Ocean County College
Professor's Syllabus
Nat Bard
Figure Drawing ARTS 185-01
Catalog Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the familiar medium of drawing and its application to the human form. A sequence of studio drawings, live models and discussion are intended to expand awareness of the visual world, and challenge established methods of communication. A disciplined drawing approach to anatomy will emphasize structure, physical irregularity, and the expressive quality of the body. By the end of the course students will have a better grasp on communicating visually, expressing ideas & opinions and understanding visual choices made by others – and the role of the human body in these areas. Techniques will include perceptual drawing, gesture, value, contour, perspective, as well as various media like pencil, charcoal, ink and collage.
Semester: Spring 2012, Mon 2-5.30pm
Office Location: ACC Building B111
Phone Number: (732) 255-0400 X2319
E-Mail Address: or
Office Hours:
Mon8.30-9.30am
Tues 8.30-9.30am
Wed 1-2pm
Thurs 8.30-9.30am
Fri 8.30-9.30am in Tech Building 208
Other Meeting Times
To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled office hours, please contact your instructor directly or contact the School of Language and the Arts (Phone:X 2193 / Email )
Required Text and other Materials:
White drawing pad 18x24” (Bristol board preferred, 70lb drawing paper adequate)
Newsprint pad 18x24”
Sketchbook 11x14”
Graphite pencil set – 2B 4B 6B 8B HB H 2H Pink pearl rubber erasers
Kneaded eraser
Black India ink & bamboo brush
Sharpies – ultra fine, fine & chisel tips
Compressed charcoal
Soft & Hard vine charcoal
Workable spray fixative
Tracing paper – pad or roll
Scissors, rubber cement & X-acto knife w/blades
Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives
Students will gain understanding of:
· demonstrate a fundamental awareness of the underlying skeletal and musculature systems of the human form
· demonstrate a familiarity with basic construction techniques traditionally associated with figure drawing
· demonstrate an awareness of the design potential of the human figure in its more abstract sense
· manipulate various media in an expressive and technically sound manner
· become highly self critical with regard to their figure drawing
· convergent & divergent thinking and planning
· studio practice, time management and goal setting
· the basics of creative thinking: receptivity, curiosity, attentiveness, connection seeking, complexity
· the importance of expressing written and spoken thoughts, and interpersonal relationships
General Education Goals Addressed in the Course
Beyond drawing, students will use the study of art to strive to address some key educational issues:
· Who you are
· How you see the world and your place in it
· How you want to live
· How you can be an agent of change
Course Standards
Critiques
On scheduled due dates for each project, a group critique will be conducted. Critiques are designed for student and faculty participation and interaction. It is imperative that each student discuss and evaluate not only his/her project, but those of class members as well. Unfinished projects forfeit their right to feedback and will not be subject to critique, nor will they be accepted until completed. Active participation in critiques is required and will influence the final grade as part of the class participation component. Participation in a critique can be an odd thing – it’s important to understand that the process is public: both your artwork and the class response. This can lead to some awkward moments. Please understand that comments are never personal, they are only directed towards the artwork presented. If the critique veers towards the uncomfortable, I will intervene and the speaker forfeits the floor. Even so, you need a thick skin in this course. If you find yourself uncomfortable during discussions, feel free to slip out and return shortly.
Student presentations
For this project you will do some limited research on a contemporary artist of your choice. Make a short list of the characteristics that make that artist attractive and dynamic to you.
Each student will present their artist to the class, along with 10 examples of the artist’s work. This short presentation (7 minutes) will include:
· your explanation of those characteristics that drew your interest initially
· a brief account of social, historical and artistic context that explains the thinking of your artist
· 10 artist samples cannot be printed from web sources, but should come from periodicals (ArtForum, Art in America etc.), library books or credible (and high resolution) web sources – try ArtStor on OceanCruiser.
A very short crit/response will follow from the class. Presentations begin February 27, with two students presenting per class. Presentation signup deadline is February 13 – if that deadline is neglected, students forfeit the project and all credit for it. Likewise, if a student should come unprepared (i.e. less than 10 slides or an inability to project) they forfeit the right to present, but can submit a 3 page paper the following class for half credit – provided there are no typos.
Kahn & Selesnick
Alberto Giacometti
Egon Schiele
Matthew Barney
Robert Longo
Aubrey Beardsley
Eric Fischl
Robert Mapplethorpe
Ana Mendieta
Henry Moore
Jake & Dinos Chapman
Kiki Smith
Sally Mann
Chris Burden
Odd Nerdrum
Ida Applebroog
Miru Kim
Erwin Wurm
Drawing a Week
For eight weeks you’ll bring a sketch or study to class (on 11x14” paper), each drawing is based on a theme or reading. This is your chance to experiment with the figure and try out some techniques and ideas. Each drawing requires an observed figure, which can be based on a friend or a model from class, and must be limited to graphite, ink or charcoal media. We’ll start the following class with an unveiling of this drawing, and one of the eight drawings will be completely finished for the final crit at the end of the semester. Topics & readings will be announced in class.
Student lockers
Lockers are available for student use, but locks need to be provided by the student. All items should be removed at the end of semester.
During class
· You do not need to ask permission to take a quick break, go to the bathroom or get a drink
· We will take several official breaks to stay lively
· Please turn off your cellphone during class – no text messaging
· Don’t wear headphones – no iPods or other sound devices. This became a real issue last semester!
· Please wear sensible shoes – there are too many stray tacks, nails and splinters in the studio.
· No drawing can come from an unobserved source – if you couldn’t see it, you can’t draw it. This ban includes online images. Finding a photo online and copying it is plagiarism.
