Good Morning!

I am an artist and educator from Dallas, Texas, currently living in Zurich Switzerland. Here I share with you some favourite moments from my experience in the classroom that I hope you may find interesting and useful! Please browse the pages below at the right at for a sampling of teacher created units, student work and assessments.

Figure Drawing Course Outline and Assessment Rubric

Figure Drawing
1 semester ½ Visual Art Credit
Room 041
Instructor: Ms. Rachel Obranovich




Course Approach:
This course is designed to allow for a unique experience into the world of figure drawing. We will learn skills and explore the expression of ideas. Projects are designed to allow for success at all skill levels, from beginners to students who have had previous drawing/painting experience. Class will begin with a warm up, a demo or introduction, a discussion topic or work time, and will close with a brief critique and clean up.  Each unit will end with a small scale exhibition of student work. Students are expected to come to class on time, and stay fully invested in the daily tasks/topics from beginning to end.


We will have at least two group debate sessions over the course of the semester (topics subject to class interest):
1.    Digital vs. Traditional
2.    Realism vs. Abstraction
3.    <<Insert YOUR idea for a debate HERE! >>Nude vs. Naked..?  Men vs. Women? Is Appropriation Appropriate? Color vs. Black and White? Painting vs. Photography?




Course Outline (three units of emphasis):
1.     Capturing the Moment
In this unit we will learn tips and tricks for drawing the figure and begin the discussion about why artists draw the figure in the first place. We will focus on the tricky yet rewarding challenge of capturing movement and essential details. We will also explore the beauty and function of contour drawing, and then how to build on these essentials to add mass, character, and context to a figure drawing.

2.     Creating Drama
In this unit we are going to embrace the drama of the human figure! By switching the focus to capturing emotions we will look at how size, scale, color, pattern and value can add some excitement and interest to your drawings! We will also compare styles of the classics to contemporary

3.     Rockstars and Royalty
                         From classical portraits of Napoleon to contemporary interpretations by Kehinde           Wiley and homage portraits to teen idols by Elizabeth Peyton,  we will explore the beauty of portrait painting through the ages, and try some of our own!


Remember to hold on to your favorites for the Spring Arts Exhibition!!!

Assignments/Portfolio Pieces(graded as Summative Assessments):
1.     Capturing the Moment
a.      Gesture Sketches (outside of class)
b.     3 best examples of Contour Drawings
c.      Original Composition of Three Figures (adding mass and environment)
2.     Creating Drama
a.      Silhouette Story
b.      Transforming a Master with Emphasis on Value (charcoal drawing)
c.     Original Composition Focusing on Silhouettes, that tells a story (Cut Paper, Fabric or a combination) Spotlight Artist: Kara Walker
3.     Rockstars and Royalty
a.      Group Discussions, are rockstars considered royalty? why? how? How do they communicate using their physical presence? (rulers and rockstars) other guiding questions and written responses TBD
b.    Portrait of Royalty or Rockstar of choice


Some Spotlight Artists: Abram Walkowitz, Asad Falwell,  Caravaggio, Edgar Degas, Tracy Emin, Giacometti, David, Kehinde Wiley, Klimt, Schiele, Marlene Dumas, David Hockney, Elizabeth Peyton


Assessment/Grading:
Formative Assessments: (40%)
-In Class exercises
-Discussions/ written or verbal response to relevant artists
Summative Assessments: (60%)
-Drawing, painting, collaging, building, assembling, with particular focus
-Group Critiques/Peer Feedback/Instructor Feedback/ Guest Artist Commentary
Assessments will be based on the attached rubrics, and are meant to encourage personal investment, application of knowledge, creative solutions, and individual growth.





Example Grading for Formative Assessments:

Ex. Classroom Discussion 10/15/2012 Topic: Digital vs. Traditional
Student:
Actively Participates (100)
Occassionally Participates (85)
Does not Participate (70)

Ex. Classroom Exercise 10/25/2012 Topic: Gesture Drawing
Student:
Is Actively engaged and on task at all times (100)
Is Passively engaged and occasionally off task (85)
Is Barely engaged and disruptive (70)








Example Rubric for Summative Assessment:

Assignment Name :  Ex. Silhouette Narrative
Title:<Insert Individual Title here>
Focus Objective: ex. To create an original composition focusing on the use of silhouettes which uses space effectively, clearly communicates a message or unique perspective, and shows focused individual attention and effort.
Self Assessement: Please describe how you planned for this piece. What inspired you? What is this piece about? What was challenging or difficult? How did you resolve these challenges? What is your favorite part? Why did you create it the way you did? Is there anything you wish you had done differently? How do you feel about the overall end product? Do you think you could/would use this approach in future assignments or other outside projects?(turned in on a separate sheet)

Personal Investment
Application of Knowledge
Creative Solutions
Self Assessment and Reflection
The work shows intense personal investment (25)
This work clearly demonstrates applied knowledge of topics discussed in class and knowledge individually attained by self motivated research (25)
This work shows a dynamic point of view, an unexpected approach, and/or a creative solution to the prompt (25)
This project represents the absolute best effort I am capable of
(25)
The work shows a reasonable of attention was given (20-24)
This work shows relevant application of knowledge about topics discussed in class (20-24)
This work shows a unique and creative response to the prompt (20-24)
This work is a good reflection of my capabilities, but I could have done better (20-24)
This work does not reflect focused attention or personal investment (15-19)
This work does not reflect what is/was discussed in class (15-19)
This work is expected, trite, and/ or unimaginative (15-19)
This work is not a good reflection of my ability. (15-19)
Score and Comments:






Score and Comments:

Score and Comments:

Score &Comments:


Total:       /100

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