Course Syllabus

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TPA 2074 Drawing and Rendering  

Instructor | Cheyenne Chapman Rudolph

Email | cdc13@ufl.edu

Office Hours | Tuesdays/Thursdays, by appointment

Credit Hours | 3

For questions about course content, your grade, or other personal issues, use the Canvas mail tool.  Expect a response within 24 hours.

Course Information

Drawing and Rendering introduces you to the visual language of drawing from observation and rendering a realistic image. The fundamentals of drawing will be explored through a variety of materials and processes, with the primary emphasis on working from observation. This class will develop your understanding of both the physical and conceptual construction of a drawing—how to organize dynamic and meaningful compositions and how the individual components of the drawing relate to the whole. Class time will be spent exploring materials and techniques, working collaboratively, and critically evaluating methods and practices. You will develop observational skills using traditional drawing media while developing critical thinking and research skills.

 

Drawing is hard work. It takes a great deal of time and practice; there are no “secrets” or “tricks” to learning how to draw, except to draw every day. If you draw every day with effort and thoughtfulness, you will be *better* at drawing at the end of this term. You will need a certain level of vulnerability in this course, as you will be learning, practicing, and refining skills in a studio environment with your peers. You will work hard, and you will make mistakes; however, we will frame mistakes as discoveries and opportunities for growth.

 

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

    • Accurately render what you see in varying techniques of increasing complexity,
    • Demonstrate discipline, visual sensitivity, patience, eye-hand coordination, work ethic, and a solid vocabulary to build future course work,
    • Develop critical thinking and research skills
    • Conceptualize and articulate work and ideas.

 

Course Requirements

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

 

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course.

You are responsible for supplying these materials for the course:

  • Tabletop easel (can use full size easel, but it should be portable)
  • Compressed charcoal, white compressed charcoal
  • Pencils and sharpener: Sets of 12 are ideal; you should have 8b, 6b, 5b, 4b, 3b, 2b, hb, f, h, 2h
  • Pink eraser, gum eraser, white eraser, and kneaded eraser
  • Bienfang Multimedia, heavy weight paper, bound sketchbook, minimum size 14” x 11”
  • Newsprint pad, 18” x 24”
  • Matte finish spray workable fixative (can be shared)
  • Ballpoint pens (always have these with you for class and homework)
  • Metal ruler
  • Viewfinder
  • Gouache paintbrushes (variety of sizes)
  • Holbein Acryla Gouache, 20 ml primary set (should include red, yellow, blue, black, white)
  • Palette knife, mixing tray, watercolor paper
  • Clamp light for drawing at home
  • Box or container for all materials

These materials are recommended but not required:

  • Vine Charcoal, 1 pack of hard, medium, and soft
  • 1” Artist tape
  • Charcoal pencil set
  • Masonite or drawing board with clips 18”x 24”

You may find supplies at Michael’s, RePurpose Project, or Blick online. For some assignments, you may be required to purchase additional materials.

 

Course Policies

Requirements for make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies/

Grading Policy

I will make every effort to have each assignment graded and posted within one week of the due date. 

Evaluation Criteria for Projects:

Resolution of the Assigned Problem: Meets project criteria

Technical: Craftsmanship and technical application of methods

Conceptual: Thoughtful and intentional use of technique

Ambition / Innovation: Difficulty of technique and creative problem solving

Grading Breakdown:

15%- Project 1

15%- Project 2

15%- Project 3

15%- Project 4

15%- Project 5

15%- Sketchbook

10%- Participation
GRADING SCALE
A: 100%-95%
A-: 94%-90%
B+: 89%-87%
B: 86%-83%
B-: 82%-80%
C+: 79%-77%
C: 76%-73%
C-: 72%-70%
D+: 69%-67%
D: 66%-63%
D-: 62%-56%
F: 55%-0%

 

A =Superlative work: Careful attention to craft and presentation. Intent and execution of the piece work together in a significant and original way. Goes beyond merely solving the problem - one’s performance at this level is visibly outstanding.

A- =Very fine work: Almost superlative. A few minor changes could be made to bring the piece together. Goes beyond merely solving the problem.

B+ =Above average: Solution to the problem and idea are well planned. Execution is well done. This is an honorable grade.

B =A bit above average: Evidence of originality, craft, and presentation. The piece does not work as well as a unified whole or statement yet effort was made. Solid average work.

C+ =Problem solved: The requirements of the problem are met in a relatively routine way. A “C” represents satisfactory work, regular attendance, and successful accomplishment of the course.

C =Requirements of the problem are met in a relatively routine way. There is room for improving skills and concepts.

D=Inadequate work: The requirements of the problem are not addressed. The piece represents careless and /or incomplete effort. Some criteria met, work substandard.

F=Unacceptable work and effort

Grading guidelines will be explained in detail at the time each assignment is given. Always read the project description sheet! If anything seems unclear, you are responsible for asking the instructor for clarification in advance of the due date.

Note: A grade of C- or below does not count toward major requirements.

 

PARTICIPATION/ ETIQUETTE

SKETCHBOOK - You will keep a sketchbook for this course. It is good practice to draw in it regularly, ideally every day. Keep it with you at all times, and this will be infinitely easier to accomplish. For each project section, there will be a sketchbook prompt to help frame and guide your drawing practice. You will need to adhere to the prompt for each project section, but don't be afraid to draw more than is asked. Be mindful of your overall goal beyond our class, and practice drawing the things that excite you. At the end of the semester, you will turn in your sketchbook for evaluation. You may also turn in sketchbook practice incrementally throughout the semester. I will communicate how this will happen when we get a sense for what is best for everyone.

STUDIO - Participation, support, and respect in all phases of this course are imperative. The class dynamic depends on the group’s energy, initiative, attitude, productivity, and willingness to get involved. Students are expected to participate during studio time, clean up, and practice safe and thoughtful use of materials, tools, and facilities. Students must silence cell phones during class.

CRITIQUE - Prepare questions, solicit responses, and encourage constructive criticism during group discussions and critiques. Take notes in your sketchbook during discussions to gauge the effectiveness of your work. Even if you are not prepared to turn in your project, come to critique.

See the current UF grading policies for more information.

UF Policies

University Policy on Accommodating Students with Disabilities: 

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, https://disability.ufl.edu/) by providing appropriate documentation.  Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation.  Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

 

University Policy on Academic Conduct:

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code.  On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."  The Honor Code (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/) specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions.  Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel.  If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

 

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy: 

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy during, before, and after class, in all email messages, threaded discussions, and chats. 

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties:

For technical difficulties in Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should e-mail your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

 

Health and Wellness

  • U Matter, We Care:  If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu, 352-392-1575, or visit umatter.ufl.edu to refer or report a concern and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center:  Visit counseling.ufl.edu or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit shcc.ufl.edu.
  • University Police Department: Visit police.ufl.edu or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-0111 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; ufhealth.org/emergency-room-trauma-center.

Academic and Student Support

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/.

Tips for Success

  • Schedule "class times" for yourself. It is important to do the coursework on time each week. You will receive a reduction in points for work that is turned in late!
  • Read ALL of the material contained on this site. There is a lot of helpful information that can save you time and help you meet the objectives of the course.
  • Print out the Course Schedule and check things off as you go.
  • Ask for help or clarification of the material if you need it.
  • Do not wait to ask questions! Waiting to ask a question might cause you to miss a due date.
  • Do your work well before the due dates. Sometimes things happen. If your computer goes down when you are trying to submit an assignment, you'll need time to troubleshoot the problem.
  • To be extra safe, back up your work to an external hard drive, thumb drive, or through a cloud service.

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below: 

COVID-Related Practices

In response to COVID-19, the following policies and requirements are in place to maintain your learning environment and to enhance the safety of our in-classroom interactions.

  • You are expected to wear approved face coverings at all times during class and within buildings. Following and enforcing these policies and requirements are all of our responsibility. 
  • This course has been assigned a physical classroom with enough capacity to maintain physical distancing (6 feet between individuals) requirements. Please utilize designated seats and maintain appropriate spacing between students. Please do not move desks or stations.
  • Sanitizing supplies are available in the classroom if you wish to wipe down your desks prior to sitting down and at the end of the class.
  • Follow your instructor’s guidance on how to enter and exit the classroom. Practice physical distancing to the extent possible when entering and exiting the classroom.
  • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (guidance from the CDC on symptoms of coronavirus), please use the UF Health screening system and follow the instructions on whether you are able to attend class. Find more information in the UF Health guidance on what to do if you have been exposed to or are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
  • Course materials will be provided to you with an excused absence, and you will be given a reasonable amount of time to make up work. Find more information in the university attendance policies.

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due