Western Connecticut State University
School of Visual and Performing Arts
Art Department
Syllabus for Advanced Figure Drawing – prerequisite Art 211
Course number: Art 311- 02, VPA 241 – Fall 2016
Credit hours: 3 – classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:45pm-2:15pm
Instructor: Christine Hartman
Telephone: 845-838-3635
Email: hartmanc@wcsu.edu
Student Website:www.classes.christinehartman.com
My Website: www.christinehartman.com
Course description: An intensive workshop in drawing from the model. Students will develop their individual visual awareness and perception of the figure in terms of form, color, movement, structure and anatomy as it relates to the artist.
What you can expect to learn in this class:
You will develop skill and confidence in your ability to draw from the live model. We will work from model interspersed with anatomical studies centered around anatomy as it applies to motion. Students will also explore composition through several sustained drawing projects. We will discuss the language of figure drawing through studies from great works of art, developing your awareness and skill in creating space and form.
Required Text:
Classic Human Anatomy in Motion, Valerie L. Winslow, Watson-Guptill Publications. Available in WCSU bookstore and on Amazon. You will need this book the first day of class.
Required Supplies: All supplies are available from Utrecht (http://www.utrechtart.com/) a few available at campus bookstore, listed item numbers are from Utrecht.com (* indicates supplies needed first week of class)
*Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Pad: 14 x 17” Medium surface item #10316-1017
*Farber Castell or Utrecht Brand drawing Pencils: 6B,4B,2B,HB,and H
General brand, Charcoal pencils 4B,6B item #20418-2041 one each
General brand, White charcoal Pencil item #20418-1001 one each
*Staedtler Mars plastic eraser item #21500-0000 one each
Kneaded Rubber Eraser item #21502-2620 one each
Gum Eraser item #21582-1001 one each
Canson Mi-Teintes Gray Pastel Pad – 24 sheets 12″ x 16″ item #10710-2016
Optional: Canson Mi-Teintes Colored Drawing Paper, Flannel Gray 19″x25″, Item #10710-2171 OR Art Spectrum Colourfix Coated Pastel Paper (this is a prepared heavy weight watercolor paper)
Sennelier Half-Stick Soft Pastel Sets, Assorted, item #20036-1329 (Utrecht) OR Talens Rembrandt Soft Pastels, 30 Half Stick Set (Amazon) OR
Schmincke basic sets are also good.
Willow Charcoal (soft) Pack item #22614-2005 one each
Conte crayon set of four Item #20201-0049 OR compressed charcoal white, brown and black
Portfolio for transporting your work
Supplies will cost from $65.-$85.
Attendance Policy:
This is a studio course and attendance will significantly affect your ability to learn the required skills, therefore absences will affect your grade. You are responsible for all class work, if you must miss a class – you can check the website for the assignment for that date although not all materials will be available on the web. After two absences grades will drop one letter grade per absence.
Students are expected to also complete a series of drawing exercises outside of class which will include completing drawing assignments from the class text. The final grade will be based on class participation (30%), skill development (30%) and a portfolio of class work and assignments executed during the semester (40%). Your work will be reviewed at midterm and a final review at the end of the semester.
Miscellaneous: Turn off cell phones and all electronic devices prior to entering classroom.
Special Accommodation: Students with disabilities, language conflicts or having special circumstances during the semester should contact me early so that appropriate accommodation may be made. Contact Access Ability Services (SC207) and request accommodation letter.
Additional reading:
Goldfinger, Eliot, “Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form”
Winslow,Valerie L., “Classic Human Anatomy: The Artist’s Guide to Form, Function, and Movement”
deMartin, Jon., “Drawing Atelier” the figure