COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number: ARTS 1316
Course Title: Drawing I
Course Description: Introduction to drawing including space, form, line,
contour, gesture, texture, value and composition. Learn observational
skills in order to render the subjects of still life, figure, perspective and
landscape more accurately. Emphasis on technique, imagination, and use
of a variety of materials. Lab required.
Note: Students should expect additional supply costs.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
3
2
4
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course,
students should be able to do the following:
Demonstrate ability to see objectively
Develop the ability to produce an organized drawing composition
Build a vocabulary of marks
Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for last day to
withdraw.
Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: Collin College will adhere to all
applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with
respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford
equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact
the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950)
to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin
Student Handbook for additional information.
Instructor’s Name: Cathy Cotter-Smith
Office Number: A247, SCC
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10:00am to 12:30pm, Tuesday and
Thursday, 8:30am to 9:00am
Phone Number: (972) 881-5817
Email: ccotter@collin.edu
Professor web site: http://iws.collin.edu/ccotter
Class Information:
Section Number: S03 (CRN#21432)
Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 to 11:50
Meeting Location: A253
Course Resources: Drawing Essentials by Deborah Rockman (recommended,
not required)
Supplies: 18 x 24” sketch pad
18”x24” newsprint pad (50 sheets)
drawing pencils: 2B, 4B, 8B
woodless pencils: 8B
pencil sharpener
general’s 6B charcoal pencil
prismacolor compressed charcoal, assorted, set of 4
prismacolor compressed charcoal, soft, set of 2
sticks of soft vine charcoal
kneaded eraser, soft white eraser
large spring loaded clips to attach paper to board (bulldog clips, 3”)
tackle box or container to carry supplies
large paper portfolio with handles to carry finished drawings, 25”x30”
roll of masking tape
roll of scotch, 3M, double sided tape, 1/2 inch
tortillions, 2 each of medium and large size
set of 48 nu-pastels
pastel paper, 1 each of charcoal, medium blue, black and orange
24” ruler
1 black mat board
1 foam core board
Supplies may be purchased at Asels in Plano or at other art supply stores
Supplies needed for first class: drawing pencils, erasers, sketch pad
Attendance Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to
withdraw.
Students are required to attend class and to arrive to class on time. After
3 absences your final grade may be lowered. For every absence after
the 3rd absence, 3 points will be deducted from your final grade. In
addition, 4 late arrivals to class will equal to one absence. Three
additional absences may be made up by attending a museum or gallery
and writing a paper for each absence. Class instructions and
demonstrations are given at the beginning of class so it is vital to your
understanding of the objective to arrive on time.
Important Dates to Remember:
Census date: Monday, February 4
Holidays: Tuesday & Thursday, March 12 & 14, Spring Break
The last day to withdraw and receive a “W” for the course is Friday,
March 22
Final: Thursday, May 16, 2013
Additional Student Learning Outcomes: None
Method of Evaluation: Grades on individual drawings will be based on fulfilling
the objective of the assignment, creative process/preparation, composition, and
craftsmanship. Class participation and effort are reflected in the final grade.
Effort and energy are essential qualities of an artist. Homework is graded when
turned in. Points will be subtracted for late work (one class late minus 5
points, one week late minus 10.)
Assignment of Grades:
A = successfully completed the assignment
B = Completed the assignment, but lacking in an area such as creative
process/preparation, composition, or craftsmanship
C = Completed the assignment, but lacking in two or more areas
D = Unsuccessful in completing the project – lacking in 3 areas
F = Unsuccessful in completing the project – lacking in 4 areas
0 = Failed to turn in the assignment
The method for determining the final grade is based on adding all of the
grades and dividing by the total number of assignments. The assignment
average determines 100% of the final grade. More that 3 absences can
lower the total grade. See attendance policy.
Finished drawings are given a number grade and are worth one grade
each.
Three study grades are equal to one finished drawing grade.
A study grade of check plus equals a grade of 95
A study grade of check equals a grade of 85
A study grade of check minus equals a grade of 75
Three study grades will be combined, averaged and counted as
one finished drawing grade.
Course Calendar
T
1-22 Orientation: Review of syllabus, quiz on syllabus
Study, due at end of class
R
1-24 Introduction to sketchbook series: Draw a three dimensional object
following the sketchbook format: realistic, expressionistic, designing the
page, breaking the boundaries
Bring sketchpad, pencils, erasers and nu-pastels
T
1-29 Continue sketchbook drawings
Bring sketchpad, pencils, erasers and nu-pastels
R
1-31 Continue sketchbook drawings
Finished drawing, 4 sketches due next class
Bring sketchpad, pencils, erasers and nu-pastels
T
2-5 Model, Practice in line: gesture and mass gesture
Study, due at end of class
Bring newsprint pad, charcoal (compressed and vine,) woodless pencil
R
2-7 Model, Practice in line: contour and cross contour line, simple and
complex construction shapes and organizational line
Study, due at end of class
Bring newsprint pad, charcoal (compressed and vine,) woodless pencil
T
2-12 Practice in form: explore the principle of one light source by shading
geometric shapes, value chart
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed and vine,) erasers
R
2-14 Practice in form: do a drawing of draped cloth with an egg as the focal
point
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed and vine,) erasers
T
2-19 Practice in form: finished drawing of complex still life, shading of form
with a light source
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine and charcoal pencils)
erasers
R
2-21 Continue complex still life
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine and charcoal pencils)
erasers
T
2-26 Practice in color schemes: chart of analogous, triadic, complementary,
and predominance of a warm or cool color scheme
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, set of nu-pastels, erasers
R
2-28 Practice in color and form: finished drawing of a complex color still life
using a predominance of a warm or cool color scheme with accents of
complementary color
Bring pastel papers, set of nu-pastels, vine charcoal, charcoal pencil,
erasers
T
3-5 Continue color still life
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring pastel papers, set of nu-pastels, vine charcoal, charcoal pencil,
erasers
R
3-7 Practice in 1 and 2 point perspective: from photographs, graph examples
of one point perspective and 2 point perspective
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, ruler, pen or marker, pencils, erasers
T
3-12 Spring Break
R
3-14 Spring Break
T
3-19 Practice in 2 point perspective: draw a “box city” demonstrating the rules
of 2 point perspective utilizing vanishing points and the horizon line.
