Fall 2026 ART 201: Drawing (Units: 1.5)

Office Hours

Office: B106J

Office Hours: Please email me to schedule an appointment.

Course Overview

Throughout this course, students will learn about various contemporary artists who utilize drawing methods. This course will teach students to refine their drawing skills and conceptual approaches. Through lectures on contemporary artists, engaging exercises, and assignments, this course will help students begin developing their own art-making approaches. Each assignment will be based on what the student has learned from the lectures and exercises. The takeaway from the course is for students to develop a diverse range of knowledge about contemporary drawing, material approaches, and concepts they can apply as they progress in their future art-making practices.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will: 

Demonstrate perceptual, visual, and conceptual skills in both your own artistic practice 
and the critical evaluation of others' work.

Apply fundamental technical and theoretical principles to drawing as a contemporary art 
medium.

Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of the historical and current issues that inform 
the creation and assessment of contemporary drawing practices.

Possess the foundational confidence to further develop your drawing skills in more 
advanced studio courses.

Effectively articulate and contextualize your own artwork within a critical and engaged 
discourse

Assignments

There are three major assignments, and each assignment includes a variety of exercises. Assignments should be uploaded to Brightspace on due dates. Generally, each class will have an exercise in which all students are expected to participate. The exercises are expected to be completed during class time. If, for any reason, an exercise cannot be completed during class, please reach out to me, and we will figure out a solution. All exercises should be uploaded in a single PDF via Brightspace on November 23rd.

Assignment 1: Metamorphosis (20%) (due September 28th, 2026)

Assignment 2: The Monster's Body (20%) (due October 19th, 2026)

Assignment 3: Final project (30%) (due November 30th, 2026)

Exercises (15%) (due November 23rd, 2026).

Critiques

During critique, you are expected to be engaged, attentive, and prepared to discuss your work and provide constructive and critical 
feedback to your peers. This is an essential part of being able to situate your work in the context of the course 
and the broader landscape of contemporary art.

Grading

The final grade will be comprised of:

Projects (70%):

Assignment 1: Metamorphosis (20%)
Assignment 2: The Monster's Body (20%)
Assignment 3: Final project (30%)

Exercises, Participation and Engagement (30% total):

Exercises (15%) 
Participation and Engagement (15%)

Total 100%

Grading rubric for each assignment will usually include: Idea/Concept, 
Technique and Presentation. The exact 
grade breakdown will vary from assignment to assignment, and will be 
described in an assignment description and discussed in class

Department of Visual Arts Attendance Standard

Experiential learning and engagement are directly tied to class attendance. In the Department of Visual Arts students are expected to attend all classes. To succeed in the course, students should not have more than 2 unexcused absences in a 12-week semester, which equates to 6 hours of instruction.

Any student, regardless of illness or accommodation will not be able to succeed in the course with absences over 30%, which equates to 12 hours in a twelve-week semester. If a student finds that they are not able to meet this requirement, the instructor will work with the student to apply for academic concession or exceptional circumstances accommodation.

This standard is in place to ensure that students in the program acquire artistic experience in conjunction with the skill and safety requirements needed to complete the coursework and continue in the program. We find that active communication between students and instructors is the best method for ensuring attendance requirements are met. (Instructors are free to add information on how they will manage communication around attendance and can specify ways that they will work with a student who is experiencing extenuating circumstances). If the attendance standard has not been met and there is no communication with the instructor, an incomplete or failing grade will be assigned.

