10201103Drawing Fundamentals
Course Information
Description
An introductory course to build draftsmanship and confidence in basic observational drawing skills. It includes the study of proportion, line and tone, light source, composition, perspective, human anatomy and life drawing. This is a foundation course with emphasis on technical skill-building, class discussion of contemporary and historical art, daily sketchbook practice and hands-on learning.
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Experiential-Portfolio
Course Competencies
  1. Critique visual choices
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Reflection
    Criteria
    Personal written reflections critically assess the visual decisions made in your own work
    Response to the work of your colleagues and peers is respectful and engages with the vocabulary we use each unit
    Verbal and written analysis of successful and unsuccessful examples of professional work articulate what is working well and could be improved

  2. Use drawing as a tool for communication
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation
    Criteria
    Weekly sketchbook diaries are completed as specified by the instructor
    Presentation of work responds accurately to weekly briefs
    Work demonstrates quick sketching to produce a high volume of images

  3. Practice the tools and techniques of draftsmanship
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply safety precautions and best techniques when using a blade to sharpen the pencil
    Sketches demonstrate use of the violin pencil grip (rather than writing grip) to show varied width of line
    Sketches include a variety of mix-paced drawings at timed intervals to strengthen hand-eye coordination
    Draw sight/out of sight, blind contour and memory vs. observational drawings to build visual acuity

  4. Apply sight angles and proportions to drawings
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Practice drawings include sighted-angles, primitives and landmarks to bring accuracy to the work
    Practice drawings measure proportional relationships of simple objects
    Final drawings recognize size relationships between different volumes and forms
    Final drawings apply proportional measurement techniques to observational drawings of increasingly complex subjects

  5. Build a foundation for line (contour) drawing
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Practice drawings identify how complex objects can be broken down into their simplest shapes
    Practice drawings demonstrate a variety of line quality uses and show hierarchy of line weights
    Final drawings demonstrate accurate proportion and a variety of contour approaches
    Final drawings add volume to a drawing using overlapping contours, curves and junctions

  6. Recognize the elements of light source
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Practice drawings identify four elements of light source (highlight core shadow, cast shadow, reflected light)
    Practice drawings show a variety of tonal media (willow charcoal, pastels, and full value range of graphite)
    Final drawings demonstrate a wide range of values and include all the elements of light source
    Final drawings create focal points using contrast, sharpness, detail, texture, and value

  7. Identify strong/weak composition
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Practice drawings include composition thumbnails to experiment with positive and negative space
    Practice drawings illustrate zooming in and cropping objects to create 'macro' drawings of familiar objects
    Final drawings use positive and negative space to create dynamic energy relationships in pictorial space
    Final drawings demonstrate balance, emphasis, tension and movement in a composition

  8. Contextualize drawing practice within design and art history
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation
    Criteria
    Presentation focuses on a visual artist (of any medium) and includes 10 key visuals
    Presentation addresses both the formal and informal qualities of the work (media, message, cultural context and design principles)
    Presentation communicates to the class what resonates with you about the work and how it relates to your own creative practice

  9. Practice heightened drawing techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Practice drawings identify the design and pattern applications of light and dark shapes (Notan)
    Final drawings use a diverse variation of media to create forms using light against shadow (digital and traditional media)
    Apply safety precautions and best techniques when using a blade to sharpen the pencil
    Any photo reference imagery used is clearly credited and responsibly sourced

  10. Create believable space using linear perspective
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Differentiate between uses for One, Two, and Three-Point Perspective
    Practice drawings include each of the elements of Linear Perspective (vanishing point orthogonals, horizon line)
    Practice drawings transform simple geometric shapes into believable spaces and environments
    Final drawings uphold the tenants of Linear Perspective, but bring forth some narrative elements (storyboarding)

  11. Explore drawing media (traditional and digital)
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use various drawing materials (willow and charcoal pencils, pastels, graphite, pen and ink)
    Explore the strengths and applications for each media
    Sketch digitally using a Wacom Tablet
    Final drawings (both digital and traditional) demonstrate skills learned in the previous units (Contour Drawing, Light Source, Composition, Perspective)

  12. Exhibit professional practice habits
    Assessment Strategies
    One-on-One Review
    Criteria
    Communication with instructor about questions and concerns is professional in language and tone
    Mindset/attitude is respectful
    Dialogue of feedback is shared in an open and inclusive manner
    A portfolio of work is presented in the requested format as specified by the instructor