Art 105: Life Drawing 1 Art 106: Life Drawing 2

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ART 105: LIFE DRAWING I

ART 106: LIFE DRAWING II

Fall, 2010
Tuesday, Thursday Noon-2:50 pm
Rm 711

Southwestern College
Professor Perry Vasquez
School of Arts and Communication
pvasquez@swccd.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In the course Life Drawing I and II, students will practice representation of the disrobed (i.e. nude) human body using gesture, contour, and modeling and if time permits, color. There is an artificial way to draw that is based on learning techniques and mannerisms. There is also a natural way to draw based on close observation of the object you are drawing. In this class we will be focusing on the natural approach. We will focus on drawing from the live models in the studio as well as models in the environment at large. Our understanding of life drawing will also be augmented through lectures, slide shows, field trips and group critiques of student work.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Develop the eye-hand coordination necessary for the execution of competent representations

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of composition and the interrelation of shape and form to create harmonious visual patterns

• Indicate mass and volume through the controlled application of gradients of tonal value

• Apply a synthesis of drawing and painting techniques in a wide variety of media, in both black and white and color

• Create drawings based on a correct knowledge of anatomical structure

• Identify and evaluate notable artists and artworks from a variety of time periods, styles and cultures.

• Use art terms in written oral projects and presentations

required TEXTBOOK

Art 105
Burne Hogarth, Dynamic Figure Drawing

Art 106
Burne Hogarth, Drawing the Human Head

WEBLIOGRAPHY

Art Studio Chalkboard : Resource for artists and art students that focus on the technical fundamentals of perspective, shading, color and painting.

FIgure Drawing Lab : This site is devoted to better understanding of the elements that make up the human figure and how to better portray them.

One-Point Perspective : Step-by-step instructions for basic one-point are presented on this site.

The Geometry of Seeing (Getty Museum Exhibit) Books and printed images to paintings and sketches, and from miniature pop-up theaters to early surveying devices, demonstrates the development of perspective.

Tours of Old Master Drawings : Database of approximately sixty drawings and oil sketches of European Old Masters.

The Alphabet of Art : This site explains, in simple terms, the elements of visual design.

Drawing Materials and Techniques : A table with links to definitions and descriptions of drawing techniques and materials.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance for all classes is mandatory. Five absences over the course of the semester will result in the reduction of your grade anywhere from a half to a full letter grade depending on your performance while you are in class. More than 5 unexcused absences and you can be dropped from the class.

Each student must attend the first class meeting or make arrangements with the instructor of he/she is going to be absent. Failure to attend the first class meeting will result in being dropped from the class. Though a student may be dropped, he/she must drop classes according to to the posted deadlines to ensure refunds and unsatisfactory grades. If emergencies arise, a petition for leave of absence should be filed in Admissions.

When you return to class after an absence, speak with me immediately before or after class so that I can give you any handouts and/or assignments.

ACADEMIC HONESTY & COURTESY STANDARDS

Plagiarism and cheating, perpetuated actively or passively, constitute violations of academic honesty. Disregard for written or verbal instructions regarding course work may, at the discretion of the instructor, represent academic cheating. All violations and suspected violations of academic honesty will result in action against the party or parties involved, and will be documented in writing with the Dean of Student Activities and the Dean of the School of Arts and Communication. Sanctions may include no-credit or formal charges of student misconduct. Formal charges can result in academic probation, suspension or expulsion.

Disruptive behavior constitutes any activity that disrupts classroom instruction or learning. Examples of disruptive behavior include talking during instruction, constant interruptions that are irrelevant to course or current topic, and the like. The instructor has the right to excuse anyone who is being disruptive. In extreme cases, a student may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion. For more information see the SWC Catalog and/or Student Handbook.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make up work that I missed?
No, unless you make special arrangements with me beforehand.

Can I turn in a project late?
No late projects unless you can make arrangements with me beforehand or unless you have a legitimate excuse such as family emergency or sickness.

What happens if I am late to class?
Arriving more than 15 minutes late to class will be considered tardy. Three tardy arrivals will count as one full absence.

CELL PHONES

Turn off all phones, electronic games, and other distracting electronic items.   They will have to wait until class is over.

DISABILITIES

Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities discuss academic accommodations with their professors during the first two weeks of class. This syllabus and course handouts are available in alternate media upon request.

If you believe that you have a learning disability or other issues of which   I should be aware, please notify me as soon as possible. Also there are many places on campus to get help--don’t be shy to use these services.

You can read more about Southwestern's disability policies here:

THE JOURNAL

You are required to do weekly assignments outside of class in your sketchbook journal. Carefully label your weekly drawing assignments so that I can easily identify them. Otherwise you may not receive credit for your work.

CRITIQUES

Occasionally we will discuss student work as a group. Critiques are focused opportunities to share insights, verbalize intentions and to assist students in their development. Please use a professional and respectful tone while discussing the work of your peers. The critique process is meant to help each student understand the strengths and weaknesses in her/his work. Critiques should never feel like a personal attack.

Critiques in a studio class are as important as exams in a lecture course. Attendance is critical and required. Not only are no make ups allowed, they are not possible. A successful critique is a participatory experience, not a solo enterprise.

Disability Support Services

Southwestern College recommends that students with disabilities discuss academic accommodations with your professor during the first two weeks of class.  Alternate format of this syllabus and class handouts are available upon request. 

Academic Success Center

To further your success, reinforce concepts, and achieve the stated learning objectives for this course, I refer you to the Academic Success Center learning assistance services.  Upon request for tutorial services, you will be automatically enrolled in NC 3:  Supervised Tutoring, a free noncredit course that does not appear on your transcripts. 

Services are located in the ASC (420), the Writing Center (420D), the Reading Center (420), Math Center (426), the Library/LRC Interdisciplinary Tutoring Lab, MESA, specialized on-campus School tutoring labs, the Higher Education Center at National City, and the San Ysidro Education Center.  Online learning materials and Online Writing Lab (OWL) are available at www.swccd.edu/~asc. 

GRADING

• "A" grades are given for outstanding work. You are doing extremely well. Improvements will be towards higher degrees of refinement.

• "B" grades are given for above=average work. You are doing very well> Improvements will be toward higher refinements of concept and execution.

• "C" grades are given for average work. You are meeting an acceptable level or expectation. Improvements will be towards acceptable levels of project requirements.

• "D" grades are given for below=average work. You are under-achieving in quality and/or motivation. Improvements will be towards acceptable level of project requirements.

• "F" grades are given for failure. You are not reaching the expected level for college work. Improvements are to review goals, seek assistance and increase efforts

• "I" grades are only given in very rare circumstances when students are prevented from completing the course requirements due to circumstances beyond their control.

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