SYLLABUS

Arts 106-006: Drawing-I

Class Meetings: Tu/Th 5:30-8:15pm

Location: Rm 352, Art Building

Instructor: Julia Lambright

Email: julialambright@aol.com  

Office hours: after class or by appointment

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”  Edgar Degas 


COURSE DESCRIPTION: Drawing-I is an introductory course that is designed to introduce the basic skills of design, rendering, and composition to the beginning drawing student.  This course focuses on observation and interpretation of objects from life, creating the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional page through various graphic techniques. The emphasis in this class will be on composing the picture plane, rendering volume, effective use of line, value, texture and perspective, and above all on observation.  Assigned problems may explore aspects of experimental drawing and may include still life, landscape, interior/exterior spaces, figure and the portraiture.

In addition, considerable emphasis will be placed on developing a vocabulary of visual terms and communication through weekly class critiques.

COURSE OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES: Given instruction, hands on assignments, group discussion, critique, and instruction specific to materials and processes, students will:

·      Exercise the major features of Drawing-I as they apply to new practices in vocabulary, concepts, materials, and techniques.

·      Demonstrate effective use of materials and new techniques with consideration to craftsmanship and presentation.

·      Improve observational skills and learn to see in new and more complex ways.

·      Incorporate visual information in terms of proportional relationships, spatial relationships and basic geometric shapes.

·      Explore the basic elements of line, texture, shape, value, and volume, along with the concepts of perspective, proportion, and composition.

·      Use shading (continuous tones, cross contour, cross hatching and stippling) to create the illusion of volume, depth, and the natural way light describes form.

·      Sight and measure 3D still-life and create accurate 2D renderings.

·      Execute one and two point perspective drawings.

·      Discuss drawing using a commonly understood terminology.

·      Allow a drawing to evolve through discovery and learn to see the importance of mistakes.

·      Engage with contemporary art and critical discourse through in-class discussions, gallery visits, and writing assignments.

·      Present their completed work in a professional manner.

NOTE: There is no expectation that the student has had any formal drawing experience; however, there is a requirement that the student has an invested interest in learning to draw and a willingness to work hard.

EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to:

- Attend all class sessions and make up all work missed

- Be prepared for class. This means having all materials required for the class each day

- Demonstrate high level of involvement with work

- Produce drawings effectively using massed-gesture, line (continuous line, contour,

   cross-contour), value (low and high contrast, chiaroscuro), texture, shape (geometric,                                   

   organic, positive/negative shape), and perspective

- Produce drawings primarily in black and white, translating color objects into   

   achromatic values

- Participate in class discussions and group critiques

- Spend several hours working on assignments outside of class each week

- Submit completed portfolios for grading (rolled-up, folded, loose work without a portfolio

   will not be accepted)    

- Keep a sketchbook

 - Participate in the class’ blog 

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is MANDATORY!

Because of the amount of material in this course, new lessons and concepts will be introduced daily. The learning environment experienced in the class is impossible to duplicate, so it is in your best interest to attend every class.

Classes will often begin with a short lecture, which means that punctuality is essential. I expect every student to be in class on time and prepared to work. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.

IMPORTANT! You are allowed two absences without penalty. These are primarily for unavoidable circumstances or for times when you may feel too sick to come to class but do not go to a medical practitioner. Any absence after two will result in a letter grade being deducted from your final grade and for every absence thereafter. On your fifth unexcused absence you will be unable to complete the course.

If you must miss class due to illness or emergency, please contact me as soon as possible.  Students are responsible for finding out what they missed and are required to keep up with assignments, project information and due dates. 

Tardiness is rude and disruptive. Three (3) tardies (being 5 or more minutes late) will equal one absence. Leaving early is equivalent to showing up late and will be considered tardy.

-Withdrawal
After three absences in a row, the instructor may withdraw the student. The instructor may withdraw the student or suggest to the student that he or she withdraw for the following reasons:
-If the student falls far behind in the exercises, for any reason
-If there is an extreme language barrier between student and instructor

NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to initiate drops or complete withdrawals utilizing

http://registrar.unm.edu/ or Lobo Web http://my.unm.edu or LoboPhone (246-2020).                             

-Incomplete
I do not give incompletes.

TEXTBOOK: Handouts will be provided as needed. A textbook is not required for this course. However, The Art of Drawing by Bernard Chaet, Drawing Essentials by Deborah Rockman, and Sketchbook With Voice by Eric Fischl are suggested.

MATERIALS: Please see attached listing of materials. I do sympathize with financial difficulties; however not having the necessary materials with which to complete projects in a timely fashion is not acceptable.

