Tuesday, January 28, 2014

What You Need to Master to Make Successful Drawings

"Focus on scaling a drawing to fit the size of the paper; anchor an object in its surroundings by showing how it sits in space; focus on the distance between elements of the object and on their relative sizes; and focus on the size and shape of "negative space," or the empty space between parts of the object. Lastly, they recommend thinking of "lines" as what they really are — boundaries between light and dark areas." - Natalie Wolchover

"Why Are Some People Better at Drawing than Others?"

Examples of Art History Drawings








Art 102 Syllabus

Art 102 - 2001: Drawing 2

Instructor: Peter Whittenberger TuTh: 7-9:30 PM Room: RDMT 218
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone: 775-673-7291

A. Course Description
ART  102 • Drawing 2 (3 credits)
Continued exploration of drawing techniques and concepts. Prerequisite: None.

B. Course Outcomes
1. Analyze differences between drawing media and their appropriate uses to achieve particular desired effects;

3. Evaluate verbally or in written form personal art work and the work of other students in terms of technical and aesthetic success and historical/cultural references;

4. Diagram and analyze compositional structures of various drawings and paintings utilizing reproductions as well as original art work;

5. Evaluate the use of drawing techniques as they are used to strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression;

6. Strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression through maintenance of a personal sketchbook/journal including class notes, homework assignments, as well as sketches and writing done independently of class work;

7. Evaluate and describe artists' work viewed in museum and/or gallery settings;

8. Examine and analyze masters' styles and periods of art.

9. Evaluate compositional structure of drawings and create drawings incorporating basic compositional principles.

10. Strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression through maintenance of a journal/sketchbook, gallery and museum visits, research and class discussions.

Important Dates
Last Day to Drop (100%)
1/31/14
Last Day to Drop (50%)
2/14/14
Last Day to Drop
4/09/14
Spring Break
3/15/13-3/21/13
Instruction Ends 
5/18/13
Spring Semester Ends 
5/23/13



Class Schedule (Subject to Revision)
Week 1
T 01.28 Syllabus, Class Philosophies, Galleries, Get Supplies
Th 01.30 Group Still-life Draw

Week 2
T 02.04 Studio
Th 02.06 Studio

Week 3 
T 02.11 Studio
*Th 02.13 Critique, Studio

Week 4
T 02.18 Art History Presentation
Th 02.20 Studio

Week 5
T 02.25 Studio
*Th 02.27 Critique, Studio

Week 6
T 03.04 Studio
Th 03.06 Studio

Week 7
*T 03.11 Critique, Studio
Th 03.13 Studio

Week 8
T 03.18 NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
Th 03.20 NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK

Week 9
T 03.25 Studio
*Th 03.27 Critique, Studio

Week 10
T 04.01 First Four Art History Drawings Due, Studio
Th 04.03 Studio

Week 11
*T 04.08 Critique, Studio
Th 04.10 Artist Statement First Draft, Studio

Week 12
T 04.15 Studio
Th 04.17 Studio

Week 13
T 04.22 Studio
*Th 04.24 Critique, Studio

Week 14
T 04.29 Studio
Th 05.01 Studio

Week 15
*T  05.06 Lead Drawing 1 Final Project Proposals Critique, Studio
Th 05.08 Studio

Week 16
T 05.13 Final Four Art History Drawings Due, Final Artist Statement Due, Studio
*Th 05.15 Final Critique

D. Methods of Instruction  
1. Attendance - This is a working, studio class. To succeed in this course it is expected you attend every meeting prepared and participate in class discussions, critiques, demonstrations and required studio time. This being a college course, I assume you are all responsible adults and if you miss class you do so with good reason. Therefore I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. 

Attendance will be taken regularly. Punctual attendance at all scheduled class meetings is Required. Attendance constitutes 20% of your grade. Missing three or more classes is considered excessive and will lower your final grade. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain and complete the next assignment due from a source other than the instructor.

Your attendance grade is based on more than you simply showing up. Being physically present is not considered participating, in fact non-participation counts as an absence. Participation is Defined as showing up to every class meeting with your assignment completed, ALL of your class supplies and materials (mandatory for everyday), contributing to class discussions and critiques, as well as working during schedule studio time. Showing up to class unprepared counts as an absence. 

