Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 212-2"
COURSE NAME: "Figure Drawing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Roberto Caracciolo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 3:30PM 6:15PM (Please note that this class cannot be taken remotely)
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: This class requires a materials fee of €75/$85 to cover all basic art supplies.)
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Figure drawing is the traditional basis for training the artist’s eye and hand. Through specific exercises, students learn to control line and gesture, to model form in light and dark, and to depict accurately the forms and proportions of the human body.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Through the comparative understanding of how the human figure has been approached and represented over time, the course aims at a more profound understanding of the nuances that are at the basis of self-expression also within the contemporary context.

The course begins with resolving problems of composition and placement by doing fast contour sketches from a live model to then expand and develop through the investigation of dynamics, proportion, anatomy, volume, and structure. Time is spent on details such as head, hands and feet. The development of a personal approach to drawing the figure is encouraged while experimenting with different scales and techniques, such as “sanguigna”, ink and wash, charcoal.

Frequent historical references are made as the course looks at the figure through the history of art starting from antiquity, through the Renaissance and the Baroque, to conclude with the 20^th Century. There are introductory lectures and site visits to museums, such as Musei Capitolini, Centrale Montemartini, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica at Palazzo Altemps where learners draw from the past.

The class is characterized by an atmosphere of study and experimentation, while working patiently from the model or from art of the past. Students are encouraged to find their own, individual approaches. Much of the actual drawing activity takes place outside of class time. Group critiques help students develop a language for discussing their own works and those of others.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Large drawing pad (Carta da Spolvero or similar 70 x 50 cm), Sketchbook (30 x 24 cm or similar), 2B and 4B pencils, kneaded eraser, sharpener, sanguigna stick. Optional: charcoal sticks (recommended Winsor & Newton willow sticks, thin or medium), ink with nibs, reed pens and brushes. The overall cost for materials will not exceed Euro 35.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should leave the course with a new understanding of the tradition and the problems involved in drawing, with increased skill in representing both form and space, and with the basic tools to discover personal approaches and solutions. Students will also be learning the language that is used when talking or writing about drawing.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
	Work done in class and attendance 20% Work done on assignments 20% Mid-term review 10% Final review (portfolio) 50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems.
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week 1 (W Jan 19^th): Introduction, explanation of materials needed, explanation of attendance and grading policies. Lecture: “The Figure in Greco-Roman Art”. First day of drawing from the model.

Week 2 (W Jan 26^th): Discussion on materials, introduction to composition. Fast sketches from the figure. Drawing from the model.

Assignment: 20 fast sketches in sketchbook.

Week 3 (W Feb 2^nd): From fast sketches to slower linear drawings from the figure, paying particular attention to placement on the page. Third day of drawing from the model.
Assignment: 6 sketches in sketchbook from the PPT on “Human Proportions & the Skeleton”, including one of the skeleton.

Week 4 (W Feb 9^th): We will meet at Palazzo Altemps (Piazza Sant’Apollinare 48). Drawing from the past in the sketchbooks.
Assignment: Continue working from the past possibly going to Galleria Nazionale at Palazzo Massimo (Largo di Villa Peretti, 2 by the Termini train station) and draw from sculpture Suggested: The boxer and the Hellenistic Prince on ground floor of the museum).

Week 5 (W Feb 16^th): Introduction to shading. Slower drawings from the figure. Fourth day of drawing from the model.

Assignment: 10 slower drawings from everyday life.

Week 6 (W Feb 23^rd): We will meet at the Centrale Montemartini Museum (Via Ostiense106). More drawing from the past, with particular attention to the figure within a given context.

Assignment: Draw in Rome (piazzas, churches or museums).

Week 7 (W Mar 2^nd): Introduction to the head and drawing portraits. Drawing from the model.

Assignment: Three self-portraits (in different positions) or draw from the PPT on the Head (especially useful to draw skulls)

Week 8 (W Mar 9^th): Lecture: “The figure in the Renaissance and the Baroque”. Drawing from the model.

Assignment: The Cristo Risorto (Santa Maria sopra Minerva) or the Mosé by Michelangelo (San Pietro in Vincoli).

Week 9 (W Mar 16^th): Group critique. Introduction to hands and feet.

Assignment: 10 drawings of hands and feet and/or draw from the PPT on Hand & Feet.

BREAK

Week 10 (W Mar 30th): We will meet in Piazza del Campidoglio to sketch in the “Capitoline Museum” (Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Guercino…).

Assignment: Baroque figures: Bernini (the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, the Ecstasy of Santa Teresa in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria or Beata Ludovica Albertoni in the church of San Francesco a Ripa).

Week 11 (W Apr 6^th): Lecture: “The figure in the 20^th Century”: Figure drawing on a larger scale.

Assignment: Continue work on the large scale drawing or draw in Rome.
.

Week 12 (W Apr 13^th): Last day of drawing from the figure. Long poses.

Assignment: Large scale drawing continued.

Week 13 (W Apr 20^th): We will meet in Piazza Farnese. Drawing people outside.

Assignment: People in the streets.

Week 14 (W Apr 27^th): Final group critique; preparation of final exhibition; appointments made for individual critiques and evaluations.

Week 15 (W May 4^th): Individual critiques