CLASS ETIQUETTE: Use of cell phone/texting is not permitted during class. The phone must be turned off or turned to silent mode. Texting in class is extremely rude and will reflect poorly on your class participation grade.

The last 10 minutes of class is utilized for cleanup. Please remember to clean up after yourself and take your work and personal items with you.

EMAIL & BLOG POLICY: I expect you will check your email and blog daily. If you have a particular e-mail you prefer that I use, be sure to let me know. The class blog is set up as a class’ aid and should be used for announcements, presentations, questions, discussions, and inspirational thoughts.

LOCKERS: No storage is provided in the classroom. Lockers are located in the hallway and are great for storing your classroom items. Lockers may be obtained in Room 204 during the first two weeks of classes.

SAFETY: Absolutely no spraying of fixative anywhere inside the building, or on the bridge.  There is to be no smoking on the bridge.

GRADING: Students will be required to submit two portfolios, one at midterm, and one at the end of the semester. These portfolios will incorporate daily work, homework, finished project’s drawings, and in some cases, the sketchbook. Incomplete portfolios will be accordingly downgraded based on drawings not included from a given list. Detailed descriptions of portfolio requirements will be provided at least one week before the due date.

In addition, grading will be based on your degree of class participation, involvement in critiques, attendance, level of craftsmanship, improvement, and willingness to experiment. Assignments should exhibit a level of craftsmanship and personal insight and must be completed by their due dates. 

Grading for this course will follow the institutional scale:

A = 90 - 100% - Consistently outstanding work. Significant growth in skill development and demonstrated ability in understanding presented concepts. Meets all grading criteria to a higher degree. Participation and attendance is excellent.
B = 89 - 80% - Consistently good work. Demonstrated improvement and growth in skill development and concept assimilation. Meets all grading criteria to an above average degree. 
C = 79 - 70% - Consistently sufficient in growth with average progress in skill development and concept assimilation. Meets minimum levels of acceptance in all grading criteria.
D= 69 – 60% - Below average, less than sufficient improvement. Meets minimum levels of acceptance in some but not all grading criteria.

F = 59 – 0% - Unsatisfactory, unacceptable, insufficient improvement. Inconsistently meets deadlines and finishes assignments. Does not meet minimum levels of acceptance in any grading criteria.

Final grade criteria:

·      Portfolio (60%) – Level of craftsmanship, improvements, willingness to challenge one’s concepts and abilities and utilize lecture/demonstrations

·      Participation (40%) – Sketchbook, exercises, vocabulary quizzes, good work ethic, vocal, visual, blog participation, and attendance.

All major projects are worth 100 points. To find out your major projects average at any given time, simply add all of the points you have received for your projects and divide by the number of projects that there are. 

NOTE: Keep all of your handouts and daily drawings! 

The initial breakdown of an individual assignment / project’s grade is as follows:

·      50% ACCURACY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP / PRESENTATION:

Accuracy includes all aspects of believability: correct proportion, correct perspective, and attention to detail, correct value and tonal gradations, correct modeling, control of drawing medium, control of specified techniques. This includes all aspects of neatness; its execution, and finish and the overall presentation.

• 50% CONCEPT AND CREATIVITY:

Concept includes whether or not you have fulfilled the requirements and objectives of the assignment. Creativity includes composition, and whether or not you have gone beyond the limitations of the assignment, and have developed your work as individual to you. 

NOTE: Midterm and Final Critiques are the studio equivalents to exams.

You must attend all critique days whether you are presenting your work or not because you are required to contribute to others’ critiques. Students who do not attend the critiques of others will receive a full letter grade reduction. Students who fail to attend their own Final Critique will be graded from existing recorded grades.

LATE PROJECTS: If you do not complete the project before the critique, the project will lose one letter grade, and will continue for each subsequent class that it is not complete. The Final Project may not be turned in late.

WORK ETHIC: Work Ethic is doing what is necessary to succeed: reworking / correction/ fixing and redoing projects, going above and beyond, working before or past class time or during “open studio.” All projects may be redone or reworked for a better grade.

ACCESSIBILITY:  Students with special needs should consult with the Department for Students with Special Needs for assistance and obtain a special service’s notification to arrange accommodations with the instructor. Contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 277‐3506 for additional information.

SECURITY: There are two phones with direct lines to campus police located in the building. One is on the first floor next to room 140 and the second is just outside room 252. When you dial 911 from any other telephone on UNM campus you will be directly linked to a campus emergency line. UNM campus police can be reached directly at: (505)277-2241.

