AYAD  ALMISSOURI

ART 115 Drawing 1

Course Syllabus and Supply List 

Linear perspective is a system of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface. All parallel lines, also known as orthogonals, in a painting or drawing using this system converge in a single vanishing point on the composition’s horizon line. 

First used in Chinese art, ink and wash painting was invented by Wang Wei, during the era of Tang Dynasty (618-907), and after further development the technique spread to Japan around 1350. The brushstroke in Chinese painting is less a means of applying ink than a philosophical or emotional statement. Zen Buddhism and Confucianism are each associated with differing brushstroke styles and methodologies.   

​Portraiture is a genre in drawing and painting, where the intent is to depict a human subject. From old master self-portraits, to contemporary works of art completed today; artists from all over the world have explored portraiture for hundreds of years. Working in groups of two, students can explore any concept and ideas that they might be interested in to create a self-portrait.

Still life drawings are typically 

comprising arrangements of objects, 

like flowers, cups, decorative objects, toys, bowls and/or other kitchen utensils; laid out on a flat table with some fabric as a backdrop. Students will create their own still life drawings and develop their ability to see objectively and draw accurately.

Linear perspective is a system of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface. All parallel lines, also known as orthogonals, in a painting or drawing using this system converge in a single vanishing point on the composition’s horizon line. 

Portraits must be drawn in frontal, three quarter or side/profile angles. Students will create their drawings using colored pencils on toned drawing paper and understand the color relationships between the multiple layers of highlights and shadows when creating their portraits. The selection of wild animals will be randomly assigned to each individual student. A list of continents will be put into a cup and students will choose one wild animal from that continent they’ve picked. Students will research images online to explore photographs which they will use as a reference and create their drawings. A maximum of only four students will be assigned to each continent. Students must be responsible for their own images and cannot copy the same wild animal from their group’s continent.

Students will create their portraits using graphite, charcoal and/or colored pencils on drawing paper, exploring any subject matter like representation to abstraction; there will be no limits to their imagination. Each portrait should reflect your partner’s personality, interests, and appearance; it may also reflect personal, cultural and social issues. Your portraits shouldn’t be a direct representation of your face, try to create a context to your portraits; juxtaposing different elements and themes can be explored throughout your process of creating your drawings.

With origins in the Middle Ages and Ancient Greco-Roman art, still-life’s emerged as a distinct genre and professional specialization in Western art by the late 16th century. A still life is a work of art that’s depicting objects which are either natural (food, flowers, dead animals, plants) or man-made (drinking glasses, books, vases, jewelry etc.). Students will create their drawings through direct observation. An emphasis on structure within the relationship and arrangement of objects by using various charcoal techniques.

Originating its history from China, aesthetically, Ink Wash paintings of images and/or text generally don’t express actual representation but to capture its spirit as the subject. Students will explore traditional Chinese landscapes throughout history as a reference to symbolism, how do these landscapes represent a personal meaning beyond what we can see as observation. 

For this specific assignment students will explore the fundamental elements of animal anatomy when observing wild animals and create portrait drawings. Students can investigate jungles and rainforests in the Amazonian regions of South America, to Sub-Saharan deserts of Africa and Tropical forests in Asia. The animals must represent a living creature from the wild only (not pets like dogs and cats).

Final drawing assignment students can explore any concept and ideas that they might be interested in to create a work of art. Final drawings must evoke an emotional response like joyfulness, horror, and humor or even to question their reality.