Drawing 1

Students learn basic skills and techniques for drawing from direct observation of still life subjects and one-point perspective. The description of form, light and special depth is emphasized along with accurate proportion and scale using sight measuring for drawing in graphite and charcoal. Research tools such as thumbnail sketches are used to develop ideas, and students maintain a sketchbook with supplemental homework assignments throughout the semester. Analysis of drawings, critiques and classroom discussions build vocabulary and enrich the students’ understanding of drawing.

Cross Contour Grid Drawing

Students overlay grid structures across contour line drawings of forms to convey volume. Students have to imagine how these lines would recede and/or potrude in space, which helps them comprehend foreshortening across a variety of surfaces (flat, curved, organic, etc.), exercising creative problem solving. Sight measuring to accurately convey proportions, and using line weight variation for contour and cross contour lines are additional objectives.

Linear Perspective

Students learn how to create the illusion of 3-dimensional space using the principles of 1-point perspective through direct observation. They are taught how to locate the vanishing point from observational cues, which allows them to recreate proportions of various forms in space to accurately translate their observations onto paper. Observing visual compression and foreshortening helps convey spatial depth, while also considering formal qualities such as line weight, composition, and areas of emphasis.

Linear Still Life Drawing

For their midterm project, students create a graphite drawing on quality paper (22”x30”) of a linear still life. They learn to use viewfinders to help them crop the setup, to create an interesting composition that is balanced with intentional areas of emphasis. Using observational skills they have developed thus far, students capture proportions of complex forms using contour lines, and convey volume using cross contour lines. Here, line weight and line quality is considered to differentiate surface quality. This requires creative problem-solving and experimentation, as many of the cross contour lines are interpretive.

Introduction to Value

Students complete a graphite drawing where forms with the same light local value are observed. Here, students are taught to use value shifts rather than outlines to show the edges and volume of forms set against a medium-value background. Chiaroscuro lighting is used to help create descriptive shadows across the forms.

Introduction to Charcoal: Local Value Drawing

Students learn how to use vine and compressed charcoal to render local values in various objects that range from light to dark values. Capturing proportions and creating a sense of volume through value shifts is emphasized. Students are encouraged to observe value shifts in transparent and organic forms to learn how value structures are affected by different surface qualities.

Final Project: Charcoal Still Life

Students create a final charcoal drawing on quality paper (22”x30”) of a complex still life setup, synthesizing observational drawing skills acquired throughout the semester. After drafting multiple thumbnail sketches to explore composition, students crop the setup with intentional areas of emphasis. Students capture proportions, observe local values, and render surface quality for a vast array of different of objects. Establishing a clear light source is also emphasized.