Course Description
Designed to increase a student’s understanding of the underlying elements of visual language through observational drawing. The development of skill in observational drawing is pursued as a goal in itself and as an experiential exercise through which students become familiar with the elements and materials of drawing.
Athena Title
Drawing I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ARST 1050H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The primary goal of this course is to enable students to confidently bring drawings from conception to completion and to make drawing a ready and useful tool for expression, thinking, and planning. To that end we expect to enable our students to accomplish the following: 1. To develop a relationship with many mark-making materials both physical (charcoal, graphite, inks, etc.) and virtual, the tools of drawing, and the possibilities of the many kinds of surfaces and supports. 2. To develop skill in observational drawing both as a goal in itself and as an experiential model of the elements of drawing. These elements are useful in the creation of visual works of all kinds. This will include an understanding of: a) The power of compositional choices b) The use of lights and darks, the use of a value range to create convincing three-dimensional forms in drawing c) Sighting and measurement d) Line quality (nervous line, bold, straight, and curved line, etc.) e) Linear and atmospheric perspective in observational and other types of drawing f) The power of all of these elements to present and influence the mood, meaning, and concept in a drawing, as well as developing sensitivity to how elements of context, choice of media and scale, create and alter meaning. 3. To develop a practice of notational drawing or sketchbook keeping as a form of building visual ideas and problem solving, and to recognize the importance of notational drawing as part of the process of ideation and thematic development. 4. To learn how the elements of drawing that are employed in an observational drawing practice may apply to other kinds of visual work and to create an increased familiarity with some of the techniques and rationales for creating non-representational works. 5. To develop evaluative strategies for looking at work and encourage a student’s ability to express her/himself in the terminology of visual arts (vocabulary). 6. To exhibit an ability to explore good, current, and historical examples of drawing to enhance the development of ideas and energize the practice of drawing.
Topical Outline
Week 1 Evolution of Intent Introduction, Discussion of course structure, objectives, and evaluative procedures. Introducing space, materials & marks and the picture plane. Thumbnail thinking and sketchbook. Introduction to vocabulary, elements and principles of design. Week 2 Two Dimensional Space of Drawing Mapping And Sighting Using the Viewfinder, Negative and positive space. Exploration of line properties, line function, variation, and temperament. Sighting accuracy, proportion, triangulation. Linear perspective; sighting and theory. Week 3 Line, Gesture And Geometric Simplification Linear Perspective; sighting and theory diagramming space. Establishing “angling” methods. Gestural expression /geometric simplification, composition, cropping, design of page and use of thumbnail sketches. Week 4 Three Dimensional Space of Drawing Contour, Value, and Planes - Form in Space. Contour and planar analysis, ellipses and transparent drawing. Geometric simplification. Week 5 Value as Structure and Position Identifying space via properties of light. Light logic and local value, chiaroscuro and hatching. Cross contour form in light – applying the value scale, Geometric construction. Week 6 Light and Surface Development Chiaroscuro, Combination of 2D and 3D drawing skills: Week 7 Light and Surface Development Chiaroscuro, The value scale. Combination of 2D and 3D drawing skills: subtractive methods. Tonal keys-and local value, edges and texture. Understanding fabric. Week 8 Format and Texture Format, Surface: Actual and implied textures and pattern. Visual balance. Week 9 Portraiture Proportion, plasticity and expression. Week 10 Perspective Intensive Developing edge sensitivity, eye level. Review one, two multiple point, elliptical and atmospheric perspective. Week 11 Perspective Intensive Visualization and problem solving Value, space, plasticity and movement. Multiple views and scales. Week 12. Visualization and problem solving Texture and surface as expression. Reflective surfaces. Week 13 Visualization and problem solving: Composition Alternatives Week 14 Visualization and problem solving: Developing a Narrative Week 15 Visualization and problem solving: Developing a Narrative In-class drawing exam.
Syllabus