FACULTY:	Endi Poskovic, Associate Professor of Art
OFFICE TEL.:	907-4200  (extension 4590) please leave a message with your name and telephone
E-MAIL:	eposkovic@whittier.edu

OFFICE HOURS & CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS:
Hours will be posted or by appointment. Office hours will be held in the Printmaking Studio or in my office. I am open to discussion on questions or problems you may have related to this class, and can meet outside of my regular office hours. To schedule an appointment, please e-mail me a couple of days in advance. If you require special accommodations to attend the class regularly, please let me know so I can arrange these for you.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Drawing 1 is an introductory studio art course designed for all students who wish to learn the fundamentals of drawing. It is open to art majors, art-minors and non-majors. Various drawing applications, wet, dry and collage, are explored. Differences and similarities between old masters and contemporary artists will be addressed through lectures, discussions, and assignments, which will cover both approaches. The emphasis is placed on the basic principles of design and the operative aspects of drawing. Experimental drawing approaches, use of collage and frotagge may be integrated as your work develops. Technical skills will be acquired first, and then used primarily as a means for articulating your ideas. In the tradition of our liberal education curriculum, the focus is placed on conceptual thinking and critical analysis of one’s own work. Upon completing the course, you should have a solid grasp of drawing approaches, as well as good understanding of drawing definitions and styles throughout modern history. All of this will give you a base for the continuation of your artistic practice and enable you to expand your creativity beyond the classroom.

Whether you choose to pursue a career in art or not, studio art experience may significantly enhance your life. You will be able to take advantage of many things you learn in this class and combine them in the field where artistic knowledge plays an important role. You will have the first hand in designing and creating your drawings by applying established and contemporary principles of art and design. Through your work, you will be able to say what you think, how you feel, and why you think and feel that way.

CLASS FORMAT
Drawing classes are based on one or more of the following:

Practical Classes consist of studio exercises, short lectures, discussions and individual assignments. Homework is given every week.  A 24-hour access to the drawing studio will enable you to continue working on your projects after regular class hours. 

Demos/Theoretical Classes are demonstrations/lectures supported with slides, films, books and various articles on contemporary art.  We will also look at original artworks when appropriate and available.  You will see the work by different artists first hand and experience both the technical and conceptual aspects of making their work. 

Critiques are scheduled both in class setting and individually.  You will present your work done in/out of class.  These critiques are used to critically assess the work in a group setting, and you will be invited to comment on technical and conceptual progress (and problems) of your work and the work of your classmates.  I will provide guidance during the discussions, and a verbal response to your work. 

Field trips to the Los Angeles area museums, galleries, and visiting artist lectures.

CLASS DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT

Each of the following assignment will be developed in the following way:

a) introductory lecture, slide presentation and working demonstration

b) daily/weekly in-class exercises

c) homework exercises

d) individual critiques

e) group critique 

1) LINE                       exploration of line as the core element of drawing
                                  (first drawing problem) line + organization of space

2) COMPOSITION       organization of interior/exterior composition
                                  (second drawing problem) line + composition

3) PERSPECTIVE       composing 1-point, 2-point, and 3-point perspective
                                 western and non-western concept of perspective
                                 (third drawing problem) line + composition + perspective

4) VALUE                  seeing and using value, achromatic and monochromatic approach
                                (fourth drawing problem) line + perspective + composition + value

5) TEXTURE/HUE      invented and simulated textures, introduction to color theory
                                (fifth drawing problem) line + perspective + composition + texture+hue

6) GESTURE              applying experimental materials: frotagge, collage, drawing as
                                 installation
                                (sixth drawing problem) line + composition + value + gesture

 

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

The following projects are required for your final portfolio:

- LINE DRAWING (approximately one large study)

- COMPOSITION (approximately one large study)

- VALUE PROJECT (approximately two large studies)

- TEXTURE PROJECT (approximately one large study)

- VALUE/TEXTURE/COLOR PROJECT(approximately one large study)

- SKETCHBOOK: The maintenance of a sketchbook is a course requirement.  Your sketchbook should become a sort of a personal diary where you may keep your drawings, ideas, records of your experiences in/out of the class, anything and everything. We will discuss your sketches regularly. 

MONDAY CLASS MANDATORY HOMEWORK
Every week, you will select at least five images which may be drawings made from observation as well as studies after old/contemporary masters: You will select images of drawings from any good book on drawing and carefully study the selected images by coping them in your sketchbook. When drawing, you will place the emphasis on the following:
a) the accuracy of the image you are copying after, i.e. character of the mode or object, their placement on the page, proportions composition, perspective, positive-negative space

b) the quality of line/lines describing the image, the intensity of mark making process in the drawing, and drawing character (style) the artist is using to describe his/her image. This exercise will continue throughout semester. You will be expected to turn in at least 3 completed drawings every Monday morning. About 20 minutes of every Monday class will be devoted to looking at and commenting on these drawings. These drawings will become an integral part of your portfolio, and will count approximately one third of your final grade. Additional drawings may be required.

