COURSE DESCRIPTION

Drawings of the nude, using a variety of techniques, such as gesture, contour and modeling are made in pencil, conte crayon, ink and watercolor with a view toward rendering the figure with perception and sensitivity.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The course provides the student with a basic understanding of the male and female figure, primarily through studio work in drawing from the live model. Included are studies of skeletal and muscular anatomy as these relate to the drawn figure, creating compositions from daily life, understanding drapery, and studying the head and its features.

A goal of the course is to enhance student perception of the human figure in action and repose and to enable sensitive renderings and artistic expressions. Studies of the clothed model, drapery, and compositions which include people and objects are made to further the student's ability to draw subjects from everyday life.

REOUIRED READINGS AND MATERIALS

The text used is THE NATURAL WAY TO DRAW by Kimon Nicholaides. Students are also required to purchase, minimally, four newsprint sketch pads and 2 bond sketch pads, both 18" x24", as well as pencils, conte crayons, erasers, pen, and watercolor brush.

CLASS CONTENT

Beginning with gesture drawing, the course proceeds through contour, cross contour, and modeled drawings of the figure by drawing from the nude and clothed model. Drapery studies and studies of the head and compositions from daily life are 'executed during the course of the semester.

Individual instruction occurs throughout the class period and informal group critiques are held regularly during the last twenty minutes of class. Students reinforce class instruction in technique with home assignments and related readings and exercises in the text.


COURSE CONTENT

1. Gesture drawing
2. Contour drawing
3. Cross contour drawing
4. Weight drawing (mass rather than line)
5. Modeled drawing in conte crayon
6. Skeletal and muscular anatomy as evident in the figure
7. Modeled drawing in ink
8. The head
9. Drapery studies
10.Analysis of proportion
11. Modeled drawing in,watercolor
12. Form and space studies
13. Compositions from life and memory
14. Abstractions of the figure

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Instruction in new techniques, criticism, and experience in drawing from the live model can only occur during class time. Therefore, students who miss class will quickly fall behind. Students are expected to come to class on time (door openings are disturbing to both model and students) and prepared, after the initial class, with their materials. Participation in critiques is encouraged to further one's critical understanding of what "works" and what does not in a drawing.

Home assignments are given after each class. These are not evaluated in class but in the private midterm conference (see below) and in the final portfolio of work selected by the student and submitted at the end of the term.

GRADE DETERMINATION

1. The midterm grade is the result of a private conference with the student at which time all home assignments and in-class drawings are reviewed and evaluated. A grade is recorded and the student apprised of it. Evaluation is based on effort as well as improvement from the beginning to the mid point of the course.

2. Several weeks before the end of the term, students are given a list of drawings to be included in the final portfolio (similar to the listing that appears above). Drawings in each category are selected by the student and submitted. The grade for the final portfolio is based on the quality of the drawings.

The above grades are averaged to determine the final grade for the course.

Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to speak to the professor to arrange adequate accommodations.