Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Course Syllabus

Click below for the full text of the course syllabus:



ART 320 – Figure Drawing – 3 Semester Hours
FALL 2017
TR 3:00-4:15 PM, Dickey Fine Arts 130
Bethel University
Instructor:  Jason Cole
Office Hours:
MWF: 10am-12pm;  TR: 8-9am, 11am-12pm.
Office Location: DFAB 113
Office Phone: 731.352.4082

Course Prerequisites/Co Requisites:
ART 111

Course Description:
Figure Drawing is designed help students obtain the basic skill of drawing the human form, including anatomy, observation of the human form, fundamental exercises in gesture, contour, outline, and value and tonal modeling.

Course Goals:
The student will:
1)     Understand basic anatomical relationships relevant to descriptive drawing of the human form.          
2)     Demonstrate competence in linear methods of drawing images of the life model.      
3)     Demonstrate competence in value and tonal methods of drawing images of the life model.    
4)     Understand and be able to depict basic proportional relationships of the life model.
5)     Demonstrate the ways in which line can define form.
6)     Understand the rhythms of the body and natural forms and how they exist in the whole and parts of the figure.
7)     Develop skills of observation, personal expression, and abstract thinking.

Relationship of this Course to Content Area Knowledge and Skills:
This course is not used to address TN Matrix knowledge and skills.

Text:
None

Course Objectives:
The student will:
a)     Develop problem-solving skills.
b)     Strengthen self-disciple.
c)     Learn to use many different types of drawing media.
d)     Learn to use the elements and principles of design to create a work of art.
e)     Observe, research, and learn from the work of other artists.
f)      Learn to “draw what you see” by using the eyes and hands.
g)     Develop and enhance his/her proficiency in the vocabulary of the artist.
h)     Actively engage in constructive critique.

Units of Study:
                Familiarization with tools & materials
Unit 1     Getting Started
Gesture Drawings
Planar Development
Unit 2     Controlled Contour
Skeleton/Figure Drawings
Unfinished-to-Finished
Representing Movement
Unit 3     Value &Tone
Using Value and Tone to Depict the Human Figure and the Effects of Light and Shadow
Unit 4     Experimental Approaches
Wax Resist
Cubist Approaches

Required Reading:
Various articles and printed materials that will be provided by the instructor or posted on the blog.

Suggested Reading:
De, Reyna Rudy. How to Draw What You See. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2005.

Methods Of Instruction:
Lecture, discussion, in-class work, outside assignments, sketchbook, critique.

Course Requirements:
There are three main requirements of this course:
1)     A personal sketchbook/journal is an important requirement of this course.  Every week there will be a sketchbook assignment that is due the following week at the beginning of class.  Additionally, it is a depository for ideas, visual observations, and written responses to anything (in-class or outside).  Include research of artists of special interest, techniques, subjects, methods, media, processes, master studies, reproductions, etc.  Drill yourself on in-class skills.  Research artists mentioned in class.  Include thumbnails of intended compositions.  Design your pages just the same as you would design any composition.  Use color, multimedia, found objects, etc.  WRITE.  Don’t do ANYTHING in the sketchbook without also writing some notes about what you did.
Weekly sketchbook assignments will be reviewed and graded each day in class.  The sketchbook as a whole will be submitted and graded at midterm and finals.
2)     Completion of weekly in-class assignments is required for the course.  Each week you will learn a new skill/technique or continue a skill/technique from the previous week.  In-class exercises and finished drawings will be executed in order to practice this skill/technique and submitted for grading at the end of class.
3)     A final portfolio of all work done for the course is due at finals.

