DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Course Information
Fundamentals of observational and subject drawing in a variety of media 6 Hours
Instructor: Neil Shigley Email: neilshigley@yahoo.com
Office hours: By Appointment Telephone:School Art Office 619-594-6511
(ask to leave a message in my box)
Course Overview
Drawing has many purposes and functions within the contemporary art world. For
example a drawing can be a finished piece of art or a drawing can be a preliminary step in
the creation of paintings, sculptures and other art objects. For many artists, even though
they might not exhibit their drawings, the process of drawing is their chief means of
creative thinking, personal growth, and self-expression.
There is an incredible range of drawing approaches or styles that artists from all eras and
cultures have used. For example, excellent drawings can be realistic representations of
the “seen” world, or abstractions based upon that world. Or realistic images based upon
the artist’s fantasy world, or completely non-representational images that are created
gradually as the process of making the drawing occurs. The wide range of materials,
tools and techniques used by contemporary artists is exciting. Most drawings are made
with traditional materials such as charcoal or graphite and paper, but some artists are
making beautiful drawings with unusual materials.
This course introduces students to this variety of purposes, approaches and materials, but
with an emphasis on an observation-based, realistic approach to making images. We will
spend most of the class time learning the skills associated with creating two-dimensional
images that represent, or ”look like”, three-dimensional reality. At times, however, we
will explore expressionistic and abstract approaches to drawing. Throughout, you will be
learning the general concepts of design and composition, conceptual problem solving as
well as various critical approaches commonly used to evaluate art. If you will be moving
ahead with visual arts, drawing is extremely important. It can also be a valuable asset in
many other fields.
Course Expectation
You will be expected to gain an understanding of art concepts and art terminology, and
achieve a basic degree of skill in each of the techniques to which you are introduced.
Mastering these skills requires an open mind and a great deal of practice, as the
development of any hand-eye skill does. This is time-consuming work but it will
Produce great rewards if you are willing to apply yourself to the task.
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
I do not expect you to know anything about drawing at first, but I do expect you to create
drawing of increasing quality as the semester goes on. The bulk of your time will be
spent drawing in class, but there will also be critiques, demonstrations, lectures, and
class, all of which you are expected to attend/ participate in/ complete.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be competent in the application
of a variety of drawing media in the following areas:
1. Identify visual relationships that help determine scale/proportions
2. Demonstrate proficiency in a variety visual perspective systems including Linear
Perspective, Atmospheric perspective and foreshortening.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of approaches to line drawing that develop a
translation of form and space from three-dimensions to two-dimensions
4. The ability to use the Elements, Principle of organization and a variety of drawing
media to create informed, creative and inventive compositions.
5. An understanding of the effects of light and how to describe them in a variety of
media.
6. Discuss, critique and evaluate their own drawings, as well as those of their
classmates.
7 .Discuss and write a critical evaluation of drawing, using the appropriate
vocabulary and terminology pertaining to the basic elements and organizing
principles of drawing.
Drawing Fundamentals
Tools and Materials
_ Charcoal, graphite, conte crayon, pen and ink
_ Newsprint paper, charcoal paper, Strathmore drawing pads
_ Mark making investigation
_ Value scales rendered in graphite, charcoal, conte and ink, on a variety of papers
_ Eraser techniques, kneaded and gum
_ Chamois techniques, tonal development
_ Additive processes versus subtractive (erasure)
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Basic Concepts
Objective and Subjective Drawing
Informational Drawing
Schematic Drawing
Positive and Negative Space
Spatial development through the elements and principle of drawing
Elements of Design and Drawing
Line:
Contour line, cross contour line, mechanical line, structural line, lyrical line, cursive line
implied line, blurred line
Shape:
Organic shape, Geometric shape, Implied shape, positive/negative shape, composite
shape, shape of the picture plane
Value:
Descriptive value, plastic value, decorative value, arbitrary value, expressive value
Texture:
Actual texture, simulated texture, invented, texture
Organizing Principles of Design and Drawing
Harmony, Variety, Proportion, Emphasis, Economy, Balance, Repetition/Movement
Drawing process / Beginning to Draw
Gesture
_ Gestural drawing methods
_ Building mass with gesture
_ Scribble line gesture
Other beginning processes
_ Continuous Line Drawing
_ Organizational Line Drawing
_ Contour Line Drawing
_ Blind Contour Line Drawing
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Observational Drawing
_Highlight, Light, Shade, Shadow, Core of Shadow, Reflected Light
_Using a view finder
_Sizing and proportional sighting techniques
_Organizational Line drawing
Perspective
Linear Perspective
_ One point, two point, three point and multiple vanishing points
_ Atmospheric perspective
_ point of view(eye level), vanishing points, horizon line, sky plane, ground plane
Sketching
_ Quick thumbnail sketching
_ Journaling and idea development
Assignments
Various drawing assignments are given on a daily basis or weekly basis. Almost all are
given a due date and the work is either completed in class or seen by the instructor on that
date. What is not completed in class on certain assignments must be completed outside
of class. You should be working outside of class several hours a week and 2-4 hours on
homework assignments. Work that is incomplete on its’ due date will receive a zero until
it is completed. It will receive a reduced grade when it is completed. Students who have
assignments that remain incomplete at the end of the semester will not pass the class.
Written Assignment
A Gallery report in which you will describe, analyze and evaluate a drawing that you
have seen in person at a local gallery or museum. This report should contain: the location
of the art (include your admission receipt); the name of the artist; the date of the drawing;
a description of the drawing (subject matter, style, medium) an analysis of the
composition and visual elements; and an evaluation of the drawing (i.e.. Do you like it?
