Course Title: Refine drawing and other visual representation tools

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2025

Course Code: VART6499C

Course Title: Refine drawing and other visual representation tools

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: Brunswick Campus

Program: C5414 - Diploma of Visual Arts

Course Contact: Joel Rainford

Course Contact Phone: +61399258193

Course Contact Email: joel.rainford@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Jasmine Corbett

jasmine.corbett@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

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 use drawing skills and other visual representation tools to develop, refine and communicate ideas for creative work.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAACD531 Refine drawing and other visual representation tools

Element:

1. Evaluate the role of drawing in professional practice

Performance Criteria:


  • 1.1 Investigate drawing and different visual communication devices, idea generation methods and problem-solving tools for professional practice
  • 1.2 Evaluate how practitioners use different tools and make links to own work
  • 1.3 Identify and challenge own barriers to drawing
  • 1.4 Determine ways in which drawing and other visual representation tools could be used to support own practice

Element:

2. Support and develop practice through experimentation with drawing and visual representation

Performance Criteria:

  • 2.1 Generate and develop ideas using different materials and techniques
  • 2.2 Create variety in compositions and spatial fields using visual elements
  • 2.3 Experiment with techniques and mixed media to produce drawings

Element:

3. Assess individual approach to the use of drawing

Performance Criteria:

  • 3.1 Evaluate the success of completed drawings in communicating ideas
  • 3.2 Evaluate the process of drawing and visual representation as a professional practice tool
  • 3.3 Determine the value and place of drawing and visual representation in own practice based on experimentation


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge to produce drawings that represent and communicate ideas linked to your elective practices.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:

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


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1
Week Topic Assessment / Learning activities

Week 1

Overview / Introduction

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to Refine Drawing

ii. WHS -Safety in the Drawing Studio

iii. Introduction to AT1 Visual Journal and AT2 Portfolio

iv. Drawing kit

v. Drawing artist videos and/or powerpoint

Week 2

Positive and negative space

Chairs and stools

MATERIALS:

Charcoal

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Positive and negative space in drawing practice

ii. Positive and negative space drawing exercises

Week 3

Drawing simple shapes

White tin objects (jugs, bottles, colanders)

MATERIALS:

Charcoal

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to line and minimal tone, simple shapes, ellipses, cylinders, symmetry etc

ii. use of positive and negative shape within a drawing

iii. Structural drawing exercises

Week 4

Tone - Rub Back Technique #1

Ceramic and stoneware objects (jugs, bottles etc)

MATERIALS:

Charcoal, conte, erasers and viewfinders

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Tone and mass

ii. Rub-back technique #1

iii. using a viewing device to select a composition

Week 5

Mixed shapes & tones - Rub Back Technique #2

Dark metal objects and tins

MATERIALS:

Charcoal, conte, white and black soft pastel, erasers, viewfinders

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Composition, placement, structure, negative and positive space

ii. Mixed shapes and tones

iii. Rub-back technique #2 - extending the tonal range

Week 6

Complex shapes & structural drawing

Manufactured objects with complex shapes (bicycles, electronic equipment etc)

MATERIALS:

Conte pencils, graphite pencils

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Composition and placement

ii. Mixed shapes and tones

iii Structural drawing exercises

iii line and minimal tone

Week 7

Perspective

Cardboard box tower installation

MATERIALS:

Conte pencils, graphite pencils, view finders

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to linear and atmospheric perspective

ii. Perspective exercises

iii. line and tone

MID SEMESTER BREAK

NO CLASSES

Week 8

Wet media - #1 - Ink and Brush

Washes to create transparency, translucence and opacity

Bottles

MATERIALS:

Brushes, sponges, ink, spray bottles, plastic palette with wells

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to mark-making with ink, brushes, sponges, spray bottles etc

ii. mark-making and drawing tool exercises create a range of tones in washes

iii. creating a range of tones in washes

iv. describing light effects and tonal variation in washes - transparency, translucence and opacity

Week 9

Wet Media - #2 - Ink, pen, nibs and other mark-making tools

Plants, organic forms and glass vases

MATERIALS:

Pen and nibs, rushes, sponges, ink, spray bottles, plastic palette with wells, bamboo sticks etc

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. wet media mark-making and drawing tool exercises - ink, pen & nib, brushes sponges, and bamboo sticks

ii. experimenting with ink mark making techniques to depict organic forms and light effects

Week 10

Complementary Colour & dry pastel

Tableau of fruit

MATERIALS:

Limited palette of dry (soft) pastels - red and green, yellow and purple, orange and blue, white

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to colour and dry pastel techniques using complementary colour pairs

ii. Colour and dry pastel, complementary colour exercises

iii. Pastel mark making techniques - feathering, blending, scumbling, hatching, cross hatching etc.

Week 11

Colour & dry pastel - full palette

Tableau of coloured objects

MATERIALS:

Complete colour palette of dry (soft) pastels

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Further colour and dry pastel exploration

ii. Colour and mixed-media exercises

Week 12

Mixed media

Tableau of layered 2D and 3D elements (eg. photographs, prints, textured and glossy items such as brushes and shoes etc)

MATERIALS:

Choice of any of the media that have been explored this semester

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. mixed-media in drawing practice

ii. mixed-media exercises

iii. composing a drawing from a selected aspect of the complex tableau using a choice of more than one media used this semester.

Week 13

Mixed media continued

& catch up class

MATERIALS:

Choice of any of the media that have been explored this semester

Assessment Preparation

In-Class Learning Activities:

Opportunity to catch up on drawings for assessment.

i. Finalising AT1 VISUAL JOURNAL & AT2 'PORTFOLIO' submissions

Opportunity to catch up on drawings for assessment.

Week 14

Review/revision

ASSESSMENT: SUBMIT AT1 & AT2

SEMESTER 2WeekTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1

Drawing Workshop - Garments and fabric

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to AT2 Drawing Portfolio

ii. Introduction to Garments and fabric in drawing practice

iii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iv. Garment and fabric drawing exercises

Week 2

Drawing Workshop – Animal Skulls

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to Skulls in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Skulls drawing exercises

Week 3

Drawing Workshop - Plastic Animals

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to Animals in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Animal drawing exercises

Week 4

Drawing Workshop - Hard Rubbish

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to Hard Rubbish in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Hard Rubbish exercises

Week 5

Drawing Workshop- Detritus

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to detritus in your drawing practice

ii. Demonstration of relevant techniques, materials, and mark making

iii. Studio sketches in gouache

iiii. Major drawing

Week 6

Drawing Workshop - Collage PART 1 – Chickens and books

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to collage PART 1 in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Collage and gouache drawing exercises

Week 7

Drawing Workshop - Collage PART 2 – Found paper

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to collage PART 2 in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Collage drawing exercises

Week 8

Drawing Workshop - Party setup (cakes & pastries)

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to food in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. cakes and pastries drawing exercises

MID SEMESTER BREAK

NO CLASSES

Week 9

Drawing Workshop - Drawing on location - Landscape PART 1

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to the landscape PART 1 in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Landscape drawing exercises

Week 10

Drawing Workshop - Drawing on location (in the studio) PART 2

In-Class Learning Activities:

i. Introduction to the landscape PART 2 in drawing practice

ii. Discussion and demonstration of relevant drawing techniques

iii. Landscape drawing exercises

Week 11

Process to Find

Individual project

Part 1

Week 12

Process to Find

Individual project

Individual Project Part 2

Week 13

Process to Find

Individual project completion

Assessment Preparation

In-Class Learning Activities:

Process to find completion and catch up class.

Opportunity to catch up on drawings for assessment.

Week 14

Assessment Preparation

LAST CLASS

Finalising AT3 & AT4 submissions

AT3 Visual Journal (Semester Two) AT4 Part Drawing Portfolio (Semester Two)

AT3 & AT4 DUE


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

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.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved

NYC: Not Yet Competent

SEC: Student Engagement Ceased


Assessment Matrix

The 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