BEGINNING FIGURE DRAWING
22-234-002L
Spring 2012
Room S212
Meets Monday and Wednesday from 10:20-12:30pm
Instructor: Barb Rosenthal
Office: AC 514
Email: rosenthal@uwosh.edu Phone: 424-7060
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 12:40-1:40pm
Thursday: 10:20-11:20am and 1:50-2:50pm
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop basic visual skills in drawing the human figure and putting it into a
context. The student will primarily draw from direct observation, with a few exceptions. During the first
few weeks gesture drawing and composition will be stressed. Students are not required to memorize the
names of muscles and bones. However, form which implies an intuitive knowledge of skeletal and
musculature structure, space and composition will be stressed. As the semester progresses the poses will
become longer. Value and color will be introduced. We will also have some assignments that are just for
fun. At mid-semester there will be individual critiques scheduled. The mid-semester critiques are not
graded, but strengths and weaknesses will be discussed.
Student expectations:
 To attend class
 To arrive on time and not clean up until the model stops posing at 12:20pm
 To come prepared to work hard
 To complete all assignments
 To contribute to a general atmosphere of encouragement, support and cooperation
 To participate in critiques in terms of putting up work, taking constructive criticism, and
discussing other students work
 To ask questions
 To assist in keeping the room somewhat organized and clean
 To always treat the model with respect
Supplies
Drawing pad 18 x 24"
Kneaded erasers 3 or 4
Newsprint pad 18x24" (100 sheets)
White plastic or pink pearl eraser
Contè crayons (2 packs w/2 in each)
Portfolio to carry work
Compressed charcoal—two sticks
Art supply box
Charcoal pencils
Drawing board
Fixative or cheap unscented hairspray
1 box oil pastels (12 colors)
Sketchbook—6 x 8" is ideal
Optional:
chamois, vine charcoal
Drawing pencils or graphite sticks (3B or darker)
Note: charcoal pencils and graphite pencils will not be used during the first few weeks.
Grades:
There are three components to the assignments in this class: in-class work, two extended-time homework
drawings and a sketchbook.
The weight of the grades will be as follows:
Portfolio of class work (due final week)
60%
2 homework drawings (10% each)
20%
Sketchbook
20%
Letter grade point system
A=12 A-=11 B+=10 Etc.
Note: D=3 F=0
Late work (up to 1 week) will receive a lowered grade. Work not put up for critiques is considered late.
Attendance:
The studio experience is one aspect of the learning experience. Discussing art/design issues, content,
and techniques with other students and the instructor while the work is in progress is integral to acquiring a
creative and visual vocabulary. Therefore, attendance for the full duration all of the class periods is
expected. Arriving late or leaving early (within 10 minutes) will affect your final grade. Attendance may
be taken at any time during the class period. All class work is to be worked on during class time. Ten
minutes will be allowed for cleanup.
Three unexcused absences are allowed without penalty, but do not abuse this. You may need these if
you really are ill and do not wish to go to the doctor for an excuse.
Students who have or come down with the flu are requested to stay home. Email me if this happens.
NOTE: The final grade will be lowered by one grade for each absence over three with consideration
due to those who get the flu. Generally, six absences will result in an “F” for the semester.
Sketchbook:
You will be required to do a minimum or 10 figure studies per week with an
average of 5 minutes each (some may be 1 minute gestures, others may be
extended), Over the semester 130 total will be required to receive a "C" or
better. The grade is based on effort and improvement. Sketchbook drawings
are to be worked on outside of class time.
Of the 130 sketches fifty may be copies from anatomy books and master
artists. The remainder must be from life.
Sources: yourself (in a mirror), people studying, sleeping, playing,
shopping, eating etc.
They may be in the library, watching TV, on the bus
You may use your sketchbook assignments as an excuse to go to the park and
take a break from other studies. Some (not most) of your figure studies may
be of animals in the zoo.
****On Thursdays a group of students and faculty meet at about 4:00 in the
New Moon downtown to sketch.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come.
1st Homework drawing
Study of a master figure drawing
Make this drawing at least 15" on the shortest side. Choose an artist from the Renaissance or so (14001800s). Reproduce their drawing (writings, smudges and open areas as well) in a similar media. Try to
capture the form and/or line quality as well as the area around the figure. Do not crop the drawing from its
original. Choose a drawing not a painting to copy. Make your choice complex enough but not overly so.
You should complete it in 4-6 hours.
2nd Homework drawing
Student's Choice drawing of the figure(s) or part of the figure
Make the drawing at least 18 x 24". Use whatever drawing materials you wish. Black and white is
recommended if you haven't had painting or drawing in color before. You may work from life or from a
photo you took or altered in some way. Try to not make it look like a "study" or "portrait" but make it
interesting. The instructor will show some images to give you ideas.
Semester Highlights:
2/27
Homework critique—Study of a Master Figure drawing
3/13
Group critique of class work
4/24
Critique 2nd homework drawing
5/2
Sketchbooks due
5/6
Final group critique
5/8
Pick up work in class room after 4pm
The Art Department is not responsible for artwork lost or stolen.