2. Assignments - Outside of the scheduled studio time, you are expected to spend a number of hours working on your assignments at home. This class is very labor intensive and requires a large time commitment to produce a level of high quality work. I recommend that you drop the class if you do not have sufficient time available to meet these requirements. 

3. Portfolios - All assigned work should be kept and/or carried in a sturdy portfolio that will accommodate 18” x 24” work which should be kept flat and protected while it is in-process as well as after its return. You are required to retain all of your completed work. Do NOT discard anything!

4. Sketch Books - You will keep a sketch book (Min 11” x 14”) in which assignments and ideas are recorded, concepts explored, and ideas formulated. Bring your sketch book to every class meeting.

5. Art History Drawings - Throughout the semester you will be researching and recreating 8 individual art movements or style from art history. The recreations will be done on quartered paper, so you will have four drawings per 18x24 sheet of paper. When you are recreating a piece in the style of your chosen movement, you will place an object of your choosing in the composition. You will use this same object for all 8 studies. The first 4 will be handed in with your Midterm portfolio and all 8 will be handed in with your final portfolio. 

6. Critiques - All projects will be submitted to a formal group critique. It is expected that all students will attend and participate in the group’s critiques. Critiques are vital to your growth and success in the class as they are the forum where your ideas are discussed. You will talk about your decision making and problems you had when approaching and completing an assignment. You will also talk to your classmates by discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their work and giving constructive criticism. Critiques constitute a large portion of your participation grade as well as your individual assignments. Please do not show up late for critiques. Please make sure to have completed work for the critiques as you will be given ample studio time to complete your pieces. The purpose is to find your voice and build a portfolio.

7. Artist Statement - Throughout the semester you will be working to find your voice and build a body of work you can use to apply to galleries, museums, grants, and BFA programs. Along with your artworks, you will be creating an artist statement that will help you communicate your ideas to your viewers and inform your creative directions. You will hand in a rough draft towards the end of the term and a final draft as part of your final portfolio. You will work on this throughout the semester during critiques.

Here is a link that will help you understand how to write an artist statement:

E. Evaluation
The nature of evaluating artwork leads to subjective decisions that need to be made. For grading purposes, the final judgment has to be the instructor. In class you should seek out opportunities during critiques to have an ongoing dialogue regarding the artistic merit of your work. You can always have influence on how your work is perceived by the input you contribute. Debate, constructive criticism, and the exchange of ideas are vital for your success in this class. Grading is done on a sliding scale through out the semester. Your final grade will be reflective of the work you hand in for your final portfolio. It is encouraged that you take advantage of the suggestions and criticism from the critiques and make the proper changes to your work.

Drawings Submitted for Critique: 800 pts
Art History Drawings: 400 pts
Artist Statement: 200 pts
Total Points: 1400 pts

The following criteria are considered in the grading of all work
1. Demonstration of a working process utilizing techniques covered in class.
2. Level of involvement in the process.
3. Strength of design (includes presentation/craftsmanship)
4. Response to and use of critical suggestions in an effective manner.
5. Adherence to assigned parameters.
6. Artistic merit.

Grades
A: An A is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all materials needed for that day. The student will make intelligent comments and contributions in all critiques. The student’s work will be executed in a manner demonstrating a strong understanding of the assignment and go beyond it’s requirements. The work will use all the concepts learned and will be done in a way that demonstrates excellence. The student will take the suggestions they received in the critique and make the necessary changes to their art work.

B: A B is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all materials needed for that day. The student will make contributions to some of the critiques. The artwork will meet the requirements of the assignment but only what is required. The student rarely makes the necessary changes after a critique to bring the work to a level of excellence.

C: A C is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all the materials needed for that day. The student never or rarely contributes to the critiques. The work is done on time with the assignment parameters followed, but the work is messy and poorly done. The student doesn’t change the work after critiques. These are the bare minimum requirements for the class.

D: A D is earned by attending class without the work completed regularly. The student is unprepared and constantly borrows materials from other students. The student never contributes to the critiques. The art work is messy and rarely follows the parameters of the assignment. The student never demonstrates an understanding of the concepts covered in the course and refuses to apply criticism to their works.

F: Not meeting expectations and requirements of the course.

