I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Drawing

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ARTS 1458

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is an introduction to traditional drawing techniques and concepts. Emphasis is places on direct observation, developing pictorial space and drawing concepts, practiced with traditional materials. This is a basic course designed to provide a drawing foundation for all studio art courses, and is recommended as an introduction to the art field and creative process for all students. MnTC Goal 6

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Students must have the ability to physically manipulate basic art tools such as pencils, erasers, charcoal and/other tools.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

St. Cloud State University, Art 101 Foundation Drawing 1: Observation, 3 credits
North Hennepin Community College, Art 1401 Drawing 1, 3 credits
Minnesota State University, Mankato, ART 110 Drawing Foundations, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Art Transfer Pathway A.F.A. Degree

 

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Critique descriptive and interpretive qualities of compositions.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Create multiple layer drawing with each layer responding to the previous layer.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Make artwork that reflects a conscious thought process.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Engage in the creative process (MnTC Goal 6);
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities (MnTC Goal 6);
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context (MnTC Goal 6);
• Demonstrate the basics of drawing;
• Demonstrate effective use of line, value, and composition in their exploration of the drawing process;
• Demonstrate effective use of a variety of drawing materials;
• Demonstrate an increased appreciation of the vital role and value the fine arts and humanities have on the development of culture;
• Explain and evaluate the effectiveness of personal artwork and the work of others through critique; and
• Demonstrate an understanding of health and safety issues within the discipline;

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Media and materials for drawing
• Mark makers
• Mark removers
• Traditional drawing surfaces
• Experimental drawing surfaces
2. Types of drawing
• Subjective and objective
• Informational
• Schematic
3. Line variation and sensitivity explained
4. Working with value structure explained
5. Major approaches to art
• Representational
• Abstract
• Nonrepresentational
• Conceptual
6. Generating ideas
• Imaginative thinking, creativity, and brainstorming
• Meaning and metaphor
• Knowing your subject
7. The principles of composition
• How an art work is built
8. Sighting and relative measurements
• What is sighting
• Unit of measure and points of reference
• Transferring sighting observations
9. The illusion of space and depth on a two-dimensional surface
• Spatial depth
• Perspective
• Different kinds of space
10. Visual communication
• Descriptive and interpretive
• Form and content
• Art criticism

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

1. Applying media and materials for drawing
2. Types of drawing subjects
• Still life
• Architecture and landscape
• Flora and fauna
3. Line variation and sensitivity
• Gesture
• Continuous line drawing
• Organizational line drawing
• Contour line drawing
4. Working with value structure
• Value changes
• Geometric and biomorphic shapes
• Light
5. Generating ideas
• Choosing a subject
• Sketchbook studies
• Research
6. The principles of composition
• Applying the principles in drawing
• Making a compositional layout
7. Sighting and relative measurements
• Using a sighting stick
• Identifying a unit of measure
8. The illusion of space and depth on a two-dimensional surface
• Overlap, diminishing size, and placement
• Linear perspective
• Atmospheric perspective
• Positive and negative space
9. Visual communication
• Using form and content
• Critique and self evaluation
• Applying aesthetic language