FIGURE DRAWING II AND III
22-334-001L and 22-434-001L
FALL 2012
Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-10:10am, Room: S212
Instructor: Barb Rosenthal
Email: rosentha@uwosh.edu, Office: AC 514, Phone: 424-7060
Office Hours: Monday /Wednesday 12:40-1:40pm
Tuesday/Thursday 10:30-11:30am
“The psychological and philosophical nature of people, and the ways we shape these
qualities through the act of drawing, can evoke powerful expressive meanings. By
losing ourselves in an intense visual encounter with another’s living nature, we benefit
our selves: we have the satisfaction of better apprehending our own creative and human
nature and of achieving important insights about the people around us.”
Nathan Goldstein
Figure Drawing: The Structure, Anatomy, and Expressive Design of Human Form
The bulletin defines the Advanced Figure Drawing courses as such:
Art 334 is described as the “development of student’s personal expression in drawing, using the human
form as subject.”
Art 434 is a “continuation of students' personal expression, using the human figure as the subject.
Composition, form and thematic content are emphasized.”
The main components to this course are:
 class work
 1 homework drawing
 a project or series reflecting several weeks of work
 sketchbook
Materials:
Media for this class is generally up to the student with consent of the instructor. Due to the physical setup
of the class, you will definitely need a drawing board. The other supplies are the choice of the student.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is expected at all times. Three (3) unexcused absences are allowed without penalty. Four
absences will lower the final grade by one letter grade, five by two letter grades. Six unexcused absences
will result in an “F” for the semester. An excused absence requires official written documentation.
Excessive lack of preparation, tardiness and leaving early will also affect the final grade. This includes not
having work ready for critiques.
Course content and grade distribution:
The grades will be distributed as follows:
Homework drawing assignment
20%
Mid-semester portfolio
20%
Proposal (grade included in final project}
Sketchbook
20%
Final project or series
40%
Due
Due
Due
Due
1st Critique
Final Critique
Oct 2
Oct 30
Nov 6
Dec 10
Nov 20
Dec 13
The mid-semester portfolio (7-10 drawings to be gathered from class work) will be handed in on
Thursday, November 2. Examples to be selected should demonstrate the student’s ability at handling the
different aspects of the figure—from general form; placement; competency at drawing head, hands and
feet, etc; and the expressiveness of the figure. At least one of these drawings must be in color.
There will be one homework drawing assignment. The size and media are the student’s choice.
However, it is recommended that, unless there is a specific reason the drawing should be a minimum of 18
x 24”. Six or more hours are expected to be put into this drawing. The drawing must be based on at least
one figure (or part of a figure). The entire space is always to be considered. A class critique will be held
on Thursday, October 2.
The sketchbook will contain figurative studies from all sorts of people in the street—walking to or from
somewhere, at the library, in the commons, downtown, sleeping, playing, in sports, grocery shopping, etc.
The sketchbook is work that is created outside of class. Effort is the main emphasis in grading, but the
student is expected to improve.
Figure drawing II (334) students are required to draw 15 studies a week (195 a semester).
Figure drawing III (434) students are required to do 20 studies a week (260 a semester).
Please number every 5th drawing. Thirty sketches may be copied from anatomy books or from master
artists (from art history). The rest must be drawn from life. Drawings from photos, TV, etc. are not
allowed. The sketches may be gestural (1-2 minutes) in nature or longer, or both. The sketchbook will be
turned in on Thursday, December 6.
The final project or series will be due on Thursday, December 13.
The student will discuss their idea(s) with the instructor on an individual basis before November 9 when the
proposal is due. The proposal is one or two paragraphs which state the project both description and intent.
The final work must have a total of at least 1700 square inches in one, or as a combined total in several
pieces. For example, a single piece would have to be approximately 36 by 48” or one could have six (16”
by 20”) pieces in a series and so forth. This minimum may be flexible, with instructor’s consent,
depending on the idea. The final piece(s) must be completed on a good paper or other surface, such
as canvas. It should also be matted, if on paper, or in some way finished if needed. In other words if
one was to put this piece in a show, how would it be displayed? There will be a preliminary group
critique on Tuesday November 20. During this first critique the student must be at least one fourth
completed with the project. This first critique will allow the student to obtain critical analysis of their work
and, at the same time, allow a period of “tweaking” the idea before its due date. A final critique will be
held on Thursday, December13. Notice: The final critique is the final Thursday. Work will remain on the
walls for grading. It is to be picked up anytime that Thursday after noon. There will be no model in the
final week (Tuesday) to allow the student to finish the work (matting, etc.).
Grading Criteria for portfolio and outside drawing:
A—The work shows a strong understanding of the structural, visual, and expressive qualities of the figure
The figure “fits” into the surrounding space.
B—The work shows a good understanding of the structural, visual, and emotional qualities of the figure.
The figure “fits” into the surrounding space.
C—The work demonstrates a fair knowledge of the figure in some aspects. The space around the figure is
not very well considered.
D—The work does shows a weak understanding of the figure and/it surrounding space.
Grading for the final project:
The same system as above will be used with the following exception—the final project have greater
emphasis placed on content and not just the formal aspects of the piece. The content will be implied in the
work and also be stated in the proposal.
The point system used for determining the final grade is as follows: A=12, AB=11, B=10 etc. BC=9,
C=8, CD=7, D=6 and F=0.
Student Expectations
 To help create an atmosphere of openness and support for fellow classmates.
 To work in class during class time.
 To contribute to critique discussions and accept constructive criticism.
 Scheduled Critiques are very important. Missing scheduled critiques or failure to put up work
will affect the final grade.
 Students must help to keep the sinks and room reasonably clean
 Copying other's photographs or work is considered plagiarism.
 Student work must be original and completed for this specific class. Please refer to University
Policies below.
University policy on Academic Integrity
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to a standard of academic
integrity for all students. The system guidelines state: "Students are
responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the
appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others' academic endeavors"
(UWS 14.01, Wisconsin Administrative Code).
Students are subject to disciplinary action for academic misconduct, which is
defined in UWS 14.03, Wisconsin Administrative Code. Students on the UW
Oshkosh campus have been suspended from the University for academic
misconduct.
Students are encouraged to review the procedures related to violations of
academic honesty as outlined in Chapter UWS 14, Wisconsin Administrative
Code. The system guidelines and local procedures are printed in the University
of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code 2008-2009 and can be found
on the Dean of Students website.
Specific questions regarding the provisions in Chapter UWS 14 (and
institutional procedures approved to implement Chapter UWS 14) should be
directed to the Dean of Students Office.
THE ART DEPARTMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN WORK OR SUPPLIES.