Drawing I Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Office Location

CUB 007

Office Hours

Fall 2026 office hours: 

Mon/Wed: 11:45-12 noon CUB 001, 1:45- 2:15 PARC 217

Tues/Thurs 2-3:30 CUB 010

or by zoom or special appointment 

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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Course

ARTS-1316-001 Drawing I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Investigation of a variety of media, techniques and subjects. Exploration of perceptual and descriptive possibilities with consideration of drawing as a developmental process as well as an end in itself. Regular outside assignments.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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\ Required text:

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\ Bert Dodson, Keys to Drawing, (Cincinatti, Ohio: North Light Books) 1985

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\ ISBN-10: 0-89134-337-7

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\ ISBN-13: 978-0-8913

Supplies

SUPPLIES:
DRAWING I and II
•    Pad of good quality drawing paper, 18” x 24” or larger (look for heavyweight paper with a good tooth) Look for serrated top edges so the drawing can be easily removed from

Student Performance

ARTS 1316 Drawing I

Investigation of drawing media and techniques including descriptive and expressive possibilities.

 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
Exemplary Educational Objectives (ACGM pg 234)
•    To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
•    To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
•    To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
•    To engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.
•    To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
•    To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
•    To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

Specific Course Outcomes:
•    Students will demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
•    Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the Visual Arts and Social Responsibility.
•    Students will gain familiarity with drawing terminology.
•    Students will work with a variety of drawing tools.
•    Students will be able to apply the Principles of Design to their drawings.
•    Students will apply a variety of techniques in drawing.
•    Students will solve visual problems and create dynamic compositions.
•    Students will utilize techniques emphasizing accurate, expressive, and conceptual approaches.
•    Students will discuss their work in verbal and/or written form.
•    Students will present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor.
•    Students will participate meaningfully in critique.
•    Students will maintain a professional and respectful attitude.
•    Students will maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

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\ CRITIQUES:

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\ Critique allows all class members to discuss design and conceptual issues and evaluate the effectiveness of each project. Respect for each other and each person's work is of the utmost importance. This part of our classroom activities is crucial to the creative and technical learning process, giving us an opportunity to learn from each other.

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\ CIVILITY:Disruptions and/or any behavior that the instructor considers inappropriate will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from the class. Every student deserves and will receive the respect of others. Every student is expected to be involved and engaged with other students and the instructor. For this reason, NO HEADPHONES OR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ALLOWED. 

Grading Criteria

\ CRITIQUES:
\ Critique allows all class members to discuss design and conceptual issues and evaluate the effectiveness of each project. This part of our classroom activities is crucial to the creative and technical learning process, giving us an opportunity to share insights.
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\ CRITIQUE ABSENCES: I will grade drawings directly after critique. Grades for work turned in after critique will lose 10 points for each day they are late)
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\ LATE and MAKE-UP WORK: Because in-class work is often a response to a specific prompt or set-up, it is difficult to “make up”. This is the reason for the attendance policy.
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\ GRADING POLICY:
\ 10 “Quick Draws”: 40%
\ 5 Sustained Drawings: 40%   
\ Sketchbook and Homework Assignments: 10%
\ Final Portfolio: 10%
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\ GRADING SCALE:
\ Because art is more subjective than many other fields, it is important to understand some of the broad areas of the assessment of artworks. The four major areas of assessment are:
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\ •    Technique and Use of materials
\ •    Elements and Principles of Design
\ •    Project Parameters, Concepts and Ideas, Exploration
\ •    Work ethic, Presentation and Craft
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\ A = EXCELLENT
\ B = GOOD
\ C = AVERAGE or ADEQUATE  
\ D = POOR
\ F = FAIL
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Attendance

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\ ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is CRITICAL to your success in this course.Please note that Amarillo College allows only 2 absences for any reason, with the consequences of missing additional classes to be determined at the discretion of the instructor. Therefore:

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  • \ You will sign in each class period and WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for signing their own name on the attendance sheet in class.  (The instructor is not responsible for students’ failure to sign the class attendance sheet!)
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  • \ FAILURE TO SIGN THE ATTENDANCE SHEET RESULTS IN AN ABSENCE. NO EXCEPTIONS.
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  • \ I will allow 5 absences without penalty. The 6th absence will lower your final grade by one letter. Each subsequent absence will result in an additional letter grade deduction.
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  • \ Students are responsible for keeping up with their own absence totals. Upon request, and outside of class time, students may inquire as to the number of absences they have.
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  • \ Late arrivals and early departures may be counted as absences
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  • \ If you have extenuating circumstances that impact your ability to attend class, please contact me ASAP.
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\ In addition to the requirement to be in class for demonstration, lecture and work time, your presence is a source of insight and learning for all class members. The impact of your full participation cannot be overestimated. 

Calendar

Document formatting lost - see me for a print copy.

