Fundamentals of Drawing Details of all assignments and due dates for each assignment are

included in the attached course schedule.

Course And Time :Eced (Sunday 1:00- 4:00pm)
Attendance and Conduct
BSSW (MWF 4:00- 5:00 PM)
Students who miss more than two class periods without verified, official
documentation excusing their absence or who fail to arrange their
absence in advance may be dropped from the course. You will be
Course Description considered absent if you arrive more than fifteen minutes after the start
This course focuses on the development of observational skills and of class or if you leave early without making arrangements to do so.
drawing techniques, employing a wide range of drawing media and
subject matter. Students in this course will develop both technical Drawing requires consistent, focused engagement. Students must be
abilities and creative responses to material and subject matter. No prior on time, fully present and ready to work hard each day at the
experience with drawing is required or expected. beginning of the class period. It is recommended that students show up
five to ten minutes early to set up. Cell phones, iPods and other
Critiques, discussions, and readings on contemporary topics in drawing electronic devices are not allowed in this classroom except by special
are integrated into course assignments and assessment. permission of the instructor. Failure to comply with this policy will
Student Learning Outcomes result in dismissal from class.
Students successfully completing this course should be able to:
1. Produce finished drawings in multiple media that synthesize Grading and Assessment
core observational drawing concepts and techniques. The final grade in this course is determined by student performance on
2. Evaluate and critique student drawings and receive individual projects, written assignments, participation in critiques,
criticism from others. quizzes, homework, and evidence of conceptual and technical growth.
3. Describe, interpret, analyze and evaluate historical and
contemporary drawings utilizing discipline-‐appropriate criteria. Your in-‐class assignments and homework will be evaluated at four
intervals during the semester where I will issue an in-‐progress grade and
Course Structure and Assignments give you feedback on your progress in class in four areas that comprise
Approximately two-‐thirds of our class time during the semester is used for the final course grade.
production and practice in the studio; the remaining third is used for
critiques, lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and readings of The Final portfolio is cumulative and will be graded on an extensive five-‐
contemporary and historical texts on the practice of art. Individual and point rubric that takes into consideration the larger objectives of the
group critiques are an essential part of this course and will be held on a course including improvement, development of creative expression or
regular basis. Students are required to keep a journal/sketchbook accuracy of representation, composition, etc., measuring progress
outside of class. Drawing homework assignments are designed for this across the entire semester. This portfolio will be comprised of a selection
book. In addition to studio work, students will be expected to complete of your in-‐class work plus all completed homework and journal
two small, written assignments in relation to course material. assignments.
Your final grade is composed of an aggregated score in four areas that Portfolios: 50%
are weighted on the following percentages: Journal and Homework Drawings 10%
Critiques and self-‐evaluations: 20%
 Quizzes and written reports: 20% Required Materials
I do not require that you purchase a textbook for this course. You will,
The standards and rubrics for each component of the final grade will be however, need to purchase a range of drawing materials that will be of
handed out prior to submission of the final portfolio. comparable cost to a textbook. The following materials are required for
this course:
Assignments
The schedule of assignments and calendar for this course are contained Paper:
in the attachments to this syllabus. Please note that the instructor  Pad of good drawing paper, minimum 18” x 24” in size. Strathmore,
reserves the right to adjust this schedule at his discretion. Canson, or other drawing pads are acceptable.
 One pad of newsprint, bogus rough, or craft paper, 18 x 24
Student Success minimum.
The Art Department at NVC is dedicated to fostering student success in  One 9” x 12” sketchbook.
all academic endeavors. To this end, students are encouraged to
discuss educational and professional goals with the instructor and to Mark-‐making and other supplies:
work with a counselor to develop an educational plan.
 One each of the following drawing pencils: 6b, 2b, Hb, 2H, 4H or
One complete set of pencils
Students requiring assistance for disabilities or learning needs, please
 One bag of mixed-‐size or large-‐size Bob’s Fine Vine Charcoal or
meet with me after the first class to make arrangements for proper
equivalent.
accommodations. Our college offers a wide range of learning and
 Compressed charcoal -‐ 4b or 6b. Buy 2 sticks. Conte brand is by far the
assistance services.
best.
 Conte crayons: 2sticks of soft black, 2 sticks of terra cotta or other
warm earth tone, 2 sticks of white.
 Graphite stick. 6b or 4b
 1 round watercolor-‐type brush
 1 or 2 oz. bottle of black India Ink
 Ink pen and metal nibs (sets are best value)
 Erasers: 1 Art Gum, 1 White Vinyl Pen Eraser, 1 Kneaded
 Drafting Tape or other low-‐adhesive tape.
 Box for supplies
 Drawing board large enough to accommodate an 18” x 24” sheet of
paper.
 2 flat pieces of standard thickness cardboard, 24” x 36”
ARTS 110: Fundamentals of Drawing
Core Competencies and Weekly Schedule

