honoria madelyn starbuck :
The only thing that is different from one time to another is what is seen and what is seen depends upon how everybody is doing everything. This makes the thing we are looking at very different and this makes what those who describe it make of it, it makes a composition, it confuses, it shows, it is, it looks, it likes it as it is, and this makes what is seen as it is seen. Nothing changes from generation to generation except the thing seen and that makes a composition.
- Gertude Stein "Composition as Explanation"
Syllabus
Contact Information
Honoria Madelyn Starbuck, Ph.D.
Course Description:
This course facilitates a study of drawing through problem-solving. The problems, or drawing situations, presented in each class, focus on issues of gesture, spatial relationships, shape, value, line, texture, perspective, and subjective interpretations. Students will face a variety of drawing situations throughout the course. Students will be directed to use specific techniques to respond to the situations in order to expand their awareness of technical choices in drawing. In addition to creating artworks to address the drawing situations, students will maintain a creative written record of their processes in the solving of each drawing situation. This record will be used when the student creates a presentation of her work at the end of the semester. Keeping written records of artistic processes provides student artists with an ongoing text resource that can be used for artistŐs statements and for interviews with gallery personnel, journalists, and critics.
Modes of Instruction:
Drawing class goals:
Evaluation:
Grading scale: (Institutional standard)
Art Supplies:
COURSE OUTLINE
First class: you and our class
Introductions and discussion of shared goals and objectives for the class. Discuss
textbook: Contemporary art, with roots in tradition, is forming new directions
in context of cultural change. Assignment: Read Chapters 1 and 2
Week 2: Drawing and seeing
Before class: read Chapters 1 and 2.
In class drawing situation: establish unity and rhythm between drawing and seeing
Live model: 15 second, 30 second, 1 minute, and 2 minute poses. Gesture finger
painting Fast ink drawing with sticks Fast drawings with charcoal Combine class
gestures and discuss movement and rhythm within individual gestures and in combination
of class gestures. In class quickly jot down reflections on gesture. Incoming
information: What does the modelŐs gesture say to you? Outgoing information:
What does your gesture drawing depict?
Week 3: Shapes and planes
Before class: read Chapter 3. Complete 2 negative space problems. Complete 2
planar problems.
In class drawing situation: Explore shapes of the picture plane, planar analysis
of volumes and perspective. Slides: master drawings and collage - Cezanne and
cubists Assignment: Write 1 page of reflections on ways you used planes in your
compositions. Write about borders, what happens when planes meet? How do planes
reveal volumes? Fold your paper to express what you write about, you can cut
the paper but it must be unfoldable to be read.
Week 4: Value
Before class read Chapter 4. Complete 1 drawing using arbitrary value. Complete
1 drawing using value to describe planes.
In class drawing situation: use values to describe structure, weight, light.
Explore personal expression using value. Assisgnment: Write 1 page of reflections
on black paper with contrasting writing material about ways you used values
in your compositions.
Week 5: Line
Before class: read Chapter 5. Draw the same subject 3 times using 3 different
characteristics of line. In class drawing situation: use multiple characteristics
of line to explore contours and to express mood and to define space, pattern,
and style. Live model: Linear gestures. Extended line drawings: slow contour,
exaggerated contour, contour with tone, drawing with focus on variety of line,
eraser drawn lines, combined lines. Assignment: Without lifting your pen or
pencil from the page, write one page expressing your reflections on your use
of line.
Week 6: Your developing strengths
Before Class: No reading assignment this week. Combine different techniques
in three drawings. On separate sheet for each drawing list the techniques you
used and explain why.
In class drawing situation: Combining skills and techniques Live model: Use
three techniques in one drawing (3 drawings in class) One drawing with the three
techniques you feel are your weakest or least favorite. One drawing with the
three techniques you feel are your strongest or most favorite.
Assisgnment: Write 1 page about combining techniques. How do the techniques
work with and against each other? What is your strongest technique? Why?
Week 7 :: Midterm Portfolio and sketchbook review.
Hang your best drawing and read part of your favorite writing assignment to
the class. Share your sketchbook. Critique and class discussion.
Week 8: Texture
Before class read Chapter 6 on texture. Complete 1 drawing using collage texture.
Complete 1 drawing creating simulated texture.
In class drawing situation: Using a variety of media, explore the textural surface
of drawing. We will explore rubbings, finger paint, glitter glue, white out,
fabric, collage, oil and water resist.
Assignment: Write one page about your experience using texture. How can texture
play a part of a composition?
Week 9: Perspective
Before Class:Read Chapter 8 on perspective and complete 1 drawing example of
one-point perspective, 1 drawing example of two-point perspective, 1 drawing
example of three-point perspective.
In class drawing situation: Using a variety of media and a variety of positions
in relation to your subject, explore different perspectives in the same drawing.
Assignement: Write one page about your choices in depicting perspective. How
does the illusion of space affect the objects in your drawing?
Week 10: Subjectivity
Before class: read Chapter 11 on A look at art today. Complete 3 drawing self
portraits. The self portraits can be your image, a collection of objects that
represent you, or a dream you had that expresses a key aspect of your identity.
If you have alternative ideas for this assignment please discuss it with me.
In class drawing situation: Using a variety of media and a mirror draw yourself
in the context of this class. Drawings should use the techniques we have studied
to pull relationships together between people, ideas, and the physical space
of the studio. Assignment: Write one page about how visual and conceptual ideas
grow out of class dynamics?
Week 11: Presentation
Before class: read guide D (page 373) at the back of the Drawing: A contemporary
approach to choose the most effective and appropriate method to present your
work for final critique.
In class drawing situation: Discussion, putting it all together for public exhibition
- Bring at least 3 samples of semester work for selection - Be prepared to discuss
your best ideas for your artist's statement
Assignment: Write a creative artist's statement to accompany the 3 pieces you
choose for the final exhibit.
Week 12: Class critique
Bring to class
- professional-quality presentation of 3 drawings
- accompanying artist's statement
Week 13: Installation/Exhibition
Brief presentations of work by students open to invited guest artists, professors,
writers, friends, and curators.
Text: Drawing a Contemporary Approach by Teel Sale and Claudia Betti, Fifth edition
Recommended Reading: Stein, Gertrude. Composition as Explanation http://www.centerforbookculture.org/context/no8/stein.html
Teaching statement
Research statement
Artist
statement
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