Art 322A Illustration I

Joy vonWolffersdorff

Prerequisites: 222 (124A & 124B or 244)
Office Phone: 818-677-3045

Course Description

This class is structured to expand the student's understanding of illustration. This course also provides for a comprehension of: conceptual development; an overview of the history of illustration; color theory and paint mixing; composition; and elements of style. Students are encouraged to experiment with new techniques, approaches, designs, concepts and mediums. Though experimentation is important so is the on-time completion of successful finished art. Students must seek out their own reference material, either the object itself or taking their own photographs. Students are expected to enter this course with a strong knowledge of basic technical skills in various mediums. Students must also know how to draw!

Assignments

Students will be given three illustration projects to be taken through the stages of: concept/ideas thumb nails, getting reference, final tissues, value and or color comps, and to a completed illustration. Students will also practice technique on a small portion of their composition prior and separate from the finished illustration piece. The third project consists of the following: to copy a famous illustration of your choice from classic illustrators (Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish) to contemporary illustrators. Have a good reproduction.

Web Course Page Assignments

There is a web course page for this class on the internet. All students will be trained and given account numbers so that they can access the web page, begin to feel comfortable using the internet and send and receive email. All students will have access to various computer centers on campus and are not required to own a computer to do this work.

There are two specific assignments on the web course page. One is an email assignment and the other is more complex and you will bring it into class. Therefore you need to be able to access the web to get the assignments and do them. This is in addition to the three illustrations.
You need to send me email. My email address is: hcart001@csun.edu
1. Send me the email assignment that you find on the web course page. Make sure that you correctly spell out your full name and which class you are in, so that I can give you credit.
2. Do the more complex assignment that you will find on the web page. The instructions should be clear. This will be turned in to me in class in the form described on the web.
3. Feel free to correspond with other students in class using email.I try to always check my email at least once a week during my office hours.
Sketchbook Assignment:
A sketchbook, from observation of the human figure, this may include full figures; hands, feet and head studies (may look at your own hands and feet, and your head in a mirror - no copies of photos). You may include no more than 10 copies of master drawings or drawings of objects instead of the figure. There must be at least 50 drawings and they must be dated. See Due Dates for in progress check and final due date.

Grading
The plus and minus grading system will be used in this class. Students must save all work till they receive a final grade as a backup record. A final grade will be given at the end of the term based on the following:
- grades from the three illustration assignments (12 points each - 12 pts. = A+, 0 pts. = F)
- grades on: ideas and thumbnails; final tissues; value and color comps; practice sections (the grades on these four elements will be averaged together to provide a single grade)
- The above total six grades averaged together and divided by six provides a basic final grade
- grades on the two course web page assignments and points for the first email assignment
- any extra credit completed
- points on the written paper (if applicable)
Assessment of each student in terms of: attendance, participation (contributions to the class crits etc., motivation), progress, problem solving, craftspersonship, drawing skills presentation, all formal elements.

Attendance
Attendance - after 3 absences the final class grade may be dropped one point for each class missed. 3 tardies are equal to one absence, this also includes late departures from class. Attendance will be taken every day. I suggest that students save these 3 absences for emergencies or illness.
Do not come to class if you are ill and contagious, even with a cold! The rest of the students and I do not want to also become ill. When you return it is your responsibility to tell me that you were ill. I will then mark it as an excused absence and therefore it will have no effect on your grade. If an illness uses up more than the 3 absences permitted make sure you discuss this with me so that we can work out what would be best for you and the class work.
Any special foreseen circumstances for attendance or late work must always be pre-arranged with me. In cases of unforeseen circumstances do not call the art office. Call a classmate and have them speak to me in class. You are responsible to get notes on any missed lecture material.
On the due dates for the first two illustrations the work will be critiqued and graded. Students may make changes and turn work in one week after the work is returned to the students for re-grading. The last illustration will be graded on the final exam date (no re-grading). Grades will be dropped on late work. If no work is turned in for the crit an F is given.

Extra Credit
Students may select from the following, semester long projects, to turn in for extra credit:
1. A journal to be carried on throughout the semester. All entries must be dated. Approximately 3 - 7 entries per week. Writings may consist of feelings about art, your work, your personal life and experiences, etc. This is not a diary of events but a journal used for self-expression and personal insight. Students are encouraged to keep these private.
Journals will be turned in (in progress) during (wk. 4) to assure appropriate direction. Confidentiality of journal material is respected. To hand in journals, xerox 3 - 4 pages only with which you feel comfortable sharing. All xeroxed pages will be returned to students with comments.

Art 322A Illustration I

Joy vonWolffersdorff

Course Description

Assignments

Web Course Page Assignments

Sketchbook Assignment:

Grading

Attendance

Extra Credit

Supplies

Due Dates