Establishing an Independent Work Space
Students should create an environment where they can set up required still life materials or subjects that will be drawn from observation. The space should be similar to our studio space: lighting can be adjusted, various angles and distances can be taken to view the subject. If one is unable to establish such a space independently, use of the LSCPA studio can be arranged.
Critiques
Critiques are an integral part of the course and will take place often throughout the semester.
Formal critiques will take place on the designated date that a project is due. You will be evaluated on your participation, etiquette, engagement and use of vocabulary we have learned in class. Failure to attend a scheduled critique may result in a failing grade for that project (unless prior arrangements were made before the scheduled critique). If you are absent for class(es) prior to a scheduled critique you are still responsible for having your completed assignment ready for the day of critique. If you do not have your project completed you are nonetheless expected to attend and participate in discussion.
Student comments are expected to be thoughtful and sensitive and must be designed for the artist to improve his/her artwork.
Informal critiques will sometimes spontaneously occur during workdays. Therefore, students should be present in class and ready to participate in critique and discussion at all times.
Critiques are calculated in your Studio Projects grade. You will lose points for late arrival, early exits, elongated breaks, lack of engagement, use of phone during critique, and poor etiquette.
Sketchbooks
A sketchbook specific to this course is required. It will be used for studies, and for thumbnail sketch preparation for projects, and notes during demonstrations and critiques. However, separately, 45 pages of drawings from observation (still life materials, room interiors, and architecture are recommended), study (reinforcing class topics, practice to improve individual drawing processes that need improvement), and imagination (go wild) are expected by the end of the semester (recommended 20-30 minutes per drawing). At least 25 pages must be drawn from direct observation. The sketchbook will be collected periodically for page counts and evaluations (a “check” signifies drawings are satisfactory, “check plus” indicates the work is strong, and a “check minus” indicates the drawings are weak and need more time invested in them. An “X” will indicate an unacceptable sketch). There will be a page count and review quarterly with a target number of pages at each review of 11, 22, and 33. 45 are due by the final. In the instance of completing below the minimum required page count at review, for example 9 pages when 11 are required, there will be a two page penalty from your final sketchbook count at the end of the semester. This policy applies to all quarterly page counts. It is also recommended to paste or tape handouts and loose sketches into the sketchbook to maintain a record of assignments and creative output. An alternative is to have a folder to keep all handouts.
Homework and continuing assignments outside of class
I will periodically assign sketchbook work to reinforce principles you have learned in class. You are expected to complete these in your sketchbook and have them ready on the due date to either present to the class or discuss with the professor. Late policy applies to homework assignments.
Food
Food is not allowed in the classroom. The custodians will yell at me if we get insects. Water bottles and closed-top drinks are allowed. I give everyone a 15/20 minute break to go get lunch and eat.
Phone and Music
I expect you to be an adult with your phone usage. You are welcome to listen to audio on your headphones. I do not want to see videos playing or idle games. If phone usage becomes disruptive, I reserve the right to ban phone usage from the classroom.
Uploading Assignments
I ask that students take a photo of all major assignments (critiques, midterm, and final) and upload them to Blackboard. Most image file formats such as .png, .jpeg, .pdf, .gif, .heif (I beg of you only upload this format if you are desperate), etc are acceptable, though I would prefer .png whenever possible. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have submitted your assignment as directed in the instructions. If I cannot open your assignment, I will not grade it.
Unless otherwise requested by the assignment, I will not accept Google Drive/Outlook links to docs. Any assignment submitting a link without request will get an automatic zero with no opportunity to make-up.
Additionally, if you have difficulty uploading your assignment due to Blackboard or other technical issues, you should email me a copy of the assignment immediately – not the next day. It will be considered late if I do not have an email copy of the assignment by the due date. You should then contact Blackboard technical support to address the problem and work to get the assignment uploaded into Blackboard.
When you submit an assignment, Blackboard sends you a confirmation email with an individual submission number. Please make sure that you receive, and save, this confirmation. If there are issues regarding the submission of your assignment, I may ask to see the submission confirmation.
Late Work
It is very difficult to keep track of who was and was not in class to do an assignment. Some homework assignments will be given out in class, not Blackboard. It is up to the student to talk to their peers and catch up if they miss a class.
For every day a homework assignment is late, 10 pts will be subtracted from the grade. Up to 4 days late, then the assignment will receive a zero.
For every day after the critique that an in-class assignment is late, 10pts will be subtracted from the grade. Up to 4 days late, then the assignment will receive a zero.
The final drawing assignment cannot be turned in late.
Email
You are required to put the class and section number in the subject line of the email. I will respond promptly in 24-48 hrs. I am available during business hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. I do not respond to emails in the evening or the weekend.