Course Outline

(Subject to change)

NOTE:  Check Email and blog daily for updates.

Week 1: Jan 19, 21

Tu: Syllabus & materials discussion, viewfinder demo

      Homework: Make a viewfinder, and set up blog. Draw a self-portrait/ sketchbook (Due Jan. 26)

Th: Art of drawing, basic elements, and vocabulary/ppt.

       Handouts#1-2/Replication Exercise and Drawing Upside-down/sketchbook

       Homework: Finish handouts. (Due Jan. 28)

Week 2: Jan 26, 28

Tu: Line & Shape. Contour & Cross-contour drawing presentation/demo. Exercises: Blind contour vs

      Control line. From Single Object to Still life.  

      Homework: Handouts #3-4/Gesture & Cross Contour, sketchbook (Due next class)

Th: Seeing Shapes: Positive & Negative. Exercise with the paper clips and chairs

       Homework: Assign. #1 - Plants: positive and negative space/18 x 24” Strathmore.

Choose three varied, easily identifiable plants or take an outdoor picture of dormant plants, branches   or tall grass. Arrange your view to enhance positive/negative relationship. Full composition, light

       pencil to be erased, compressed charcoal. Watch for compositional interest, frame and overlapping. 

       Filling in negative areas only, do not oversimplify, show details! (Due Feb. 4)

Week 3: Feb 2, 4  

Tu: Continue work on Assign. #1

Th: Critique: - Positive/Negative Space. Drawing keys: composition, proportion,

       basic unit, axis, and sight measuring. Sighting technique: exercise from 2-D/slide, demo

       Homework: Set up a still life with a group of objects for comparison (tall/large vs small/short,

       organic vs geometric…) practicing compositional arrangement, proportion, and sight

       measuring (three objects minimum)/newsprint. (Due next class)

       NOTE: First Friday Opening: Plan to visit a gallery or two, have fun, and type a short overview 

       (500 words) about your experience. (Due March 3)

Week 4: Feb 9,11

Tu: Critique: HW/Sighting. Organizing Shapes: Searching for grouping, pattern, and meaning/ppt.

       Sighting a Still Life, discussion of line as a space. Exercise: elliptical perspective. Intro to Assign.

       #2

       Homework: Assign. #2 - Family Portrait in Shoes/ 18 X 24” Strathmore, pencil, marker. Arrange a 

       complex still life with shoe(s) that represent your family members (be creative - create a conceptual

       dialogue, tell a story… Use graphite pencil first, then marker. Must show overlapping, focusing on

       contour lines both exterior and interior, and demonstrating line as a space. Pay attention to details 

       and craftsmanship. (Due Feb. 16)

Th: Value/ppt. Exercise: From General to Specific/slides. Still life in charcoal- simple shapes.

        Homework:  Handouts#5/Simplified Shapes/sketchbook. Continue work on Assign. #2

Week 5: Feb 16, 18

Tu: Critique: Family Portrait in Shoes. Tone & Texture – hatching, crosshatching, scribbling,  

       stippling, and frottage. Exercise: tonal bar and two pencils drawing.

       Homework: Handouts #6/Line Techniques, sketchbook. (Due next class)

Th: Conveying Light: light, shade, and shadow. Looking for shapes and value pattern. Exercise: folds

        – subtractive process/watching for hard and soft edges. Introduction to Assign.#3

       Homework: Handouts #7/Rendering the spheres in 3-D. (Due next class) + print black and 

       white photo reference for Assign. #3, part two

Week 6: Feb 23, 25

Tu: Assign. #3: Tonal Still Life – Set of Shiny Objects, graphite, 18 x 24” Strathmore. (Due March 1 

       @ the end of class) Part one: 10-step value scale, refer to handouts.

      Homework: finish part one/Assign. #3

Th: HW. Assign. #3 - Part two

Week 7: March 1, 3

Tu: Assign. #3 – finishing touches. Critique.

       Homework: Print the Gallery Report.

       

Th: Gallery Report is due. Introduction to linear perspective: eye level, vanishing point, and illusion

       of depth/ppt. Exercises: one- and two-point perspective.

       Homework: Draw an interior of a room from a one-point perspective. Include smaller everyday

       objects inside the room. Use 18 x 24” Strathmore, graphite and charcoal pencils. (Due next class)

       Bring ink, brushes, and plastic palette with water container for working in class.

      

Week 8: March 8, 10 - Midterm

Tu: HW: Vocabulary quiz. Introduction to wet media: Ink. Demo: stretching paper, washes, blot 

       drawing. Discussion on Assign. #4: Abstracted and Invented Textures.

