Due:
One week

Project:
Using graphite, make a figure drawing of a family member that includes the following:

• local value changes
• ​form through chiaroscuro
• suggestion of environment (figure/ground relationship)

Spend 2 - 3 hours on the drawing. It is expected to be much more detailed and refined than the figure drawings you created during class.

Objectives:

• Improve observational accuracy
• Establish accurate gesture, proportion and tonal value
• See the figure as a unified whole, and not separate parts
• Establish figure/ground relationship

Grading Criteria:

• Realism of gesture
• Realism of proportion
• Quality of line
• Variety of local value
• Sense of form through value
• Composition using figure/ground relationship
• Sense of space

Due: One week (homework)

Create a FULL VALUE drawing with graphite (pencil) that includes two hands together in some way. Consider placement to use the full picture plane in making a complete composition.

• Entirely from observation (from life)
• DO NOT trace your hand
• Draw large; fill the page of your sketchbook
• Use a full range of tonal value (lights, a range of middle tone grays, and deep dark tones). Implement chiaroscuro ("lights and darks") to make the forms appear three-dimensional.
• You may include other elements in the surroundings to enrich the composition (See the examples above.).
• You may give the background a darker tonal value to set off the highlights of the hands.

    Graded on:

• Accuracy of proportion
• Accuracy of contour line
• Full range of tonal value and strong contrast for three-dimensionality.

Option:
​Instead of graphite, you may create a charcoal and white chalk drawing. In that case, DO NOT use your sketchbook, as it will get messy and smudge. Use charcoal paper.

Due:
3 weeks


Project:
Using pencil and various other drawing media, create a series of observational figure drawings.

We will start with quick gesture drawings of one or two minutes each, focusing on the action lines and the energy of the pose. With gradually longer poses, we will learn to block in the basic shapes of the complex form that is the human body, focusing on accurate placement and proportion and noticing the relationships of parts. In the final drawing(s), we will refine the contours and include the details of the observed figure, add a range of tonal value, and suggest the figure's relationship to its environment.

Objectives:

• Improve observational accuracy
• Establish accurate gesture, proportion and tonal value
• See the figure as a unified whole, and not separate parts
• Establish figure/ground relationship

Terms / Concepts:

• Gesture
• Action Line
• Blocking in ("The Envelope")
• Foreshortening
• Proportion
• Contour

Materials:

• Model
• Drawing board
• Drawing paper (sketchbook size to 18 x 24")
• Variety of drawing media

Grading Criteria:

• Accuracy of gesture
• Accuracy of proportion
• Quality of line
• (In some) Sense of form through value
• (In some) Composition using figure/ground relationship; sense of space

Assignment:
Three graphite (pencil) contour lines drawings of your hand, in different gestural poses and from different angles.
PLUS
Three graphite (pencil) contour lines drawings of your foot, from different angles.

Entirely from observation (from life; no photographs)
You may of course use mirrors to vary the viewpoints.
DO NOT trace your hand.
Draw large; fill the page of your sketchbook with each drawing (So, 6 pages)

After completing the line drawing, you may add tonal value (shading) to create three-dimensional form if you'd like (as in the examples above).

Recommendation: Carefully draw ONE each day.

Graded on:
Accuracy of proportion
Accuracy of contour line

Create a well-designed multi-figure composition that illustrates your memories of an event (such as a dance, a wedding, a sporting event, a trip, a concert, with people doing very different things from one another), or an actual dream you've had. It must include at least 10-15 people, doing different things. You may include multiple moments from that event or dream, but it must be a single composition (not separate frames). Apply all your knowledge about good composition to make the artwork as dynamic and visually interesting as possible. Do your best to make this a thoughtful, idea-filled, refined, portfolio-worthy artwork.

We will begin this in class, and you will continue it at home.

Suggestion:
Brainstorm, write thoughtfully, come up with several events and ideas, and develop the composition by drawing a number of thumbnail sketches (See linked examples.).

Size:
Any size between 12 x 16” and 18 x 24”

Media:
Ink or color

Style:
Any

Objectives:

• Represent multiple figures and events in a single, strong, detailed composition
• Convey mood and meaning
• Show off your strongest skills

Step One:
In your classroom journal, write in detail about an event you've participated in or dream you've had. The more detailed content you develop, the better.

Some things to consider:

• What are the most vivid memories you have of the event? What moments do you remember?
• What physical/visual details can you remember?
• Describe emotional or dramatic possibilities.