Attendance Policy:
Your presence is essential in this class for you and for your classmates. As a community of artists, we rely upon each other for feedback and criticism. In addition, time in class is comprised of many important activities: discussion, demonstrations, critique, slide presentations, and work in class, to name just a few. Since it is not possible to replicate this experience outside of class, attendance is mandatory. After four absences, you will fail the course without notification from me.
Absences
One: yours to enjoy – no action taken.
Two: drop of one letter in your final grade.
Three: drop of one letter in your final grade.
Four: failure for the course.
Lateness Policy
It is very important that you are on time to class so that we may begin promptly and without interruption. Also, it is important that you not miss any information as it may hinder your ability to complete your projects, or may compromise your ability to assist classmates during critiques and discussions. Lateness is recorded. 2 late arrivals = 1 absence. This means that it is possible to fail this course based upon lateness alone, so please be on time. It’s up to you to compensate for any parking issues. Once the door to the studio is closed, you’re late.
Withdrawal policy
A student may withdraw or be withdrawn from a course for the Spring 2012 semester and the Spring Quickterm 2012 until Monday, April 2, 2012 with the instructor assigning a grade of “W” and providing the last date of attendance. If a student stops attending or is administratively withdrawn after this date, an “F” will be assigned. The Add/Drop/Withdrawal Form can be obtained from the Registration and Records Office on the first floor of the Administration Building. Return the completed and signed form to the Registration and Records Office. The absolute last day a withdrawal will be accepted is Monday, April 2, 2012.
Grading scale
Criteria for Grading
In this class you will not be graded on how “good” your work is versus the person’s next to you. You are graded on how much you learn, your effort and how much you challenge yourself. Your final grade will be based on the following:
Results of assignments: you will be graded on formal issues, degree of difficulty, and quality of work. Effort, craftsmanship, risk taking and experimentation all factor in to the grade of each project.
Attendance: Too much material is covered each week to allow unexcused absences. Don’t miss class if you can help it—it can cost you.
Performance/participation: Speaking during class discussions and critiques, consistently working during studio time.
All projects must be completed in order to receive an A in this course. Projects that are not completed on time will not be eligible for an A grade. You have the option of re-working a project if you were unhappy with critique comments or a grade, but you cannot replace points you lost due to lateness. You can receive updates on your grades by request at any time during the semester.
Assignments
Projects – Projects will begin in class, but will be completed outside of class studio time. Overall you will be completing 5 projects (30 points each), 6 exercises (10 points each) and 8 weekly sketches (3 points each).
Oral presentation – you are required to present a short presentation (15 points) explaining your attraction to a contemporary or historical artist.
Divergent Drawing
For this semester long drawing, you'll be crafting a response to the title Making Sense of the 5 Senses. This is wide open, and should be interpreted freely. Keep your eye on the announcements section of OceanCruiser as I'll post links to video & radio, as well as various readings - all of these relate to the senses, and should provide food for thought.
I've opened a forum in the Message Board section for you to chat online at any time -check in to see what others have added, and how people react & respond.
Gather your thoughts & ideas in your sketchbook and be prepared to critique & discuss your first draft during our mid term critique on March 19. The finished drawing is due on our last class, May 14.
Grading Scale – 269 possible points
A 90-100% Overall excellence, exceeds expectation.
Outstanding: work demonstrating significant growth; participation in class; critical thinking; depth of inquiry; willing to take risks and explore challenging solutions. Your work generates discussion, and needs no improvement (truly rare).
B 80-89% Impressive but not excellent.
Excellent work, but has rough edges, raises questions in critique, and could use polishing.
C 70-79% Overall average: work as expected at this level but without demonstrable growth.
Work accomplished all requirements, but without grace, significant thought or power – student did what was asked, and no more. The equivalent of doing just enough to avoid being fired from a job – very common.
D 60-69% Overall below average: work below that expected at this level and without demonstrable growth.
Below average: work fails to accomplish basic requirements, displays a lack of effort and commitment, generally lackluster.
F 59% and below Failure to complete and submit project
Extra credit
Students have the option of extra credit to bolster project grades, and can choose from the following list:
1. Matinee Film Series – Wed Feb 8, March 14, April 11 from 1-3, Thurs Feb 16 & 23, March 22 & 29, April 19 &26 7-9pm in room B112 - for each film attended– 3points
2. Student trip to a New York museum (the Met or MoMA)– 6 points
3. Student trip to a gallery – Noyes Museum or First Friday in Philadelphia - 6 points
4. Participation in the insite student project - 3 points
Statement of Plagiarism:
Students should refer to the student handbook and review Policy #5180. Consider the previous description of online image searches and non-observed drawings as examples of plagiarism.
Statement about Civility
Disruptive behavior
Studio classes differ from lecture classes in several key ways, but the most striking is the use of time and interaction between students and faculty. That dynamic, paired with the very public discussion and critique of student artwork mentioned earlier can lead to difficult moments. If such a moment becomes disruptive – behavior ranging from cutting off peers or faculty to verbal challenges of curricula or other explosions – class will be dismissed. The perpetrator of disruptive behavior will speak with me immediately, which serves as a first warning. The second instance of disruptive behavior will earn that student an early dismissal to meet with the Dean of the School of Arts and Language, and said student cannot return to class again without permission from the Dean. There will be no third offense.
[See www.ocean.edu/civility.htm]
Evaluation of student:
As described above, there will be 6 projects (30 points each), 6 studies (10 points each), an oral presentation (15 points) and 8 weekly sketches (3 points each) for a total of 269 points. All drawings are subject to improvement and re-grading.
Campus Resources and Services:
Tutoring is available [a] in the Writing Center for writing assignments in all subject areas, not just English courses, and [b] in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. Tutoring information for all other subjects can be found on the Tutoring page on the college website. In addition, Study Strategy Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under “Academics.” More information on college services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under “T” for Tutoring or under “S” for Study Strategy Seminars).