F. Supplies
A variety of media, of your choosing, will be necessary to complete your projects.

Academic Dishonesty
Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: Plagiarism, which is knowingly presenting borrowed wording, ideas, opinions, visual media (photos, videos, etc.) or data as if it were one’s own original creation; Submitting purchased, commercially prepared papers; fabricating information or sources; Using forbidden notes or other sources of information on examinations; Use of any unauthorized electronic device during an examination; Any type of assistance, oral, visual or written, given by one student to another during a project or examination without the approval of the instructor. 

An instructor may choose any one or more of the following steps when a student has engaged in behavior that is deemed to be dishonest: 
Confront the student or students and give counsel regarding the unacceptable nature of the offense;  Reassign the research paper, project, exam, or assignment for reevaluation including the possibility of a lower grade on that assignment as a consequence for the dishonesty; Designate a failing grade or a zero for the assignment, project, exam, or paper.

“W” Grade
TMCC has a very liberal drop date for students. You may withdraw yourself from any course up until mid-semester: 10/19/12. TMCC instructors NO LONGER can assign a grade of W at the end of the semester. Thus, should you decide that it is in your best interest to drop this class you must do so by this date.

Civility is vital to a course like this, where discussions occur everyday. Please be respectful and act like an adult when interacting with the class.

Cell Phones must be TURNED OFF during critiques and lectures upon entering the classroom. You may listen to MP3 players during studio times but make sure they are turned down low enough to hear announcements and to not bother other students.

ADA statement
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet privately with their instructors to discuss their specific needs and must contact the Disability Resource Center at 775-673-7277 in RDMT 315 to establish documentation of a disability and to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Please note this statement DOES NOT require the student to meet with me first.

WE WILL TAKE TIME AT THE END OF EACH CLASS TO APPROPRIATELY CLEAN THE SPACE - BE PREPARED TO STAY UNTIL IT IS DONE RIGHT.

Art 101 Syllabus

Art 101 - 2001: Drawing 1

Instructor: Peter Whittenberger TuTh: 7-9:30 PM Room: RDMT 218
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone: 775-673-7291

A. Course Description
ART  101 • Drawing 1 (3 credits)
Introduction to drawing techniques and concepts. Prerequisite: None.

B. Course Outcomes
1. Analyze differences between various black and white drawing media and their appropriate uses to achieve particular desired effects;

2. Analyze the appropriate use of different rendering techniques such as shading and hatching;

3. Analyze three dimensional subjects using basic methods of visual comparison, angle checking, and techniques of linear and atmospheric perspective;

4. Evaluate verbally or in written form personal art work and the work of other students in terms of technical and aesthetic success and historical/cultural references;

5. Diagram and analyze compositional structures of various drawings and paintings utilizing reproductions as well as original art work;

6. Evaluate the use of drawing techniques as they are used to strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression;

7. Strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression through maintenance of a personal sketchbook/journal including class notes, homework assignments, as well as sketches and writing done independently of class work;

8. Evaluate and describe artists' work viewed in museum and/or gallery settings;

9. Examine and analyze masters' styles and periods of art.

10. Evaluate compositional structure of drawings and create drawings incorporating basic compositional principles.

11. Strengthen and enhance emotional responses and personal creative expression through maintenance of a journal/sketchbook, gallery and museum visits, research and class discussions.

Important Dates
Last Day to Drop (100%)
1/31/14
Last Day to Drop (50%)
2/14/14
Last Day to Drop
4/09/14
Spring Break
3/15/13-3/21/13
Instruction Ends 
5/18/13
Spring Semester Ends 
5/23/13

Class Schedule (Subject to Revision)
Week 1
T 01.28 Syllabus, Class Philosophies, Galleries, Get Supplies
Th 01.30 Group Still-life Draw

Week 2
T 02.04 Line Quality, Marks, Looking vs Seeing, Blind Contour, Clock Proportions, and Mondrian Lines
Th 02.06 Line Quality, Marks, Looking vs Seeing, Blind Contour, Clock Proportions, and Mondrian Lines

Week 3 
T 02.11 Gesture Drawing, Contour Lines
Th 02.13 Gesture Drawing, Contour Lines

Week 4
T  02.18 Art History Presentation
Th 02. 20 Cross Contour

Week 5
*T 02.25 Cross Contour
Th 02.27 In-Class Line Assessment

Week 6
T 03.04 Value/Cross Hatching
Th 03.06 Value/Chiaroscuro

Week 7
T 03.11 Value/Chiaroscuro, Studio
Th 03.13 Student Value Demonstration

Week 8
T 03.18 Spring Break
Th 03.20 Spring Break

Week 9
T 03.25 Portrait Drawing, Self-Portraits Assigned
Th 03.27 Self-Portrait Studio

