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10207117 Figure Drawing for Concepting
Course Information
Description
An introduction to figure drawing for concept development in animation, games, and digital 3D production. Students develop foundational skills in gesture, proportion, anatomical construction, and the representation of the human figure in a variety of poses and body types. Emphasis is placed on understanding anatomical structure, balance, weight, movement, and three-dimensional form as they relate to concept art and 3D production. Through demonstrations, guided practice, figure studies, and digital drawing exercises, students apply traditional drawing principles within contemporary digital workflows. Students also explore digital techniques for correcting and refining artwork, developing variations, and improving productivity in ways that reflect current practices in 3D-related industries. 
Total Credits
3

Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Construct volumetric anatomical forms
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use accurate anatomical landmarks and proportions
    Three-dimensional volumes account for perspective and foreshortening of the figure
    Position key drawing markers and anatomical anchors in relation to reference material
    Figurative proportions are maintained while accounting for field-of-view and perspective distortion in reference material
    Apply drawing techniques and construction methods

  2. Construct overlapping contours
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Overlapping contours communicate anatomical hierarchy and spatial relationships
    Overlapping contours clearly communicate the visual order and hierarchy of anatomical forms
    Overlapping contours represent anatomical structures accurately
    Overlapping contours account for perspective and foreshortening
    Maintain accurate anatomical relationships and proportions across variations in body type

  3. Render the figure using varied line weights, professional line quality, and shading techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply varied line weights intentionally throughout figurative drawings
    Structure line-weight relationships to reinforce anatomical forms, volumes, depth, and spatial relationships
    Produce smooth, controlled, and fluid linework with intentional flow and clean line termination
    Apply appropriate tonal values and shading to accurately represent established lighting groups and three-dimensional form

  4. Render a variety of body types to represent differences in the shapes, proportions, and anatomical structures of the human form
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    A variety of body types are represented across figurative drawings
    Apply proportional variations associated with different human figures
    Represent how soft tissue and body composition influence the shape, volume, and appearance of anatomical forms
    Represent individual anatomical characteristics rather than relying on generalized or idealized figure proportions
    Apply anatomical principles across a diverse range of reference figures while maintaining the distinctive characteristics of each reference

  5. Construct anatomical forms that reflect muscle engagement, tension, and movement of the human figure
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Anatomical forms represent muscle tension, flexion, and relaxation
    Anatomical forms communicate balance, weight, and weight distribution when depicting the figure in motion
    Anatomical forms represent skeletal and muscular engagement as the body moves and changes position
    Apply observable changes in anatomical landmarks and structures, such as the clavicles, to communicate movement and muscle engagement

  6. Identify the anatomical names, locations, and basic forms of visible muscular and skeletal structures of the human body
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Criteria
    You achieve the minimum score as specified by the instructor

  7. Construct the human figure using gesture, balance, weight, and line of action to communicate natural and dynamic poses
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Establish a clear line of action that communicates the primary movement and direction of the figure
    Capture gesture and overall flow to create natural and dynamic poses
    Human figure represents balance and weight distribution through the positioning and relationship of anatomical forms
    Human figure maintains proportions and structural relationships while in a variety of poses and movements

  8. Use digital drawing tools and software to create, edit, organize, and refine figure drawings
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use brushes, layers, selections, transformations, and other relevant tools in digital drawing software
    Use an organized and purposeful layer structure when creating figure drawings
    Adjust brush settings, opacity, size, and other digital tools to achieve intentional line, shape, and value effects
    Use editing and transformation tools to correct proportions, placement, anatomy, and composition without compromising the drawing's overall quality
    Apply digital techniques such as zooming, rotating, mirroring, and canvas navigation to support accurate and efficient drawing
    Maintain an organized digital workflow, including appropriate file formats, naming conventions, and file management
    Revise drawings through multiple digital iterations
    Troubleshoot common software and workflow issues
    Completed figure drawings are exported in appropriate digital formats and resolutions

  9. Create varied line quality, texture, edge, and expressive effects in figure drawings
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Critique
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Demonstrate control of digital mark-making techniques
    Demonstrate control over brush size, opacity, pressure sensitivity, and other digital settings to produce intentional marks
    Vary line weight, direction, speed, and quality to describe form, movement, anatomy, and emphasis
    Use different digital brushes and mark-making approaches
    Create a range of textures and surface qualities
    Apply hard, soft, lost, and found edges intentionally to describe form, depth, and focal areas
    Use expressive marks to communicate gesture, movement, emotion, and individual artistic intent
    Select digital tools and brushes appropriate to the visual goals of a particular figure drawing
    Demonstrate consistent digital mark-making across both short studies and sustained drawings
    Demonstrate unconventional or expressive digital marks while maintaining clear communication of the figure
    Revise mark-making choices