Drawing

Exploring techniques for representing images two dimensionally begins with training one’s eye to discern an object in a different way, studying planes, contours, and perspective to accurately represent an object on a flat surface - drawing requires both visual and conceptual skills. As such, a complex awareness of expressive means in drawing is essential to communicating a personal vision through imagery. It is this visual expression that must be developed in order to see, think, respond and in the end, create. Through the exercise of drawing, visual awareness and acuity increases. It strengthens the ability to perceive two and three-dimensional development within the Division of Fine Arts. Although essential to all graphic disciplines, a solid, well-rounded exposure to the various elements and concepts of drawing is integral to a comprehensive development in Fine and Studio Art.

Philosophy

Students should be able to use drawing as a means to explore ideas and within which to develop a “voice”. This will be achieved not by simply learning to develop rendered images from observation, but from creating work that reflects individual ideas and facility and familiarity with materials and techniques. There should be a developing understanding, as the student progresses through the drawing courses, of the ways in which artists project and evolve a personal point of view through the various choices each artist makes in the quality of their marks, materials used, what is included and omitted from an image, placement within a composition, etc. This will be achieved by seeing many examples of classical and contemporary drawing and related works of art in their classes along with discussions about those works. As the student progresses through the levels of drawing courses, a distinct point of view should begin to be evident in the work that will culminate in a cohesive body of work expressing a focus and displaying competence in using various drawing materials and surfaces and an understanding of presentation options.

Students are advised to follow the degree plan for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art, to take two semesters of basic drawing, followed by upper level drawing courses and independent study projects.