Drawing Courses

Collage & Assemblage

Course No. DRG 212  Credits: 3.0

Collage and Assemblage are among the most radical innovations of the early 20th century and these forms remain relevant today as sources for innovation and experimentation. Each of these forms acknowledges the fracture of contemporary life and the ongoing need for new means of expression. This course will explore the relationship between collage and assemblage and various disciplines within the visual arts including Painting, Print, and Drawing. Students will learn to discern the significantly different effects and content of the wide range of strategies these approaches encompass. Through classroom discussion, lectures, readings, critiques and studio work students will explore the possibilities available through collage and assemblage. Emphasis will be given to the historical and contemporary studio practices associated with collage and assemblage. This course is open to all students from all majors. Students will be encouraged to apply their area of expertise to the studio work. 3 credits.

Illusionism: Intro to Drawing

Course No. DRG 215M  Credits: 3.0

Advancing the illusionistic rendering skills developed in the first year, students will be introduced to a variety of theories related to sight and perception. Students will develop skills with several traditional mediums and materials as well as experiment concepts of scale, color, and mark-making. Required for sophomore Drawing Majors. Cross listed with VAT. 3 credits.

100 Drawings

Course No. DRG 216M  Credits: 3.0

In creating 100 drawings within a single semester, students will move through many forms of drawing, from direct observation to work from photographic sources, from abstraction to the idiosyncratic. Assignments are sequenced to encourage experimentation and play with a wide range of drawing materials and methods. At the conclusion of the course, students will have begun to develop their own point of view, style, and approach to drawing. Required for sophomore Drawing majors. 3 credits.

Figure Drawing

Course No. DRG 225  Credits: 3.0

Students will develop an individual approach to the figure through relevant historical and contemporary systems of representation. This course emphasizes on innovative approach to drawing using the figure as a vehicle and primary focus for metaphoric or literal interpretations, and as a site for conceptual inquiry. Diverse combinations of traditional and unconventional mediums will be introduced. Individual reviews of work in progress and group critiques are an integral part of the studio concentration. Museum, gallery excursions, and visiting artists are regularly scheduled to enlighten student pursuits. 3 credits.

Experiments in Drawing: Cartoon as Contemporary Art

Course No. DRG 230  Credits: 3.0

Contemporary artists often make projects in response to the concept of the cartoon. As a form, this concept is drawn from a history spanning hundreds of years from 14th c. preparatory cartoons for history paintings to contemporary time-based manifestations including gifs and narrative media. In this course students explore various low-tech 2D drawing approaches to this genre, making both still and time-based projects. Rather than industry-focused models, coursework focuses on exercises and experimental studio-based practices with an emphasis on producing works that reflect the artist’s personal vision. Themes to be examined include imaginative figuration, violence, and abstraction. Students will consider the relationship between cartoons in popular culture and less mainstream approaches to the media. Through studio and seminar each student will develop a personal understanding of “cartoon culture� as seen through a contemporary art-making lens. 3 credits.

Drawing Beyond Observation

Course No. DRG 321  Credits: 3.0

This course will explore strategies for representation beyond direct perception, moving past the use of the traditional still life, landscape, or model as subject. How can a drawing describe the world that is beyond the range of our common visual observations? Different approaches to drawing, including free-association, metaphor, and mapping are explored to help define and circumvent personal barriers. Required for Junior Drawing Majors. 3 credits.

Hybrid Approaches to Drawing & Painting: Digital Media

Course No. DRG 327H  Credits: 3.0

Emphasis is on integrating digital processes into studio practice and production. The class deals with a spectrum of digital applications in a studio practice including straight forward digital output, using digital as a means of producing source material as well as actually integrating digital processes into the production of work. Through slide presentations, viewing actual work, discussions and readings, students will be introduced to the place of the digital in contemporary studio practice. In studio production, students will use varied media and subjects, both traditional and non-traditional, to further develop their analytical and expressive means in their creative practice. Students are encouraged to draw from many disciplines incorporating them in the projects presented to the class for group critiques. Open to all Students â€" required of Printmaking and Drawing juniors. 3 credits.

Systems Drawing

Course No. DRG 360  Credits: 3.0

This course will investigate the means by which various systems of drawing and representation function as methods of communication. How do historical, cultural and social contexts frame an artist’s ability to send messages through their work? And, like in a game of telephone, in any system of communication it is inevitable that potential problems may occur- misunderstandings, errors, and falsehoods. Can these be absorbed into the content of the work? Illusionistic, abstract, allegorical, diagrammatic, mathematical and idiosyncratic systems of drawing and representation will be investigated through this course, through studio practice, readings, critique and in-class discussion. Required of all junior Drawing majors. 3 credits.