignments. This means coming directly to the instructor and/or speaking with a classmate who understands instructions completely. Come to class on time. The accumulation of 3 occurrences of tardiness (10 minutes late or more) or early departures (10 minutes early or more) will be the equivalent of (1) absence. Classes often begin with a lecture, demonstration or important announcements. Please be on time and expect to stay until the end of class. You are permitted one 15 minute break during the class period. Please make sure not to take this break during a critique, discussion and/or demonstration. An accumulation of 8 or more absences will result in failure.

Grading:

Grades are based on your ability to meet the following criteria:

1.Quality of your work - effort and enthusiasm visible in your work, timely completion and thoughtful presentation of your work and the careful organization of your work for midterm and final reviews.

“Excellent, inspired” work is graded with an A

“Good” work is graded with a B

“Average” work is graded with a C

2. Verbal and physical participation in class and critiques.

3. Preparedness for the completion of assignments and class work.

4. Regular attendance: Each absence after the 3 allowed absences reduces the overall grade

by a third of a point: (for example: An A becomes an A- an A- becomes a B+)

5. Evidence of growth and improvement- including effective demonstration of techniques and concepts discussed and/or demonstrated.

Midterm Review

At midterm, your work will be reviewed to access your work / progress. Please keep all of your work for this review.

Final Critique

There will be a mandatory final critique at the end of the term. Your final drawings should be complete and ready for presentation for this critique. During this critique we may have a class potluck.

Course Schedule

Introductions- Review Syllabus and Materials list HW: Buy materials

Slide Lecture: Drawing and Composition

Compositional Sketching and Contour Line Drawing HW: Continue and complete: Contour Line - bring an object to draw for next class

Slide Lecture: Critique: Blind Contour Line

Lecture: Composition: Line

Explore Lines: have an object to draw HW: Continue and complete: Line Exercise

Slide Lecture: Critique: Out line/ Gesture

Lecture: Composition: Gesture

Explore Lines: Hatching and cross from previous drawings HW: Continue Gesture drawing

Critique: Hatching &Cross Hatching Exercise

Lecture: Composition using 3 or more line technique

Compositional Play- Abstraction HW: Continue and complete assignment from class

Critique: Composition using 3 or more line technique

Lecture: Negative Space

Negative Space-charcoal drawings in class exercise HW: Continue negative space sketches for final drawings- bring in photographic resources

Critique: Negative space sketches

Begin Final Negative Space Drawings-

HW: Continue negative-have a photograph as a resource

Critique: Negative space drawing

Continue Negative space Drawing

Midterm Reviews: Individual Presentation of Completed Assignments

Slide Lecture: Value and Form

Value Scale Exercise HW: Continue Exercise

Critique: Value Scale Exercise

Value and Shading Drawing of a Still life HW: Continue Drawing

Critique: Value Drawing of a Still life

Slide Lecture: Tonal Ground, Subtractive Charcoal Drawing

Value and Form: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing in class still life

HW: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing,

Critique: Value Drawing of a Still life

Slide Lecture: Tonal Ground, Subtractive Charcoal Drawing

Value and Form: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing in class still life

HW: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing,

Critique: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing

Continue Value and Form: Subtractive Charcoal Drawing

HW: complete subtractive homework

Assignment

Critique: Subtractive Drawings

Lecture: Drawing the Light, Drawing with White

Drawing the Light, Drawing with White in class drapery still life

HW: White object on light colored or brown paper

Last day to turn in missing and/or extra credit work

FINAL CRITIQUE and CLASS POTLUCK

Drawing and Composition Materials List

Beginning-Continuing

7 -20 sticks * Vine Charcoal SOFT

7-15 sticks * Vine Charcoal MEDIUM

3 -5 sticks * Compressed Charcoal (soft)

1 each * “General’s” Charcoal pencil HB AND 6B

1 only * Graphite pencil 2B or regular #2 pencil

1 only “Cretacolor” or “Prismacolor” Woodless Graphite 8 or 9B

1 only “Derwent” white drawing pencil (Chinese white)

3 pack “Alphacolor Soft Pastels” – White

1 each Medium blending stick/stump

1 only Chamois Cloth

1 only * “Design” Kneaded Rubber Eraser

2 each * “Magic Rub” Erasers

1 only 1”wide tape (masking or other)

1 pad 18”x 24” White Drawing Paper (24 sheets or more)

1 pad * 18”x 24” Newsprint (rough texture, 100 sheets or more)

(“Ingres”, “Fabriano Tiziano”, “Mi Tientes”)

1 only * Masonite Drawing Board

Optional,

(Very Useful)

1 of each “Prismacolor NuPastel” (advance)

2 sheets 19”x25” (MEDIUM TONE) colored drawing paper (advance)

1 only Click Eraser assorted sizes (staedtler or sanford)

1 only Spray Fixative or Hairspray

1 set “Alphacolor”Pastels assortment of 12 colors

Several soft cotton rags

1 only good scissors

1 only * apron / other covering for keeping clean

1 sheet sand paper (60 – 120 grit)

Extra sheets higher quality colored or textured papers

1-roll * paper towels

Recommended locations to purchase supplies:

Dick Blick / The Art Store 811 University Avenue Berkeley 510 486 2600

5301 Broadway Oakland 510 658 2787

Artist and Craftsmen Supply 2573 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley 888 217 3150

Utrecht Art Supplies 1909 University Ave Berkeley 510 649 0808