ART 104 – Life Drawing @ Mercer
County Community
College
Kyle M. Stevenson, professor
Office hours: TBA
Course goals and objectives:
The student will be able to
accurately perceive a 3- dimensional human form in space and then translate
that perception into line and tone while not losing awareness of said line and
tone. The student will also use developed
skills to render the human form in believable proportion, exploring a variety
of media and techniques.
As students, you must attend
all classes with proper
materials. You will participate in
critiques and slide discussions. You
will be asked to complete a series of outside of class assignments. Finally, you will submit a portfolio of
drawings done during class at the end of the term.
Text: Figure
Drawing; the Structure, Anatomy, and Expressive Design of Human Form, by
Nathan Goldstein, cheapest Edition, Prentice Hall
Evaluation
50% of your final grade will
come from the average of the outside of class projects. Each project will be done in your sketch
books and may include several parts.
20% of your final grade will
come from your portfolio(s). We’ll
discuss portfolios as the time comes.
10% of final grade will come
from class participation. This includes
overall improvement, attitude, discipline, promptness, participation in
critiques/discussions, etc.
10% of your final grade will
come from an Artist Presentation.
10% on your final grade will
come from a Museum Visit paper.
Attendance
You are expected to attend no
fewer than 28 classes out of a possible 30 classes. The value of this class comes primarily from
time spent with the model. If you are
not drawing from the model whenever you have the opportunity, you will simply
not develop or improve. More than one unexcused
absence at the end of the term will result in your final average dropping a full
letter grade for the first, and a third of a letter grade for every additional
absence. If you show up to class late,
leave early, or take inordinately long breaks it will cost you half of an
absence each time.
Finally, as we all come to this class with different
experience, ability, and confidence, it is essential that you treat me, each
other, and this class with respect.
Failing to do so will result in your dismissal from class.
Required Materials
-drawing board and
clips—large enough for an 18x24 inch pad
-18x24 “sketch” pad -if
possible, buy one with 100 sheets instead of 50
-18x24 “drawing” pad (not
bristol), more as needed.
-hard bound sketchbook-8.5x11
to 11x15
-pencils—try soft woodless,
graphite crayons, 4H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B—an assortment
-1 box (at least 25 sticks) soft vine charcoal
-at least 1 kneaded eraser
-one box of soft compressed charcoal
-workable spray fixative
(Krylon brand is the most ubiquitous)
-Conte crayons-black, white
and red—soft
-Fine point Sharpie or Micron
.08 Pen (or equivalent)
-2 sheets light gray 19x25 Canson mi-tientes paper
-2 sheets medium gray 19x25 Canson mi-tientes paper
-2 sheets dark gray 19x25 Canson mi-tientes paper
-2 sheets black 19x25 Canson mi-tientes paper
-at least one sheet of 22x30 Arches Cover or Rives BFK paper (last week of class)
-glue stick(s)
-portfolio folder large
enough to comfortably fit 18x24 paper
-bottle of black Higgins India ink
-bamboo brush—the largest one
you can find.
-support materials for water
media (cups, paper towels, etc.)