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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ARTS D004A
Course Title (CB02)
Beginning Drawing
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This is an introductory course exploring the basic elements and principles of observational drawing, using traditional and experimental media.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
FD - Drawing

Course Justification

This course is CSU and UC transferable. It belongs on the Painting A.A. degree. This course introduces observational drawing skills and provides the foundation and preparation for continued studies in Studio Art and related majors.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
C-IDArea(s)StatusDetails
ARTSStudio ArtsApprovedC-ID ARTS 110

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
72.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Demonstrations on techniques

Lecture and visual aids

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Field observation and field trips

Homework and extended projects

Assignments

  1. Representational drawing assignments using a variety of references using charcoal, graphite and/or ink (photographic, observational sketches and memory)
    1. Preliminary sketches
    2. Gathering necessary materials and supplies
  2. Perspective drawing assignments using a variety of linear and atmospheric perspective techniques to show depth.
    1. Use of one-point and two-point linear perspective.
    2. Create a distinct foreground, middle ground and background.
    3. Show a full-range of values that include a true black, true white and at least four grays.
  3. Written critical analysis of artwork
    1. Analyze a two-dimensional work of art (painting, print or drawing) at Euphrat Museum for areas of strength and areas for improvement.
    2. Analyze student's own drawing and write an evaluation based on how it meets criteria for assignment, composition and creativity.
  4. Group critiques and presentations
    1. Discussion in small groups of the strengths and weaknesses of a student's drawing project
    2. Mid-term critique (both oral and written from instructor as well as peers) evaluating student's progress on drawing projects for the class
    3. Final critique of each student's work in which the student will deliver a presentation on their concept, media and techniques for their final project

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of all drawing assignments including final project, evaluated for embodying the bulk of course objectives and reflecting technical mastery and conceptual merit.
  2. Completion of all perspective drawing assignments reflecting understanding of perspective drawing techniques and 1-2 drawings of the student's choice demonstrating a variety of perspective drawing skills and techniques learned in class presented at Final Critique.
  3. Instructor's assessment and reading of reports showing student's understanding of critical analysis of artwork in evaluating the drawing's strengths and areas for improvement.
  4. Large group and small group critiques and presentations of assignments articulating the strengths and areas for improvement in each student's drawing.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Drawing board, drawing paper pad, graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, compressed charcoal, conte crayons, blending stumps, kneaded eraser, plastic eraser, permanent markers, waterproof ink, ink brushes
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom space that includes one drawing horse for each of 25 students, large wall display area, sink, large lockers for general storage, individual student lockers, and facilities for slide presentation;
  • Digital projection system with screen;
  • Ceiling spotlights with individual dimmer controls;
  • Light tables;
  • Drawing tables and easels;
  • On-campus art exhibition program

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Rockman, Deborah. "Drawing Essentials: A Complete Guide to Drawing", Edition Three. Oxford University Press, 2017.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Dodson, Burt. "Keys to Drawing". Boston: North Light Books, 1990.
Cahan, Susan and Zoya Kocur, eds. "Contemporary Art and Multicultural Education". NY: Abrams, 1994.
Edwards, Betty. "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativitirty and Artsistic Confidence". Los Angeles/New York: Tarcher/St. Martins Press, 1979.
Gair, Angela. "Artist's Manual: A Complete Guide to Painting and Drawing Materials and Techniques", Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1996.
Hoffman, Howard S. "Vision and The Art of Drawing". EnglewoodCliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1989.
James, Jane H. "Perspective Drawing: A Point of View". EnglewoodCliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1989.
Nicolaides, Kimon. "The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study". Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1961.
Enstice, Wayne and Melody Peters. "Drawing: Space, Form and Expression". Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2012.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate the use of freehand drawing skills using a variety of techniques.
  • Demonstrate the use of basic elements and principles of composition.
  • Apply drawing skills in the interpretation of subject matter using various media.
  • Demonstrate ability to draw from an objective point of view as well as from the imagination.
  • Demonstrate the creative process.
  • Compare and contrast works of art representing a diversity of art traditions and cultures.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate freehand drawing skills using a variety of traditional drawing media such as charcoal, graphite and ink.

  • Create representational, objective drawings using references such as drawing from observation (still-life) and photographs.

  • Demonstrate the ability to create drawing compositions based on linear perspective, the basic elements and principles of design.

Outline

  1. Demonstrate the use of freehand drawing skills using a variety of techniques.
    1. Geometric volumes as basic forms
    2. Use of one and two-point linear perspective techniques
    3. Use of light and dark value scales to create naturalistic images
  2. Demonstrate the use of basic elements and principles of composition.
    1. Figure/ground relationships
    2. Placement and proportion
    3. Pattern and movement
  3. Apply drawing skills in the interpretation of subject matter using various media.
    1. Learn basic use and manipulation of dry drawing media such as charcoal and graphite.
    2. Learn basic use and manipulation of wet drawing media such as pen and ink.
  4. Demonstrate ability to draw from an objective point of view as well as from the imagination.
    1. Photographic reference from magazines or personal collection
    2. Manipulated photographic imagery using collage or computer
    3. Automatism and accident as beginning points
  5. Demonstrate the creative process.
    1. Planning the drawing with thumbnail sketches and mock-ups.
    2. Incorporate intuition in the conceptualization of the drawing.
    3. Practice technique and execution in the choice and use of materials.
    4. Evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement on the works in progress.
    5. Engage in dialogue about the finished drawings in the form of group critiques both large and small.
  6. Compare and contrast works of art representing a diversity of art traditions and cultures.
    1. Understand the use of materials in the production of works of art
    2. Explore the variety of the canon of images and the organization of visual forms
    3. Identify the social function of art and its value or role in a particular society

Lab Topics

  1. Uses and techniques for graphite
  2. Uses and techniques for ink
  3. Uses and techniques for collage
  4. Working with the grid technique for proportion
  5. Using photo references in a drawing
  6. One-point perspective drawing techniques
  7. Two-point perspective drawing techniques
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