Spring 2015 George Mason University Division of Painting and Drawing

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1 Spring 2015 George Mason University Division of Painting and Drawing Anne Smith, M.F.A. candidate 15 George Mason University School of Art Art & Design Building Room 2040 Office Hours: by appointment Contact: DRAWING 1 (AVT ) Monday/Wednesday 4:30 pm 7:10 pm Art & Design Building, Room 2049 Credits: 4 Welcome. Drawing is a way of thinking, exploring and communicating about the world visually. With some simple drawing tools for example: various forms of carbon, some cotton paper, and an eraser you will learn to see and engage the world around you with new intention and curiosity. By putting in time and practice, you will develop strong drawing skills and learn the power of engaging in a visual conversation. This course is intended to develop your creative abilities: to become fluent in traditional drawing techniques, to develop the act of skilled observation and rendering, and to be honest and comfortable talking about your and your classmates drawings. You will be working independently and from life (i.e. from observation) during this course, mainly from still lifes that I have set up in the classroom. What you draw within this set up is your choice, but it comes with a responsibility: to move around the classroom and find something within the still life that most intrigues you. GOALS To establish a regular practice of looking, seeing, and drawing. To develop technical skills and principles of drawing and rendering. To develop coordination between the perceptual structures eyes and brain and the hand in rendering what you perceive. To remove the fear of making; and to embrace failure, mistake and chance as part of the drawing process. To learn the process of critique; and to become an articulate, honest, critical consumer of images. To have drawing as a life tool for learning, searching, and communicating.

2 STUDIO POLICIES A functioning art studio depends on me and you: to be conscientious, supportive members of the studio community. In the words of one professor, we need both the Funk and the Function for this to be a successful experience. Please: Clean up after yourself. Leave your workspace better than you found it. No cellphones or other electronic devices are allowed in class. When you enter the drawing studio, I need you to be keyed in to your senses and surroundings. A student violating this policy will be asked by me to leave class. The student will see this reflected in their mid term or final grade. Visit your classmates workstations from time to time in order to see what they re working on. Be focused on your own work, but interested and supportive of others. SUPPLIES Sketchbook, spiral bound (at least 8.5 x 11 ) 18 x 24 pad of newsprint 18 x 24 pad of white drawing paper (such as Strathmore 70#) Masonite drawing board with clips, bigger than 18 x 24 White eraser (1 2) Kneaded eraser (2 medium) Portfolio, big enough for 18 x 24 (preferably a black one, or folded cardboard provided by the store) Metal ruler, at least 24 Ebony pencils (3) 2 each of pencils in these hardnesses: 6B, HB, 6H Pencil sharpener with cap Chamois cloth Soft vine charcoal (1 2 boxes) Char Kole (box of 12) Charcoal pencil Conté crayons (1 pack each) in white, black, and rust/sepia Higgins black ink Pen for ink Bamboo brush, size 4 X acto blade (#11) and handle Tool box (such as ArtBin) for carrying supplies (Rives BFK cotton paper, as needed) This list might not be exhaustive.

3 BLACKBOARD: mymasonportal.gmu.edu You will need to sign in to Blackboard to access details on homework assignments and other course materials. At the class s request, I can also homework assignments after each class. HOMEWORK I will assign specific homework at every class. Homework is due at the beginning of the next class meeting. In general, the homework pattern looks like this: DUE ON MONDAY: 1) Sketchbook work 2) finished drawing(s) on 18 x 24 paper (or otherwise specified.) DUE ON WEDNESDAY: Sketchbook work, to be assigned. Discussion/Critique every Monday at the beginning of class. The drawings you bring into class on Monday should reflect your best efforts. Expect to spend a minimum of 2 3 hours on each finished drawing. You have homework due at every class, unless otherwise stated. SKETCHBOOK You will be keeping a sketchbook, making drawings regularly. You may additionally use your sketchbook as you wish to sketch, collage, write, doodle, what ever helps you engage with the world on the go in a visual way. I will not grade individual sketchbook drawings, but the effort you put into your sketchbook and the quality of drawings will affect your grade. Use your sketchbook as a place for concentrated study and observation, as much as you would in a more involved drawing. MID TERM and FINAL PORTFOLIO REVIEW Each of you will submit a portfolio of your work at mid term and at the end of the semester. Portfolio due dates: February 25th, at beginning of class May 7th, by 5pm I will give written evaluation. Students are also expected to give self evaluation at each time. We will discuss this further as the first deadline approaches. I will assign a letter grade at the end of the semester, but no individual artworks will receive a letter grade. Anyone who is unsure how they are performing in the class may talk to me at any point during the semester.

