ART 1040 DRAWING I (3 credit hours)
Spring 2010
Professor: Rachel Kirk
Office: Trahern 207
Office phone: 221- 7333
E-mail: kirkr@apsu.edu
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 7:15-8:00am and by appointment
Website: http://apsudrawing1spring2010.blogspot.com/
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
The fundamentals of drawing for visual arts.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course offers the student the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of observational drawing through a structured series of assignments of ever increasing complexity. Most of our time will be spent drawing the still-life. Students will be introduced to charcoal and conte' crayon, traditional dry media capable of great subtlety and expression.
CONTENT OUTLINE
Students will be introduced to the five components of observational drawing:
Line - the perception of edges
Shape - the perception of spaces
Sight measuring - the perception of relationships
Value - the perception of lights and shadows
Composition - the perception of the whole
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This course has no prerequisites. It is designed for the both the beginning draftsman and the experienced amateur who wishes to have a thorough grounding in traditional academic drawing. It is also one of the five required foundation courses for all art majors. Expectations are high. It is the first step for serious students who wish to pursue further study in graphic design and fine arts. It is also an end in itself for non-majors who wish to have a serious introduction to the basics of freehand drawing.
CLASS WEBSITE
Homework assignments, due dates, and class announcements will be made available on the class website. You are expected to check the website weekly, and you must have and utilize an APSU email account.
MATERIALS
There is no text for this class. All materials are available at the APSU Campus bookstore. Ask for the "Drawing One Kit", which will contain the following:
Paper:
18”x24” Drawing Paper
19”x24” Tracing Paper
9"x12" Omni Sketchbook
Drawing Board:
Art Advantage Artist Sketch/Tote Board
Erasers:
Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
Design Medium Kneaded Eraser
Gray Clic Eraser
Charcoal/pencils:
General Pencil Peel Sketch Wrap Charcoal Pencil Set
Art Advantage Willow Charcoal Medium
White Conte 2/Package
Weber Costello Char-Kole Sticks
Sanguine Medicis Conte Crayons 2/Package
Masking tape
*You are also required to purchase a sketchbook – style and size is your choice, as long as it’s approximately 8”x10” or larger. (These are available at the campus bookstore.)
PROCEDURES
Most class sessions will begin with a brief overview or presentation followed by a short lecture/demonstration. The majority of class time is devoted to drawing. Each assignment is subject to a brief critique.
IN-CLASS DRAWING
Students are required to complete several drawings over the course of the semester. A complete list of in-class drawings will be posted on the class website, and requirements for each will be made clear. As the semester progresses, students should plan on allotting three to six hours outside of class for the completion of all work. Keep all of your drawings in a clean safe place. Portfolios with a specified list of drawings culled from the semester’s achievements will be submitted on specified due dates, and work must be presented in a professional manner.
College drawing classes are different from high school art classes in that this is a time for concentrated work, not socializing. Please respect the serious atmosphere of the studio. Since drawing requires total concentration, I ask that you please refrain from chatting during the drawing sessions. There will be plenty of time for socializing during the breaks.
SKETCHBOOK HOMEWORK
Sketchbooks are due EVERY Wednesday. Sketchbook assignments and all other homework will be posted on the class website on Wednesdays (a week in advance.) Always bring your sketchbook to class. We may use them for warm-up exercises.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance will be taken sometime near the beginning of each class period. You must be here when I call your name. I need to watch you work to be able to help you. If you come to the studio after attendance is called it is your responsibility to make sure that I change you from absent to tardy in my attendance book. Insist on watching me do it.
You are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester. Each unexcused absence after three will result in a 5 point (half a letter grade) deduction from the final grade. For instance, if your final average is a 94, and you have three unexcused absences, your final grade is 94. But if you have four unexcused absences, your grade will be lowered to an 89. Five unexcused is an 84, etc. I will not excuse absences for alarm clock malfunctions, misplaced car keys, or other preventable circumstances. Talk to me if you are unsure if an absence will be excused or not. *Two tardies and/or leaving class early will result in an unexcused absence.
GRADING
Academic realism is similar to mathematics in that there are specific techniques that are done correctly or incorrectly, therefore the grading process is not subjective. Each major drawing will receive a numerical grade based on a rubric of four or more categories. This rubric will be made available to the student at the beginning of each drawing. Many students are often under the misconception that they enter the class with an A and that all they have to do is not ‘goof up’ to hold onto that grade. Not true. The student enters the class with a zero and works up from there. All grades are earned.
- Students who attend all classes and complete all assignments competently can expect to earn the grade of C. C is average and is the level most students can expect to attain.
- Students who attend all classes, complete all assignments and demonstrate mastery over the basics of drawing can expect to earn a B. B is very good.
- Students who attend all classes, complete all assignments and demonstrate exceptional ability and understanding of drawing can expect to earn an A. A is for excellent work, work that is outstanding in every aspect. It is work that everyone admires.
A midterm grade shall be awarded for all students in this course. The grade awarded may not necessarily be based on 50% of the course requirements and may or may not differ from the final grade. This grade will be an average of all grades received up to midterm.
Your final grade will be composed of:
25% Sketchbook/homework/writing assignments
25% 1st portfolio grade
25% 2nd portfolio grade
25% 3rd portfolio grade
LATE WORK
Each portfolio (made up of 2-4 specified drawings) will have an announced due date; they due at the beginning of class on due dates. Late portfolios will receive a 10% deduction for each class day late. If a portfolio is late due to a documented excused absence, there will be no grade penalty.
Sketchbooks are graded once a week. Late sketchbooks will receive a 10% deduction for each class day late. If a sketchbook is late due to a documented excused absence, there will be no grade penalty.
APSU POLICIES
Misconduct
The University’s policies on academic and classroom misconduct will be strictly enforced. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Please refer to your copy of the student handbook for all matters pertaining to misconduct. Persistent disruption of the learning environment will result in my asking you to drop the course or automatic failure.
Disability Policy
Any student who has a disability that my affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter or you may contact Disability Services at 221-6230 or 221-6278 tty or 221-7102 fax.
Minors in the Classroom
Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.
CLASS ETIQUETTE
Be respectful. Put your cell phone on vibrate or turn it off before class. If you have an emergency, please exit the classroom quietly. Do not use IPODS, laptops, pagers, or any other noise-making electronic gadget during class time. These may be used during breaks.
CAVEAT
The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