Shade form by having a light source on one side of the buildings. Use
your imagination to create a theme for the “box city.”
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring sketch pad, pencils, color media if you choose, ruler, erasers
R
3-21 Practice in 1 or 2 point perspective: finished drawing using 1 or 2 point
perspective by sighting angles to demonstrate three dimensional space.
Work from an interior space. Shade form to further enhance the illusion
of space. Incorporate an object or figure as the focal point.
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring sketch pad, pencils, color media if you choose, ruler, erasers
T
3-26 Sketchbook series: choose from the following subjects: person, pet, your
car or dream car, or an interior. Following the sketchbook format:
realistic, expressionistic, designing the page and breaking the boundaries
do a 10 minute sketch for each of the categories. You are not allowed to
work from another artists’ work. Do not attempt to draw from the screen
of your cell phone. Print your photograph to bring to class.
Choose the best of the 4 drawings and complete a very polished 5 1/2” x
7 1/2” pencil drawing
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, ruler, pencils, erasers
R
3-28 Sketchbook series: recreate your best sketchbook drawing on large
paper. Consider what you can do to make the drawing even better.
Choose the paper and drawing supplies that will be best suited for your
drawing. Choices for drawing media include: pencil, charcoal, pastels,
colored pencils, markers, brush and ink, etc. Collage, computer
generated images, or reproduced images may be included as long as
there is at least 50% drawing.
T
4-2 Continue recreation of sketchbook series drawing
Finished drawing, due next class
R
4-4 Practice in proportions for portrait drawing: Do one or two 30 minute
portrait drawings of classmates. Choose the best to be graded.
Study, due at end of class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine, charcoal pencils)
pencils, erasers
T
4-9 Practice proportions and shading of form for portrait drawing: realistic self
portrait
Bring a photo of yourself which shows good shadows on your face or you
may draw from a mirror. The photo should be recent and large enough to
draw from. Do not attempt to draw from your cell phone. Be sure to
include shading and details on clothes and shade or compose a
background.
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine, charcoal pencils)
pencils, color media if you choose, erasers
R
4-11 Continue realistic self portrait
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine, charcoal pencils)
pencils, color media if you choose, erasers
T
4-16 Expressive portrait: Emphasize setting a mood and creating an
interesting design format. You can draw yourself or someone else. Bring
a photograph.
Finished drawing, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, charcoal (compressed, vine, charcoal pencils)
pencils, color media if you choose, erasers
R
4-18 Practice in space: foreground, mid and background in a landscape.
Execute studies of foreground, mid and background using the values of
light, medium and dark. Practice in mark making with line to represent
the textures of foliage, sky, grass, etc.
Do a 5 1/2” x 7 1/2” polished pencil drawing of a landscape that shows
space and value as well as indicating various textures.
Study, due next class
Bring large sketch pad, ruler, pencils, erasers
T
4-23 Practice in space: Pastel landscape with emphasis on value ranges in
foreground, mid and background. A variety of marks should be used to
represent the different textures in the landscape.
Bring pastel papers, set of nu-pastels, vine charcoal, charcoal pencils,
erasers
R
4-25 Continue pastel landscape
Bring pastel papers, set of nu-pastels, vine charcoal, charcoal pencils,
erasers
T
4-30 Continue pastel landscape
Bring pastel papers, set of nu-pastels, vine charcoal, charcoal pencils,
erasers
Finished drawing, due next class
R
5-2 Practice in matting: cut an 8”x10” mat with a 5”x7” mat opening
Study, due next class or at end of class if finished
Bring your 5”x7” pencil drawing of the “drawing of your own choice” or the
pencil landscape drawing.
Bring your 32”x40” sheet of black mat board and 32”x40” foam core board
T
5-7 Matting demonstration: begin matting for the final critique
Bring your 32”x40” mat board and 32”x40” foam core board
Bring your best drawing from the semester to mat
R
5-9 Continue matting for final critique
Study, due at the final
T
5-14 Finals week, no class today
R
5-16 Final Critique
Bring your best work from the semester matted for a study grade
Study grade: critique of a fellow students’ drawing
Additional Classroom Policies:
Cell phones should be turned off during class.