ART 180 Introduction to Drawing

Drawing is one of our most effective tools for planning, describing and communicating. Historically it has been considered the root skill of all visual art. Today it has five main functions: representing what has been observed, expressing the artist?s personality, conveying information, making the invisible visible and giving pleasure to those who enjoy it. This course focuses on representational drawing and assumes no prior training or experience. In-class and outdoor drawing exercises and assignments will promote careful observation, eye-hand coordination and the ability to translate three-dimensional forms into two dimensional images.

Students will explore a variety of media (pencil, ink, crayon, chalk) and different techniques to gain a sense of the possibilities existing within the broad category of drawing. Subjects of the weekly drawing exercises will include still-lifes, landscapes and portraits. Recurring themes are careful analysis and observation, accurate rendering, composition and perspective, lighting and shading, originality and authenticity.