Life Drawing I Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTS-2323-001 Life Drawing I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTS 1317

Course Description

Basic study of the human form.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

RECOMMENDED TEXTS: 

Valerie L. Winslow, Classic Human Anatomy: The Artist’s Guide to Form, Function and Movement (Watson-Guptil, NY, NY: 2009) ISBN: 0-8230-2415-6

Michael Mattesi, Force: Dynamic Life Drawing Paperback ($34) ISBN: 9781138919570     

Christopher Hart, Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy, Paperback ($16

ISBN-10: 9780823024971 

Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy Paperback – September 1, 2000

Gottfried Bammes, Complete Guide to Life Drawing Paperback ($26) ISBN-10: 1844486907

Supplies

SUPPLIES:

• Pad(s) of good quality drawing paper, 18” x 24” or larger (80 lbs. or heavier ) Look for serrated top edges so the drawing can be easily removed from pad. You will use more than one pad of paper. For some of our warm-up exercises or gesture drawings, you may want to use newsprint or “sketch” paper. However, be warned! Some of these will be your best work… Expect to use 2 or more pads of paper in the course of the semester. (needed for the first week)  Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper Pad - 18'' x 24'', 24 Sheets 

• Sketchbook of your choice (one that will accept water media is ideal) (needed for the first week)

ProArt Spiral Bound Sketchbook - 11'' x 8.5'', 80 sheets

• Pad(s) of Newsprint paper for gesture drawings, and to place between charcoal/pastel drawings (needed for the first week)

• A pad of Tracing paper (a smaller size like 8” x 10” is fine, but larger size can be handy too) Blick Studio Tracing Paper Pad - 9'' x 12'', 50 Sheets

• Pencils: you should have several pencils to select from: 2B, 4B, and 6B are essential

• Grease pencils or crayons (for gesture drawing)  Black Crayons or Black China Marker

• a set of pastels ( at least 12 colors – can be “semi-hard” or “soft” – quality matters)

Richeson Soft pastels (pricy but good)  or use your set from Drawing 2

AND/OR 

• Conte Crayon matchbox set (umber, sepia, white, black)

Conte' matchbox set

• Watercolor set (or water-soluble pencils, etc)  

36-color set @ Michael's,  Derwent Inktense 12 set

• Charcoal: purchase both “willow” charcoal (which is transparent and light) and “compressed” charcoal (which is opaque and dark) 

• Charcoal pencils (“peel off” is easiest) General's Peel and Sketch Charcoal - Pkg of 3

• Chamois Artist Chamois

• extra-fine and medium point black Sharpies (or artist ink pens, like Pitt pens)

• bamboo calligraphy brush (I will provide ink) OR - EVEN BETTER size 12 Round brush

Blick White Hair Bamboo Brush - Size 25  or Da Vinci Fit For School & Hobby Brush - Round, Size 12, Short Handle

• Erasers: you should have several erasers to choose from, as they have different effects. Kneaded rubber and white plastic erasers are required. Also purchase a “push-up” pencil-type eraser. 

pencil eraser   Caran d'Ache Triangular Eraser  Prismacolor Kneaded Eraser 

Extra fine: Mono Zero eraser

• Can of “workable spray fixative” – you should spray your charcoal and pastel drawings after each class, and place a sheet of newsprint between them to protect them from transferring to other paper. 

• Scissors and/or x-acto knife

• Glue stick, Scotch tape and blue or masking tape

• Portfolio (can be made or bought) If you purchase a soft-sided portfolio, you should have 2 sheets to cardboard inside to help protect your drawings. (needed for the first week)

OTHER REQUIRED SUPPLIES MAY BE ADDED TO THIS LIST

You will also need:

• Access to a phone/digital camera (you will photograph and edit your work for the Showcase and for the Final Portfolio

Optional items:

• You may want to experiment with colored paper, or other color media (such as colored pencils or oil pastels - water-soluble oil pastels or watercolor pencils are particularly nice)

Supplies can be purchased with financial aid funds at the AC Bookstore

More suppliers:

https://www.michaels.com/

https://www.dickblick.com/

https://www.cheapjoes.com

Student Performance

ARTS 2323 Life Drawing I: Basic study of the human form

Exemplary Educational Objectives                                                   ACGM

1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
4. 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.
5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

Specific Course Outcomes

Students will:

• Develop understanding of the human form
• Draw the human figure accurately displaying normative proportional relationships of the body’s parts to the whole
• Depict the figure in a variety of poses using foreshortening (linear perspective)
• Convey gesture, the illusion of expressive movement, when drawing the figure spontaneously in very brief periods of time
• Work with a variety of drawing tools
• Develop their skills of observation.
• Draw the figure so that the illusion of volume is achieved through a variety of shading techniques
• Simplify, exaggerate, or distort visual elements and normative proportions to interpret expressive qualities of the figure
• Evoke mood through the expressive use of drawing materials
• Utilize techniques emphasizing accurate, expressive, and conceptual approaches
• Understand and utilize appropriate art terminology
• Participate meaningfully in critique
• Cultivate self-reflection about one’s work
• Write an artist statement and discuss their work in a formal setting
• Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
• Maintain a professional and respectful attitude  
• Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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

CRITIQUES: Critique allows all class members to evaluate the effectiveness of each drawing. Respect for each other is of the utmost importance. This part of our classroom activities is crucial to the creative and technical learning process, giving you an opportunity to learn from your peers. Your participation (or lack thereof) in critique will impact your grade.

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

POLICY CONCERNING MODELS:

• Cameras and cell phones: No cameras are allowed in the classroom during life drawing sessions. Since many cell phones include cameras, you may not have your cell phone out at any time. If you must take a call, please do so during break time.
• NO AI GLASSES ALLOWED IN THE CLASS AT ANY TIME
• While the model is posing, you should not open or close the classroom door. THIS MEANS BEING ON TIME FOR CLASS IS IMPORTANT.
• Never touch the model.
• Do not comment on the model’s appearance or affect
• Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal from the course for the semester.

Grading Criteria

GRADING POLICY:

Student grades will be based on: 

• Sketchbook, homework, research, quizzes or other assignments (10%)

• Midterm questionnaire (10%)

• Midterm portfolio review (30%)

• Artist Statement (10%)

• Showcase Portfolio (30%)

• Google Site (10%)

ART SHOWCASE: Every semester, advanced level art classes present their work before a panel of judges at the “Art Showcase”. During the showcase, you will present an art statement and a small selection of your work (in slideshow form). I will inform you ASAP on the date and time of the Showcase. This event functions both as part of your “final” and part of our VA program review. Therefore, your attendance at Showcase is REQUIRED.  

• Participation in class, critique and work ethic always have an impact on your grade.

Attendance

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:

• STUDENTS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for making certain they are “signed in” (I will have an attendance sheet and will usually call roll) IF YOU HAVE ARRIVED LATE; YOU MUST BE CERTAIN YOU’VE BEEN COUNTED PRESENT
• 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.
• 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.
• Late arrivals and early departures may be counted as absences. (2 tardies or early departures = 1 absence)
• If you have extenuating circumstances that impact your ability to attend class, please contact me ASAP.

Please arrive on time and immediately set up your work space. 

Avoid being tardy (as we are often working with an undraped model) - the door will remain locked while the model is posing.

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

Additional Information

DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION:

• Department Coordinator: John Brixen, Parcells Hall #313D
• Dean’s Office: Parcells #404
• Departmental Counselor/Career Advisor: Sara Webb