Drawing Projects Syllabus Ms.

Rossi-
www.rossiartclass.weebly.com
srossi@wcpss.net
Project guidelines
Students are expected to come to class with the necessary supplies and be ready to start immediately. Students will be encouraged
to overcome obstacles and challenge themselves with new ideas and use of different media. I expect each student to take pride in
their work and execute a well thought out piece of art. Students should take pride in their sketchbooks and use it to sketch and
brainstorm at any time. Technique will be very important in the success of this class. Prereq is Art 1.

Grading Procedure Grading Scale

1.Follow directions Projects – 50%
2.Time Management Sketches – 25%
3.Effort Digital Portfolio – 15%
4.Critique Participation Homework- 10%
5.Meet Deadlines- 10 points off for each day past due date
6.Craftsmanship and Artistic Merit

General Classroom Rules

1. Be respectful to all people
2. NO FOOD OR DRINK IN ROOM!!!!!!
3. Clean all work areas and supplies at the end of class. This means manage you own time because I do not want to write
you a pass to your next class!!!

Requirements
1. Having a phone/camera is a must to use to take pictures for reference.
2. Digital Portfolio
3. Complete weekly homework assignments
4. New sketchbook
5. All project ideas must me original, manipulated combination of photographs, or taken directly from your original
photographs. Students are strongly encouraged to take their own personal photographs to work from!
6. Students will complete one final project approximately every two weeks based on teacher’s due dates. Late work will be
marked off 10 points for the first day it is late and every day after that with a 50 point maximum deduction.
7. Do not waste time if finished with project, move on to planning the next one.
8. Students will be expected to participate in critiques, defend their ideas and talk about art.
9. Final critique will consist of a class presentation of all completed work.
10. All projects will be given ample time for completion.

Supplies needed
1. Set of drawing pencils. Should include a variety of soft and hard leads (from 6H to 6B).

2. Hand held sharpener.

3. Two good drawing pens. Black ink with a fine point. Micron brand is best

4. Set of Prismacolor colored pencils. Minimum set of 12. (cheapest on amazon)

5. Kneaded eraser and a white eraser.

6. Pencil box for supplies. A small one will do.

7. New spiral bound sketchbook.

8. #2 Pencils at ALL times

Intro to DRAWING
-Review of Principles and Elements of Design, composition, and mark making Read pages 3 – 21
Take notes in sketchbook
Elements of Design- Principles of Design-
Line Shape Balance Rhythm/Movement
Value Color Emphasis Contrast
Texture Space Proportion Unity

Observational Drawing - read pages 50 - 54

Mini Projects
1. Contour Line Drawings
a. Hands, objects, room, person – media: pencil, charcoal, pen
2. Organizing Compositions - Read page 56
a. Rule of thirds discussion
b. Compositional studies of objects found in room and in backpack.
3. Value and utilizing strong light source. – Read page 34, 39
a. Draw a 9 step value scale using pencil, pen, and charcoal.
b. Shape shading – media: pencil, pen, and charcoal
c. Nature drawings with full value
4. Fabric/Ribbon Studies – refer to handout and pages 80 – 81
a. Practice drawing ribbons in pencil and with a white pencil on black paper.
b. Draw two different views of the drapery/fabric. Make a view finder to allow you to find interesting compositions.
c. First utilizing all values complete a full drawing of as much of the fabric as you can.
d. Using a composition that you found in previous step draw an up-close section of the fabric to accentuate the folds
and values.
Main Projects
5. Progressive Paper Bag Drawings or the Unwrapping of Candy (or something similar)
a. Draw a single crumpled paper bag with full value. This will be a study in preparation for bigger project.
b. Choose to draw a paper bag progressively crumpling or something unwrapping in 5 stages. This should be drawn
on a single sheet of paper either vertical or horizontal. Media: choice of media from what has been introduced.
6. Still Life Drawing – pages 68 – 86
a. Draw 5 compositional studies of the still life. You may use view finder to assist you.
b. Choose most successful composition and draw the still life with full value. Teacher will review steps for starting the
drawing.
Perspective Drawing - read pages 111-119
Mini Projects
1. One, Two and Three Point Review
a. Practice all ways of perspective by drawing boxes above and below horizon.
b. Draw the room from different points of view.
2. Foreshortening - Read page 168
a. Introduce concept and discuss how to draw.
b. Draw 3 hands and 3 feet in a foreshortened view. Take your own photos for this assignment. Draw in sketchbook.
Main Projects
1. Perspective Drawing – “Look at that View!”
a. Use 1 point, 2 point and 3 point perspective. Brainstorm ideas on different perspectives. Where would you see
these perspectives? Birds eye, ant’s eye, atmospheric view? The view from inside a cupboard or closet.
b. Develop ideas through references and 5 compositional sketches.
c. Choose best idea and draw using any media we have use this far. Pen, pencil, colored pencil, charcoal.

