Most classes meet at different sites of historical and visual interest around Rome. Students make drawings from observation in their sketchbooks both in and out of class, thus creating a record of their experiences. The beginning of each class meeting is dedicated to a brief discussion of the  site, and the presentation of an issue to be addressed in drawing.

Some of the basic drawing issues addressed in specific lessons include: thumbnail sketches and planning, the cultivation of line, rendering form in light and dark, creating space and visual drama through various kinds of contrast, practical advice on perspective, specifying point of view, creating atmosphere, faces and figures from classical statuary, organization of the page, and so on. 

Additional information:

1. The course involves working from direct observation. 
2. The course may include visits involving an entry fee.  These visits are held to a minimum and should not cost you more than a total of 25 euros over the semester.
3. The core activity is drawing directly from observation. You will not be able to meet the requirements of the course without working many hours outside of class. 
4. The class meets rain or shine.
5. The course is meant to be a framework allowing very free individual artistic choices. The lessons are meant to help students get started, but there is always room for creative alternatives.
6. Students must come to class on time because that is when the site is explained, and the day's drawing problem and other announcements are given. 
7. Students need to dress appropriately: proper footwear, no bare shoulders in churches, hats and sunscreen, warm clothing when the weather turns cold. Decorous behavior in public spaces.
8. No earbuds allowed during class time, as they diminish concentration and impede communication.

Materials:

Students must buy their own art supplies. You will need a sketchbook not less than 24 x 34 cm; 4B, 2B, HB, 2H, and 4H graphite pencils; and a small (15-30 cm) ruler. Any further drawing instruments are up to you, but most students begin with a variety of pencils, or soft, dark graphite, charcoal, ink, and pens. You should include a minimum of 3 mediums to use during class.

Art supply stores:

Poggi (two locations, one in Trastevere on Via Merry del Val, just off Viale Trastevere, and the other on Via Pie’ di Marmo, near the Pantheon), also Vertecchi, a chain with many branches, including one near Piazza di Spagna. Drawing supplies are also commonly found in stationary stores (cartoleria). Show your JCU student card at Poggi to receive 15% discount. 

MIC Card:

The MIC Card (Musei in Comune) costs 5 euros, and allows you to enter for free to the majority of public museums in Rome for the duration of 12 months. Check if you are eligible: (https://www.museiincomuneroma.it/it/infopage/mic-card)

There is no textbook. 

• Demonstrate the ability to learn from observational drawing in order to explore creativity and visual expression.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency in the knowledge of techniques and material and evidence an ability to use them creatively and sensitively.
• Demonstrate an ability to analyze and evaluate both the individual creative process and, importantly, the work and practice of other professional artists.

Attendance is required.

Learners are expected to attend every class period.  If they are ill or have obtained an excused absence (in accordance with JCUs official attendance policies), learners are required to notify the instructor in a prompt and timely manner.  Furthermore, if learners must miss a class, they are responsible for acquiring the missed information and completing assignments before the next class.  Medical excuses without documentation from a physician are invalid.  Unexcused absences will affect your overall grade: 

3 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade. 

4 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade and mandatory student meeting with instructor and department chair. 

5 unexcused absences = Five unexcused absences (one third of the course experience) will prevent you from passing the course.  

1.     Monday 20th January

Introduction to Course, Materials, and Initial Drawing Excercizes

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1.

2.     Monday 27th January

Observational drawing I: View-finders, Thumbnail Sketches, Framing and Composition

Meet at the Campidoglio (the piazza of the Capitoline Hill, up the big stairs to the south of Piazza Venezia). Entry fee if bad weather.

3.     Monday 3 February

Observational drawing II: Tone and Texture

Meet at Terme di Caracalla entrance (Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 52).

N.B. Book tickets in advance of lesson

4.     Friday 7 February (Make-up day for Monday 21st April)

Figure Drawing I: Drawing Classic Forms from Antiquity

Meet at entrance of Centrale Montemartini (Via Ostiense 106)

N.B. Book tickets in advance of lesson

5.     Monday 10 February

Figure Drawing II: Capturing Scenes From Everyday Life

Meet at Piazza Trilussa. You will be producing quick sketches of people and scenes in the piazza.

6.     Monday 17 February

Drawing Nature I: Organic forms

Meet at the entrance of the Guarini Campus. From there we will go to the Orto Botanico (Largo Cristina di Svezia 24).

N.B. Book tickets in advance of lesson

7.     Monday 24 February

Drawing Nature II: River and Ruins

Meet at the entrance of the Guarini Campus. From there we will go to the Tiber Island.

8.     Monday 3 March

Mid Term Reviews

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1

During this session, the class will peer review their work, and receive personal feedback from Professor Palmieri.

SPRING BREAK (MONDAY 10 MARCH – 14 MARCH)

During Spring Break, you will be expected to produce 3-5 thumbnail sketches (no larger than 6 x 6 cm) of places you have visited during your break.  

9.     Monday 17 March

Introduction to Observational Drawing III: Scaling-up from Thumbnail Sketches

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1.

10.  Monday 24 March

Introduction to Perspective I: Introduction

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1.

11.  Monday 31 March

Introduction to Perspective II: Simple Forms

Meet at the entrance of Metro Stop EUR Magliana. We will then proceed to the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, and focus on simple 1 and 2-point perspective.

12.  Monday 7 April

Introduction to Perspective III: Complex Forms

Meet at the entrance of Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino (Piazza Pietro D'Illiria, 1). We will continue to focus on 1 and 2-point perspective.

13.  Monday 14 April

Final Review & Sketchbook Session

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1.

We will spend half of the session peer-reviewing your work, while receiving personal feedback from Professor Palmieri. The second half of the session will be devoted to visiting one final site (decided collectively the students) which is 10 minutes away from JCU Art Studio Campus.

NO CLASS MONDAY 21 APRIL (HOLIDAY)

Use this week to finalise your work, and produce any final sketches before your final assessment.

14.  Monday 28 April

Submission of Work

Meet at JCU Art Studio, Largo dei Fiorentini 1.

During this session, you will prepare a 5-10 minute presentation of your work to the class and Professor Palmieri, focussing on what you have learned, showing your most achieved works, and what areas you aim to improve in the future You will then  submit your sketchbook for assessment.