FA016 – FIGURE DRAWING
Course Description:
This course focuses on the development of skills necessary to draw the human figure. Though not an anatomy course, the course investigates basic knowledge of the skeletal system, the muscular system, proportion and the laws of dynamic symmetry (figure in motion). The course will increase eye-hand coordination, develop an understanding of gesture and form and help the advanced drawing student gain the critical skills necessary when representing the human figure in art.
With practice comes the ability to quickly capture the gesture and forms that make up figure composition. We will work through the basic problems that arise when drawing the human body including: gesture, contour and cross contour lines, tone, mass, proportion, perspective and foreshortening. Model sessions comprise most of the semester while six class sessions are devoted to these anatomy lectures: the axial frame, the legs, the arms, the feet, the hands and the head.
While most of the work will be in charcoal, pencil and conté crayon, students will be encouraged to explore brush and ink techniques. We will apply traditional and experimental figure drawing approaches.
Course Rationale:
FA016 Advanced Figure Drawing is the third drawing class in a progression for fine art majors following FA014 and FA015. Any student wishing to take FA016 without the pre-requisites must receive permission from the instructor. Graduate students from the School of Education and Comparative Arts and Culture may receive graduate credits for this course.
This course is designed to increase the student’s ability to draw the human figure. The student will learn to draw the single human figure in standing, seated and reclining positions. It is an essential course for the fine art major as well as helpful to education and art history majors.
Goals / Objectives:
Requires texts / other reading:
Bridgman, George B., Constructive Anatomy, New York, Dover, 1950.
Helpful Links:
Skeletal System – Tutorials & Quizzes
http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/skeletalsystem/skeleton/menu/animation.html
Muscular System – Tutorials & Quizzes:
http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/muscularsystem/menu/menu.html
FA010 – 2D DESIGN I (black and white)
Course Description:
This class is a problem-solving design studio. Our focus will be on developing the “chops” required for the control of two-dimensional composition. Our work remains in black and white in order to focus on basic design principles such as: shape, line, pattern, rhythm, symmetry and sequencing.
Each section of the course presents the student with a design problem that leads to a comprehensive understanding of flat design. We will also explore concepts of spatial and temporal representation.
While most of the work will be done by hand using pencils, brushes, ink and gouache; the final section of the course will introduce the student to basic computer programs including Adobe Photoshop.
Course Rationale:
FA010 – 2D DESIGN I (black and white) is a basic design course, there are no pre-requisites. This course is designed to increase the student’s ability control flat composition and graphic expression. The student will learn basic design concepts (such as patterning, linear perspective and montage) and their use in the presentation of visual ideas. Students will also learn about the art historical importance of design in fine art and architecture. Upon completion of this course, students are encouraged to register for FA011 – 2D DESIGN II (color).
Goals / Objectives:
FA011 – 2D DESIGN II (color)
Course Description:
This is a basic color theory course. In it, we explore the color theories of Johannes Itten and Josef Albers. We discuss basic principles of color organization, color mixing and color contrasts. Students create color wheels, color value and intensity scales and color exercises exploring temperature contrast and simultaneous contrast. We explore options for symbolic and cultural uses of color and examine how color is used in art and design. Though most of the class is devoted to subtractive color mixing with gouache, the final exercises in the course introduce students to additive color mixing techniques on the computer.
Course Rationale:
FA011 – 2D DESIGN II (color) follows FA010 – 2D DESIGN I (black and white). Although not a pre-requisite, it is recommended that the student complete FA010 before registering for FA011. This course is designed to introduce the student to basic color theory in order to assist in the mixing of color as well as the application of color design. A basic understanding of black and white design is helpful before taking this course. Because of the international nature of design, the course also explores symbolic and cultural uses of color as discovered in ancient and traditional as well as contemporary societies.
Goals / Objectives:
Requires texts / other reading:
Albers, Josef; Interaction of Color; Yale University Press; New Haven, 2006.
Albers, Josef; Formulation: Articulation; Thames and Hudson; London & New York, 2006.
Ball, Philip; Bright Earth; Farrar, Strauss and Giroux; New York, 2001.
Itten, Johannes; The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book The Art of Color; Wiley, John and Sons, Incorporated; 1970.
Gage, John; Color and Culture: Practice and Meaning from Antiquity to Abstraction; University of California Press; Berkeley, 1999.
Gage, Jogn; Color and Meaning: Art, Science and Symbolism; University of California Press; Berkeley, 2000.
Helpful Links:
Itten’s Color Contrasts:
http://www.worqx.com/color/itten.htm
Alber’s Color Theory:
http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs092/VA10/HTML/AlbersExplanation.html
FA047 – TECHNIQUES OF WATERCOLOR
Course Description:
This workshop focuses on the techniques involved when working with watercolor paints. We examine the historical significance of traditional watercolor pigments. The students learn how to make their own paint, stretch paper and create their own color compositions. The work in the course progresses from monochrome still life studies to full color landscapes. Abstract exercises are also encouraged. The course is typically offered in the spring, which allows the student to complete work out of doors and to examine the pigmented paints in the best light. There is a heavy emphasis placed on materials in this course.
Course Rationale:
This is an elective for fine art majors and non-majors. Non-majors may choose to register for the course during the regular semester in order to obtain (CP) distribution credit. (Distribution credits will not be available for this course if taken during the January X Session.) There are no prerequisites for this course. The course requires some drawing and compositional skills. Basic color theory is covered in the course, as well as basic painting principles. FA047 TECHNIQUES OF WATERCOLOR is a great follow-up course to FA011 2D DESIGN II (color).
Goals / Objectives:
Helpful Links:
Pigments Through the Ages:
http://webexhibits.org/pigments/intro/