Grading Criteria

• Creativity
• Content (Development and communication of ideas)
• Design
• Technical Quality (“Finished”)
• Studio Work Habits

This is a pre-assessment to find out what you already know and skills you already possess.

As the measuring tool, I will be using the attached rubric regarding Studio Habits of Mind.

​

Self-Assessment:
Answer these questions after you've completed your artwork:

• Remember that the objective was to illustrate multiple ideas/aspects. What multiple concepts did you include and how did you arrange them into a single composition?
• How detailed and thoughtful was your written notes? Did you use it as a method of informing and enriching your visual work?
• In what ways did you convey feelings/mood in your work? How did you convey drama?
• One of the objectives of this project was to apply what you know about good composition. How is this a good composition? Which of the principles of design did you consider in developing the composition? How have you used contrast? Emphasis? Balance? Visual movement? Positive and negative space? Implied triangle? Etc.
• Did you draw thumbnail sketches to test out ideas and develop the composition before you began your larger image?
• Which of your skills and strengths did you show off in this piece?
• When did you know this was finished? How does this fit your idea of a high-quality, finished artwork?
• What do you like best about your final piece?
• What do you think needs further work?

Project:

Using charcoal pencil, draw a dramatic space within Burlington High School

(Below describes the project for the Portfolio class. AP Studio Art students will do a variation that involves fibers.)

Some examples of linear perspective on Pinterest


Objectives:

• Improve observational accuracy
• Establish linear perspective
• Improve your ability to create a strong sense of three-dimensional space
• Improve your ability to create a rich range of tonal value
• Become skillful with charcoal pencil

Materials:​

• Charcoal pencil
• Charcoal paper (18 x 24")
• Drawing board
• (Easel)

Parameters

Your drawing must have deep space. You should not be directly facing the back wall -- The walls should angle away from you (so position yourself close to a corner of the room.)


Grading Criteria:

• Composition
• Space - Including linear and atmospheric perspective
• Range of tonal value and good contrast
• "Completeness" - Craftsmanship

To Start:

Using a light pencil line, indicate the horizon line (You need to imagine this beyond the walls.), and determine the vanishing points. All parallel horizontal lines will go towards these vanishing points.

Then, lightly block out the basic arrangement of major shapes in your view. "See the forest through the trees", in other words. Don't get caught up in detail in the beginning.


Self Critique Questions

As you draw, ask yourself if you are doing the following (You should be!):

• Fill the page.
• Get the lines right -- Use the vanishing points for all parallel horizontal lines
• Get the tonal values right - Are the shadows and highlights as dark or light as they are in reality?

Project Description:
Using graphite or charcoal, draw an interior FROM DIRECT OBSERVATION from a low or high vantage point (i.e. a "dramatic" angle), with a full range of tonal value and strong contrast.

Provide a printout of a digital photograph you take from the viewpoint you were drawing, for comparison during critique. DO NOT draw based on the photograph, but from real life.


Objectives:

Organize a space into a strong, dramatic composition
Create a convincing sense of depth
     Distinguish foreground, middle-ground, and background via linear perspective
Describe the nature of light and shadow
Improve ability to work from "the big picture" into smaller details

Materials:

Graphite or charcoal
Pink eraser
Pencil sharpener
Drawing paper or charcoal paper - sketchbook size (11 x 14", 60 lb. paper) or larger

Parameters
The interior must be from direct observation (from REAL LIFE, not a photograph)
The interior you reference must have "deep space".
The interior must be viewed from a very low or very high vantage point.
Use the entire picture plane.
Make this a "portfolio-worthy" drawing.

Grading Criteria:

Composition
Range of tonal value; contrast
Convincing sense of space (through linear and atmospheric/aerial perspective)
Realism of light and shadow
Craftsmanship

To Start:

1. Start with a light line to block in the composition
2. Establish the horizon line (although it might be hidden) and the vanishing points
3. Identify the light source, and keep it in mind as you draw.

Tip

Go to a place like the mall or a public library for a really dramatic space.


Self Critique Questions

As you draw, ask yourself if you are doing the following (You should be!):

• Fill the page.
• Consider the entire page as a composition.
• Get the lines right -- Use the vanishing points for all parallel horizontal lines
• Get the tonal values right - Are the shadows and highlights as dark or light as they are in reality?

​Masters Gallery

Look at the work of Charles Sheeler, a 20th Century American Realist and Precisionist

Images were found at the following sites:

www.tendreams.org/sheeler.htm

www.flickr.com/photos/americanartmuseum/3663231518/