Week 10
T 04.01 First Four Art History Drawings Due,  Self-Portrait Studio
Th 04.03 Self-Portrait Critique, 1 PT-Linear Perspective

Week 11
T 04.08 1 PT-Linear Perspective Studio
Th 04.10 1 PT-Linear Perspective Critique, 2 PT-Linear Perspective

Week 12
T 04.15 2 PT-Linear Perspective
Th 04.17 2 PT-Linear Perspective Critique, Spheres and Cylinders in Space

Week 13
T 04.22 Conceptual Spherical and Cylinder Construct Drawings Studio
Th 04.24 Conceptual Spherical and Cylinder Construct Drawings Studio

Week 14
T 04.29 Conceptual Spherical and Cylinder Construct Drawings Critique, Assign Final Project
Th 05.01 Final Project Open Studio

Week 15
T 05.06 Final Project Proposals Critiques (Led by Drawing 2 Students), Final Project Open Studio
Th 05.08 Final Series Open Studio

Week 16
T 05.13 Final Four Art History Drawings Due, Final Projects Open Studio
Th 05.15 Final Projects Due/Critique

D. Methods of Instruction  
1. Attendance - This is a working, studio class. To succeed in this course it is expected you attend every meeting prepared and participate in class discussions, critiques, demonstrations and required studio time. This being a college course, I assume you are all responsible adults and if you miss class you do so with good reason. Therefore I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. 

Attendance will be taken regularly. Punctual attendance at all scheduled class meetings is Required.. Missing three or more classes is considered excessive and will lower your final grade by one full letter grade. Your final grade will be dropped a full letter for every absence beyond three. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain and complete the next assignment due from a source other than the instructor.

Your attendance grade is based on more than you simply showing up. Being physically present is not considered participating, in fact non-participation counts as an absence. Participation is Defined as showing up to every class meeting with your assignment completed, ALL of your class supplies and materials (mandatory for everyday), contributing to class discussions and critiques, as well as working during schedule studio time. Showing up to class unprepared counts as an absence. 

2. Assignments - Outside of the scheduled studio time, you are expected to spend a number of hours working on your assignments at home. This class is very labor intensive and requires a large time commitment to produce a level of high quality work. I recommend that you drop the class if you do not have sufficient time available to meet these requirements. Assignments in this class are designed to guide you from concept to concept in order for you to acquire specific conceptual and technical skills. 

Portfolios - All assigned work should be kept and/or carried in a sturdy portfolio that will accommodate 18” x 24” work which should be kept flat and protected while it is in-process as well as after its return. You are required to retain all of your completed work. Do NOT discard anything! Please label everything on the back of the drawing with your name, assignment name and date.

4. Sketch Books - You will keep a sketch book (Min 11” x 14”) in which assignments and ideas are recorded, concepts explored, and ideas formulated. You are expected to draw in your sketchbook for 20 minutes a day to practice the techniques learned in class. This way I can see how you are progressing and you will begin a daily practice of drawing. Bring your sketch book to every class meeting.

5. Art History Drawings - Throughout the semester you will be researching and recreating 8 individual art movements or style from art history. The recreations will be done on quartered paper, so you will have four drawings per 18x24 sheet of paper. When you are recreating a piece in the style of your chosen movement, you will place an object of your choosing in the composition. You will use this same object for all 8 studies. The first 4 will be handed in with your Midterm portfolio and all 8 will be handed in with your final portfolio. 

6. Critiques - All assignments will be submitted to a formal group critique. It is expected that all students will attend and participate in the group’s critiques. Critiques are vital to your growth and success in the class as they are the forum where your ideas are discussed. You will talk about your decision making and problems you had when approaching and completing an assignment. You will also talk to your classmates by discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their work and giving constructive criticism. Critiques constitute a large portion of your participation grade as well as your individual assignments. Please do not show up late for critiques. Late work will be accepted with a full letter grade reduced for every class it is not handed in. 

