ART 100
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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 Description
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 twodimensional 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.
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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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.
Topics
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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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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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 must be completed outside of class. I expect
that you will be working outside of class. 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.
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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.
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.
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Attendance and Participation
Come to class on time and leave on time. Attendance and participation is factored into
your grade. More than one absence will begin to erode your grade. Only written excuses
by a physician for illness, family bereavement or religious observance will be acceptable
excuses. You will be responsible for all work missed. Do not come to class if you are ill,
email me ahead of time and we can work something out. 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. Occasionally life situations will
impair a student’s ability to attend class. If you have a compelling reason for being
absent, email me so we can work out something out.
Final Exam: all students are required by the University to attend the final exam.
Class begins on the hour. Attendance will be taken at that time. Tardiness will affect
your grade. Leaving early will also affect your grade. On critique days, projects must be
pinned up ready for review 5 minutes after the hour. Any late work will be excluded
from the critique and receive a lower grade.
Participate and be involved in class discussions. This class will be run as a workshop,
unless otherwise instructed be prepared to draw every class meeting. I will instruct you
as to what materials to bring. Unless instructed to bring something different, bring the
materials we used in class on the previous session.
Written Assignments
Two written assignments are required for this course, one due on each of the due dates
for the portfolios. These papers must be written for this class. Do not turn in work from
another class. Plagiarism of any form is not allowed. Any one suspected of not
complying with these policies will receive an “F” on that assignment.
1) Describe, critique, analyze and evaluate a drawing that you have seen in person
at a local gallery or museum. This should contain: The name of the assignment, the
due 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?) One to two page, typed, double-spaced.
2) Describe, critique, analyze and evaluate a drawing that you have seen on line.
This should contain: The name of the assignment, the due 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?) One to two page, typed, double-spaced.
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Evaluation Criteria/Grading
Grades will be based on: Portfolio of class drawings
Homework Assignments
Sketchbook
Written Assignments
Portfolios will be collected two times during the semester, at mid-term and at the end
of the semester. Selected drawings and written assignments will be given a numerical
score (based on a possible 10). The drawing 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.
70% of your semester grade will be based on your two combined portfolio grades.
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, but not trying will guarantee a low
one)
Class Protocol
Be ready to work everyday
BE ON TIME!
Do not work on projects from other classes
Do not turn in work from other classes
Do not turn in work that is not yours
No headphones in class
Turn off cell phones, no texting, emailing, talking on phone, save it for the breaks
Laptop use in class is limited to class work research or class work
Incomplete
The grade of ‘incomplete’ will not be granted automatically and will only be
granted under the severest circumstances. Make sure you can do the work or drop.
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Health and Safety
Keep spray fixatives and spray adhesives out of the classroom.
Emergency dial 594-1991 for campus security. Do not call 911
Recommended Books
‘Drawing, a Contemporary Approach’, Claudia Betti and Teal Sale
‘A Guide to Drawing’, Daniel Mendelowitz
“The Art of Drawing’, Bernard Chaet
‘The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’. Betty Edwards
Supply List
Newsprint Pad 19”x24”
Drawing Pad 19”x24”
Drawing Board
Pencils
Graphite
Conte, chalk
India Ink
Brush
Kneaded Eraser
Rubber Eraser
Masking Tape
Sketchbook 9”x12” or larger
Workable fixative
Portfolio
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ART 10
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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 email. Please do not
approach me in class to about this.
Student Disability Services. SDS is the campus office responsible for determining and
providing appropriate academic accommodations fro students with disabilities. Support
services are available to students with certified visual limitations, hearing and
communication impairments, learning disabilities, mobility, and other functional
limitations. If you need academic accommodations please visit SDS at their website
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sd/index./html.
Student Privacy and Intellectual Rights
Grades and feedback on grades are guaranteed to be kept confidential between students
and instructor.
All projects are the intellectual property of the students. However, as the instructor I am
required to document work for my periodic evaluations. I will occasionally use work as
examples for other classes. If for any reason you do not want me to use your work for
these purposes please let me know.
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.