Drawing I: Basic Foundations and Styles

Instructor: Cate Francis
Wednesdays 5:30-8:30pm
10 weeks: September 24 to November 26
Location: In-person Williams Building room 319
$387.50 (supplies not included) + $15 model fees (required)
Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on the development of drawing skills through hands-on exploration and experimentation with a variety of traditional drawing materials, surfaces and processes. In-class exercises will focus on development of your technical skills in drawing, and the introduction of color mediums and color theory. In the course you will learn different techniques and how they are applied in various movements in art and art history such as cubism, impressionism, landscape and still life. You will have the opportunity to apply the techniques learned throughout the course to develop and pursue your own artistic interests as they relate to drawing.

In this course you will become familiar with:

  • The elements of art and design
  • A variety of drawing techniques and tools
  • Different techniques for observing and working from life/ references
  • Landscape, still life and the human figure
  • The wide applications for drawing as a foundation of any artistic practice
  • How to develop a habitual drawing practice (practice, practice)
  • To experiment and take risks with both materials and ideas

Syllabus

Each class begins with a brief warm up exercise and discussion of the technique or medium being introduced that week. The last four weeks of the course are designed to be flexible to give you the opportunity to focus on the techniques and subjects from the that interest you most. In-class projects and level of instruction will whenever possible, be tailored to the needs and goals of individual students.

In this course we will cover:

  • Gesture and contour drawings: exploration of line and texture
  • Shading and value still life: methods of sighting and finding your composition
  • Ink with brush and pen
  • Drawing perspective: buildings and landscape
  • Expression and emotion: personifying a personal object
  • Human expression: self portrait/hands
  • Intro to the human figure
  • Human figure and fabric: sighting and composition
  • Drawing from memory and imagination
  • When your subject is fleeting (or just won’t sit still!): composition from photo collage

Supplies

Items in BOLD are required for the ​FIRST​ day of class, the other supplies will be discussed further at this time.

Paper:

  • 1 Large newsprint and/or cartridge paper pad, 18" x 24" or larger
  • 1 sketchbook of medium weight drawing paper or bristol, 9” x 12” or larger
  • Other papers for projects will be introduced and discussed in the first several weeks of the course, expect to purchase a ​minimum of five​ 22" x 30" sheets of higher quality drawing papers

Erasing/blending:

  • 1 kneadable eraser
  • 1 white ‘mars plastic’ eraser
  • 2 sizes (1 small 1 large) blending stumps/tortillions
  • 1 finely textured rag or cloth (optional)
  • 1 retractable stick eraser (optional)

Graphite/Pencils:

  • Drawing Pencils: 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B
  • Medium or soft graphite sticks

Charcoal:

  • 12 pack assorted willow/vine charcoal
  • 1 stick thick charcoal (1 inch)
  • 2 sticks compressed charcoal (medium or soft)
  • 1 stick each: white, black, and red conté

Pen/ink:

  • 2 oz or more black ink, Speedball super india or Higgins black are recommended
  • 1 Speedball nib holder
  • Nibs, at least 1 “B series” (B1-B4)
  • 1 Bamboo brush #2 (#4 or #6 optional)
  • Drawing pens, options will be discussed in first class
  • Small container for mixed ink (pill bottles or baby food jars work great!)
Miscellaneous supplies:
  • 1 roll green low tac masking tape
  • 2 large bulldog/binder clips
  • 1 12 inch+ ruler/straight edge
  • Portfolio to transport work​ (avoid rolling your work! This can be as simple as 2 pieces of 22" x 30" cardboard clipped together)