E. Evaluation
The nature of evaluating artwork leads to subjective decisions that need to be made. For grading purposes, the final judgment has to be the instructor. In class you should seek out opportunities during critiques to have an ongoing dialogue regarding the artistic merit of your work. You can always have influence on how your work is perceived by the input you contribute. Debate, constructive criticism, and the exchange of ideas are vital for your success in this class. Grading is done on a sliding scale through out the semester. Your final grade will be reflective of the work you hand in for your final portfolio. It is encouraged that you take advantage of the suggestions and criticism from the critiques and make the proper changes to your work.

Assignments: 600 pts
Art History Drawings: 400 pts
Final Project: 300 pts
Total Points: 1300 pts

The following criteria are considered in the grading of all work
1. Demonstration of a working process utilizing techniques covered in class.
2. Level of involvement in the process.
3. Strength of design (includes presentation/craftsmanship)
4. Response to and use of critical suggestions in an effective manner.
5. Adherence to assigned parameters.
6. Artistic merit.

Grades
A: An A is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all materials needed for that day. The student will make intelligent comments and contributions in all critiques. The student’s work will be executed in a manner demonstrating a strong understanding of the assignment and go beyond it’s requirements. The work will use all the concepts learned and will be done in a way that demonstrates excellence. The student will take the suggestions they received in the critique and make the necessary changes to their art work.

B: A B is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all materials needed for that day. The student will make contributions to some of the critiques. The artwork will meet the requirements of the assignment but only what is required. The student rarely makes the necessary changes after a critique to bring the work to a level of excellence.

C: A C is earned by attending every class on time with all the required work completed and all the materials needed for that day. The student never or rarely contributes to the critiques. The work is done on time with the assignment parameters followed, but the work is messy and poorly done. The student doesn’t change the work after critiques. These are the bare minimum requirements for the class.

D: A D is earned by attending class without the work completed regularly. The student is unprepared and constantly borrows materials from other students. The student never contributes to the critiques. The art work is messy and rarely follows the parameters of the assignment. The student never demonstrates an understanding of the concepts covered in the course and refuses to apply criticism to their works.

F: Not meeting expectations and requirements of the course.

F. Supplies
Compressed Black Charcoal
Graphite Sticks 4B/6B
White Conté Crayon or White Charcoal
Blending Stumps
18 x 24 Newsprint Pad
Kneaded Eraser (Large)
Sketchbook, min 11x14 in
Drawing Board (around 23x26)
portfolio case - minimum 20 x 26 - tag or poster board envelope, or cardboard portfolio
artist tool box or tackle box to carry supplies
Workable and Matte Finish Spray Fixative (to keep drawings from smudging)
other materials may need to be acquired as the semester continues

Academic Dishonesty
Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: Plagiarism, which is knowingly presenting borrowed wording, ideas, opinions, visual media (photos, videos, etc.) or data as if it were one’s own original creation; Submitting purchased, commercially prepared papers; fabricating information or sources; Using forbidden notes or other sources of information on examinations; Use of any unauthorized electronic device during an examination; Any type of assistance, oral, visual or written, given by one student to another during a project or examination without the approval of the instructor. 

An instructor may choose any one or more of the following steps when a student has engaged in behavior that is deemed to be dishonest: 
Confront the student or students and give counsel regarding the unacceptable nature of the offense;  Reassign the research paper, project, exam, or assignment for reevaluation including the possibility of a lower grade on that assignment as a consequence for the dishonesty; Designate a failing grade or a zero for the assignment, project, exam, or paper.

“W” Grade
TMCC has a very liberal drop date for students. You may withdraw yourself from any course up until mid-semester: 10/19/12. TMCC instructors NO LONGER can assign a grade of W at the end of the semester. Thus, should you decide that it is in your best interest to drop this class you must do so by this date.

Civility is vital to a course like this, where discussions occur everyday. Please be respectful and act like an adult when interacting with the class.

Cell Phones must be TURNED OFF during critiques and lectures upon entering the classroom. You may listen to MP3 players during studio times but make sure they are turned down low enough to hear announcements and to not bother other students.

ADA statement
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability are encouraged to meet privately with their instructors to discuss their specific needs and must contact the Disability Resource Center at 775-673-7277 in RDMT 315 to establish documentation of a disability and to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Please note this statement DOES NOT require the student to meet with me first.


WE WILL TAKE TIME AT THE END OF EACH CLASS TO APPROPRIATELY CLEAN THE SPACE - BE PREPARED TO STAY UNTIL IT IS DONE RIGHT.