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Syllabus:<\/strong> Natural\u00a0 Science Drawing, \u00a0Art 233 , \u00a0\u00a0Spring 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n Time: Tues\/Thurs<\/strong>\u00a0 12:30-3:15\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Class Location:<\/strong> 211 Old Main, or Frich Biology Museum, or<\/strong> outdoors on campus<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Maggy Aston, <\/strong>Associate Professor;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Email<\/strong>: aston@calu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n Office Phone:<\/strong> 724-938-4563;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Home:<\/strong> 724-943-4944;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cell:<\/strong> 724-710-0805<\/p>\n Office<\/strong> Hours<\/strong> M\/W<\/strong> 1:45 \u2013 2:45\u00a0 T\/TH<\/strong>\u00a0 3:15 – 4:45 in 301 Vulcan Loft\u00a0 or 211 Old Main<\/p>\n Website:\u00a0 maggyaston.com <\/strong><\/p>\n Visual examples of student work for all assignments are posted on my website. Written assignments are also posted and may be printed out. Reading assignments are posted. From my Homepage go to Student Site and select Natural Science Drawing.\u00a0 <\/em>Password = vulcan, User ID = vulcan.<\/p>\n Required Text:<\/strong> Brian Curtis, Drawing from Observation.<\/em> McGraw-Hill, ISBN:0-07-241024-8.<\/p>\n This textbook is on reserve at the circulation desk at the Manderino Library. New or used copies may be purchased from Amazon.com or Bookfinder.com.\u00a0 Earlier editions may be purchased online for under $20.<\/p>\n Course Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Catalog Description: <\/strong><\/p>\n An introductory course in observational drawing\/painting from biological specimens and outdoor field studies. Working with plant, animal, and landscape subjects, students will focus on the careful observation of natural forms and phenomena. Students will practice methods of scientific illustration through detailed renderings of organisms from direct observation supplemented by visual research. Through slide lectures, students will be introduced to masterworks of natural science drawing, as well as the work of the great landscape painters and animal artists. Outdoor field trips will include specimen-gathering and the sketching of landscapes, clouds, water, and waves. Advanced art students will have the option of working in color with oils, watercolor, printmaking or ceramics. Upper level science students may concentrate on drawing subjects that relate to their particular areas of interest or research. The course is repeatable.<\/p>\n Teaching Methodology:<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to studio\/lab drawing and outdoor field studies, course material will be presented through research assignments, slide lectures, videos, reading assignments, class discussions, oral presentations, and critiques. Students will also conduct research with cameras, scanners, microscopes, online visual resources, and at the Manderino library.<\/p>\n Course Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n Course work may consist of 5 long-term drawing projects (with research), or daily sketches from observation of biological specimens. \u00a0You may choose a new specimen to draw each day, if that is the way you prefer to work, or you may create conduct 3-week projects of a single subject.\u00a0 The instructor will work with each student according to their individual needs and interests.<\/p>\n For Advanced Art or Science students:<\/strong>\u00a0 Special research projects may be arranged if students are preparing applications for graduate school or presenting work at the Strike a Spark Conference in April 2019. Alternative proposals to the above class projects may be discussed with the instructor, and if agreed upon, a written description of the project proposal must be submitted. At least one paragraph describing the medium, composition, and subject of each of the 5 independent projects proposed must be submitted.<\/p>\n At least 3 types of printed research are required for each project:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Course Requirement: Work Ethic and Studio Conduct<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Studio time is work time.<\/strong> Drawing from observation requires focused concentration, discipline, energy, and stamina.\u00a0 Come to class prepared for physical<\/em> work. Set up your specimen, pin up or spread out your research, set out your materials, and begin working as soon as you arrive.\u00a0 Students who waste valuable studio time will have more work to do outside of class to complete assignments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you find that you are getting sleepy or restless, get up and walk around the room and see what other students are working on. If you are bored or disinterested in the drawing you are working on, start a new drawing form a different angle or choose a new specimen. Multiple drawings\/sketches may be submitted for the day\u2019s work. Students who experience chronic sleepiness during classtime will be expected to work standing at an easel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t know what to do to improve your drawing, or color or medium to use, ask the instructor for help or pin your drawing to the board and ask your classmates for advice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cleanup may begin ten minutes before the end of class (not before 3pm<\/strong>).\u00a0 Five minutes will be reserved at the end of each class (at 3:10) for students to sign and date drawings, update course logs, store drawings in folders, or submit work for grading.<\/p>\n Drawings, sketches, photographs, and research will be displayed for critique every week. Active participation in critique is required of all students.\u00a0 You are expected to talk about your work in class discussions and critiques, to offer suggestions and criticisms to classmates, and to apply the criticisms you receive to the drawing process. A short display and\/or critique of the day\u2019s work will occur in the first or last 15 minutes of each class. Longer critiques will be scheduled at Midterm and Finals Week. Missed critiques cannot be made up.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Class Participation Grade<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Very active participation in group critiques, slide lectures, and class discussions. Offers criticisms and helpful suggestions to fellow students.