FIGURE DRAWING II AND III
22-334-001L and 22-434-001L
Spring 2014
Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-10:10am, Room: S212
Instructor: Barb Rosenthal
Email: rosentha@uwosh.edu, Office: AC 514, Phone: 424-7060
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 12:40-1:40pm
Thursday: 10:20-11:20am
“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 (with proposal)
 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:
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. Generally, six
absences will result in an “F” for the semester. Late work will be down-graded one full letter grade. If a
drawing is not put up for a scheduled critique, it will be considered late. Work, over one week late, will not
be accepted, unless an official excuse is presented.
The mid-semester portfolio (7-10 drawings to be gathered from class work) Examples 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.
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. Some, not most, of the drawings may be of animals. The sketches may be gestural (1-2 minutes)
in nature or longer, or both.
The sketchbook may be checked a few times during the semester. One week notice will be given.
The final project or series
The student will discuss their idea(s) with the instructor on an individual basis before 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. During
this first critique the student should be at least one half 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 the final critique. 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 12 noon. There will be
no model in the final week (Tuesday) to allow the student to finish the work (matting, etc.).
Course content and grade distribution:
The grades will be distributed as follows:
Homework drawing assignment
Critique of class work
Mid-semester portfolio
Proposal (grade included in final project)
Sketchbook
Final project or series
10%
Due
30%
Due
Due
Due
1st Critique
Final Critique
20%
40%
Dates
3/6
3/13
3/31
4/7
5/8
5/6
5/15
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 shows a weak understanding of the figure and its 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, A-=11, B+=10 etc., D=3,
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 on Academic Integrity.
THE ART DEPARTMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN WORK OR SUPPLIES.