Course Title: Create observational drawings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2021

Course Code: VART6363C

Course Title: Create observational drawings

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5348 - Diploma of Visual Arts

Course Contact: Tyler Payne

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4320

Course Contact Email: tyler.payne@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop skills and knowledge required to research and explore selected drawing materials and processes and integrate their use into creative practice.
This course relates to drawing as an art form where you will explore a diverse range of drawing materials, process and techniques. Drawing is a means of creative expression and this course allows you to use drawing as a means of discovery.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAACD502 Create observational drawings

Element:

1. Develop and refine observational drawing technique

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Investigate specific techniques and considerations  for observational drawing

1.2 Establish and follow safe work practices for selected technique

1.3 Explore ways to achieve perspective in drawings

1.4 Experiment with use of lines and edges

1.5 Consider ways to recognise and accurately represent space

1.6 Work with different techniques to observe and depict light and shade

1.7 Identify problems in own drawing technique and explore ways to resolve them

Element:

2. Explore media and tools for observational drawings

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research historical and contemporary observational drawing in the context of own work

2.2 Determine how different media and tools can create different effects in drawings

2.3 Select and use appropriate media to achieve the desired outcome

Element:

3. Produce finished observational drawings

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Select subjects for observational drawing projects based on the needs of own work

3.2 Confirm key objectives for the drawing project

3.3 Create finished drawings that show command of observational drawing techniques and appropriate selection of media

3.4 Evaluate own observational drawing in terms of key objectives

3.5 Seek critical feedback from others

3.6 Reflect and act on the need for further development of skills

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures  
  • practical demonstrations in studio  
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material  
  • seminars/workshops  
  • design activities or projects  
  • group projects  
  • peer learning  
  • guest lecture/presentation  
  • class presentations  
  • group discussion  
  • independent project-based work  
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback  
  • visits to galleries and events  


Teaching Schedule

WeekTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week

Class content/Activities/Materials

Visual Diary Tasks

Week 1

ON CAMPUS


Overview of course structure, introductions and Protocols in the Life Drawing Studio and assessment tasks. 

Powerpoints:  Investigate Drawing –overview of ways to look at the figure.

Formal Elements of Drawing  and student work examples.

The studio skeleton still-life 

Visual Diary- pencil sketch of skeleton, negative space shaded/identified - 60 mins

Focus:

  • positive and negative space and basic issues of perception (drawing what you actually see rather than what you think you see). 
  • structure of the skeleton as a basis for understanding the human figure.

Materials: Visual diary,  graphite pencil, soft and hard erasers,

1. Represent Space: Skeleton drawing/s from observation with annotations identifying the negative and positive space.

Upload drawing/s to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 2

Week 2

ONLINE REMOTE DELIVERY

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short & long poses (1 min up to 20 mins) 


Visual analysis techniques for drawing from observation  (drawing what you actually see rather than what you think you see) - positive and negative space, identifying simple shapes, measuring/estimating ratios and basic issues of perception (drawing what you actually see rather than what you think you see). 


“Blind” drawing, contour, silhouette,, axis/plumb/sight lines, 

Materials: Visual Diary, Clips, Willow Charcoal, soft and hard erasers, Conté (compressed charcoal)

Make a list of the life model protocol in your visual diary and follow protocols in the drawing studio


2. Visual Analysis: Complete the visual analysis task worksheet. (Appendix 2)

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2:  Visual Diary. Due week 3

Week 3

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short & long poses(1 min up to 40 mins) 


Focus: Tonal Rub Back Drawing Technique

  • use of tonal grounds to rub back to the highlights and charcoal to develop the dark tones. 

Materials: Clips, Willow Charcoal,Conté pencils and dry pastel, soft and hard erasers

3.Light and Shade: Make an A4 sized “rub back” tonal drawing of one of the 3 images of the Statue of Crouching Aphrodite (Lely's Venus) using graphite. 

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2:  Visual Diary. Due week 4

Week 4

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short & long poses(1 min up to 40 mins) 


Focus: Foreshortening & perspective 

  • using visual perception techniques to “see” perspective/ foreshortening.

Materials: Visual Diary,  Clips, Willow Charcoal, Conté pencils, soft and hard erasers,


4a. Perspective: In your visual diary make some drawings of the figure, or parts of the figure, which are foreshortened.

 4b. Annotate your drawings to show where and how you foreshortened the figure.

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2:  Visual Diary. Due week 5

Complete Peer review and self-reflection task (Appendix 3)

Week 5

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short poses: capturing gesture & movement. Continuous line drawing.


Focus: capturing gesture & movement.  

  • Continuous line drawing. 

Materials: Visual Diary, Clips, graphite pencil, nib pen & ink, biro,

5. Gesture and movement: Using a biro or fine marker, make a continuous line drawing in your visual diary which captures gesture or movement.

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 6


 12a. Select and research one contemporary artist (living and working post 2000) and one historical artist (living and working pre 2000) known for their observational drawings that you admire. The selected artists may work in any drawing medium. Include the following information: name of artist, country of origin, title of works, year produced, size and medium used. Include up to 3 images per artist in your visual diary. List your sources.

12b. Identify why and how the artists selected make observational drawings and how this relates to your own interest/style, refer to mediums used. What have you learned from researching this artist’s work that you might try in your own drawing? 

12c. What is the purpose of observational drawing in different types of practice such as photography and animation?

(50 - 100 words each approx.)

