CSP-AVO8558 - Basic Drawing Techniques

Course Description

This course offers a structured, technical foundation in observational drawing using graphite. Students will move from basic material handling to fully rendered still life drawings by the end of the course. Emphasis will be placed on line quality, form construction, proportion, value control, surface texture, light logic, and deliberate composition. Clean craftsmanship, patient technical development, and observational accuracy will be expected throughout

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Materials and Line Control

· Graphite handling, pencil pressure exercises

· Warm-ups and line quality drills

· Line extension, stabilization techniques

Week 2: Form Construction and Value Fundamentals

· Building simple geometric forms

· Parallel line shading for light logic practice

· Value scale drills

Week 3: Contour, Blind Contour, and Cross-Contour Drawing

· Observational line exercises

· Understanding the difference between outline, contour, and cross-contour lines

Week 4: Seeing Space – Upside Down Drawing and Symmetry

· Breaking "symbol drawing" habits

· Positive and negative space observation

· Symmetry drawing practice

Week 5: Graphite Value Building and Surface Rendering

· Full light logic practice on a sphere

· Introduction to scumbling for texture

· Final project: Onion rendering with controlled shading and scumbling

Week 6: Surface Texture Studies

· Focused graphite texture studies

· Application of scumbling, stippling, blending, and cross-hatching techniques

· Drawing from life for texture realism

Week 7: Introduction to Composition

· Basic composition principles (focal point, balance, rule of thirds)

· Use of hand-formed viewfinder

· Visual measuring techniques using the pencil

Week 8: Full Composition Practice

· Still life setup planning

· Composition through viewfinder and thumbnail sketches

· Visual proportion measuring with the pencil emphasized

Week 9: Drapery Fundamentals

· Drapery form studies

· Understanding fabric structure, light behavior, and soft edge transitions

· Full graphite drapery rendering project

Week 10: Final Full Still Life Drawing

· Culmination of all technical and observational skills

· Careful arrangement and planning of a full still life

· Accurate rendering of objects, drapery, textures, and light logic

· Homework option to complete and submit final project by email if not finished in class

Learner Outcomes

One completed, students will be able to produce fully rendered graphite still life demonstrating mastery of form, light, texture, proportion, edge control, and composition

Develop strong line control and pencil handling skills

· Understand and render three-dimensional form accurately

· Build gradual value transitions without reliance on smudging

· Represent surface textures appropriately through graphite techniques

· Apply light logic (highlight, mid-tone, core shadow, reflected light, cast shadow)

· Introduce students to basic compositional planning and spatial organization

· Complete a final full still life drawing demonstrating all acquired skills

Student Expectations:

· Arrive with materials and be ready to work

· Focus on clean craftsmanship and patience

· Practice slow, deliberate value building

· Participate in thumbnail planning exercises before starting full drawings

· Maintain serious observational habits throughout

· Complete all major projects and homework assignments to reinforce skills

· Structured Skill Progression: Line → Shape → Proportion → Value → Form Texture → Composition → Final Project

· Classical Techniques: Sighting, measuring, classical shading logic

· Observational Focus: Regular drawing from life (not photographs)

· Consistent Homework: Reinforces learning and builds muscle memo

· PDF Guidebook: Every student receives a document covering each week's concept and homework to support independent practice

Notes

• Students purchase needed materials for this class:

• Materials Required

  · Graphite pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)

  · Smooth surface drawing paper (9x12 minimum, 11x14 preferred for final)

  · Kneaded eraser and vinyl eraser

  · Tortillon (optional, selective use)

  · Small sketchbook for thumbnails (optional but recommended)

• Students must update contact information at time of registration in case there is a need for pre-class contact by instructor.