Syllabus and Materials

ART 104 – Life Drawing @ Mercer County Community College

Kyle M. Stevenson, professor

Office: ET 124, email: stevensk@mccc.edu, or kylestevenson@yahoo.com

Office hours: TBA

Course blog: www.professorkylestevenson.blogspot.com ________________________________________________________________________

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.)