Life Drawing I: January 2014

Life Drawing I: 01F:007:SCA (DRAW:2310:0SCA)

The University of Iowa, School of Art & Art History

Spring 2014

1019 Studio Arts: TTh 3:30-5:20PM

Instructor: Mary Coats

Email: mary-coats@uiowa.edu

Class blog: coatslifedrawing.blogspot.com

Office hours: Thursdays 12-3pm, or by appointment

Course Description & Objectives

This course teaches drawing from life using a variety of media, and a broad conceptual and technical approach. Learning to see and to respond graphically to one's gathered visual information is stressed. Still life, the natural environment, as well as the human form (clothed and unclothed), are subjects. Efforts are made to improve student understanding of form and content. The first half of the semester is structured with specific assigned problems. After midterm, students should increasingly address personal interests. A final portfolio of a selection of the semester's best work is made by students and submitted, in lieu of a final exam, as partial fulfillment of work for the final grade. There are outside assignments given throughout the semester. These may be done in a sketchbook or as larger, separate, finished drawings. Assignments parallel in-class concerns.

Class Structure & Expectations

Students are expected to arrive on time and prepared for class (this includes having all materials with you when you arrive). Classes will be a combination of working sessions, lecture, demonstrations, and one-on-one instruction. As this is a 3 credit course, students are expected to spend at least 6 hours outside of class per week; this should be reflected through weekly homework assignments and projects.

Attendance & Participation

The nature of the studio course necessitates hands-on experience, development through practice and critique, and interaction with the instructor and one’s peers. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Students will receive a score of 0 through 2 each class: ‘0’ if absent, ‘1’ if tardy, caught using a cell phone/mp3 player, not participating, etc., and ‘2’ if prepared for class and participating in class exercises/critique. If you are absent, you are responsible for making up class work and getting class assignments.

Class Blog

We will use a class blog in place of ICON. If you are absent you are expected to check the blog, keep yourself up to date, and make up any assignments. Handouts, assignments, announcements, due dates, examples of artwork, upcoming shows and other important information will be regularly updated on the class blog. If you have a gmail account I suggest “following” the blog. If you don’t know how to do this just ask. The class blog is: http://coatslifedrawing.blogspot.com/

Basic Studio Etiquette

The use of cell phones in class is prohibited (this includes texting) except in emergency situations (i.e. family emergency). If I see you using your phone in class it will lower your participation grade for that day. Personal CD players and mp3 players with headphones are great for individual studio work outside of class; however, they hamper the interactive environment of this course. Personal mp3 players are not permitted, if I see you using one it will lower your participation grade for that day. The last 5-10 minutes of class will be reserved for clean-up. It is vital to clean up all messes and respect the space that we are sharing with other classes.

Studio Model Policy & Guidelines

Drawing from the live nude model will be a major part of this course and may include models of any gender identity. Instructors and students should demonstrate consideration for the model and behave professionally and with respect. This will include an instructor discussing the purpose of particular poses with the model, and the right of the model to choose to accept or reject a given assignment. It is not appropriate to touch the model or ask that models touch one another in a pose. Only the faculty member and the students enrolled in the class are allowed in the studio classroom when the model is posing. The doors to classrooms using studio models should be kept closed, and signs posted on the door for privacy.

Grading & Deadlines

Grades are dependent upon the timely completion of all assignments and class participation. Late, missing, or incomplete assignments will greatly affect your grade. For each day an assignment is late, the total grade will drop a letter. The +/- system will be used.

Keep in mind that a “C” is average. If you intend to come to class and do the minimum amount of work you can expect to get a “C”.

A = Excellent. An “A” student comes to class prepared, fulfills all class requirements, makes great improvements and takes risks.

B = Above Average. A “B” student fulfills all of the class requirements but somehow fails to take risks and make great improvements. The level of engagement is what really separates the A students from the B students.

C = Average. A “C” student attends class and completes most of the assignments on time, but their involvement, their level of engagement, is average.

D = Below Average. A “D” student shows little interest and dedication to the class. The D student completes some of the assignments on time but fails to remain engaged and motivated.

F = Failure. A grade of “F” is only given when a student shows no interest or dedication to the class. The F student misses class frequently and fails to complete most assignments.

Grades will be based on the following:

70% = Projects/Homework/Final Portfolio

30% = Participation (Attendance is key, as well as involvement in discussions and critiques. This includes class work and clean-up.)

Grading Scale

A = 93%

A‐ = 90%

B+ = 87%

B = 83%

B‐ = 80%

C+ = 77%

C = 73%

C‐ = 70%

D+ = 67%

D = 63%

D‐ = 60%

F = below 60%

Required Materials

All materials can be purchased at Blick Art Materials, 201 S Clinton. You are only required to purchase those materials that you don’t already own. There may me additional materials needed as the course progresses.