Color Theory and Colored Drawing Media

1. Colored Egg Drawings

a. Review color theory. Introduce prismacolor pencils. Practice layering of colors and blending. Discuss advantages to
working on colored paper.
b. Draw eggs using warm/cool colors with deep shadows. Try to not use black for shadows.
2. Candy Drawings
a. Introduce chalk pastels and show techniques to use them
b. Practice drawing candy that has wrappers and glass jars.

Main Projects
1. Opacity Drawings – “Oh the Things You See Through!”
a. Drawings of bags of candy, marshmallows, objects under plastic, veggies or fruit wrapped in cellophane. Anything
you can see-through.
b. Develop ideas through references and 5 compositional sketches.
c. Choose best idea and draw using any color media.
Portrait Drawing - read pages 132-153

Mini Projects
1. Facial Feature Drawings
a. Practice drawing facial features. Eyes, nose, lips, etc.
b. Draw a self-portrait using tracing paper and the skull image. Draw on tracing paper that is placed over image.
2. Partner Drawing
a. Draw your partner with full shading

Main Project
1. Portrait Drawing – “Am I a Zombie, Mechanical or Expressive?”
a. Choose what idea you want to use for your portrait. Research and take many photos for reference. You MUST
have photos to work from. You may use Photoshop to edit photos.
b. Do 5 compositional sketches showing different poses to assist with final decision.
c. Complete a drawing on chosen surface using any media we have used thus far.

Figure Drawing - read pages 159-177

Mini Projects
1. Gesture Drawings
a. Practice drawing gestures of live model
b. Visit another class and do gesture drawings on IPad and in sketchbook.
2. Skeleton and Proportions
a. Draw skeleton and learn proportions of the figure

Main Project
1. Life-Size Figure Drawing – “Drawing That Large is Interesting”
a. Choose a partner and decide who will draw first. Have model get in a comfortable pose.
b. Start drawing using pencil or charcoal. Draw as life-like as possible. Capture all values and fabric folds. Show
full range of value. Do not leave any blank areas.
Texture and Movement Drawings

Mini Projects
1. Texture Review
a. Review texture and how to draw textures showing value, line strokes, movement, etc.
b. Draw studies of 10 different textures found around us. These drawings should be up close and in 3x3 squares in
sketchbook.
2. Movement Review
a. How do you show movement with line?
b. Practice drawing animals moving in different ways. Focus on proportions, placement and texture of fur.

Main Project
1. Animals, Transportation or Objects in Motion Scratchboard Drawing – “Look at that Thing Move!”
a. Decide what subject matter you are going to develop into a drawing. Make sure you understand the subject and are
able to get photos for reference.
b. Research how your subject moves and practice drawing 2 different ways your subject moves. These drawings
should be in pencil or pen to show the texture and movement.
c. Introduction to scratchboard. Techniques, supplies, care, craftsmanship.
d. Final drawing must be a well-planned composition and fill the space within the scratchboard. Think of backgrounds
that compliment your subject matter.

All students will have drawing homework each week. This is for you to enhance your drawing skills.

****All of the projects are tentative. Please remember that I may change them due to class time or ability of individuals. These
projects are very challenging but very exciting and I want you to challenge yourself to produce the best possible product you can.