Attendance Policy:
o    If you miss SEVEN classes you will immediately fail the course.  Seven absences means too much information and work has been missed for anyone to legitimately pass the course. The only excused absences are for students who must miss class due to approved scheduled university extracurricular activities.  Medical absences can be discussed on an individual basis, but it is not guaranteed that they will be excused.
o    If you are unable to submit an assignment on its due date because of an approved scheduled university extracurricular activity, that assignment can be submitted at the beginning of the next class without penalization.
o    If you are having trouble with the course or have problems outside the class that are affecting your performance please talk to me about it so that we can work out a solution.  Do not wait until it is too late.  I will be glad to help you in any way I can.
o    Lateness is not acceptable.  It is disruptive and frankly disrespectful not only to me but to your fellow students to enter the classroom in the middle of a lecture, demonstration, or critique.  Three late arrivals to class will count as an absence.
o    All students will work for the entire class period.  The class runs from 3:00 to 4:15 PM.  Students will not leave the classroom unless excused.  We will take occasional breaks since this is a long class period.  I am tolerant of discussion among students during class to a point.  However, excessive talking, walking about or leaving the room will be noted in my grade book and counted against your final grade.
o    If you miss an assignment because of lateness or absence get it from another student. If you then have questions come and see me.

Methods of Assessment/Evaluation/Grading System:

Sketchbook assignments will be submitted and graded weekly.  Persons not handing in work on time will be penalized one full letter grade.  (See the exception rule above.) 
The sketchbook assignments will be graded and available to be picked up outside my office on Friday.

The work you do in class each day will be submitted at the end of each class.  They will be graded and returned to you as soon as possible.  Sometimes it may be necessary for me to hold work for photographing or exhibitions.  I will let you know when this is the case.  All classwork assignments that have been submitted properly and graded may be re-worked for a better grade.  Sketchbook drawings may not be re-worked.  You may, however, choose to do the assignment again in the book for the possibility of an improved final sketchbook grade at the end of the semester.

Sketchbooks will be reviewed at midterm and finals.  It is expected that you are making extensive use of your sketchbook throughout the semester to practice and drill yourself on skills as well as experiment.

Final grades reflect accomplishment in three areas:
o    Sketchbook/sketchbook assignments (30%)
o    In-class work/portfolio (50%)
o    Classroom participation/attitude (20%)
Final grades will be determined by:
o    Completion of all assignments.
o    Consistency of effort
o    Development of skills in seeing and thinking.
o    Presentation and craftsmanship.
o    Participation in critiques and discussions.
o    General attitude.
Individual assignment grade definitions:
o    A - Excellent. Assignment is completely and creatively fulfilled.  No significant problems.
o    B - All aspects of assignment are completely fulfilled and well done.  A few problems remain to be solved.
o    C - Work fulfills the requirements of the assignment to the letter and is generally successful.  Work is completely finished.  Craftsmanship is acceptable.  Some problems remain to be solved.
o    D - Work is not yet completely finished or has obvious technical or conceptual flaws.
o    F - Unacceptable in technique or craft or concept (or any combination of these).
o    X - Assignment not handed in.  This assignment may not be re-submitted.
Final letter grade definitions:
o    A – The student earning an A has shown great effort and near-perfect success in all aspects of the class.  Only students absolutely excelling far above expectations will be awarded this grade.
o    B - A very good job.  The person earning this grade has worked very hard; has pushed his/herself to go beyond the mere fulfillment of each problem and has shown strong advances in technical and conceptual skills.
o    C - The student earning a C has fulfilled the requirements of the course, has a positive attitude, worked hard, shown growth in skills and thinking, and did an overall good job.
o    D - Below par.  This grade indicates that the student has obvious difficulties with basic drawing skills and/or trouble in fulfilling the requirements of the class for some other reason.
o    F - This grade indicates a severe problem in one or more of the following categories:  lack of interest, bad attitude, failure to complete assignments, excess lateness, or absence. 

Clinical/Laboratory/Field Experiences:
None

Critical Thinking Statement:
Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.  In this class we will raise vital questions and problems, formulate them clearly and precisely; gather and assess relevant information, by using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively.

General Requirements:
o    In the interest of developing an appreciation of quality materials and maximizing the life span of your work, major drawings will be executed on good quality artist papers.  Only use the type of paper which is specified for each individual assignment.  Using lesser types of paper for a finished drawing will result in a lower grade. 
o    All work must be kept in a portfolio.  Do not fold, roll, or crease your drawings.  Respect and protect your work if you expect anyone else to do so.
o    All work that is handed in for grading must have your name and the date printed unobtrusively on the back.
o    All finished work must be fixed.  Make sure you have fixative and bring it with you to class.
o    Do not spray fixative in the classroom.  TAKE IT OUTSIDE!  Our lungs will appreciate the consideration.
o    All students are expected to participate during critiques.  Failing to engage in discussions will be noted in the gradebook.
o    Prohibited from my classroom: Cell phones (you may have it pocketed, but silence it and DO NOT ANSWER IT), texting, any device with headphones, tobacco of any kind, drugs or alcohol, Internet social networking sites, and laziness.

