Faculty Syllabus

Common Course Description: Studio art course that introduces the analytic study of the human form and the figure’s potential for compositional and expressive use in drawing.

PREREQUISITES: ARTS 1316 Drawing I or department approval.

Course Rationale: The purpose of LIFE DRAWING I is to provide each student with specific drawing media experiences and to build basic perceptual skills in terms of drawing from the human figure. The student will review basic knowledge of the elements of art: line, value, shape/volume, texture and color to lead to their deliberate manipulation for different types of spatial illusion, compositions, and expressive meaning. 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: Methodology may include: Individual and group instruction, demonstrations, lectures, discussions and critiques. Visual aids in a variety of formats: original art, books, periodicals, digital and video presentations.

Common Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the human figure using accurate and sensitive observation.
• Articulate the relationship between aesthetics and anatomy.
• Generate drawings that demonstrate descriptive, expressive, and conceptual approaches using varied materials and techniques within assigned parameters.
• Relate their drawings to historical and contemporary developments in the field.
• Analyze and critique drawings verbally and/or in writing.
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of professional practice, including safety, craft, and presentation.

ACC Specific Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Convey gesture and create the illusion of expressive movement.
• Analyze and draw the human figure in correct proportion.
• Draw the figure so that the illusion of volume is achieved through a variety of shading techniques such as cross contour, hatching/crosshatching, continuous tone, and the use of the eraser as a drawing tool.
• Depict the figure in a variety of poses using foreshortening (linear perspective).
• Demonstrate knowledge of the bone structure of the human skeleton and the body’s muscle structure by drawing and by tests on the nomenclature of anatomy.
• Evoke mood through the expressive use of drawing materials and methods, i.e. simplify, exaggerate, or distort aspects of the figure.
• Present completed work in a professional manner.

COURSE CALENDAR: These dates may change. Each class period will include short, medium, and long poses. At the beginning of the semester, the emphasis will be on using an under drawing to attain correct proportions and understanding form by simplification. As students are able, they will incorporate light and shadow, through mark making and continuous tone. Over the semester, we’ll work in different media: pencil, conte or charcoal, ink, black and toned paper. See Blackboard for homework instructions, most current due dates, and announcements about which supplies to bring each week.

35% Midterm and Final Portfolios - Timed drawings done in class

35% Projects - Longer more completed drawings 

20% Sketchbook - Anatomy studies done outside of class to reinforce concepts

10% Anatomy Quizzes - Identify bones, muscles, and landmarks

Attendance - Excessive absences can result in the weighted grade being lowered

100%

REQUIRED TEXTS / MATERIALS:

Recommended: The Human Figure, Anatomy for Artists, by David K. Rubins / Penguin Books

Recommended: The Natural Way to Draw, Nicolaides

Art Supplies:  

• Sketchbook  

• Large newsprint pad 18 x 24” 50 sheets, you’ll use more than one 

• Large drawing pad 18 x 24” 24 sheets (Strathmore 400 series, Canson, or comparable), you'll use more than one

• Medium sized drawing pad 14 x 17” 24 sheets (Strathmore 400 series, Canson Classic, or comparable)

• 2+ sheets black paper 

• 2+ sheets grey (or other mid value color) paper 

• A variety of graphite pencils. You can get a set or buy an assortment of individual pencils. If you get them individually, get at least one F or HB, B, 2B, 4B.

• Pencil sharpener. Get a small one so you can sharpen pencils at your work area.

• Magic Rub (or any brand) hard eraser and/or kneaded eraser  

• Conte Crayons: black, brown, or red  

• Compressed Charcoal Sticks

• Vine Charcoal Sticks, soft or extra soft

• Prismacolor pencils: white and black 

• *Waterproof India ink – May be some in the classroom. 

• Brushes of various sizes and shapes, watercolor brushes, rather than ones with thicker acrylic bristles 

• Masking tape or clips to attach paper to drawing board

• Portfolio large enough to hold your largest drawings without folding them. The portfolio can be made of cardboard and packing or duct tape. Do not tape it entirely – think of it as a sturdy envelope.  

Optional:  

• Bristol board pad (for ink drawings)  

• Pens in black, grey, brown, or burnt sienna

• China marker

• Palette or jars for mixing washes

• Charcoal pencils

• Blending stumps 

• Drawing media of your choice 

Art Stores:

Jerry’s Artarama in Austin

Jerry's online

Blick online

This is a portion of the syllabus posted in Blackboard on the first day of class.