<\/p>\n B<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Participates frequently in group critiques and discussions. Asks questions and offers suggestions during critique.<\/p>\n C<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Follows discussions and offers occasional comments.\u00a0 Interacts with other students.<\/p>\n D<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Speaks only to the professor about his or her work.\u00a0 Does not comment in group critiques.<\/p>\n F <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Does not comment or ask questions. Wears headphones during critiques and discussions. Does not interact with fellow students.\u00a0 Talks or texts on cell phone during class.<\/p>\n Final grades are based on the average grade points of class drawings, research, quizzes, oral presentations, participation in class discussion, critique, classroom conduct, final project, and end-of-semester exhibition.<\/p>\n Final Grades are based on the following percentages:<\/strong><\/p>\n 30 grades for each day of classwork (2 days x 15 weeks)<\/p>\n 2 grades for oral slide presentation on an artist or illustrator<\/p>\n 2 grades for Midterm Critique\u00a0 (one for presentation of your own work and one for discussion of classmates\u2019 work)<\/p>\n 2 grades for Final Critique \u00a0(one for presentation of your own work and one for discussion of classmates\u2019 work)<\/p>\n 2 grades for class participation in daily class discussion of artwork, research and slide talks.<\/p>\n 1 grade for photo-print of high resolution scan (interested students may submit one for each project)<\/p>\n 1 grade for classroom conduct and cleanup (or lack of cleanup)<\/p>\n 1 grade for participating in landscape painting event<\/p>\n 1 grade for participation in Vulcan gallery theme show: Earth Day 2020<\/em><\/p>\n I grade for attendance at Vulcan opening and Manderino Gallery art shows and artists talks (there will be 2 related to this course. 3 events = A, 2 events = B, 1 event = C, 0 events =F)<\/p>\n Grades are given for each day of classwork.<\/strong> If you are working on a long term project extended for 6 days \u00a0you may receive 6 grades for that project, if you show progress for each day that you work on it in class. If you are absent for one of the 6 days, you will receive 5 grades plus one zero. If 4 sketches are done in a single day, you will receive one grade for the day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The development of drawing skills requires practice, so it is important that students are in attendance every day.\u00a0 Missing classes will slow your progress in drawing and lower your grades. Students receive a grade for every class day of drawing, so each absence will count as a zero against your grade. Doctor\u2019s excuses are not required. Missed critiques cannot be made up.<\/em><\/p>\n Attendance is mandatory for all students for the entire class period.\u00a0 After 4 absences, excused plus<\/em> unexcused, the final grade drops 1 letter. <\/strong>However, students who are clearly sick and\/or contagious should not attend class. Students should anticipate working from home when they are ill. Sketches from observation in a small notebook are acceptable. Students should save their allowed absences in the event that they are sick for two weeks, have a family emergency, or other serious situation that prevents them from coming to class.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Make Up Work for Absences<\/strong><\/p>\n *Absent students are responsible for missed drawing time. <\/strong>Three hours of drawing are required for each day of the semester, regardless of whether students come to class. Students are permitted to submit one make up drawing for each absence for a maximum of 4 absences. Absent students will be given one week to complete make up drawings.<\/p>\n *Make-Up work in the form of master copies must drawn \/copied from materials provided by the professor (or must be pre-approved if chosen by students). <\/strong>If work is done from observation, a photo print-out or jpg of the subject must be submitted or emailed to the professor. Drawings done from imagination without visual references or copied from photographs will not be accepted. <\/em><\/p>\n *Make-up drawings will not count for more than one absence. <\/strong>If you miss 3 days, you must submit 3 drawings. If not, 3 zeros will be factored into your grade. A nine-hour drawing will not count for three absences.<\/p>\n *All make-up drawings\/sketches must be labeled with the date of the absence.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n *If you do not submit make up drawings, a zero will be factored into your grade for each absence, regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n *Extra work on class assignments outside of class is likely to improve your grades, but it will not count as make-up work for absences.<\/p>\n Please Note: Students with excessive absences will experience a grade drop of one letter after regardless of the number of make up-drawings submitted.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Students with prolonged illnesses or special problems should report to the Dean of Student Services to request a letter explaining their circumstances if they expect to pass the course. Students with disabilities that prevent them from coming to class regularly should report to the Office of Student Disabilities and request that letter be written on their behalf.<\/em><\/p>\n Please Note: Students who consistently leave class early, arrive late, waste time in class, or show up without the required research will not receive good grades.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each student will present a powerpoint slide talk on an artist , natural scientist, or art+science topic. Presentations will take place in the first half hour of class, and a dated sign-up sheet will be posted on the wall. A minimum of 20 slides should be shown and discussed. Background information on the artist\u2019s influences and historical\/cultural context should also be discussed. Short video clips from YouTube may be shown.