Why?) (Include a photo of the piece). This paper will be typed and double-spaced and
must be written for this class, (do not turn in work from another class.
Plagiarism of any form is not allowed. This paper is due the last week of class.
Quiz
There will be two quizzes given that will test your knowledge of terms and vocabulary
used and covered in class. One will be at mid-term, the other at the final.
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Evaluation Criteria/Grading
Portfolios will be collected two times during the semester, at mid-term and at the end of
the semester. All of the work that you do in class and at home should be in it and
arranged in order by the date it was completed. Selected drawings and written
assignments will be given a numerical score (based on a possible 10). The drawings will
be judged on presentation, following directions and on quality. Those scores will be
averaged to form an overall portfolio score. The second portfolio grade will carry more
weight than the first because I expect you to be more skilled at the end of the semester
than at the beginning. You can significantly improve your grade by turning in strong
work for the final portfolio grading.
Grades will be based on:
70% will be based on your two combined portfolio grades(homework/ in class work)
20% will be based on the overall of your class participation, effort, work efforts, etc.
5% will be based on the written assignments
5% will be based on your sketchbook
(Trying your hardest will not guarantee a top grade, not trying will guarantee a low one)
The 10pt grade scale
9-10 Outstanding, highest level. Reserved for only the best work A “10” is rare
8-8.9 Praiseworthy, above average, commendable performance
7-7.9 Average performance. Meets the minimum requirements This is the most common
grade.
6-6.8 Below average, does not meet minimum requirements established. Barely passing
5-5.9 Failing. Incomplete or poorly done
Critical evaluation and analysis
_ Discussion, critiques and written assignments related to the critical evaluation of
drawing using the appropriate vocabulary and terminology.
_ Discussion, evaluation and critique of the students own drawings as well as of others.
Critiques
A critique is a time which the instructor leads the class in an evaluation of the assigned
work. You are not only to complete the assignments but also participate in the
discussions. Critiquing is one of the most powerful tools that art teachers use to foster
artistic growth in their students. Beyond the formal, scheduled Critiques, informal
critiquing of some sort happens in almost every class session.
Portfolio
Keep all your drawings with the date they were created and your name on them. At the
middle and the end of the semester on a date to be announced you will turn in all your
work in a portfolio including homework assignments. It should be labeled with your
name and the class.
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Sketchbook
A sketchbook is a valuable tool for an artist; a place to jot down ideas, make quick
sketches, paste images, draw. It should be a daily exercise. Specific sketches will be
assigned during the semester. I will collect your sketchbooks several times during the
semester. It should contain notes from class lectures, sketches for homework
assignments, sketching from life.
Presentation of Work
Certain homework assignments may be matted or mounted upon direction. Attention
to detail, precision and cleanliness is stressed.
Enrollment Information
There are no prerequisites for this class. Crashers will be enrolled if there is room. They
will be selected according to department policy. Last day to add/drop the course is
February 3rd, 2015
Attendance and Participation
Come to class on time, leave on time. All homework must be ready at the beginning of
the class on the due date or will be considered late and will not be part of the class
critique, it will also be graded down. Participate and be involved in class discussions.
This is a workshop, unless instructed otherwise be prepared to work,
with proper supplies and research materials everyday.
Attendance is factored in to your grade. Be on time. More than 3 absences will begin to
erode your grade dramatically. Only written excuses by a physician for illness, family
bereavement or religious observance will be acceptable excuses. You will still be
responsible for all work missed. School activities that require a student’s absence from
class (i.e. athletics, marching band etc) will be accommodated, after a written notice has
been given to the instructor .If you are late, it is your responsibility to let the instructor
know, otherwise your lateness will be recorded as an absence.
Class Protocol
BE ON TIME! Tardiness may affect your grade in a negative way. If you do come in
late it is your responsibility to let me know so that it does not go down as an absence.
Texting will not be tolerated. Do not use head-phones or ear-buds in class. Be prepared
to work everyday with the proper supplies at the beginning of class. Do not work on
projects from other classes. Do not turn in work that is not yours.
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DRAWING 1
ART 100
Spring 2015
Schedule Number 20157
Critique etiquette
All students will participate in critiques. Turn off your phone and put away._If you are
late and a critique is in session, your work is not eligible to be critiqued. PLEASE DO
NOT DISTURB THE CRITIQUE.
Participate. Be honest and helpful, but do be critically objective about the work.
The instructor may assign you a group to join to evaluate artwork as a team. Follow these
rules of etiquette:_ Pay attention to your colleagues, do not engage in discussions that do
not pertain to the critique. If you are a “talker” let others get their idea across._
Encourage each other._Use the vocabulary from in class and the readings._Don’t say “I
like it” or “I don’t like it”. That is subjective and not objectively critical.
Academic Accommodations for students with disabilities
Every attempt will be made to help students with certified disabilities. In the effort to
keep any issues about disabilities confidential, please notify me by e-mail, or during
office hours of any special needs you may have.
Supply List
Newsprint Pad 19”x24”
Drawing Pad 19”x24”
Drawing Board
Pencils
Graphite
Conte, chalk
India Ink
Brush
Nib pen
Kneaded Eraser
Rubber Eraser
Masking Tape
Sketchbook 9”x12” or larger
Workable fixative
Portfolio
Clean Up
Art by its nature can be a messy process. It is important that you clean up the areas
where you work. This includes not only the classroom, but also anywhere you choose to
work in the department. These are areas we all must share and leave clean for other
students.
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