Please use your lamarpa email to communicate with me as emails from Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc. may end up in a clutter folder and I will not see it, and therefore, not respond. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet, or other directions available to you in Blackboard. Students should always be aware of the tone and structure of their correspondence.
RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR AND CLASSROOM CIVILITY POLICY
To foster a productive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment, all students are expected to demonstrate respectful behavior toward their peers, the instructor, and the learning process. Disruptive behaviors that impede the learning and civility of the class will not be tolerated.
Expectations for Classroom Behavior
Arriving on Time: Please make every effort to arrive promptly. Late arrivals disrupt the flow of the class and the concentration of others.
Staying in Class: If you anticipate needing to leave early, inform me in advance and sit near the door to minimize disruption.
Engaging Fully: Participate in class activities with focus and commitment. Use laptops, tablets, and other devices only for class-related purposes.
Using Technology Responsibly: Silence phones and refrain from texting, taking calls, or using devices for non-academic purposes during class.
Respecting the Learning Space: Avoid behaviors such as whispering, chatting, or wearing headphones during class, as these can distract others.
Waiting for Dismissal: Packing up before the end of class signals disengagement and distracts others. Please wait until class is dismissed.
Prohibited Behaviors
Persistent chatting, talking, or whispering that interrupts the class or distracts others.
Use of electronic devices for non-academic purposes.
Antagonistic behavior toward the instructor or other students.
Behavior that undermines the instructor’s ability to teach or students’ ability to learn.
Consequences for Disruptive Behavior
First Occurrence: A verbal warning will be issued, and the behavior will be documented.
Second Occurrence: You may be asked to leave the class for the remainder of the session.
Repeated Occurrences: Continued disruptive behavior may result in further disciplinary action in accordance with university policies, including removal from the course.
Academic Integrity and AI
Academic integrity is essential to learning and I take it very seriously. Academic dishonesty will not be accepted in this class. Students are to submit their own work – not the work of others. If you submit other’s work as your own or submit assignments using resources not allowed, not only are you jeopardizing your academic future, but you are paying for an education you are not receiving and you are wasting your own time and energy in an effort not to learn. It is expected that students are submitting their original work.
All student submissions are checked for plagiarism and use of any materials not authorized for use for an assignment is prohibited. Should this be an issue with any assignment you submit, you will receive a 0 on the assignment and, possibly an F in the class. The use of article rewriting tools, or other AI technology is unacceptable, not allowed, and will result in a 0 for the assignment. If there are indications of academic dishonesty, students may be asked to take a written, or verbal assessment in my presence.
Students may also not use or submit artwork made before the class, made in another class, or created by anyone other than the student themselves. AI image generation tools such as MidJourney, Dall-E, ChatGPT, or Photoshop’s generative fill, are not allowed to be used in your idea generation process. While not prohibited, using AI tools to generate text-based ideas during your ideation process is highly discouraged.
If an issue arises with your work, I reserve the right to go back and reassess/regrade previously submitted work to see if academic dishonesty has occurred with previous submissions. Assigning an F for the course for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty is at my discretion if the offense is flagrant or repeated. Please note that I decide if an offense is flagrant or repeated – not the student.
Syllabus Change Policy
I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus, assignments, and due dates as needed. Any changes will be announced in class and sent as an announcement through the Blackboard system. You should check your email daily for any announcements about the course
Grading and Assignments
Grades are earned, not given.
Students are expected to complete in-class and homework assignments in a timely manner and in accordance to project requirements (which include craftsmanship, accuracy in measuring, perspective, proportion, point of view, solidity of form, light logic, contrast, value scale, definition of edges, composition, level of completeness, etc. In addition it is recommended that students take on greater challenges, being creative, thinking visually, being innovative, establishing conceptual strength to projects, and communicating ideas clearly in critique)
Successful artwork results from students exhibiting intellectual curiosity, focused work ethic, timely completion of artwork, careful consideration of criticism, openness to new information and a commitment to fully explore and implement that information, pushing artwork beyond one’s previous limitations.
No images can be drawn from photos, memory, or imagination unless otherwise specified. This class focuses on drawing from DIRECT observation, any project that deviates from this requirement will receive an F.
All projects must be original and made for this class
A sincere commitment to each project from start to finish is expected in order for students to achieve the best quality in their work.
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO WORK A MINIMUM OF SIX HOURS PER WEEK OUTSIDE OF CLASS
Assignments will be collected for grading. Do not fold or roll your artwork! Always spray and cover your drawing with a newsprint cover sheet taped in place.
Use good paper for longer homework and in-class drawings.
Cost of supplies, though understandable, cannot be accepted as an excuse for incomplete assignments.