COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course is intended to serve as an introduction to the principles of figure drawing. Throughout the history of art the description of the human figure has been a primary vehicle for personal, social and political expression. It continues to be the essence of much of the work produced by contemporary artists today. In the translation of its plasticity and structure as well as its psychological and emotional content, the human form represents an extremely complex problem for the artist. The exploration of the issues involved with figure drawing are central to an education in art. This course takes the student through the problem of describing the human form and structure while addressing larger issues of drawing and art-making.
Students enrolled in FA 36 (Life Drawing II) will follow the same course structure as FA 35 but will be expected to achieve a higher level of result for each assignment. These students may also be given additional problems concerning materials, methods and concepts. This will be based individually on the student’s ability and needs.
OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
- Accurately describe proportions and structure of the human figure from direct observation.
- Render human form in both line and value.
- Capture totality of pose quickly through gesture drawing.
- Describe weight, rhythm and plasticity in a model’s pose.
- Articulate in drawing clear planer relationships in the human figure which define its structure.
- Relate drawing of figure to the page to create active spatial relationships and successful composition.
- Relate figure to environment to create spatial depth.
- Use a variety of drawing media and techniques to achieve the above objectives.
- Use the figure as a means of addressing psychological and emotional content.
PROCEDURES: Students will work in class from the nude model. Lectures and demonstrations will be given to set up different problems and explain different concepts. The students’ work will be critiqued, both individually and as part of a group, to discuss how well their drawings meet the objectives of each problem. Students will also complete homework assignments that relate to work done in class.
REQUIREMENTS:
1) Regular attendance is absolutely mandatory.
2) Completion of all in-class drawings (a portfolio of all your work will be due at the end of the semester).
3) Completion of all homework assignments.
4) Participation in critiques and class discussions.
ATTENDANCE: The college policy is followed (see handbook or college catalog). Excessive absence or lateness will lead to failure of this course. The college defines excessive absence as more than one week of classes. Two tardies equal one absence. In the exceptional circumstance in which the student is allowed to continue in the class beyond two absences, which is solely up to the discretion of the instructor, the students grade will be reduced one full letter grade for each absence beyond two. This is a studio course. The knowledge that is gained in this course comes almost exclusively from working in class with others and with the instructor’s personal attention. This can not be made up outside of class. Therefore it is absolutely essential that you be in class. However, you are responsible for all the information that transpired in class should you happen to be absent. This includes such things as materials you need to have for the next class. Arrangements should be made to contact the instructors or fellow student before returning to class.
EVALUATION: Your grade will be determined from the following:
PORTFOLIO – 60% of your grade will come from a portfolio of drawings that you will assemble from work done in class and will turn in at the end of the semester.
HOMEWORK – 30% of your final grade will come from all of the homework assignments given over the semester. Each assignment will be given a grade when it is turned in during the semester. If the homework is turned in late, after the due date, it will receive a reduced grade. Homework will not be accepted more than one week after the due date.
SKETCHBOOK- This is part of the homework of the course. There will be a few specific assignments given to be included in the sketchbook, but in general you are expected to work on your own in it every week throughout the semester. It will be turned in near the end of the semester and given a grade.
FINAL PROJECT – The last homework assignment will be the final project. The project will be more complex, you will be given more time to complete it, and it will count as two homework assignments in grading. It will encompass all the ideas dealt with over the semester and will serve as an indication of what you have learned and how much progress you have made.
EFFORT, PARTICIPATION and PROGRESS – 10% of your grade will be based on your overall work ethic, your seriousness of purpose, how prepared you are in class, how much you contribute to discussions and critiques and how much your work progresses from the beginning to the end of class.
WEEKLY OUTLINE
WEEKS 1-2: SEEING LARGE FORMS AND GENERAL RELATIONSHIPS
- placement and proportion
- siting and measuring techniques
- describing large forms as simple geometric forms
- designating outer enveloping “kite” shape
WEEKS 3-4: STRUCTURE AND WEIGHT
- three masses of the body: head, chest and pelvis
- planes of movement - - central axis lines, locating key angles
- center of gravity and balance
- rhythm and movement / gesture drawing
- constructing figure from smaller units
- “modeled” drawing
WEEKS 5-6: CONTOUR
- awareness of edges and enclosing shapes
- determining specific angles
- cross-contour drawing to describe specific variations in form
- describing planes as shape to show structure and form
WEEKS 7-8: MODELING FORM WITH VALUE
- 2 values, 3values and full value scale
- description of large muscle masses
- description of light
WEEKS 10-12: FIGURE AND SPACE
- composition and negative shape
- working negative space first
- relating figure to room and objects in line and value
WEEK 13: EXPRESSIVE USE OF LINE, MARK AND TEXTURE
- experimentation with different media
- line and mark quality
- visual texture
WEEK 14: EXTENDED POSE, INTEGRATION OF IDEAS
WEEK 15: FINAL PROJECT
MATERIALS LIST
Graphite drawing pencils (mix of hardnesses)
Vine charcoal (soft)
Compressed charcoal (stick) or Char-kole pastel
Charcoal pencil and/or china marker (black)
Black pen (metal tip)
All purpose drawing pad of paper 11”x17” and 18”x24”
Pad of tinted charcoal paper
Newsprint pad 14”x17” and 18”x24”
Sketchbook
black india ink and brush and bamboo or quill pen
black , sanguine, or sepia and white conte’, pastel or charcoal
Kneaded eraser
Pencil sharpener
Bull dog clips, masking tape or push pins
Portfolio
Fixitive (to be kept at home)