<\/p>\n Art materials are available for student use in the classroom. Paper, pastels, charcoal, watercolor paints, brushes, pens and inks, drawing boards, and easels will be available for use in the classroom. (Students who prefer to bring their own materials should identify them with a sharpie marker.) Art supplies and materials are for use in the studios and may not be taken from the classroom or used for other classes. Students must provide their own materials and drawing boards for use at home. Depending on availability, certain items such as watercolor trays or drawing pens may be checked out for the day or weekend, but they must be returned they following day because these supplies are shared by 60+ drawing students. A materials sign-out sheet will be posted on the wall. Drawings boards and easels cannot be checked out. \u00a0\u00a0As supplies run out, students will need to purchase their own materials.<\/p>\n Required: <\/strong>students must make or purchase the following for use at home:<\/p>\n Drawing Board for use at home <\/strong>(can also be made from smooth cardboard, Masonite, or plexiglass).<\/p>\n Portfolio or two sheets of cardboard or matboard <\/strong>to transport your work to class for critiques. May be handmade from stiff cardboard or mat board.<\/p>\n Optional: <\/strong>Digital Camera, ipad, or phone camera.<\/p>\n Portable easel for work at home<\/p>\n Picture frames for artwork in group exhibitions. (All artwork submitted to shows must be framed or at least matted and wired for hanging.)<\/p>\n Studio Rules Regarding Cell Phones \/ Classroom Conduct for 211 Old Main and when working in Frich<\/strong><\/p>\n Drawing students working in Frich must respect the rules of the Biology faculty. <\/strong>Disregarding rules may result in the loss of access to the biological specimens in Frich. <\/em><\/p>\n Please note: Students who disregard cell phone, headphone and clean up policies will receive lower class grades.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hopefully, all students will have an artwork finished and framed for exhibition by the end of the semester (April 16). Students in the Department of Art and Languages are responsible for the planning of Vulcan Gallery shows and gain valuable experience in exhibition work when they help to organize these events. Students are responsible for set-up and cleanup of the exhibition space, the design and distribution of posters, the food and music for the opening, sale of artworks, and clean-up after the reception. \u00a0All artworks must be framed or matted, priced, and labeled with exhibition tags<\/p>\n Studio Health, Safety and Cleanup Rules.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n *Clean Up<\/strong> Students must leave the studio clean and orderly after each class.\u00a0 Students must clean their work areas before leaving, dispose of all trash, and return all drawing boards and easels to their proper places.\u00a0 Clean up will begin 10 minutes before the end of class. Students sharing inks and watercolors will share the responsibility for clean-up. If tablemates leave the room without cleaning their messes, it will be the responsibility of the last student at that table to see that all is cleaned and cleared.<\/p>\n It is each student\u2019s responsibility to remove their pastel and charcoal dust from the tables with wet towels as these dusts may contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lead.<\/em><\/strong> When inhaled repeatedly, this dust may cause damage to the brain and nervous system and create other health problems. The custodians do not clean the easels or tables. Health issues associated with art materials are serious, and it is important that students realize their role and responsibility in maintaining a safe and clean studio environment. <\/em><\/p>\n Printing Presses <\/strong>\u00a0Students who use the presses must be familiar with all safety precautions and must understand how to adjust the press pressures. Felts must always be protected with a backing sheet to avoid offset of printing inks.\u00a0 All plate edges must be beveled to avoid cutting felts. The students that use them must clean ink slabs, brayers, etc.<\/p>\n Possible ways to fail this course. <\/strong>(Listed in order of frequency from past student behavior.)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Getting Help and Contact Information<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you need extra help with a project; if you need help with understanding perspective theory; or if you need to discuss an absence problem, you can find me at my office on the third floor of Vulcan, M\/W, or in my classroom in 211 Old Main T\/TH.\u00a0 Outside of office hours you may find me in the ceramic studio or art office. You may stay after class or arrange to speak with me at another time if my office hours conflict with your schedule.\u00a0 If you are sick and need to find out about an assignment, you can call my office and leave a message or contact me by e-mail.\u00a0\u00a0 Office: 724 938-4563; Email: Aston@calu.edu<\/a>. If you have an urgent question and you are not able to reach me in my office, you may call my home phone: 724-943-4406, or text me on my cell phone: 724-710-0805.\u00a0 If you call my home you may reach a bookshop answering machine followed by a series of beeps. Please leave a message. If it is snowing and roads are hazardous, students who commute may text my cell phone or call my home phone to find out if classes are cancelled. Also, if I am over 10 minutes late for class and there is no notice posted on the studio door, please feel free to call my cell phone. I commute from rural Greene County and there is a chance I may be delayed if it snows and roads have not been cleared. If I have to cancel class I will email you and post a notice on D2L. If I am sick for more than one day, I will email you an out-of-class assignment that will also be posted on D2L. If you arrive in the Vulcan studio late and find it empty, the class may be working outdoors, in 211 Old Main, or in the Frich museum.\u00a0 If there is no message on the board you should text my cell or one of the 3 classmates that have exchanged numbers with you.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supporting Literature <\/strong>and suggestions for visual research.<\/strong> Many of the slide images used in this course are taken from the following books.<\/p>\n Armstrong, Carol and De Zegher, Catherine.<\/strong> Ocean Flowers: Impressions from Nature.<\/em> Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2004<\/p>\n Aldous, Chris.<\/strong> Ghosts of Gone Birds: Resurrecting Lost Species through Art, <\/em>Bloomsbury Publishing,\u00a0 London,\u00a0 2013<\/p>\n Ball, Philip.<\/strong> \n
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