*Drawing Utensils*

Graphite drawing pencils

Charcoal pencils

Vine charcoal

Compressed charcoal

Compressed graphite

White charcoal

Conté crayons

Bombay India Ink

Assorted blending stumps

Bamboo brushes

White vinyl eraser

Gray kneaded eraser

*Paper*

Portfolio for transporting work

Bristol pad (or other high quality drawing paper pad)—18”x24”

Newsprint pad—18”x24”

Sketchpad—at least 8”x10”

4-5 sheets of quality drawing paper (To be used for designated projects, you can buy this as you go along. Some recommended brands are Rives BFK, Strathmore, Canson, D’Arches, and Fabriano.)

*Miscellaneous*

Workable matte spray fixative

Pencil sharpener

Bulldog clips to affix paper to drawing tables

Masking tape

Scissors

Rag or chamois cloth for charcoal work (old tshirt or wash cloth works fine)

Tool box/tackle box/art bin for storing supplies (or any method of your choice to transport supplies and keep them organized)

Life Drawing I Spring 2014 Schedule:

**Subject to change!!

Week 1:

1/21- Introductions + Syllabus

1/23- Exquisite Corpse

Week 2:

1/28- Sighting lecture + exercises

1/30- Sighting exercises in sketchbook

Week 3:

2/4- Begin in-class Vanitas using Sighting principles, introduce Vanitas assignment

2/6- Continue working from in-class still life

Week 4:

2/11- CRITIQUE Vanitas

2/13- Blind contour portraits

Week 5:

2/18- Figure Drawing intro lecture, gesture practice w/Beyonce, Collaged Figure

2/20- Model—focus on gesture

Week 6:

2/25- Figure Drawing sighting lecture, exercises, Imprint of A Space

2/27- Model—focus ½ on gesture, ½ on sighting/relative proportion

Week 7:

3/4- 8 Portraits, Self Portrait

3/6- Model—focus on head & shoulders

Week 8:

3/11- CRITIQUE Self Portraits, Landscape of Contemporary Figuration

3/13- Model

Week 9: NO CLASS-Spring Break

Week 10:

3/25- LCF papers due

3/27- Model

Week 11:

4/1- LCF drawing due, CRITIQUE

4/3- Model

Week 12:

4/8- Model

4/10- Model

Week 13:

4/15- Model, Figure at Full Scale

4/17- Model

Week 14:

4/22- critique Figure at full scale, Expanding the Narrative

4/24- Model

Week 15:

4/29- 1^st part of ETN due

5/1- Model

Week 16:

5/6- Model, Selection of at least 8 in-class Figure drawings due

5/8- Final drawings for ETN due, FINAL CRITIQUE

SPRING 2014

School of Art and Art History Syllabus Information

The University of Iowa

Administrative Home

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall, or see the CLAS Academic Policies Handbook at http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook.

Electronic Communication

University policy specifies that students are responsible for all official correspondences sent to their University of Iowa e-mail address (@uiowa.edu). Faculty and students should use this account for correspondences (Operations Manual, III.15.2, k.11).

Accommodations for Disabilities

A student seeking academic accommodations should first register with Student Disability Services and then meet privately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. See www.uiowa.edu/~sds/ for more information.

Academic Honesty

All CLAS students or students taking classes offered by CLAS have, in essence, agreed to the College's Code of Academic Honesty: "I pledge to do my own academic work and to excel to the best of my abilities, upholding the IOWA Challenge. I promise not to lie about my academic work, to cheat, or to steal the words or ideas of others; nor will I help fellow students to violate the Code of Academic Honesty." Any student committing academic misconduct is reported to the College and placed on disciplinary probation or may be suspended or expelled (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).

CLAS Final Examination Policies

The final examination schedule for each class is announced by the Registrar generally by the tenth day of classes. Final exams are offered only during the official final examination period. No exams of any kind are allowed during the last week of classes. All students should plan on being at the UI through the final examination period. Once the Registrar has announced the date, time, and location of each final exam, the complete schedule will be published on the Registrar's web site and will be shared with instructors and students. It is the student's responsibility to know the date, time, and place of a final exam.

Making a Suggestion or a Complaint

Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit with the instructor (and the course supervisor), and then with the departmental DEO. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).

Understanding Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. All members of the UI community have a responsibility to uphold this mission and to contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. See the UI Comprehensive Guide on Sexual Harassment for assistance, definitions, and the full University policy.

Reacting Safely to Severe Weather

In severe weather, class members should seek appropriate shelter immediately, leaving the classroom if necessary. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. For more information on Hawk Alert and the siren warning system, visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Life Drawing I

Thursday, January 23, 2014

AT-HOME 'Sighting & Measuring' Assignment for Thursday, January 30th

Semester Schedule

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Welcome to Life Drawing I!

About Me