Syllabus

Basic Drawing

Merrimack College

Summer 2014

T/W/TH 6 – 910, May 19 to June 26, 2014

Instructor: Michele Lauriat, michelelauriat@gmail.com

Course Description: An approach to drawing through studio experience. Observation is emphasized through a series of exercises involving figure and still-life drawing, primarily concentrating on line, mark, and value.

Course Goals:

1. To be able to visually record what one sees and at the same time sort out and re-­‐

interpret the image so that it is a personal and sensitive statement.

2. The practice and discovery of a variety of drawing materials, implements,

techniques, and papers. 

3. To learn how to see form, how to analyze and re-­‐interpret the basic structure, and how to represent this form on a 2-­‐dimensional surface in a well composed manner.

Class meetings:  Scheduled class meetings will include project assignments, discussion, slide lectures, demonstrations, and regular group critiques. The scheduled class hours are not sufficient for the completion of projects, students must put in several additional hours per week working independently. Students will be asked to talk about their work, and their peers’ work, during group critiques.

Attendance: Attendance at all classes is required. Each class missed beyond three  absences will result in the lowering of the grade by one third of a point (e.g. an earned B would be changed to a B-)

Materials:  Students are responsible for having their own drawing supplies and coming to class prepared.

Grading: Student work is graded quantitatively and qualitatively. All assignments must be completed to pass the course. Multiple solutions to the assignments can contribute to a higher grade, especially when additional versions of assigned projects incorporate ideas developed in critiques. (In other words, you may re-do any assignment).

You will have 5 assignments to complete this semester. The weight of each assignment increases as the semester goes on. The first assignment is worth 10% of your final grade, the second 15%, the third 20%, the fourth 25%, and the fifth is worth 30%. Your hard work in class will prepare you to succeed in these out of class assignments.

Disability Accommodations

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact:
Elaine DiVincenzo, ADA Academic Coordinator via email Elaine.DiVincenzo@merrimack.edu or by telephone 978-837-5140.  The ADA Office is located on the 3rd floor of the McQuade Library in the Center for Academic Enrichment. The ADA Office is responsible for coordinating disability related accommodations and will issue Accommodation Letters & Plans to students with documented disabilities.

Week 1

Tuesday:

Syllabus and supply review.

Proportion and ratio studies.

Homework: Read Sight Lining Handout and Create a View Finder

Wednesday:

Plotting the 3D in the 2D using a view finder, measuring stick, and angles.

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, ruler, and viewfinder.

Thursday:

Perspective lesson. More plotting.

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, ruler, and viewfinder.

Homework:

Read sensitive line handout.

Make four drawings in your sketchbook that begin with plotting and incorporate sensitive line. These drawings should take up the full page of your sketchbook and should each be done on their own sheet of paper. (In other words, please do not draw on the back of your drawing).

Week 2

Tuesday:

Slide Lecture

Blind Contour Drawing

Gesture Drawing

Sensitive Line Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Sensitive Line Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Sensitive Line Drawing

String Drawing

Please bring your sketchbook, pencil, eraser, viewfinder, ruler, Foam core, Common Pins, and string or thread.

Homework: Complete String Drawing

Week 3

Tuesday:

Mark Making

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Open Shape Drawing

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Value drawing.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:

One Master Copy from provided images. This can be done on whatever paper you like, minimum size 11”x14”.

Create one open shape drawing on Canson Drawing Paper, minimum 16”x20”.

Week 4

Tuesday:

Value drawing using white conte on black paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Value drawing using white and black conte on toned paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Value drawing using white and black conte on toned paper.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, your mi tientes paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:

Create a drawing using your white and black conte on toned paper, minimum 16”x20”.

Week 5

Tuesday:

William Kentridge Videos

Mini Kentridge exercise.

Discussion about photographing student drawings and photoshop.

Please bring your large newsprint pad, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Begin final project on RAG PAPER

Please bring your large newsprint pad, drawing board, Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Any student contributions to the still life must be made today!

Thursday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your large newsprint pad, drawing board, Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Homework:  

Add an imaginative element to your Kentridge drawing. Remember to photograph it if you make more than one change.

Week 6

Tuesday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your drawing board, your Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Wednesday:

Continuation of final project

Please bring your drawing board, your Cotton Rag Paper, pencil, eraser, conte crayons, Vine Charcoal, viewfinder, and ruler.

Thursday:

Critique

Please bring your finished drawing as well as a disc or thumb drive with your photos.