Montgomery College
Art Department Rockville Campus
Figure Drawing I AR 115 3 Credit Hours Spring 2012
T/Th 9:00 am-11:40 am CRN 31987 Room: SCIB 010
Instructor: Michael Farrell 240-567-7650 Office: 202 ART
Office Hours: M 11-12 pm, T 1-2 pm, Th 1-2, or by appointment
e-mail: michael.farrell@montgomerycollege.edu
web site: www.montgomerycollege.edu/faculty/~mfarrell/public_html
Course Description: An introduction to figure drawing. Emphasis is placed on the problems involved in the visual interpretation of the human figure as a separate study, and in relation to its environment. Students will utilize a variety of drawing media.
Specific Outcomes: The course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of drawing the human figure. Emphasis will be on understanding and representing the basic aspects of the structure, proportion, and gesture of the figure.
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Outcome: Upon completion of this course a student will be able to: |
1 |
Demonstrate creative problem solving through the application of abstract theoretical concepts, development of observational skills, and the use of technical skills. |
2. |
Demonstrate the ability to relate the figure to its environment (abstract theoretical concept) |
3. |
Demonstrate an understanding of, and employ the relationship between positive and negative shape and the picture plane. (abstract theoretical concept) |
4. |
Utilize advanced art terminology in reading, writing and oral critiques, to analyze and discuss the technical, aesthetic, and conceptual components of a drawing. (abstract theoretical concept) |
5. |
Fulfill the writing component required by the college. (abstract theoretical concept) |
6. |
Develop a personal conceptual framework to understand, represent, and communicate about the visual experience. (abstract theoretical concept) |
7. |
Demonstrate the ability accurate represent proportions. (observational skill) |
8. |
Demonstrate the ability to accurately represent the foreshortened figure. (observational skill) |
9. |
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and represent the fundamental elements of a pose. (observational skill) |
10. |
Demonstrate the ability to represent a convincing sense of posture and balance. (observational skill) |
11. |
Utilize a variety of drawing media. (technical skill) |
12. |
Identify the major bones and muscles of the body. (technical skill) |
13. |
Relate anatomy to basic figure structure. (technical skill) |
14. |
Develop a facility for quick drawing. (technical skill) |
Text: The text for this course is Drawing From Life, 3rd Edition (Brown, McLean). The purchase of the text is optional, and there will be optional supplemental readings from this text that are strongly recommended. It is available in the bookstore, and two copies will be available on reserve in the library. You may purchase a used copy of the 2nd edition if it is available.
Attendance: You are expected to attend all class sessions. Excessive absence will negatively impact the quantity and quality of your work and this will be reflected in your final grade. Beyond 4 absences, you will fail the course. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences - save them for true emergencies.
I recognize that there are occasionally unusual circumstances, regarding attendance, but it is your responsibility to speak with me about your situation.
Any student who fails to attend the first three classes will be dropped from the course.
Tardiness: The class will begin promptly at 9:00, and attendance will be taken at that time. Once the model sets up in a pose, you will not be admitted to the classroom until the next break. Please wait in the hallway outside of the classroom. If you are late, you will be expected to get the relevant information from a classmate. If a student is late and/or leaves early three times, it will constitute an absence.
Requirements: You will be expected to complete each of the assigned in-class drawings. There will also be four anatomy quizzes. In addition, you will maintain an organized sketchbook in which you will be required to record all in-class notes on topics presented in lectures and demonstrations, downloaded lecture files, all handouts, all out of class homework assignments, and drawing independent of class work. All sketchbook drawings must be dated in order to receive credit, and copies of all master drawings must include a photocopy of the original drawing.
At the end of the semester, you will write, as part of your sketchbook requirement, a two page, typewritten paper on a topic to be assigned by the instructor.
Grading: You will be evaluated in this course on the basis of:
• Amount and quality of in class work produced (70%). Portfolios will consist of the best examples of the student's work in specified categories, and will be reviewed at mid-term (30%) and at the end of the semester (40%).