Required Materials & Supplies
Materials
o    Sketchbook (at least 11”x14”)
o    Charcoal pencils: 2B, 4B, 6B
o    Compressed charcoal
o    Black and white conté
o    Black India ink
o    Wax crayons
o    Assorted watercolor brushes
o    White acrylic gesso
o    Workable fixative
o    Smooth cloth
o    Kneaded erasers
o    Hard erasers
o    Pencil sharpener
o    Portfolio for carrying drawings (large enough to accommodate 22”x30” paper)
o    Container for drawing tools (an Artbox or a simple zipper bag will do)

Paper
o    18”x24” pad of newsprint paper (or SEVERAL sheets of unbound newsprint paper)
o    18”x24” white bond paper
o    18”x24” high-quality paper for projects (specified by instructor when assignment is given)
o    Various high-quality toned papers



Artists to Consider


Alberto Giacometti
August Rodin
Bill Waterson
Christopher Wilmarth
David Hockney
Edgar Degas
Edmund Dulac
Egon Schiele
Fernando Bryce
George Harriman
Georges Seurat
Gwen John
Henry O. Tanner
Horst Janssen
Janet Fish
Jean-Auguste Dominque Ingres
Jim Dine
Kathe Kollwitz
Luca Cambiaso
Martin Puryear
Mary Cassatt
Paul Cezanne
Paula Modersohn-Becker
Rembrandt Van Rijn
Richard Diebenkorn
Rico Lebrun
Romare Bearden
Susan Rothenberg
Vincent Van Gogh
William Beckmann
Winsor McKay
Zak Smith



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               



Class Schedule



Week 1
8-22/24
Introduction, Review of syllabus

Week 2
8-29/30
Gesture Drawings
o    Controlled and blind gesture drawings.
o    Quick, intuitive blocking-in of the figure.
o    Linear and curviliniar
o    Materials
·          Charcoal pencil, compressed charcoal, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Two double-page spreads of gesture drawing practice
o    One double-page spread of artist research (gesture drawing)

*LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – SEPTEMBER 4*

Week 3
9-5/7
Planar Development
o    Using lines to create planes that suggest form, volume, mass, and weight of the figure.
o    Multiple points of view
o    Line only
o    Push line variation
o    Materials
·          Charcoal pencils, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Photo Planar Analysis
·          Gather at least four photographs depicting human figures.
·          Make full-page photocopies of these photos and paste them into the book.
·          Using ink or charcoal pencil, analyze each face and body and draw a series of planes over each figure that corresponds to what you have learned in class.

Week 4
9-12/14
Planar Development
o    Continue with planar development with more complex planes.
o    Multiple points of view
o    Combination line and massing
o    Consider proportions and foreshortening
o    Materials
·          Charcoal pencils, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Two double-page spreads of planar development practice
o    One double-page spread of artist research (planar figures)

Week 5
9-19/21
Planar Development
o    Continue with planar development with the addition of directional hatching to enhance the illusion of three-dimensional space.
o    Multiple points of view
o    Combination line and massing
o    Consider proportions and foreshortening
o    Materials
·          Charcoal pencils, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Two double-page spreads of planar development practice

Week 6
9-26/28
Controlled Contour
o    Working “unfinished-to-finished”
o    Step 1: working from observation of a skeleton/skull.
o    Step 2: superimposing a drawing from observation of a model.
o    Pay attention to correlation of skeletal structure to shape and form of the figure.
o    Line only
o    Materials
·          2B, 4B, 6B charcoal pencils, hard eraser, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
·          Skeleton/Figure Drawings
·          Set aside a double-page spread in your sketchbook
·          Go to a public space at a busy time of day (the cafeteria, McDonalds, a grocery store, etc.)
·          Bring along an image of a skeleton.
·          Create quick figure studies from observation of four different individuals.
·          Then, working from observation of the skeleton image, superimpose a drawing of a skeleton onto each figure, paying attention to accuracy of proportions and foreshortening.

