Art 101 Basic Drawing
M W 1:00PM to 3:45PM
ROOM 2149
INSTRUCTOR: BEREL LUTSKY
Drawing involves
both special awareness and specific directed responses. We will develop both of
these skills in the course of the semester with exercises, research, and discussion.
As you progress we will focus both on the nature of the initial response to a
careful observation (drawing) and on the compositional/design possibilities
that might result from this initial response. We will also explore the use of
various drawing media and the mark making possibilities they afford the
responsive drawer. I have designed this course to include both class-to-class
assignments as well as some longer projects. Plan to spend on average a minimum
of two hours/week on class work in addition to class time. You are required to
attend all class meetings, and hand in all assignments on time. Excessive
unexcused absences will affect your grade and your ability to keep up with the
class. Excused absences are defined as illness or family emergencies. If you
are absent: Any work due on the day of your absence is due on the day you
return. It will be your responsibility to contact a classmate or myself re:
work missed and new assignments. There will also be some library work for this
class. Next week you will be assigned an artist to research; from now until
Oct. 22 you will look at this artist's work in books and/or periodicals
available here, (or elsewhere if you choose) and pick out 4 or 5 of their works
for further discussion. On Oct. 22 you will receive a research assignment
dealing with your artist. The project will involve a short (3 pages maximum)
paper and a drawing.
Your semester grade will be determined by
the following:
An "A" will be given to work
that addresses and goes beyond the assigned problem and has been well crafted.
A "B" will be given to
work that addresses the assigned problem and has been well crafted.
A "C" will be given to
work that addresses the assigned problem and is not well crafted.
A "D" will be given to
work that fails to address the assigned problem and is not well crafted.
An "F" will be recorded
for work that is not handed in.
A
further note re: grades. You will not be competing with anyone for your grade.
I don't grade on a curve or compare your work to anybody else's. Despite the
varying levels of experience and ability, I expect to see individual progress
over the course of the semester and I will reward it.
MATERIALS:
1. Bond Paper 18"x 24"
pad (or "tree saver" recycled paper pad)
2. 4 sticks of 1/2" (jumbo) Willow
Charcoal- Soft
3. 6b Graphite stick
4. Kneaded eraser-large
5. Drawing Pencils: 2h, 6b and Ebony
6. Wooden pencil holder/extender
(optional)
7. "Sharpie" marker-black-fine
point
8. A 10"x 12" piece of mat or
illustration board (may be a scrap-check at art supply store for cut-offs or
the middle of mats.
9. Pencil Sharpener and/or sand paper
block and/or single-edge razor blades,and/or a sharp pocketknife etc.
10. Several pieces of clean flannel rag
at least 4"x4"
11. Some (at least 4) push pins
12 A portfolio
13. A drawing board & spring clips to
accommodate 20"x26" paper
14. A sketchbook, the largest that you
can carry easily
15. A "Mars" plastic eraser in
stick form
16. An Art Gum or other soft eraser
17. Matte finish, workable, spray
fixative
18. Something to transport and store all
this stuff. (A shopping bag is not recommended)
19. A yardstick
20. 18"x 24" rough newsprint
pad
I will make a
point of announcing what materials will be needed well in advance of the class
period in which they will be used. A package is available from the bookstore
and I will mention other possibilities for suppliers in class. Budget about $30
to $40 for materials. Showing up without the materials you need is a sure
way to waste your time and mine. You may be able to borrow what you
need from a classmate, but believe me this will become annoying on a regular
basis. Wear comfortable shoes, as we will be spending a lot of time standing.
Wear clothing that can get dirty, or a smock.
The following books will be on reserve in
the library: The Natural Way to Draw, by Kimon Nicolaides and The Art
of Responsive Drawing, by Nathan Goldstein. Short readings will be
recommended from time to time. If you have the money, and are so inclined, both
of these books are worth owning.
A few thoughts for beginning drawers
borrowed from Nicolaides:
"As you begin, try to develop the
capacity of thinking of only one thing at one time. ...Don't worry if for the
first three months your studies do not look like anything else called a drawing
that you have ever seen. You should not care what your work looks like as long
as you spend your time trying.... too much emphasis is placed upon the
paintings and drawings that are made in Art schools. ...There is a vast
difference between drawing and making drawings. The things you will do - over
and over again- are but practice, they should represent to you only the result
of an effort to study...Your progress is charted not on paper but in the
increased knowledge with which you look at the world around you. ...most
students seem to be dreadfully afraid of making technical mistakes. ...these
mistakes are unavoidable ... "
...these mistakes are unavoidable ... To add my
own encouragement to those of Nikolaides: "mistakes " are not only
unavoidable they in fact provide the opportunities for learning. Risks must be
taken in order to move ahead. The only serious mistake you can make in learning
to draw is that of not trying. How you draw, in the end, is a personal
statement. Taking this drawing class is a commitment, on your part, to inform
your drawing and perhaps change some of the ways you look at the world.