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 7

Week 6

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

short & long poses (2-40 mins or more)


Focus:  head & portraits

  • the structure and proportions of the head and face.
  • the head viewed from multiple angles
  • detail and gesture

Materials: Clips, Willow Charcoal, pencil, soft and hard erasers, Conté, masking tape.

6. Portraits: In your visual diary make at least one portrait study. Indicate plum and sight lines. 

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2:Visual Diary. Due week 7

Week 7

ON CAMPUS

(Online/remote delivery for Bridget's class only)

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Long poses (2min- 20 mins or more)


Focus:  hands & feet

  • the structure and proportions of hands and feet.
  • hands and feet  viewed from multiple angles



Materials: Clips, Willow Charcoal, soft and hard erasers, Conté (compressed charcoal), masking tape.

7. Shape and form - Hands and feet: In your visual diary make at least one drawing of your hand and foot. Annotate the sketch, identifying which techniques helped you to make it

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 8

Answer to 12a, 12b and 12c DUE TODAY

Week 8

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses ( 2min- 40 mins or more) - 

 

Focus: Line weight & phrasing contours - 

  • light and shadow can be used to create the illusion of three dimensionality. 

Materials: Visual Diary, Clips, Willow Charcoal, soft and hard erasers, Conté (compressed charcoal), masking tape.

8.Line and edges: Create one or more sketches of the model that demonstrate purposeful variation in the weight of line.

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 9

Week 9

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses (2min - 20 mins or more)


Focus: Ink

  • using brush & pen with ink
  • creating tonal gradations
  • Gestural marks. Quick poses. Using brushes, nibs, bamboo sticks & sponges

Materials: Visual diary, clips,  ink, palette, brushes, bamboo sticks, sponges & nib pen.

9. Wet media and Tone: Experiment with mark making in ink – complete an ink drawing from the model using 3-4 tones: white(paper), light tone, mid & dark tones. Use brushes to apply tone. Use the ink nib pen to apply lines and detail.

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 10


Complete Peer review and self-reflection task (Appendix 3)

Week 10

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses (2min - 20 mins or more)


Short poses and longer pose (2min - 20 mins or more)


Focus: Ink and conte on toned paper

  • Brown craft paper as a “mid-tone” drawing surface and ground for use of brown ink and conte pencils


Materials: Visual diary, craft paper (supplied) brown ink, palette, brushes & nib pen. conté pencils

 Experiment with tonal and textural marks on toned paper. Use a mid-tone ink wash to create a toned ground on 1-2 pages in your visual diary.

Week 11

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short & long poses.(2min - 20 mins or more) 


Focus:Colour & pastel

  • Colour relationships, warms and cools. Flesh tones. 
  • Layering and blending techniques. 


Materials: Flesh toned conte pencils & coloured soft pastels.

10. Colour - wet and dry media: Experiment with layers of coloured soft pastel to create flesh tones. Use cool colours underneath warm colours and vice versa.  Try different textures and saturations. Label and annotate your experiments -what are they and how did you create certain effects.

Upload to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 2: Visual Diary. Due week 12

Week 12

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Long pose. (60 mins or more) 


Focus:Colour & pastel

  • Colour relationships, warms and cools. Flesh tones. 
  • Layering and blending techniques.
  • coloured grounds. 


Materials: Flesh toned conte pencils & coloured soft pastels.

 Continue experimenting with layers of coloured soft pastel to create flesh tones. Use cool colours underneath warm colours and vice versa.  Try different textures and saturations. Experiment with using colour on a coloured ground.

Week 13

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short & long poses. (2min - 20 mins or more).


Focus:Colour & gouache

  • Colour relationships, warms and cools. Flesh tones. 
  • Layering and blending techniques.
  • coloured ground/brown craft paper


Focus and Materials: Gouache. Brushes

Complete Visual Diary checklist documentation (Appendix 1)

Week 14

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses.


Focus and Materials:Focus: Consolidating and applying the skills, materials and methods built up throughout the semester to address a long pose.


Long poses (20 mins or more)

Materials: Choice of mediums and papers

AT1: FOLIO SUBMISSION begin to upload selected drawings to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 1:  Portfolio

Complete Peer review and self-reflection task (Appendix 3)


Experimentation and refinement of skills, techniques, materials, processes and concepts.

Week 15

ON CAMPUS

Drawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses.


Focus: Consolidating and applying the skills, materials and methods built up throughout the semester to address a long pose.


Materials: Choice of mediums and papers

AT1: FOLIO SUBMISSION continue to upload selected drawings to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 1:  Portfolio

Experimentation and refinement of skills, techniques, materials, processes and concepts.

Week 16

ON CAMPUS

rawing from observation : the live model. 

Short and long poses.


Focus: Consolidating and applying the skills, materials and methods built up throughout the semester to address a long pose.


Materials: Choice of mediums and papers.

 AT1: FOLIO SUBMISSION submit final selected drawings to Canvas under Assignments: Assessment 1:  Portfolio


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:  

The Learning Lab  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab  

The Study Support Hub   
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub  

English for uni workshops  
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops  


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include two projects. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.


Assessment Tasks

Please see Canvas for the specific details of your assessments.

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.   


To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.  

Other Information

Attendance:  

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises   

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.  

  

Information about your studies:  

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students  

  

Assessment:  

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment  

  

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:   

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity  

  

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:   

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview