The Drawing Program begins with two courses in the Foundation area: Drawing Concepts and Figure Study. Drawing Concepts is required of all students and attempts to lay a strong foundation of accurate observation, appropriate use of media, and a vocabulary for critical thinking. Students learn to refine skills of representation and interpretation and are introduced to a variety of traditional and historical methods. Figure study contains a substantial drawing component. Students use both representational and analytic drawing in their approach to the figure, as well as three-dimensional means of representation. Students make a study of anatomy based on historical drawings to further their intellectual understanding of the structure of the body.

The sequence of seven advanced courses explores a wide variety of techniques and materials. Traditional materials include lead, charcoal, oil and chalk pastels, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and watercolor. Non-traditional materials include acrylic house paint, varnish, etc. and their combinations. Students develop a broad range of skills and competencies in the drawing medium. They begin by drawing images from still life in a realistic manner and are later encouraged to develop a broader, more personalized, stylistic and conceptual approach. Students are also expected to research historic and contemporary artists as part of extensive journaling. This is supplemented by slide lectures or videos periodically presented by the instructor.

Instructors

Christine Reising
Professor in Drawing and Printmaking

Barbara Cervenka
Associate Professor in Painting and Drawing