Week 7 - MIDTERM
10-3/5
SKETCHBOOKS SUBMITTED FOR MIDTERM GRADES
Controlled Contour
o    Working “unfinished-to-finished”
o    Loosening up, loose-to-tight, blocking-in the figure, refining line quality
o    Proportions, foreshortening, perspective, volume, mass, and weight
o    Line only
o    Materials
·          2B, 4B, 6B charcoal pencils, sharpened stick, round brush, black ink, eraser, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
·          Two double-page spreads of controlled contour practice
·          One double-page spread of artist research

Week 8
10-10
SKETCHBOOKS SUBMITTED FOR MIDTERM GRADES
Controlled Contour
o    Working “unfinished-to-finished”
o    Loosening up, loose-to-tight, blocking-in the figure, refining line quality
o    Proportions, foreshortening, perspective, volume, mass, and weight
o    Line only
o    Materials
·          2B, 4B, 6B charcoal pencils, sharpened stick, round brush, black ink, eraser, newsprint (18”x24”)

*FALL BREAK – OCTOBER 12-15*

Week 9
10-17/19
Controlled Contour
o    Working “unfinished-to-finished”
o    Loosening up, loose-to-tight, blocking-in the figure, refining line quality
o    Proportions, foreshortening, perspective, volume, mass, and weight
o    Line only
o    Materials
·          2B, 4B, 6B charcoal pencils, sharpened stick, round brush, black ink, eraser, newsprint (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
·          Two double-page spreads of practicing any part of the anatomy that you find difficult
·          One double-page spread of master studies (find an artist who you feel depicts that body part well)

Week 10
10-24/26
Representing Movement
o    Overlapping separate drawings of the same figure in different poses to visually depict movement
o    Working “unfinished-to-finished”
o    Proportions, foreshortening, perspective, volume, mass, and weight
o    Line only
o    Materials
·          2B, 4B, 6B charcoal pencils, eraser, white gesso, good-quality white paper (22”x30”)

Week 11
10-31/11-2
Creating Value with Conté
o    Lay in composition in broad planes using side of conté
o    Build values with overlapping planes and erasure
o    Work from general-to-specific
o    Materials
·          Black conté, hard and kneaded eraser, white bond paper (18”x24”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Two double-page spreads practicing the technique from class
o    One double-page spread of artist research

Week 12
11-7/9
Conté on Toned Paper
o    Lay in composition in broad planes of value using black and white conté.
o    Materials
·          Black and white conté, middle-grey toned paper (19”x25”)

Sketchbook Assignment:
·          Two double-page spreads practicing the technique used in class.
·          Either tone the paper in your sketchbook or paste toned paper into the book.

Week 13
11-14/16
Charcoal & Gesso on Toned Paper
o    Materials
·          Compressed charcoal, white gesso, eraser, toned (warm or cool) paper (19”x25”)
Sketchbook Assignment:
o    Three double-page spreads practicing any of the techniques from weeks 11-13.
o    One double-page spread artist research (toned paper and/or charcoal & gesso)

Week 14
11-21
Wax Resist
o    Materials
·          Colored wax crayons, black ink, large brush, good quality white paper (22”x30”)
Sketchbook Assignment
o    One double-page spread of wax resist
o    Two double-page spreads of experimental play

*THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NOVEMBER 23-26*

Week 15
11-28/30
Cubist Approaches
o    Materials
·          Charcoal pencils, compressed charcoal, black & white conté, black ink, assorted brushes, 22”x30” paper primed with toned (warm or cool) gesso.
Sketchbook Assignment
o    Finalize work in the sketchbook


Tuesday, 12-4
o    PORTFOLIO AND SKETCHBOOK DUE @ 12:30 PM — PICKUP @ 3:00 PM.




Month And Year Of Syllabus Revision:
August 2017

Bethel University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with documented disabilities. If you have a diagnosed disability or if you believe that you have a disability that might require reasonable accommodation in this course, please contact Disability Services at 352-4012. Bethel University policy states that it is the responsibility of students to contact instructors to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading, experiences and assignments.

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