• The sketchbook, which will be evaluated at mid-term and at the end of the course. The final writing assignment and homework assignments will be included in this part of the grade. (20%)
• Anatomy quizzes. (10%)
The criteria for grading will be the lecture notes and parameters outlined by the instructor. Letter grades will be reflect the following standards:
A= Outstanding, well executed work that reflects a full understanding of the parameters of the problem. Effort and work far exceed the minimum standards of the class.
B= Very good work, above average understanding of the problem. Effort and work clearly exceed the minimum standards of the class. Room remains for improvement.
C= Average work that meets the requirements of the problem. Effort and work meet the minimum requirements of the class. There is considerable room for improvement.
D= Completed, but below average work that does not reflect an understanding of the problem. Effort and work do not meet the minimum requirements of the class.
F= Failure to complete the assignment in accordance with the parameters of the problems assigned. Effort and work do not meet the minimum requirements of the class.
The due dates for portfolio reviews are outlined in this syllabus. Portfolios must contain the required number of examples of all of the categories of drawing specified by the instructor. I will not accept individual drawings after the portfolio has been turned in. Portfolios turned in late will be lowered one full letter grade. The final portfolio must be turned in by the final due date outlined in the syllabus.
The sketchbook will be evaluated based on the quantity and quality of the drawings completed for the out of class homework assignments, the clarity and organization of the classroom notes, downloaded files, and handouts, and the attention paid to the final essay. I expect you to include drawings made independently of course related work. Drawing independent of class assignments is critical to your success, and will differentiate a “very good” or “outstanding” sketchbook from one that is simply “average”. I will expect to see a minimum of two to three drawings per week done independent of course related work.
Audit Policy: Students registered for audit are required to participate in all course activities unless otherwise agreed between the student and the instructor at the time registration for audit occurs. Failure to participate may result in the grade of "W".
Withdrawals/Change of Status: The last day to change from credit to audit, or audit to credit is February 13th. The last day to drop the class with a grade of "W" is April 16th.
Classroom Policies: Students should familiarize themselves with the Student Code of Conduct, located on MyMC, as you will be expected to abide by all academic, classroom, and college-wide policies. In class, there are to be no conversations that are not connected with your drawing, no music, no phone calls, and no texting. We will take breaks as a class in order to allow you to see the progress of your fellow students on a regular basis.
Academic Dishonesty: Students who engage in any act judged by the instructor to be academic dishonesty or misconduct are subject to the following sanctions:
Communication: Student e-mail is an official means of communication for the College. It is expected that you will check your student e-mail frequently, as you are responsible for information and announcements that will be sent to you regarding this class, and from the College. For this class, e-mail will be used for situations where timing is essential. Most information is discussed in class, and all assignments will be turned in as hard copy during regular class time. Lecture materials are available on MyMC, but I do not provide them via e-mail. If you contact me though e-mail, you must use your student e-mail account.
Disability Support Services (DSS): A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to see me during my office hours. A letter from Disability Support Services, authorizing your accommodations, will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services office. Guidelines for emergency evacuation for individuals with disabilities are found at: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/dispsvc/evacprocedures.htm.
The DSS office is located in the Counseling and Advising Building, Room 122. The phone number is 240-567-5058 (TDD 301-294-9672).
Veteran’s Services: If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and you are interested in information regarding opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2college.
Reproduction of Student Work: Student work may be photographed or reproduced for educational purposes or for use in college promotional materials.
Late Opening/Closing: If the College opens late or closes early so that more than 50% of a class period would be missed, the class will be cancelled for that day. Students are encouraged to sign up for email and text alerts via Montgomery County MC Alert at www.montgomerycollege.edu/emergency
Final Exam: The final exam meeting is Thursday, May 10th, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm. Attendance is mandatory. You must attend this class in order to receive credit for the self-portrait homework project.
This syllabus, course outline and supply list are subject to change as deemed necessary by the instructor. Notice will be given in such an event.