ART 117: Figure Drawing III

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: ART 116.
District General Education: C1. Arts
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course provides advanced instruction in drawing the human figure from the live model. Instruction will include structure, proportion, foreshortening, composition and expressive exaggeration, with emphasis on compositional arrangement and exploration of complex media. Included will be reading for historical, theoretical and aesthetic application to class material. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Recognize and identify, at an advanced level, complex anatomical aspects of the human form and its muscle-skeletal system
  • Compose in space and represent the human figure, with an advanced level of skill, using measuring techniques
  • Recognize, identify, and construct, with an advanced level of skill, classic figure proportions of male, female and child.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the compositional potential of the figure and discern between strong and weak visual statements
  • Resolve structural and foreshortening problems using refined methods to create advanced projects.
  • Create figure drawings using the laws of light and complex media
  • Clarify, refine, and employ the use of various gesture drawing techniques with increased sophistication
  • Use refined measuring techniques, with attention to exaggeration and alteration of form
  • Prepare a figure drawing portfolio
  • Asses and evaluate one's own work and the work of others

Major Course Content

  1. Study the theory of Figure Drawing in the creative process through historical reference.
  2. Experiment with various wet and dry media and the psychological expressions inherent in each.
  3. Analytical construction of a drawing emphasizing edges, planes and forms and their relationship to aesthetics.
  4. Advances study of the human figure with emphasis on Anatomy and production of male, female and child.
  5. Compositional analyses based on historical, aesthetic, and theoretical research.
  6. Exercises using perspective and spatial placement of figure in a defined space and the expressive implications of aesthetics.
  7. Clarify, refine and employ the use of various gesture drawing techniques with increased sophistication.
  8. Conduct a critique of student work.
  9. Selection and preparation of work for a professional portfolio

Lab Content

  1. Media
    1. charcoal
    2. graphite
    3. conte'
    4. ink
    5. color pastels
    6. color pencil
    7. watercolor
  2. Expressive Use of Media
  3. Contour, Gesture, Value, Negative Space, Light Logic
  4. Composition
  5. Compositional Analysis
  6. Composing multiple figures
  7. Advanced Anatomy for the Artist
  8. Expressive Anatomy
  9. Advanced Small Form Analysis

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

instructor provided handouts

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

3 page Formal Visual Analysis Paper critically discussing a figurative drawing or painting and/or Artist report analyzing an artist's figurative work

Examples of Outside Assignments

Finish Drawings, Sketch ideas for Drawings, Draw studies of figures: skeletal, muscular. Study, answer questions, practice drawing skills, read required materials, observe activities related to class content, visit art galleries or museums, write essays, research papers or journals

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab