LIFE DRAWING

Course Description

This class is modeled after the tradition of a group of artists gathering regularly to draw from a live model. Not just figurative artists, but sculptors, poets, musicians, and others who value the discipline and discovery particular to this activity.

Here we draw from the model for 3 hours and then we critique for 1 hour. Students at all levels and from all disciplines are welcome. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor.

There are no assignments. The goal is to explore and develop individual ideas. Each artist works on her own problems with the understanding that there is value to seeing the process and progress of others. The critique at the end of the drawing session discusses principles, traditions, and the practice of drawing the nude in relation and response to the work of the individual students in the class. The goal of the instructor during the drawing session and crit is to assist, not direct.

The Pose: The model will keep the same pose for each 3-hour session. Please note that students wishing to do “gesture” drawings may move around the room to have different poses to draw.

Materials: There is no restriction on size or medium except that the work be monochromatic. (Red chalk on white paper is monochromatic, red chalk on green paper is polychromatic) There are drawing boards in the classroom and basic white drawing paper is provided. Students are encouraged to experiment with different materials to suite their practice.

There may be an optional evening drawing session once a week. Time TBD.

CCS art majors are encouraged to repeat this class as often as they wish.

Reading: The Nude, A Study in Ideal Form, is required reading

Units: This is a variable unit class – units are awarded at the end of the quarter based on how much work a student has completed. On the last day of classes students will present all the work they have done for the class and units will be determined then, during a final crit. Two units for attending all classes and reading the text, additional units for work done outside of class.

Required Text

Clark, K. The Nude, A Study in Ideal Form Princeton University Press