Academic Catalog

ART 4C: REPRESENTATIONAL DRAWING

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: This course is included in the Drawing family of activity courses.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and application of linear perspective from observation.
  • A successful student will be able to make representational observational class drawings from complex still life subject matter.

Description

An intermediate-level representational drawing course concentrating on observation and depiction of volume, texture and linear perspective in a variety of drawing media.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Employ and further develop skills, as well as the basic elements and principles of drawing.
B. Practice representational drawing techniques in a variety of drawing media, including mixed-media.
C. Render in a naturalistic and illusionistic manner which includes an understanding of line, value, texture, volume, light and shadow.
D. Demonstrate an understanding of spatial, foreshortening and linear perspective techniques and relationships in a two-dimensional composition.
E. Develop a sense of individual expression and style in one's drawings through a series of drawings incorporating an idea or theme.
F. Examine a variety of global drawing traditions and practices for creating the illusion of depth or perspective.

Course Content

A. Develop skills, as well as the basic elements and principles of design in an intermediate drawing.
1. Incorporate and review elements of design (line, value, shape, volume, texture and color) in composition.
2. Assignments that require the use of principles of design in planning and execution of drawing.
B. Practice representational drawing techniques in a variety of drawing media.
1. Experiment with applications of graphite, charcoal, ink, conte crayon, pastels, colored pencil, watercolor pencils and pen on a variety of surfaces and in combination with each other.
2. Analyze content and artist's intent in making media choices.
C. Render in a naturalistic and illusionistic manner which includes an understanding of line, value, texture, volume, light and shadow.
1. Still-life drawings of objects representing a wide range of shapes, volumes, and textures.
2. Tromp l'oeil and perspective techniques for imaginary cast shadows and light source in rendering volume and shading.
D. Demonstrate an understanding of spatial, foreshortening and linear perspective techniques and relationships in a two-dimensional composition.
1. Linear perspective (one-point, two-point and three-point) in creating depth.
2. Perspective exercises in developing imaginary shadows and light source for invented landscapes.
3. One-point and two-point perspective in an interior space and an exterior space.
4. Cross-contour organization line drawing used by animators for creating sense of three-dimensionality.
E. Develop a sense of individual expression and style in one's drawings through a series of drawings incorporating an idea or theme.
1. Research themes and concepts of importance to the individual student by exploring the cultural, historical, psychological, and political roots of student's own identity.
2. Identify influences, aesthetic patterns and inspirations in one's artwork.
3. Examine the creative process of a wide range of artists from all over the world working in a variety of drawing traditions and practices (professional artists, designers, animators, commercial illustrators and comic book artists).
4. Examine the interactions and dialogues that visual language through artwork can initiate in contemporary society.
F. Examine a variety of global drawing traditions and practices for creating the illusion of depth or perspective.
1. Compare and contrast perspective techniques utilized throughout the world (Egypt, Asia, Americas) with linear perspective techniques popularized in Europe during the Renaissance.
2. Examine historical and cultural traditions of creating perspective in drawings and paintings (including decorative arts) in both domestic and global contexts and their impact on the viewer's perceptions, beliefs, and practices related to the subject matter and content of the artwork.

Lab Content

A. Observation drawing assignments and exercises that explore a range of line applications, such as contour, cross contour, and gesture sketching.
B. Observation drawing assignments and exercises related to form, chiaroscuro, shading techniques-hatching, cross-hatching and the additive and subtractive method of drawing.
C. Observation drawing assignments that use the application of foreshortening.
D. Application of texture in a drawing exercise or assignment.
E. Linear observation drawing exercises that use foreshortening, one-point, two-point and three-point perspective.
F. Observation exercises that use measuring proportions, sighting, checking symmetry and alignment techniques.
G. Exercises that use the application of drawing media and tools, such as traditional drawing media by various artists throughout history.
H. Exercises that have students make drawing revisions or corrections.
I. Critiques and evaluation of drawing assignments and exercises.
J. Drawing exercises from observation using graphite, charcoal, ink, conte crayon, pastel pencils, colored pencil, watercolor pencils and pen on a variety of surfaces and in combination with each other.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. Adequate room lighting, easels or tables or drawing horses, display area, blackboard, projection screen, storage area for still life, portable lighting equipment.
B. When taught via Foothill Global Access, ongoing access to a computer with email address, software and hardware, and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Evaluation methods may include, but are not limited to:
A. Portfolio review: each drawing will be evaluated for technical ability, craftsmanship and personal creative and conceptual approaches
B. Written critiques
C. Written essays or artist statements
D. Written participation in lectures of historical and contemporary drawings
E. Drawing revisions

Method(s) of Instruction

A. Lecture presentation using the language of linear perspective and observational methods and skills.
B. Discussion using the language of linear perspective and representational drawing.
C. Demonstration of a variety of drawing materials, dry and wet drawing tools, mix media drawings, papers, techniques and methods.
D. Critique and group presentation of intermediate-level drawings projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation.

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Rockman, Deborah. Drawing Essentials: A Guide to Drawing from Observation. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2016.

 

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Copy of a master perspective drawing: research the artwork, the artist, the style, subject matter, content and context; write an essay or paper describing the artwork; write a self critique describing the process of making an artist copy or study.

 

Discipline(s)

Art