Unit 1 : Seeing, Recording, and Organizing with Line Weeks 1 -‐ 6

This unit focuses on core observational drawing and design concepts developed through line-‐based drawing exercises. Students successfully completing this unit with a three
or higher score on their review rubric, should be able to:

 Create observational line drawings in graphite, charcoal and ink that demonstrate the ability to:
a. Observe and accurately record essential visual characteristics of unique objects-‐-‐form, volume, proportion, and space—using line.
b. Organize spaces and objects within a drawing according to basic principles of good design and composition.
c. Apply the principles and techniques of linear perspective to render the illusion of three-‐dimensional space on a two-‐dimensional surface.

 Evaluate observational line drawings orally and in writing using correct terminology related to concepts, materials and techniques.

Core Concepts: Using line to accurately record volume, shape, proportion, space, and value from observation.
Related Critique /
When Topics Assignments Save for Portfolio Materials
Homework Quiz
Purchase
materials.
 Student information card
 Undirected Graphite pencil, Begin
Week 1 Introductions  Undirected drawing No
Introductory Drawing drawing paper. sketchbook
 Self-evaluation journal (6 per
weeks)

 Two gesture drawings

 Gesture Drawings: Mass and linear
of single objects
gesture drawings from observation. Graphite pencils, vine
 One gesture of object Sketchbook
 Value Gesture Drawings: Gesture group
charcoal, newsprint, Class
Weeks 2 Gesture
drawings focusing on shadows and tape, drawing board, Discussion
 Two value gesture eraser.
light.
drawings

 One blind contour

Vocabula
Weeks 3  Blind Contour of single object drawing
Graphite pencils, India Sketchbook ry Quiz
1st  Modified contour of same.  One modified contour
Contour ink, ink pen, drawing #1
Portfolio  Modified Contour  One modified contour
paper.
Due value drawing Small
group
critique
 Core Concepts: Using lines to create the appearance of volume and space in observational drawings.
Critique /
Day Topics Assignments Save for Portfolio Materials Homework
Quiz
Watch tutorial
Graphite pencils, vine
on Perspective
Form,  Caged Volume  One Caged Volume charcoal, newsprint,
Weeks 4 Small groups
volume,  Organizational Line Drawings  One OLD tape, drawing board,
Sketchbook
proportions. eraser.

 Introductory perspective Vocabula

drawings, not observational.  Three perspective Graphite pencils, 24” ry Quiz
Weeks 5 Perspective  Planar geometric forms in linear drawings. straight edge, drawing Sketchbook #2
perspective from observation. paper.
 Cylinders in perspective. Small groups

 Perspective drawings  Two, multi-obgject All

Week 6 Perspectiv Graphite pencil, eraser, Sketchbook
utilizing multiple objects. perspective drawing. Class
e, paper.
critique.
continued.

Unit 2: Value, Space and Form Weeks 7 - 12

This unit explores how light and dark are applied and manipulated to create the illusion of volume, space and form in a drawing. Students successfully completing this unit
with a three or higher score on their review rubric should be able to:

 Create observational value drawings in graphite, charcoal and ink that demonstrate the ability to:
a. Observe and accurately record simple and complex forms through gradations of value.
b. Create the illusion of depth and space through the manipulation of value and edge detail.
c. Combine line and value to accurately render objects.

 Evaluate observational value drawings in small-group critique and in writing using correct terminology related to concepts, materials, and techniques.
Core Concepts: Utilizing value to create the appearance of volume and space in observational drawings.
Critique /
When Topics Assignments Save for Portfolio Materials Homework
Quiz
Week 7
 Six
Compositi Vine charcoal,
 Compositional Drawings compositional
2nd on and newsprint, tape, Sketchbook Small group
 Negative Shape Drawings drawings
Portfolio Pictorial drawing board, eraser.
 Four negative shape /
Due Space
space drawings

Graphite pencils (4b,

 Value drawings from simple  One un-blended value
2b, Hb, 2h), straight Materials
geometric objects in graphite, drawing in graphite.
Value w/ edge, drafting tape, Quiz #1
Week 8
Line and
unblended.  One blended value white drawing paper Sketchbook
Blending  Value drawings in graphite drawing in (18x24), blending Small group
with blended values. graphite. stumps.

 Ink gesture value drawings. India Ink, ink pen and

 Three ink value
Value w/ Ink  Ink line w/ crosshatch or stippled nib, heavy-weight
Week 9 drawings: one line, two Sketchbook
Line and value. smooth drawing paper, Small group
wash.
Wash  Ink wash value drawing. brush, small cup.

Week 10
 Gesture Value Drawings w/  Two reductive-value Vine charcoal, white
Reductive Small Group
3rd Erased Lights drawings in vine drawing paper, tape, Sketchbook
Value Critique
Portfolio
Drawings  Toned-paper drawing w/ Erasure charcoal. drawing board, erasers.
Due

Three, atmospheric Vine charcoal,

perspective drawings: Materials
 Multiple drawings in charcoal, ink, compressed charcoal,
Atmospheri Quiz #2
Week 11 and conte focusing on depth, edge,  Ink white drawing paper, Sketchbook
c
and atmospheric perspective.  Charcoal tape, drawing board,
Perspectiv Small group
 Conte erasers, conte crayons.
e

Vine charcoal, Contempora Class critique.

 One additive value
Week 12 Additive compressed charcoal, ry Artist
 Additive value drawing in vine and drawing with vine
Value w/ white drawing paper, Report / Written Self-
compressed charcoal from still life. and compressed
emphasis on tape, drawing board, Gallery evaluation due
charcoal
surfaces. erasers. Report with portfolio.

Sketchbook
Unit 3: Applying Core Skills Weeks 13 - 18

This unit focuses on the application of the core skills developed in Units 1 and 2 to more complex visual and conceptual problems. Students successfully completing this
unit with a three or higher score on their review rubric should be able to:

 Create finished drawings in multiple media that successfully:

a. Synthesize and apply core observational drawing concepts, materials, and techniques in more complex observational drawings.
b. Incorporate core drawing concepts, materials and techniques in extended drawings focusing on translation of preparatory drawings, expressive content, or
expanded compositional formats.
 Create a portfolio of finished work for peer and instructor evaluation.
 Evaluate and critique finished drawings and receive criticism from others.

Core Concepts: Applying and combining core skills to create and present finished
drawings.
Critique /
When Topics Assignments Save for Portfolio Materials Homework
Quiz

Week 13
 Three-tone gesture and extended Black, white, and
Translating drawings from full-color still life  One hue-to-value sanguine conte, white
4th Sketchbook Small Group
Color into using conte crayons. Emphasis on translation drawing. paper, blending stump,
Portfolio
Value space through atmosphere. tape.
Due

 Landscape and natural object  Two field drawings

Finish Informal
gesture drawings in charcoal, ink  One “Square Foot of
Week 14 Field Drawing Everything. Artist / Group
wash, and graphite. Ground” drawing. Gallery Critique
 Preparatory drawings from Report
location.
Sketchbook

Mixed Media  One mixed-media

 Combining multiple media in
and Working drawing derived from
Week 15 single drawings working from field Everything
from field drawing. Sketchbook None
drawings.
Sketches.

Long-session One-on-one
 1, six-hour drawing from complex
Week 16 Drawings  1 six-hour drawing. Everything Sketchbook with
still-life set up.
from Instructor
Observation
Core Concepts: Applying and combining core skills to create and present finished drawings.
Critique /
When Topics Assignments Save for Portfolio Materials Homework
Quiz
Assemble
Week 17 Final Portfolio.
Figurati  2 figurative gestures Small Group
 Drawing from live model. Final Portfolio
Final ve  1 long-pose drawing Write self- Critique
Portfolio Drawing evaluation.

 Assess growth between first and Pick up your First drawing and
Week 18 Final Critique None Class critique.
final drawings in oral critique. final portfolio. final drawing.
Fundamentals of Drawing
Grading Explanation

The final grade in this course is comprised of an aggregate score

from four areas:

1. Portfolios of Finished Work (50%) 3. Critique (20%)

 45+ Drawings from throughout the 18-‐week term.  3 Self-‐evaluations, turned in with portfolios 2, 4, and 5
 Four in-‐progress portfolios, one final portfolio.  3 full-‐class critiques (weeks 7, 13 and 18)
 In-‐progress portfolios graded p/drawing on 0-‐4 scale.  Multiple small group critiques
 Final Portfolio Graded on 0-‐4 scale on each of the following  Full-‐class critiques graded on the following criteria:
criteria: o Evidence of Critical Thinking.
o Completion and Submission of All Work. o Use of appropriate vocabulary.
o Improvement o Ability to work in groups and participate.
o Composition and Design o Evidence of honest self-‐reflection and evaluation.
o Development of Form, Proportion and Shape
o Materials and Craftsmanship 4. Written Reports and Quizzes (20%)
o Value  1 Gallery Visit Report (10%)
o Perspective  4 Quizzes: two covering vocabulary, two covering materials.
o Presentation and Finish Given in-‐class. (10%)
 Submitted in durable Portfolio according to instructor
standards.

2. Journal Drawings and Homework (10%)

 90 Journal drawings required.
 Subject matter, media, and technique should relate to that
week’s in-‐class work.
 Each drawing will be one full page in sketchbook and should
represent 20-‐30 minutes of work, on average.