Valley City State University
I. Instructor: Linda Whitney
e-mail:
Linda_Whitney@Mail.VCSU.nodak.edu
Office:
MCCAR 355 854-7598
Hours: MWF 8:00 -
9:00 AM, MW 1:00 - 2:00 PM, and TR 2:00 - 3:00 PM
“Drawing…is the necessary beginning of everything (in art), and not having it, one has nothing.” Giorgio Vasari
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Art 231 Drawing I is an
introductory drawing course, which covers the fundamentals; including
black and white
materials and their use, and
art language. Perceptual skills and the use of basic drawing
tools will be developed.
III. DRAWING is the act of making marks upon a
surface. In Drawing 231 you will explore the tools and techniques
of black and white media.
The main objective of this
course is to teach you how to see while learning how to use tools and
techniques proficiently. Areas of exploration
will include:
LINE, SHAPE, VALUE, TEXTURE, COMPOSITION, PERSPECTIVE, and
PRESENTATION AND CRITIQUE
A. MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE
COURSE:
1. to be able to identify the major elements, qualities and
aspects which constitute a drawing;
2. to acquire an understanding and a degree of proficiency in the
contour style and method of drawing;
3. to develop an understanding of the basic ways in which the
illusion of three-dimensionality is achieved through use of perspective;
4. to be able to identify a variety of drawing mediums;
5. to acquire an understanding of the significance and
relationship of seeing to the process of drawing;
6. to gain the understanding of the use of value in creating a
sense of volume and depth in a drawing;
7. to gain the understanding of the use of expressiveness of
line, value, texture, and composition;
8. to be exposed to the historical and contemporary development
of drawing;
9. to practice the process of analyzing, discussing, and
critiquing their own work and the work of other student artists;
10. to
have self assessment tools in operation;
11. to
gain the understanding of the proper operation of the drawing studio;
and
12. to
develop proper drawing presentation techniques;
B. DRAWING will give you a drawing foundation on which the art career is based.
IV. Course Philosophy and Policies:
A. ATTENDANCE: Studio art
classes are considered lab classes. Attendance is expected.
Any
absence disrupts the flow of the learning
process. Three unexcused absences will be permitted. Think
of Drawing as your (career choice) job and those three days as personal
days.
Beyond three, prior approval must be secured or documentation must be
provided. Without either of the proceeding, absence beyond three
will be accounted for in you final evaluation in this class.
B. WORK OUTSIDE OF
CLASS: You should expect to spend four to six hours per week
outside of class time working on drawing projects.
One
complete drawing per week will be created outside of class.
Drawing are due at
the beginning of class each Monday morning unless
otherwise scheduled.
V. Learning Activities:
A. Abilities / Portfolio Project:
Drawing Portfolio
PORTFOLIO: A portfolio of all final projects (completed) is due
at the end of the term. A minimum of two final projects will be
formally
presented. The final critique will be held
during the scheduled final, Wednesday, December 17 at 1:00 PM.
B. MAJOR ABILITY MET BY ART 231 - DRAWING I
Communication - to convey thoughts, ideas, data, information, and
messages effectively.
Visual: Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively
through the elements of design.
Level three:
* Chooses visual information
* Interprets visual information
* Illustrates visual information
Visual Communication Ability Project for Drawing I - Students will
demonstrate visual communication via a drawing portfolio:
*Demonstrates the understanding of the elements of design
*Demonstrates the ability to communicate
C. SKETCHBOOKS: Your
sketchbook is an extremely important element in this drawing
course. You will
be expected to spend two hours per
week,
outside of class, working in you sketchbook. Twenty-five percent
of your evaluation will be derived from your sketchbook.
D. JOURNALS / READINGS: You will
begin a semester long research project the first week of class by
seeking out
artists you think have
influenced
you and/or your artmaking. You will present your findings to the
class for
discussion. The intention of the project is broaden your
knowledge of
other artists while develop an understanding of your own
artmaking. Show us
pictures and bring us books, magazines and/or web
pages.
F. CRITIQUES: The critique will be
used not only as an avenue for constructive criticism by both the
artist and the group but also as a forum
for problem
solving, exploration and expansion of ideas, and the development of art
language and critical theory.
F. FINAL PROJECTS: There will be
deadlines for each class project and assignment. Those dead-lines
will occur
approximately every
two weeks.
“…but first you must learn how to hold a crayon…” Adolphe W. Bouguereau to Matisse
VI. Evaluation/Assessment:
A. EVALUATION: Your final
evaluation (grade) will be determined on the following criteria:
1.
Your grasp of the objectives as they are presented in each project.
2.
Growth in your sensitivity to various media used in class.
3.
The sensitivity with which you combine that understanding with your
learned
abilities.
4.
Your approach to this class (which includes attendance).
5.
Self assessment.
Final projects 50% (300 points)
Class participation 25% (150 points)
Sketchbooks / Journals 25% (150 points)
(Self assessment will be considered in all areas.)
VCSU ART DEPARTMENT GRADE CRITERIA
B. SELF ASSESSMENT: As
artists we are always our own best (and sometimes worst) critics.
As student artists we need to develop our
self assessments skills in tandem with our creative and technical
skills. Self assessment will be used to develop the image of the
“self”,
critical thought, art language, and verbal and written skills.
VII. Course Topic Outline:
VIII. Research Base:
IX. REFERENCE:
A GUIDE TO DRAWING, by
Daniel Mendelowitz and Duane Wakeham, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.,
1988.
THE NATURAL WAY TO DRAW, by
Kimon Nicolaises, Houghton Mifflin, 1941 and 1961.
DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE
BRAIN , by Betty Edward, Houghton Mifflin / J.P. Tarcher, Inc.,
1979.
DRAWING, Space, Form, and
Expression, by Enstice and Peters, Printice-Hall, Inc., 1996.
X. MATERIALS LIST:
Newsprint pad, 18” x 24”
Art drawing paper pad, 18” x 24”
Sketchbook, 11” x 14” minimum size
Drawing pencils: 2H, 2B, 4B, 6B, HB
Blending stump
India Ink, 3 ½ oz. Bottle
Pen holder and Pen nibs, #56
Charcoal, compressed
Vine charcoal
Erasers: large kneaded, and Hold-It
Conte crayon: 2 each - black, white,
sanguine
Bamboo brushes, 1 small, 1 medium or
large
Krylon #1306 workable fixatif or
other fixative
Drawing board
Portfolio, 23” x 31” x 2”
*Gray charcoal
paper
*PURCHASE AS NEEDED
*Matboard and *Foam board
Drawing paper: *Drawing
Bristol,
1 sheet each - 2ply plate, 2 ply vellum; *Stonehenge, 4 sheets
Suggested: tool box