Welcome to Drawing Realistic Subjects in Pencil

My name is Melissa Schatzmann and I will be your instructor for this course.

This course officially begins September 10, 2010 and all assignments must be submitted by December 17, 2010.

As the facilitator for this course, I will be checking and responding to messages concerning course content in the Discussion Forum within 48 hours and will return submitted assignments within one week. Messages of a personal nature can be sent to my personal email, and I will respond as soon as possible.

As a student in this course, you are expected to participate in the discussion forum, read all art instructions, hand-in drawing assignments. If you experience problems, please contact me immediately.

Course Description:
Both beginners and those with some drawing experience will learn step-by-step to create realistic drawings, including shading and blending. With still life, landscape, animal and portraiture as subject matters, you will take part in animated tutorials with detailed instruction. An informative online discussion forum will provide you with a classroom environment to learn drawing techniques and artistic tips, while critiques will offer support, suggestions and improvements. At the completion of the course, you will have a portfolio of realistic, detailed pencil drawings.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will learn:

• Understanding shapes in drawing
• How to Shade
• The proper way to hold a pencil
• Choosing the best paper for drawing
• Blending with a Tortillion
• Improving your range of tone
• Techniques for drawing animal fur
• Creating smooth-looking skin
• Drawing facial features (lips, eyes, nose)
• Learning how to draw light and form
• Drawing what you see and not from a Grid
• Understanding Perspective
• Understanding various pencil techniques
• Learning how to draw trees, grass, clouds
• Understanding pencil grades
• Using a kneaded eraser for highlighting
• Framing & Matting Techniques
• Preserving a pencil drawing
• Photographing artwork
• Drawing still life

Teaching/Learning Methods:
Students are able to learn step-by-step with animated tutorials and detailed instructions. The tutorial will create a complete base for the student with tips and references available at a click of a mouse. Students will be able to visually see how the drawing comes together along with guided ‘view’ buttons. For example, if a student would like to see which direction the hair grows on an animal, they can quickly click on a view button to show this step. Each tutorial will provide the student with the option to view a certain area of the drawing in a much larger view format so that the subject is magnified to see the details.

In addition, there is a discussion forum with loads of tips, techniques and general discussion in answering any questions the student may have along with critiquing for support and suggestions.

Students are encouraged to submit questions and comments both privately and to the discussion forum. Students will be required to submit assignments.

Text/Recommended Text:
No textbook required.

Art Supplies:
Acid-free drawing paper, 2B pencil, Kleenex, tortillions, vinyl white eraser, kneaded eraser, tuff stuff clickable eraser (optional). These supplies are further explained and samples are shown on the Art Supplies page.

Schedule:
Art tutorials will be critiqued and uploaded to the drawing forum located at www.realisticdrawing.com/loyalist/discuss_forum

Deadlines:
The final date for all art assignments is April 23, 2010. There will be delays in feedback and critiques if multiple assignments are submitted especially towards the end of the course.

Examinations:
There is no examination.

As your first step in getting started with this course, please introduce yourself in the Discussion Forum under the category Introduce Yourself! Please share who you are, what your comfort level with the on-line technology is, and what is your reason for taking this program? Attach a photo if you are able. If you have specific requests for information – by all means, ask!

Your response to your own art critiques as well as others is greatly enhanced when you share your experiences with the class. It is strongly recommended that students participate in the art critique sessions and general art discussions.

Drawings can be submitted by using one of the following:
a) Scanner - For a higher quality scan of a drawing, scan at 700 dpi or up and then reduce the image to 72 dpi (for web) in an imaging software program (Paintshop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, CorelPhotopaint, etc) and save as a jpg file. Your scanner will probably come with photo editing software.
b) Digital Camera – Take a picture of the drawing. It’s recommended to take the picture in natural sunlight. An overcast day is even better so it’s not too bright when you take the picture. Avoid using a flash.
c) Regular Camera – Take a picture of the drawing (as above instructions). When you take the film in for processing request to receive your photos on a CD for web use. Most photography stores will also include photo editing software with your photos on CD.
d) Mail – If you are unable to submit your drawings by one of the above please mail your drawing(s) to:

Online Etiquette:
* The instructor and participants need to be polite and respectful
* Participants must be willing to share in on-line discussions
* The instructor will give timely response to questions or concerns
    raised by participants.
* Personalize your comments by using your peers name when communicating
* Any personal comments will be directed to individual's private mail boxes.
* Confidentiality - what is reported by participants is confidential.