       Homework: Start working on Assign. #4. Ink, 12 x 16” stretched watercolor paper (140lb, hot 

       press) or illustration board. (Due March 22)

Th: Assign. #4 - continue

       Homework: Continue work on Assign. #4

Week 9: March 15, 17 – Spring Break

Tu: No class

Th: No class - Prepare a midterm portfolio for review.

Week 10: March 22, 24

Tu: Critique – Assign. #4. Midterm portfolio is due. Introduction to figure: basics of figure

       construction, proportions, and foreshortening/ppt. Exercise: skeleton.

       Homework: Make a series of five rapid gestural sketches from TV shows or videos, 

       capturing figures in action. Draw from active subject matter such as film, music videos, or

       dance performances. You may ‘freeze’ the frame for a few moments. (Due next class)

 Th: Assign. #5: Skeleton – White on Black (Due March 31)

        Homework: Continue work on Assign. #5

Week 11: March 29, 31

Tu: Assign. #5 - continue

       Homework: Assign. #5- finishing touches

Th: Critique: Assign. #5. Figure Study/ model

       Homework: Make a well-developed drawing of your own hand and feet. (Due next class)

Week 12: April 5, 7

Tu: HW. Figure Study/model. Extra credit: MFA Review

Th: Portrait: Critical measure – front, profile, and ¾ view/ppt. Exercise:   Skull

        Homework: Create a ¾ view self-portrait study with torn paper. Start by preparing

        five to seven tones by hatching onto newsprint paper with charcoal. Sketch your portrait on a 18 x

        24” sheet of Bristol paper and then begin to establish the tonal relationships with torn pieces. 

        Gluing the darkest value first is a good approach. (Due next class)

 Week 13: April 12, 14

Tu: HW. Portrait of a classmate

      Homework: Artist’s research: upload to the blog. Remember: visual presentation is important!

Th: Assign. # 6: Portrait Study/model (Due next class)

Week 14: April 19, 21

Tu: Critique: Assign. #6. Discussion on final project/ppt. Artists statement. How to set up a grid.

       Homework: Gather all ideas, materials for the final project. Be ready to work in class!

Th: Work on the final project

Week 15: April 26, 28

Tu: Work on the final project

Th: Final project - Finishing touches

Week 16: May 3, 5

Tu: FINAL CRITIQUE / Party

Th: Portfolio Pick-up

MATERIAL LIST

You may purchase a prepackaged Art Kit from the UNM Bookstore and add additional items.

• Portfolio/tote - large enough to easily hold 18 x 24.” Or, make your own out of cardboard with the bottom hinged with packing tape. See instructions.
• Standard portable drawing board 22”x26” (must be big enough to fit 18x24” paper) OR sheet of MDF masonite similar size
• Supply box with handle
• Ruler 24 “ or longer
• 4 large binder clips to clamp portfolio
• Pushpins
• Fixative spray/permanent or workable - (may not be used in the building)
•  Scissors
• Decent pencil sharpener
• Chamois skin
• X-acto Knife
• Blending Assortment: Small Chamois, one Large Felt Blending Stump, other assorted size Blending Stumps, Assorted Torchons
• Eraser Assortment: kneaded, extending pencil type eraser with refills tuff stuff, art gum, pearl pink, Staedtler white, etc…
• Box of soft willow charcoal (preferably variety pack)
• Compressed Charcoals – (package with white, black, and gray)
• Black Charcoal pencil (soft)
• White charcoal pencil
• Graphite pencils assortment (H to B pencil set)
• Roll 1”-1 ½” easy release 3M blue masking tape (or drafting)
• Black Sharpies, gel or micron Pen(s) –variety pack
• Strathmore 400 series or equivalent drawing paper pad, 18 x 24”
• Strathmore Newsprint Pad, 18” x 24”, 50 sheets minimum
• 8-10 Big Sheets of interleaving or glassine paper (for protecting drawings
• Bottle of Waterproof black India In
• Nylon watercolor brush, size 2 and 6 Round
• Sketchbook 9” x 12” (bigger is fine, but no smaller)

Supply Outlets: All closed on Sunday except Michael’s

Artisan Santa Fe (10% student discount)             3017 Monte Vista Blvd. NE  256-4540

Hobby Lobby                                                 9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE 292-9665

                                                                         700 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE      271-8545

                                                                         9350 Eagle Ranch Rd. NW  897-3537

Michael’s Arts and Crafts                             4410 Wyoming Blvd. NE     299-4007

                                                                         11140 Lomas Blvd. NE        271-4955

UNM Bookstore                                                                                             277-0111