ART 1143 - Introduction to Figure Drawing

1. Demonstrate how basic drawing skills can be applied to drawing the figure (e.g., gesture drawing, contour drawing, study of basic geometric shapes in space, sighting and perspective as they apply to figure).
2. Experience body weight and tension as they affect the depiction of the figure, by participating in related movement and holding a pose over time.
3. Describe via diagram the major structural systems of the body.
4. Address issues of expression in figure drawing by viewing slides of artists’ work and discussing how choice of media and drawing style communicate feeling, intent and meaning.
5. Determine how to further his/her own investigations in class and after class has concluded (e.g., drawing from skeleton, sketching from life, using and adapting information from photographs, studying other artists’ work).
6. Understand the role of the figure in art and society.
7. Express the accepted protocol in addressing a nude model with respect.
8. Develop an increased awareness of the immediate visual world.
9. Articulate and evaluate the quality and success of a work of art; this includes self-critical evaluation of own work as well as work done by another artist.

1. Survey of the expressive qualities of figure drawing
2. Survey of principles of basic drawing skills
3. Introduction to tools and materials used in creating drawings at a basic level
4. Examination of the role of the figure in drawing and art history
5. Critical response to works of art that address the nude figure