BEGINNING FIGURE DRAWING
22-234-001L
Spring 2014
Room S212
Meets Monday and Wednesday from 10:20-12:30pm
Instructor: Barb Rosenthal Office: AC 514 Email: rosenthal@uwosh.edu
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday from 12:40-1:40pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 10:20-11:20am
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop basic visual skills in drawing the human figure. 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. They are not graded, but strengths and weaknesses will be discussed.
At any point in the semester the student may set up an individual critique to discuss grade.
Student expectations:
 To attend class
 To arrive on time and not pack 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"
 Sketchbook—6 x 8" is ideal
 2 sheets of pastel paper (gray)
 Kneaded erasers 3 or 4
 Newsprint pad 18x24" (100 sheets)
 White plastic or pink pearl eraser
 Compressed charcoal—several sticks
 Portfolio to carry work
med through soft
 Art supply box
 Charcoal pencils
 Drawing board
 Vine charcoal
 One box (12 colors) of oil pastels (need
 Fixative or cheap unscented hairspray
2nd half of semester
Optional: chamois, contè crayons
graphite sticks (4B 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:
Three unexcused absences will be allowed without penalty. Each absence over three will result in the
lowering of the final grade. Six absences will result in an "F" for the semester.
Every 3 tardies and/or leaving early will count as 1 absence.
Sketchbook: Final due date on 5/7
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.
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, or 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 the farm or your pet.
Note: Sketchbooks may be checked several times during the semester. One week notice will be given.
1st Homework drawing critique on 2/26
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 critique on 4/16
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:
2/26—1st homework assignment critique
3/19, 3/31 & 4/2—mid-semester critiques
4/16—2nd homework assignment critique
5/7—sketchbooks due
5/12—final critique
5/14—pick up graded portfolios and sketchbooks in the classroom