4 GRADING A: Outstanding in every respect. Willing to risk trying new processes and ideas. Work goes beyond given parameters. Pursues own line of investigation and development outside of class. Timely completion of all assignments. On time to class and active in discussions and critiques. Use time in class well and positive influence on peers. B: Very good. Work complete by due date. Use time in class well. Willing to push and take risks, but do not always reach the best results. Participate in class discussions and critiques. C: Average. Incomplete work on due date. Do not use class time or practice time well (unprepared, unfocused, unmotivated.) Work avoids risk. Tardy or absent 2 3 times. D: Below average in all respects: incomplete work and do not use class or practice time well; poor attendance (absent four or more times.) F: Fail. CLASS SCHEDULE Tentative schedule. Classes will also include demonstrations and slide viewings as needed. Week 1 Jan. 21st Week 2 Jan. 26th Jan. 28th Introduction to Drawing I (expressive mark exercise + syllabus overview) Homework due Monday: 1) Purchase all supplies. 2) Go to Fenwick Library. Ask the librarian where to find books about drawing. Browse the stacks for a book about an artist s drawings that interests you. Bring the book to class AND me images of two drawings by the artist by Sunday at 5pm. Be prepared to tell the class why you chose this artist. Building Habits of Seeing + Looking Discussion of library books + images Blind, semi blind contour drawings (pencil) Homework: Choose an object with some complexity/interest (e.g. a plant, a pair of sneakers, etc.). Make three blind contour drawings in your sketchbook in pencil. You may rotate the object (or yourself around the object) between each drawing. Write the number of minutes spent on each drawing in the bottom right corner. Building Habits of Seeing + Looking Blind, semi blind contour drawings (pencil and vine charcoal) Homework: Three blind contour drawings, three semi blind contour drawings using pencil and vine charcoal. From this point on, homework will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard Week 3 Feb. 2nd

5 Still life: Contour drawing (pencil, vine charcoal) Discussion of composition/page placement, searching lines Use of viewfinder, measuring with a pencil Becoming comfortable with revision Line weight varying weight; using line to describe space as well as form Feb. 4th Week 4 Feb. 9th Feb. 11th Week 5 Feb. 16/18th Week 6 Feb. 23/25th Week 7 Mar. 2/4th Still life: Cross contour drawing; using line to describe volume/weight as well as form + space (pencil, vine charcoal, compressed charcoal) Continue attention to composition, line weight, revision (Have students move around to different spots around still life) Still life: Selective cross contour drawing; using line to describe volume/weight as well as form + space Continue attention to composition, line weight, revision (Have students move around to different spots around still life) Continue study from Monday Making decisions regarding composition, amount of information to include Still life: Using value, rather than line, to describe form (pencil underdrawing, vine charcoal, eraser) Eraser + chamois as drawing tools Positive/Negative space drawings Introduction to Value, Light and Shadow Still life: Using value, rather than line, to describe form (pencil underdrawing, vine charcoal, eraser) Eraser + chamois as drawing tools Mapping values/blocking out light and shade Working with directional light; three values Value, Light and Shadow Still life: (vine charcoal, compressed charcoal, eraser) Five value drawings

6 PORTFOLIOS DUE at the beginning of class on Wednesday, March 4th. March 9 15 Week 8 Weeks 9 13 Week SPRING BREAK. Have Fun. Value, Light and Shadow Continue study Infinite values Value, Light and Shadow, continued study Still life: continued study and practice with infinite value Working from more complex still lifes and figures Other ways of creating value, mark (other materials, other marks) Drawing About, not Of (To be Explained in Class) PORTFOLIOS DUE by 5pm on Thursday May 7th to Room If I am not in, you may leave you portfolio in the Grad Lab (across the hall from 2040) under the sign reading something like AVT 222 Drawing 1 Portfolios Smith. This class fulfills a General Education Core requirement for Arts. Core requirements help ensure that students become acquainted with the broad range of intellectual domains that contribute to a liberal education. By experiencing the subject matter and ways of knowing in a variety of fields, students will be better able to synthesize new knowledge, respond to fresh challenges, and meet the demands of a complex world. Arts goal: Courses aim to achieve a majority of the following learning outcomes: students will be able to identify and analyze the formal elements of a particular art form using vocabulary appropriate to that form; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between artistic technique and the expression of a work s underlying concept; analyze cultural productions using standards appropriate to the form and cultural context; analyze and interpret material or performance culture in its social, historical, and personal contexts; and engage in the artistic process, including conception, creation, and ongoing critical analysis. ArtsBus dates February 21 March 21 April 18 If you need ArtsBus credit for this semester, you MUST enroll in AVT 300. This also applies to anyone who intends to travel to New York independently, or do the DC Alternate Assignment. There will be NO exceptions. If you plan to go on multiple ArtsBus trips this term and wish to count them towards your total requirement, you must enroll in multiple sections of AVT 300. Please go to the ArtsBus website: information regarding ArtsBus policy.

7 Visual Voices Visual Voices is a year long series of lectures by artists, art historians and others about contemporary art and art practice. Visual Voices lectures are held on Thursday evenings from 7:30 9:00 p.m. in Harris Theater. The spring schedule includes four lectures: Jan. 22 Loading Content (Graduate Students) Jan. 29 A Colored Letter at the Bottom of a Ditch (Ray Nicholds & Jill Cypher) Feb. 12 Art and Contemplation (Klaus Ottmann) Feb. 26 I Make Things (Jame Anderson) Mar. 5 Jersey Devils (Steve Badanes & Linda Beaumont) Spring 2015 Academic Calendar: January 1 Day of Week Thursday Martin Luther King Day (no classes) Mon Jan 19 First day of classes; last day to submit Domicile Reclassification Application; Payment Due Date; full semester waitlists removed Tue Jan 20 Summer 2015 Graduation Intent Available via Patriot Web Mon Jan 26 Last day to add classes all individualized section forms due Last day to drop with no tuition penalty Tues Jan 27 Last day to drop with a 33% tuition penalty Tues Feb 10 Final Drop Deadline (67% tuition penalty) Fri Feb 20 Last day to file your Spring 2015 Graduation Intent Fri Feb 20 Immunization Record Deadline Sun Mar 1 Midterm progress reporting period ( level classes) grades available via Patriot Web Mon Feb 16 Fri Mar 20 Selective Withdrawal Period (undergraduate students only) Mon Feb 23 Fri Mar 27 Spring Break Mon Mar 9 Sun Mar 15 Incomplete work from Fall 2014 due to Instructor Fri Mar 27 Incomplete grade changes from Fall 2014 due to Registrar Fri Apr 3 Dissertation/Thesis Deadline Fri May 1 Last day of classes Mon May 4 Reading Days Tue May 5

8 Reading days provide students with additional study time for final examinations. Faculty may schedule optional study sessions, but regular classes or exams may not be held. Exam Period (beginning at 7:30 a.m.) Wed May 6 Wed May 13 Commencement and Degree Conferral Date May 16 University and School of Art Policies: As a courtesy to others in the class, and in accordance with George Mason University policy, please turn off all beepers, cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices at the start of class. The instructor of the class will keep his/her cell phone active to assure receipt of any Mason Alerts in a timely fashion; or in the event that the instructor does not have a cell phone, he/she will designate one student to keep a cell phone active to receive such alerts. Commitment to Diversity This class will be conducted as an intentionally inclusive community that celebrates diversity and welcomes the participation in the life of the university of faculty, staff and students who reflect the diversity of our plural society. All may feel free to speak and to be heard without fear that the content of the opinions they express will bias the evaluation of their academic performance or hinder their opportunities for participation in class activities. In turn, all are expected to be respectful of each other without regard to race, class, linguistic background, religion, political beliefs, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, veteran s status, or physical ability. Statement on Ethics in Teaching and Practicing Art and Design As professionals responsible for the education of undergraduate and graduate art and design students, the faculty of the School of Art adheres to the ethical standards and practices incorporated in the professional Code of Ethics of our national accreditation organization, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Open Studio Hours School of Art teaching studios are open to students for extended periods of time mornings, evenings and weekends whenever classes are not in progress. Policies, procedures and schedules for studio use are established by the AVT studio faculty and are posted in the studios. Students with Disabilities and Learning Differences If you have a diagnosed disability or learning difference and you need academic accommodations, please inform me at the beginning of the semester and contact the Disabilities Resource Center (SUB I room 234, ). You must provide me with a faculty contact sheet from that office outlining the accommodations needed for your disability or learning difference. All academic accommodations must be arranged in advance through the DRC. Official Communications via GMU E Mail Mason uses electronic mail to provide official information to students. Examples include communications from course instructors, notices from the library, notices about academic standing, financial aid information, class materials, assignments, questions, and instructor feedback. Students are responsible for the content of university communication sent to their Mason e mail account, and are required to activate that account and check it regularly. Attendance Policies

9 Students are expected to attend the class periods of the courses for which they register. In class participation is important not only to the individual student, but also to the class as a whole. Because class participation may be a factor in grading, instructors may use absence, tardiness, or early departure as de facto evidence of nonparticipation. Students who miss an exam with an acceptable excuse may be penalized according to the individual instructor's grading policy, as stated in the course syllabus. Honor Code Students in this class are bound by the Honor Code, as stated in the George Mason University Catalog. The honor code requires that the work you do as an individual be the product of your own individual synthesis or integration of ideas. (This does not prohibit collaborative work when it is approved by your instructor.) As a faculty member, I have an obligation to refer the names of students who may have violated the Honor Code to the Student Honor Council, which treats such cases very seriously. No grade is important enough to justify cheating, for which there are serious consequences that will follow you for the rest of your life. If you feel unusual pressure about your grade in this or any other course, please talk to me or to a member of the GMU Counseling Center staff. Using someone else s words or ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism, a very serious Honor Code offense. It is very important to understand how to prevent committing plagiarism when using material from a source. If you wish to quote verbatim, you must use the exact words and punctuation just as the passage appears in the original and must use quotation marks and page numbers in your citation. If you want to paraphrase or summarize ideas from a source, you must put the ideas into your own words, and you must cite the source, using the APA or MLA format. The exception to this rule is information termed general knowledge information that is widely known and stated in a number of sources. Determining what is general knowledge can be complicated, so the wise course is, When in doubt, cite. Be especially careful when using the Internet for research. Not all Internet sources are equally reliable; some are just plain wrong. Also, since you can download text, it becomes very easy to inadvertently plagiarize. If you use an Internet source, you must cite the exact URL in your paper and include with it the last date that you successfully accessed the site. Writing Center Students who are in need of intensive help with grammar, structure or mechanics in their writing should make use of the services of Writing Center, located in Robinson A116 ( ). The services of the Writing Center are available by appointment, online and, occasionally, on a walk in basis.