DRAWING 1    
Week           Monday                             Wednesday    
                                       
1

Aug. 26
Aug. 28    Syllabus
Introduction

Purchase textbook and supplies

    Introductory exercises/Sketchbook:
Emphasis: right-brain shift
Materials: graphite and pen

Homework/ Sketchbook:
Read p. 10-19
•    define “critical vs. practical dialogue” (can you relate to these statements?), “look, hold, draw” and “restating”
•    draw examples from the text or your own
2

Sept. 2
Sept. 4
    LABOR DAY; no class



    Quick Draw: Organizational line drawing
Emphasis: relational accuracy
Materials: graphite, eraser

Quick Draw: Ellipses/Bottle study
to be completed in class
Emphasis: right-brain shift, observation
Materials: graphite

Homework/Sketchbook:
Read: p. 20-35; take notes
•    what are the “four rules of shape”?
•    Find 2 complex objects and render their basic shapes (see p. 26)
•    Find a reflective object and render its external shapes and “enrichment shapes” (p. 27)
3

Sept. 9
Sept. 11
    Sketchbook/Class: Exploratory line, Accent Line, Cross-Hatching and Chiaroscuro studies, “free” vs. “control” handwriting (and in combination) hard and soft edges
Material Studies, p 63-67
Tonal bars (graphite), p 60
Ellipses, p 144-145

Lecture/Demo, Sustained Drawing 1: “Four Ways”

Homework/Sketchbook:
Read p. 58-67; take notes
•    Try 3 different grips with your softest pencil and draw 3 different “gestural” images
•    1 “five minute burn”
AND
Read p. 70-100 (Proportion and Measurement)
    Sustained Drawing: “Four Ways”



Homework/Sketchbook:
Re-read p. 70-100 (Proportion and Measurement)
•    What are 3 measurement techniques discussed in the text? Explain them.
•    Do 4 quick sketches of a still life you set up at home (containing 3 objects), utilizing the Exploratory line, Accent Line, Cross-Hatching and Chiaroscuro techniques.
4

Sept. 16
Sept. 18
    CRITIQUE: “Four Ways”

Begin “Accuracy”
Lecture and composition thumbnails

Homework/Sketchbook:
Chapter 3 is the key reading for this drawing
•    1 “five minute burn”, with an emphasis on relational accuracy.
    Sustained Drawing: “Accuracy” work day
w/ composition thumbnails in sketchbook
Emphasis: accuracy and full expression of value scale, composition
Materials: graphite, eraser

Homework/Sketchbook:
Read Chapter 4, p. 102-127; take notes


5

Sept. 23
Sept. 25
    WORK DAY
    WORK DAY


6

Sept. 30
Oct. 2    CRITIQUE: Accuracy



Homework:
Read: 40 – 57, “Copying an Artist’s Handwriting”    Sustained Drawing(s): Continuous-Line (or “connected line”) drawings
(one black and white; one color)
Materials: Sharpie, colored media of your choice (I will provide several)

Homework/Sketchbook:
•    Choose an object from your home; emulate another artist’s marks (complete exercise
       2-B, p. 57)
7

Oct. 7
Oct. 9
    Lecture/Demo/PP: Additive and Subtractive Drawing in Charcoal

Sketchbook/Class: willow and compressed charcoal tonal bars, composition thumbnails,

Quick Draw: Charcoal materials exploration and/or Expressive Charcoal study (ies)

Homework:
make your objects    Sustained Drawing: Subtractive Drawing
“Origami”
Emphasis: Lighting, value scale, composition
Materials: willow and compressed charcoal, erasers

Homework: (you will need an object and a table lamp)
Draw an object from your home 4 times, showing 4 different light sources (see p. 110)

 8

Oct. 14
Oct. 16    WORK DAY
    CRITIQUE: Subtractive Drawing:
“Origami”




9

Oct. 21
Oct. 23
    Sustained Drawing: Dia de los Muertos project intro

Homework: gather source objects/images for project    Sustained Drawing: Dia de los Muertos WORK DAY

Read: pp 212-215, “Integrating Personal Experience” and “Photographs”
10

Oct. 28
Oct. 30    Dia de los Muertos
Critique or Event    Lecture/Demo on “Portrait” Drawing

Quick Draw: “Squint” portrait

Homework/Sketchbook:
Re-read Chapters 3-4; take notes
Read pp. 178-183 on COMPOSITION
•    Find your photo
Do 3 quick sketches from the photo
11

Nov. 4
Nov. 6    Sustained drawing: “Portrait”: WORK DAY
Emphasis: accuracy OR expressiveness and value scale
Materials: graphite or charcoal

Homework/Sketchbook:
Sketch a three-quarter view head (from photo or observation) see p 92    CRITIQUE: Portrait

Homework: gather source objects/images for monotype
12

Nov. 11
Nov. 13    Introduction to Monoprint


    Monoprint Work Day:
Representational Image
Monoprint with Mixed Media


13

Nov. 18
Nov. 20
(Nov. 20
Last day to withdraw)    Sketchbook/Class: 3 thumbnail-size texture studies

Sustained drawing: “Texture”
at Natural History Museum

Materials: graphite or white pencil (Museum rules)    Sustained drawing: “Texture”
at Natural History Museum
Materials: graphite or white pencil (Museum rules)

Sketchbook/Class: 3 thumbnail-size texture studies


14

Nov. 25
Nov. 27
    “Texture” work day

    Quick Draw: Draw it Forward

Announce Final Project
and necessary materials
15

Dec. 2
Dec. 4    Work Day    FINAL CRITIQUE and
FINAL PORTFOLIOS DUE
16

Dec. 9
Dec. 11     FINALS WEEK    Portfolios ready to be picked up
    Commencement: Friday, Dec 13    


Additional Information

 METHODOLOGY:

The instructor will provide individual instruction and critique of student work during class periods.

Drawings will be done both in class and out of class. Students will prepare portfolio presenta

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM