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Department of Music, Art and Design
School of Liberal Arts and Education, Virginia State University
Life Drawing 1 • Tuesday and Thursday • 5:30 PM– 8:00 PM, in Room 222 Harris Hall
Fall 2008, 3 semester hours
Instructor: Mr. Helms • 804.475.1020 • clintonhelms@gmail.com
ARTS 202-02, Life Drawing I
Course Description: The fundamentals of drawing expression are introduced using graphite pencil, charcoal; conte and wash media are explored. Course includes weekly critiques and discussions.
II. OBJECTIVES
A. Knowledge:
1. be exposed to a variety of drawing media for creative expression.
2. be exposed to and identify works of past masters of drawing.
3. develop vocabulary relative to the language of drawing.
B. Skills:
1. develop skills in technique, composition and the graphic representation of ideas.
2. be able to draw what you see.
3. to see more intensely.
4. to use correct terminology when discussing class work, writing essays
and research papers.
C. Abilities:
1. keep an artist’s sketchbook/notebook.
2. develop sensitivity to natural and man-made forms.
3. communicate orally and in writing, discussing your art, the art of other
students and other artists.
III. COURSE CONTENT
A. A variety of drawing media will be introduced.
B. The elements and principles of design will be explored. Areas to be covered:
1. line
a. contour
b. cross-contour
c. line width
d. lost and found line
e. searching line
f. hatching, cross-hatching, scribble hatching
g. gesture
2. shape and form
3. positive and negative space
4. value
5. texture
6. mass and volume
7. directional movement
8. perspective and foreshortening
9. proportion
10. rhythm and harmony
11. focal point
12. unity and variety
C. Subject matter will include still life, landscape and cityscape, figure and portraiture.
D. Styles of expression will be explored and integrated
1. Realism: drawing what you see
2. Expressionism: drawing what you feel
E. Skills in communication of design will be developed. Students will critique their own work and other students’ work.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Attendance is mandatory.
• Each student may have up to two (2) unexcused absences during the semester.
• Each unexcused absence after that will result in a reduction of the final grade for
the course of five (5) points.
• 3 lates will add up to one absence.
• Leaving before being excused will be considered an unexcused absence.
• Sleeping and any disruptive behavior in the class will likewise be considered an
unexcused absence.
• Any absence will lower the quality of your portfolio.
• To obtain an excused absence, the instructor must be notified in advance (or, in case of an emergency, as soon as possible) and written proof must be provided.
Note: a student must make up any class work that is missed. The teacher will not repeat project instructions for unexcused missed absences.
A grade of at least a C must be obtained in all major classes; otherwise the class will have to be repeated.
To obtain an excused absence, the instructor must be notified in advance (or, in case of an emergency, as soon as possible) and written proof must be provided.
B. Students who are covered under the American Disability Act should privately inform the teacher of this fact so that appropriate instructional arrangements can be made.
C. Use of cell phones and cell phone ringing is prohibited in the classrooms. Please be courteous and limit cell phone use outside classrooms of Harris Hall. It is best to use your cell phone outside the building.
D. Students will be required to work on assignments during class time. The instructor will be available for assistance. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor questions or to ask for assistance. If class time is over and the assignment is not completed, the project needs to be completed outside class and turned in at the beginning of the next class period. Additional homework assignments will also be given periodically.
E. Students are required to be prepared for class by having materials ready at the beginning of class and by presenting assignments that are due at the beginning of class time.
F. Every student is expected to carry his or herself in a professional and respectful manner not only to the instructor but to his/her peers and classmates. Outburst of any kind that may take distract or disturb the classroom or the learning environment will not be tolerated. If necessary the instructor will ask any student that is disrespectful
or disruptive to leave the class.
G. THE HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to complete all of their assignments without the assistance of any other student. Claiming any other students work as your own will be considered to be a direct violation of the Honor Code. Honor violations
are slightly different from those of other departments. Aside from the obvious violations such as vandalism and theft, visual art violations include the appropriation of work done by others without proper credit, and the submission of work, completed for one class, for credit in another class.
H. You are required to keep a SKETCHBOOK.
1. Print your name clearly on the outside and in small letters in the bottom right hand corner of each page.
2. Work in your sketchbook daily; date each drawing.
3. Use your sketchbook like a diary for remembering places you have been with sketches,
cutting and pasting and writing.
4. Related artwork found in magazines, newspapers, flyers should be pasted in your
sketchbook with your comments.
5. Review museum shows, art-related tv programs, notes on art books and magazines
you have skimmed.
6. Thumbnail sketches as preliminary drawings of class and homework assignments.
7. Use your sketchbook to explore media.
8. Practice sketching people as they move or sit around.
9. Drawings need not be “finished.” You need quantity in your sketchbook.
10. Make sure all loose work is pasted down so nothing will fall out of your book.
11. Carry your sketchbook with you at all times and to each drawing class. It will be
graded periodically, some times unannounced or announced ahead of time.
V. GRADING:
An “A” student has regular on-time attendance, is fully prepared, consistently completes class assignments, and has a consistent exploratory, experimental, questioning attitude. An “A” student shows improvement in work over the semester, has a caring attitude and shares in class discussions. Standards are extremely high and should be taken seriously. Classroom conduct has an impact on your course grades. You will be expected to participate in classroom activities and be considerate member of the “community” within the classroom. Not having supplies (for any reason) does not excuse participation in required activities or missed deadlines. All deadlines must be met or grades will be lowered
GRADING CRITERIA:
Professionalism / Presentation
Deadlines
Craftsmanship
Attendance
Classroom Participation
Understanding of the Materials
GRADE SCALE:
A - Outstanding (consistently exceptional work that raises the standards of the class)
B - Above Average (Exceeding the requirements and expectations of the course)
C - Average (Meeting all class requirements)
D - Below Average (completion of most but not all requirements)
F - Fail (failure to meet the requirements of the course)
VI. MY EXPECTATIONS:
I expect everyone to work to their very best ability and no less. A strong work ethic is not only critical for this class but to succeed in VSU’s art program. Please ask as many questions as you need to. I’m here for you and to push your talent and to make you a more successful artist. If your expectations are high, I will push you to become even better. There is always room for improvement.
philosophy: “whatever it takes to get the job done”.
RULES:
No music / headphones
No eating in class
No cell phones
VII. SAFETY PROCEDURES:
A. Never use electrical equipment, paper cutters or mat cutters without supervision by the instructor.
B. Use safety goggles when using saws or chemicals.
C. Always use sprays, rubber cement, oil paint or chemicals in a ventilated area. Fixative must only be used out doors.
D. Use a face-mask when using sprays or chemicals.
E. Be aware of paints containing lead (i.e. flake white oil paint) and do not let it get on your skin or in your eyes or mouth. Recommendation: don’t use lead based paint.
F. Dispose of chemicals, turpentine, kerosene and oil paints only in designated containers. Do not dump this material down the sink!
G. Make sure the blade on exacto and mat knives are always retracted or protected when not in use, even if for a short time period. Use extreme caution and courtesy when handing an exacto or mat knife to another person.
H. Use precaution when using all tools or handing tools to another person.
I. Know where first aid kits and eye-washes are located.
J. Report any accidents to the instructor.
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Joseph D’Amelio, Perspective Drawing Handbook, Van Nos Reinhold
Lu Bro, Drawing: A Studio Guide, W.W. Norton & Co.
Bernard Chaet, The Art of Drawing, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Bernard Chaet, An Artist’s Notebook: Techniques and Materials, Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Betty Edwards, Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain, Houghton Mifflin.
Nathan Goldstein, The Art of Responsive Drawing, Prentice Hall.
Robert Kaupelis, Experimental Drawing, Watson-Guptill Pub.
Ralph W. Mayer, The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques, Penguin.
Mendelowitz, Daniel, Duane Wakeham and David Faber, A Guide to Drawing, Thompson and Wadsworth.
Kimon Nicolaides, Natural Way to Draw, Houghton Mifflin Co.
Teel Sale and Claudia Betti, Drawing, A Contemporary Approach, 5th edition, Thomson and Wadsworth.
SUPPLIES for ARTS 202-02, Life Drawing I Mr. Helms
ASSORTMENT OF GRAPHITE DRAWING PENCILS:
HB, 2B (several), 4B, 6B, etc.
Ebony pencils
Several Black Marker (sharpie)
ERASERS:
kneaded, gum
OTHER SUPPLIES:
Conte crayons and conte pencils in black, white and grey
Paper glue or glue sticks or spray adhesive (sprays can only be used outside)
hand-held pencil sharpener
exacto knife and supply of blades
scissors
drafting tape
bulldog clamps
metal ruler (at least 18” long)
portfolio for storing and presenting artwork
tackle box for storing and carrying supplies
lock for locker
PAPER:
pad of newsprint paper, at least 18 x 24
variety of good grade drawing paper at least 18 x 24
sketchbook in a comfortable size to always carry around with you (preferably 8” x 10” minimum)
portfolio for carrying your drawings
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