EXTRA POINTS
Attendance at the Whittier College Greenleaf Art Gallery openings and Visiting Speakers Lecture Series is highly encouraged and will earn you extra points. These events are festive, inspiring, educational, and beneficial for you as a liberal arts student. Good food and refreshments are always provided free of charge, and people socialize discussing interesting and progressive ideas about art and everything else. In most instances, the artist/s will be present. You are also expected to attend lectures/demonstrations by visiting artists/speakers (when announced). Try not to miss them!

Collective Studio Duties: Your participation in regular weekly studio clean-up is mandatory. Any improper handling of inks, turpentine, mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc. may be fatal for your health and the environment. Therefore, it is necessary that you read health and safety instructions before using certain materials and equipment. The hazardous wastes will be disposed off through the Whittier College Hazardous Waste Management System. If you happen to be by yourself and have any doubt about a particular substance, check with Professor Poskovic or another student for the proper handling.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
I take attendance very seriously. Information is given throughout the class; therefore, it is essential that you remain present for the entire time. The following class policy will remain in place for the duration of semester:
-3 absences will result in lowering of your final grade for one full letter. 7 absences will result in automatic failure of the course.

-Whittier College Art and Design Department does not allow unexcused absences. You are responsible to notify me verbally and by e-mail of any anticipated absences, i.e. if you will be absent, late, or need to leave before the class ends. Missed scheduled reviews, lectures, group critiques, or group clean-up sessions will considerably affect your overall grade.

-Tardiness will not be tolerated: students arriving after roll is called are marked as absent. It is your responsibility to make sure the attendance sign up sheet is marked at the beginning of each class.

CLASSROOM POLICIES
Academic Integrity: Students at Whittier College Art Department enjoy significant freedom of creative and artistic expression and are encouraged to stretch their scholarly and artistic boundaries. However, the College prohibits all forms of academic dishonesty. For present purposes “academic dishonesty” is understood as the appropriation and representation of another’s work as one’s own, whether such appropriation includes all or part of the other’s work or whether it comprises all or part of what is represented as one’s own work (plagiarism). Appropriate citation avoids this sort of dishonesty. In addition, “academic dishonesty” includes cheating in any form, the falsification of academic documents or the falsification of works or references for use in class or other academic circumstances. When such dishonesty is discovered, the consequences to the student can be severe.
*Only students enrolled in the course may use the studio.

GRADING POLICY AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Credit hours: Drawing is a 3 credit hour class. Each session lasts 2 hours 50 minutes. Breaks are permitted at the instructor’s discretion.

You will receive a grade for each project and the final grade (+ and – will be affixed when applicable). In order to earn 3 credits in this course all assignments required for the final critique must be turned in by the due-date/dates. Consider spending at least one or two hours on your assignments after each class and at least two to three hours on the weekends.

Your grade will be based on the following:
a) aesthetic progress and improvements made during the course of semester (qualitative grade)
b) overall in-class production of work (quantitative grade)
c) active and enthusiastic class participation in critiques and discussions
d) regular homework (out of class drawing assignments)
e) regular project revisions
f) proper attendance
g) positive working attitude
h) on-time presentation of projects and final portfolio

All of the above factors play a role in your final grade. While natural ability and talent are welcomed, they do not necessarily bring in a high grade. I always reward self-motivated work, self-initiated projects, and revisions of your in-class assignments. The following assignments will also count towards your final grade:

i) a weekly visual journal in the form of a sketchbook used for note-taking and the practice of techniques learned in class. At the end of semester, the sketchbook will have no fewer than 100 pages completed
j) reading and research (when assigned)
k) short essays and individual presentations (when assigned)

The grades A, B, C, D, and F stand for:

"A" Outstanding and rare ability to analyze and integrate course material, consistent advancement (both technically and creatively), constructive approach towards the course assignments from the beginning throughout the semester. Exemplary work in every meaningful way.

"B" Work is substantially above average and as such fulfills all the requirements and more. Clear understanding of the techniques, principles, theory, and practice. You are beginning to express yourself creatively.

"C" Competent work, average output, fulfills, though without distinction, minimum requirements.

"D" Poor work, poor effort, little effort put into improving the work as per the requirements outlined for the project, below average. Missed an unacceptably great number of classes.

"F" Unacceptable in all areas, lacks understanding, skills, and creativity, overall negative attitude towards the class. Missed an unacceptably great number of classes.

