Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Completion of ART 5A with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 90 (36 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: Advanced drawing of the human figure from direct observation of live models. Continued explorations of the human form in space, anatomical construction, proportions, and composition with emphasis on the use of color. Study of figurative art in historical and global cultural contexts. Students practice subjective, expressive interpretations of the human figure, building on fundamental drawing skills to develop personalized approaches to drawing the human form through exercises covering various historical and contemporary approaches to drawing. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Critique artworks using relevant visual art vocabulary and studio terminology.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze the muscle and skeletal structure of the human body through showing parts and sections of the body using color media (e.g., pastel, acrylic, watercolor)
  • CSLO #3: Utilize and apply the proper materials for a variety of differing drawing surfaces.
  • CSLO #4: Create original observational and conceptual drawings utilizing expressive, symbolic, and subjective figurative elements\\n

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

90

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Laboratory Objectives:
1. Create a portfolio of drawings in color from live models using various color media (which may include pastel, oil sticks, gouache, watercolor, ink, oil and acrylics) that demonstrate subjective and expressive interpretations of the principles of:
a. Anatomy and the structure of the human body,
b. Proportion, measurement, and foreshortening,
c. Uses of line and value in interpreting the human figure,
d. Volume and space in relation the human figure,
e. Structural and planar analysis of the figure,
f. Development of composition using the human figure,
2. Develop realistic and/or abstract drawings through manipulation of the above principles using a variety of colored drawing materials and techniques appropriate for subjective, expressive interpretations of the human figure.
3. Utilize appropriate techniques to achieve particular subjectively-desired effects, including experimentation with the above principles and the use of non-representational colors.
Lecture Objectives:
1. Evaluate and critique, in oral or written formats, class assignments, exercises and projects using relevant terminology
2. Evaluate contemporary and non-traditional figure drawings in terms of processes, artistic decision making, abstraction, composition, color, and rendering techniques
3. Examine, describe and analyze the major historical, contemporary, and critical trends in figure drawing.
4. Evaluate and analyze the creative impact of intuitive, expressive, personal works of art
5. Analyze and evaluate, verbally or in written form, one's own art work, the work of other students, and professional artists.
6. Analyze and evaluate significant contemporary and non-traditional drawings verbally or in written form.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable
          • UC Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: 1. In periodic class discussions and critiques, students are evaluated according to how perceptively and articulately they analyze, discuss and evaluate their own drawings and those of their classmates
          • Projects
            • Example: 1. Students are required to keep a portfolio of all of the drawings they create during the semester. The instructor reviews the portfolio at least twice-once at midterm and again at the end of the term, evaluating the work according to the above criteria.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: 1. Student are evaluated by their drawings of live models in the classroom. The drawings must demonstrate skill in personal interpretation of the human form in space in terms of: a. use of traditional and/or non-traditional color b. subjective interpretations of proportions and of muscle and skeletal structures. 2. Student are evaluated by their ability to use materials and techniques to express their interpretation of the human form.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lab:

          1. Using non-traditional colors and/or abstract techniques, instructor produces a drawing in class demonstrating her/his personal interpretation of the human figure. Instructor leads students in a discussion to analyze and evaluate the method and materials and apply the principles to their own drawings.

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor projects YouTube videos and/or PowerPoint presentations showing the work of professional figurative artists, followed by class discussions. Instructor also uses books and handouts to acquaint students with the work and techniques of professional artists. Students analyze and evaluate the work in relation to their own drawings.

          Distance Learning

          1. Visually oriented lecture describing and analyzing the major historical, contemporary, and critical trends in figure drawing. Video demonstration shows drawing techniques using various color media (which may include pastel, oil sticks, gouache, watercolor, ink, oil and acrylics) that demonstrate subjective and expressive interpretations of the principles of anatomy and the structure of the human body. Students submit progress to the instructor for feedback. Completed projects are posted to the discussion board and critiqued through written format using relevant terminology in terms of creative impact. Active and relevant participation includes students responding to each others’ comments in the discussion board.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read reviews of gallery or museum exhibitions devoted to the figure. Analyze and evaluate the readings in terms of the artist's self-expression and discuss them in class. 2. Read a biography or biographical article about a figurative artist and discuss it in class in terms of the artist's use of color.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Write a review/critique in terms of an artist's creative interpretation of the human figure in a gallery or museum exhibition that you have visited. 2. Write a critique of the figure drawings/paintings of a contemporary artist in terms of the artist's use of formal elements such as color and modification of traditional techniques.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Typical assignments 1. Using color, make a self-portrait that conveys an emotion. 2. Using line and value, draw the entire skeleton of the human body.

          Required Materials

          • Drawing As Expression
            • Author: Sandy Brooke
            • Publisher: Pearson
            • Publication Date: 2006
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • High-Focus Drawing
            • Author: James McMullan
            • Publisher: Overlook Press
            • Publication Date: 1994
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Figure Drawing
            • Author: Nathan Goldstein
            • Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall
            • Publication Date: 2011
            • Text Edition: 7th
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Expressive Figure Drawing
            • Author: Bill Buckman
            • Publisher: Watson-Guptill
            • Publication Date: 2014
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Draw People Every Day: Short Lessons in Portrait and Figure Drawing Using Ink and Color
            • Author: Kagan McLeod
            • Publisher: Watson-Guptill
            • Publication Date: June 4, 2019
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Drawing the Head for Artists: Techniques for Mastering Expressive Portraiture (Volume 2) (For Artists, 2)
            • Author: Oliver Sin
            • Publisher: Quarry Books; Illustrated edition
            • Publication Date: August 6, 2019
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

          Sketchbook, drawing paper, drawing materials including assorted color media, portfolio