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University of Virginia
McIntire Department of Art
COURSE OUTLINE: DRAWING
Spring Semester 2004
ART 162-3
schedule 74322
class meets
1530-1800 MW
(in civilian english that is 3:30 to 6 PM Monday and Wednesday)
the class meets in the Brooks Hall Studio, street level.
Office hours:
6 to 7 PM Monday and Wednesday
My office is Brooks 103
Students that do not show for the first class meeting will be dropped, irrespective of whether they have signed action forms or not.
This course views drawing as an exploratory method rather than a productivity
tool. Drawing is a foundation and a common ground for all visual arts. Drawing
is seeing, feeling and thinking before it becomes representing, expressing,
and communicating.
This course is not based on lecturing, it is 100% hands on. Explanations will
be made from time to time but the focus is work, exercise, work, work.
To convey the basics of representational drawing. The emphasis will be put
on three-dimensional perception and representation as well as on composition
and form analysis.
To develop taste for self – imposed exercise and discipline.
To familiarize students with diverse drawing methodologies.
To assess the particular function of drawing inside each student’s professional
“toolbox”.
Grades are not meant to create a competition situation; they will reflect
improvement, attendance, commitment and other factors. If someone has previous
drawing experience I will simply expect more work (and improvement). Grading
takes into account the contents of the mid-term portfolio and final portfolio.
Overall, grades will reflect improvement based on work. In no case will the
grade reflect only the esthetical quality of work. In this class, drawings that
go through many trials and errors are worth more than quick successful sketches.
Please note that no late work is accepted; the due dates for the portfolios
are final.
If you want a high grade you have to:
1. Be present at all class meetings
2. Complete your work in time
3. Have work that adheres to all the aspects of the assignment
4. Show constant improvement
5. Go beyond the minimums assigned
6. Participate in class discussion
If you bring me masterpieces at the end of the semester without participating to class I will flunk you.
Attendance is absolutely mandatory. You have to be in class every time, on
time and stay for the full class time.
1. You are allowed a maximum of 5 absences for whatever reason (including religious
holidays and ilnesses).
2. There is no distinction made between unexcused and excused absences. You
need not present medical excuses, athletic preparation vouchers, notes from
Dean of Student’s Office or other written or verbal excuses.
3. If a students is absent more than 5 times before the withdraw date, I will
encourage him/her to withdraw.
4. If the attendance limitation is exceeded after the 8th week of class, a grade
of F will be awarded for the course. To prevent this from happening the student
should initiate a withdrawal.
5. Come to class prepared and ready to work. If you are in class but work on
something else (e.g. a paper for another course) you are considered absent.
Also, the time for shopping for supplies is not during class. This class requires
your full atention at all times.
6. It is seldom possible to make up missed classwork due to the nature of studio
work.
7. If for whatever reason you miss a class you are responsible for getting all
the necessary information about what was done, assigned and demonstrated during
that meeting. Take two phone numbers of two of your fellow students and ask
them when you need such information. I will not give demos or lecture separately
for you if you missed the class.
8. Work outside the course hours is encouraged, however, since there is no manual
or textbook I expect you to be present (body and mind). Work outside the course
will affect your grade, and you are encouraged to include it in the portfolio,
but will not compensate for missed classes.
Final Registration - Wednesday, January 7 - Friday, January 16
Courses begin - Wednesday, January 14
Add/Drop/Withdrawal - Contact the Office in Fayerweather Hall for this info
Spring recess - Saturday, March 6 - Sunday, March 14
Courses end - Tuesday, April 27
Examinations - Friday, April 30 - Friday, May 7
Final Exercises - Sunday, May 16
You are responsible for bringing your own supplies. Materials can be purchased
from any art store. The University BookStore is also a good resource.
You will need inexpensive photocopy paper or newsprint in large amounts, drawing
paper (18x24 inches approx.), sketchbooks, sticks or bamboo pens, black India
ink, black oil sticks, charcoal, pencils and graphite sticks (soft-grade), utility
knife and razor blades, bulldog clips, fixative (one spray can).
Note that, in general, art supplies will cost a lot if purchased in small amounts.
Do not waist your money by buying minuscule ink flasks that will be empty in
5 minutes (or that are too small to hold your sticks or other instruments).
I discourage the use of markers, ballpoint pens and other material that is primarily
for writing, not for drawing.
Please clean after yourself. Don’t leave papers and other rests in the
lab.
No music, with or without headphones during the class.
No cellphones to be used in class. Turn them off, period.
Absolutely no chemicals of any sort down the drain! If you are not sure what
to do with a certain type of waste, ask an instructor.
No fixative spray or any other harmful chemicals are to be used in this building.
You can use fixative spray to conserve your drawings but you need to do this
outside.
Please negotiate with each-other the usage of storage lockers. Due to their
number you might need to double in one locker. Buy padlocks. Please mark your
locker with your name, the course number and the period. Observe the date when
the lockers will have to be vacated (it will be posted). After that date the
locks will be cut and the contents destroyed.
You are responsible for your belongings (materials, tools and works), protect
them from damage and loss. Only store drawings flat in a portfolio or between
boards; do not roll them.
Please note that works in the portfolios have to be flat (not roll up when taken
out), signed on the reverse and treated with fixative if needed.
Important: be sure to claim your portfolio in time. You are responsible for
your belongings, including artwork, at all times. Unclaimed portfolios will
be destroyed.
Please note: this information is not a substitute for attending classes.
The web pages are being amended and changed as the classes progress.