Late work and makeup assignments: late assignments are only accepted in duplicate, that is, you must complete two different projects using the same criteria and they must be turned in together within one week of the original assignment date.

This class does not offer the C/NC (credit/non-credit) option and incomplete grade

LAB FEE
There will be a $50 lab fee automatically charged to your account once you have continued with the class after the drop/add period. You will be provided with the following materials: small sketchpad, newsprint pad 18" x 24", acid-free drawing sheets individually cut (as many as you can realistically handle), compressed charcoal, conte sticks, India ink: black waterproof, dip pen, brush, and more.

DRAWING 1- TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

WEEK ONE

Day 1               introduction to drawing class, expectations and requirements

                        homework: bring two books from the library: a good book on drawing and a
                        book on an artist you

                        particularly like

                        read essay on drawing by John Berger, “Drawn to That Moment”

 Day 2               first exercise (freehand drawing)

presentation of various traditional and non-traditional drawing materials, and operative aspects of drawing

                        homework: one-page response to the essay on drawing by John Berger, due
                        Monday

WEEK TWO

Day 3               first exercises with line, form and space, looking at still-life model, learning to
                        measure

                        lecture on line drawing

                        demo and presentation on using dry media in drawing

                        demo and presentation on line gesture

                        still-life model (assortment of objects), interior exercises with line 

Day 4               exercises with line, form and space, looking at still-life model (chairs) FIRST
                        LINE STUDY

                        Brief slide lecture

WEEK THREE

Day 5               exercises with line, form and space, looking at still-life model (chairs) FIRST
                       LINE STUDY

Day 6              exercises with line, form and space, looking at still-life model (chairs) FIRST
                       LINE STUDY

                       Brief slide lecture

WEEK FOUR

Day 7               exercises with line, form and space, looking at still-life model (chairs) FIRST
                       LINE STUDY

 Day 8               demo and presentation on perspective and space

                        interior/exterior exercises - organization of elements

still-life exercise with line (chairs and/or assortment of objects) SECOND
            LINE STUDY

presentation of drawings and prints on value (look at the original prints of Kathe Kollwitz, Leonard Baskin, Antonio Frasconi, Georges Rouault, Maurcio Lasansky, Harvey Breverman and others)

WEEK FIVE

Day 9               interior/exterior exercises - organization of elements

still-life exercise with line (chairs and/or assortment of objects) SECOND
            LINE STUDY

outdoor studies (campus sites)

 Day 10             interior/exterior exercises - organization of elements

still-life exercise with line (chairs and/or assortment of objects) SECOND
            LINE STUDY
            outdoor studies (campus sites)

WEEK SIX

Day 11             demo and presentation on value

                        still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects)

 Day 12             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) FIRST VALUE STUDY

                        presentation of drawings and prints on value (look at the original prints of Sidney Chafetz, G.B. Piranesi, Francisco Goya, Kathe Kollwitz, Leonard Baskin, Antonio Frasconi, Georges Rouault

 WEEK SEVEN

Day 13             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) FIRST VALUE STUDY

Day 14             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) FIRST VALUE STUDY

WEEK EIGHT

Day 15             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) FIRST VALUE STUDY

Day 16             MID-TERM CRITIQUE

WEEK NINE

Day 17             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) SECOND VALUE
                       STUDY

Day 18             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) SECOND VALUE
                       STUDY

WEEK TEN

Day 19             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) SECOND VALUE
                       STUDY

Day 20             still-life exercises with value (assortment of objects) SECOND VALUE
                       STUDY

WEEK ELEVEN

Day 21             demo and presentation on texture, introduction to collage and frotagge

                        Introduction to non-orthodox drawing materials

                        still-life exercises with texture and value (assortment of objects)

                        FIRST TEXTURE/VALUE STUDY

 Day 22             HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

WEEK TWELVE

Day 23             still-life exercises with texture and value (assortment of objects)

                        TEXTURE/VALUE/COLOR/GESTURE STUDY 

Day 24             HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

WEEK THIRTEEN

Day 25             TEXTURE/VALUE/COLOR/GESTURE STUDY 

Day 26             FINAL PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION AND CRITIQUE 

Disclaimer statement: This syllabus may be amended as the course proceeds. You will be notified of all changes. 

INSTRUCTOR'S MESSAGE TO THE STUDENT

Read this syllabus!  It is entirely designed to help you out.

This course will make demands in the areas of practice, content, research, and craft that will require effort, discipline and a great deal of your time. A rule of thumb regarding the number of hours you should devote each week to this class, in order to receive its full benefits, would be to multiply each classroom session by two hours spent on your homework practice after each class.