54420 Figure Drawing for Animation

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

There are many elements that make up a successful figure drawing: gesture, movement, line of action, weight, balance, force as well as technique in the use of line, tone and composition. The study of life drawing heightens observational skills and awakens a sense of research and analysis of structure. In this subject, students explore basic elements of human anatomy to further their understanding of the structure beneath the living, moving form and refine their observational skills. The various ways in which a three-dimensional form is depicted in two-dimensional form are explored. Students develop their visual communication vocabulary with a focus on depth, space, weight and solidity.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Demonstrate a high level of craft and production value across multiple methods, aesthetics and techniques of the animation process (1.2)
• Demonstrate reflexive critical thinking as creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative, and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work with candour. (2.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This is a practice-based subject that employs an active approach to students’ learning through the activity of life drawing. In weekly sessions, students focus on observing and drawing the human form in its entirety and in its parts, registering the inner structure and force within the body rather than the outside line and learning to research, analyse and think through drawing. Each class explores a specific element of drawing that builds competencies and confidence in technical skills, observation, focus and analysis. Exercises include quick warm-up gesture drawings, blind contour drawing, working with line, tone and movement and sustained drawing (longer poses).

Students work with a live model under the direction of a professional studio mentor. At the beginning of each studio the mentor discusses with the entire group the challenges they are facing with their work. The mentor reviews the work on a regular basis and provides feedback verbally. It is the students' responsibility to record any feedback provided. Students are expected to actively participate in group critique sessions.

Regular homework tasks are designed to reinforce skills acquisition and the keeping of a weekly blog supports students reflective practice skills. Assessment is based on work in class, the homework journal, overall effort, and the presentation of a critically selected portfolio of life drawing work at the end of semester.

This subject has two assessment tasks. Each task has a detailed brief and additional support material for the successful completion of tasks available on Canvas. Grades, marks, and summary feedback on assessment submissions will be provided through Review.

Content (topics)

Students study the various ways in which the three-dimensional human form can be depicted in two-dimensional form, learning to communicate a sense of depth, space, weight and solidity. Topics covered include: gesture, movement, line of action, weight, balance and force; techniques and use of materials; basic elements of human anatomy including arms, legs and drapery; the depiction of light and form; and reflective practice in relation to one’s own work.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Drawing Exercises

Assessment task 2: Curated Digital Portfolio and Blog

Minimum requirements

Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class. Students who have more than two absences from studio tutorials will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8)

Required texts

The following required references are available online through UTS Library:

Gheno, D. (2015). Figure drawing master class: lessons in life drawing . North Light Books.

Legaspi, C. (2020). Life drawing for artists: understanding figure drawing through poses, postures, and lighting . Rockport.

References

Brine, K. (2017). The art of drawing folds: an illustrator’s guide to drawing the clothed figure (1st edition). Routledge.

Cain, P. (2010). Drawing: The Enactive Evolution of the Practitioner. Intellect Books Ltd.

Cardaci, D., Powell, W. F., & Stacey, N. (2018). Drawing: A Beginner’s Guide to Realistic Textures in Graphite. Quarto Publishing Group USA.

Edwards, B., & Edwards, B. (1999). The new drawing on the right side of the brain (2nd revised ed.). Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.

Henly, J. (2018). Pocket Art: Figure Drawing. Rockport Publishers.

Henly, J. (2018). Figure Drawing: The Quick Guide to Mastering Technique and Style. Rockport Publishers.

McMullan, J. (1994). High-focus drawing: a revolutionary approach to drawing the figure . Overlook Press.

Nicolaïdes, K. (1975). The natural way to draw: a working plan for art study . Houghton Mifflin Co.

Strete, D., & Creek, C. H. (2000). An atlas to human anatomy (1st ed.). WCB/McGraw-Hill.

Yot, R. (2011). Light for visual artists: understanding & using light in art & design . Laurence King.