Academic Concession Link:

https://www.uvic.ca/students/academics/academic-concessions-accommodations/request-for-academic-concession/#ipn-request-a-withdrawal-or-aegrotat

Materials

Required materials:
-    Pencils
-    Erasers
-    Magazines for collage
-    Brushes for Ink and watercolour
-    Ink and watercolour
-    Water containers
-    Watercolour paper (min 3 sheets, 22”x30”)
-    Stonehenge paper (min 3 sheets, 22” x 30”)
Soft and bold drawing materials of the student’s choice for each class
Practice papers for each class

Material Options: 
Bold drawing materials of the student’s choice:
-    Charcoal
-    Oil Stick or Oil Pastel
-    Chalk Pastel
-    China Marker
-    Ink
-    Markers
Soft drawing materials of the student’s choice: 
-    Pencil
-    Pencil crayon
-    Watercolour
-    Fine pens 
-    Pen and ink
-    Conté
Basics:
-    Ruler
-    Scissors
-    Glue
-    Tape 
-    Erasers
-    Push Pins

Experimental and practice papers:
-    Newsprint
-    Cartridge paper, plain paper
-    Inexpensive paper on the roll

Quality papers of the student’s choice:
-    Stonehenge papers
-    Arches watercolour
-    Acid-free mixed media papers (Strathmore)
-    BFK Rives
-    Japanese papers
-    Mulberry paper
-    Yupo papers (medium, heavy & translucent)
-    Acid-free illustration board
-    Watercolour paper

Support

CAL Accommodations

Instructor Responsibilities:

• Access, review and acknowledge receipt of the accommodation letter https://al.uvic.ca/ClockWork/user/instructor/default.aspx
• Take the time to privately discuss the accommodation with your student; if you would like to understand the requested accommodation better, reach out to the CAL Advisor mentioned in the accommodation letter or communicate with both the student and their CAL Advisor. The goal is to learn if the accommodation pertains to studio-based classes, and if so, discuss best practices for moving forward with the accommodation request and achieving the learning outcomes of the course.
• Work with your student to meet their requirements for your specific class.
• Inform the student of their role in the accommodation process.
• Be mindful of the need to ensure confidentiality and protect the student’s privacy at all times.

Student Responsibilities:

• Register with the Centre for Accessible Learning by the posted deadlines https://www.uvic.ca/accessible-learning/students/how-to-register/index.php
• Take the time to discuss your accommodation with your instructor. Consider how your accommodation relates to a studio-based learning environment, and which, if any, aspects will pertain.
• A CAL accommodation does NOT exempt students from completing assignments or attending class.
• If you require additional time on an assignment or deadline, this must be discussed with your instructor in advance.
• If you require alternate methods for engagement (class discussion, working in the studio classroom, working in the shops), discuss this with your instructor at the beginning of the course.
• If you require alternate methods for lectures, film or image presentations, discuss this with your instructor at the beginning of the course.
• Keep your instructor up to date on accommodation needs throughout the term, especially if there are improvements or setbacks.

Health and Safety Policies for the Department of Visual Arts

 In order to protect the integrity of the Visual Arts building and guarantee the safety of students, staff and faculty, the following guidelines must be followed:

• There will be no alteration of the physical building (temporary or otherwise), without the written approval of the chair. All proposals for special projects should be first submitted to The Visual Arts Facilities and Production Manager for consideration.

• All temporary installations of art that may occur outside the regularly sanctioned locations (i.e., the gallery and classrooms) must be authorized.

• At no time will the use of hazardous materials either inside or outside the vicinity of the Visual Arts Building, be permitted without the department’s prior approval.

• There shall be no disposal of toxic materials down sinks: all solvents, acids and other substances used in the routine course of art making must be handled in a safe and acceptable manner. 

• Artworks that include an element of self-harm must be authorized in writing by the Chair and will include strict pre-determined conditions depending on the proposal. In most cases the artist/ student will be responsible for ensuring all safety precautions are taken regarding their safety and the safety of others. This includes having first aid equipment at the performance or during the creation of the work where the action takes place, and consider any health risks your actions may pose to others. At the discretion of the Department Chair, a first responder may be required to be present

• Art that includes elements of violence, self-harm, and or other subject matter that may be traumatic or pose a trigger risk should be clearly identified to students, faculty and staff, allowing them to choose if they want to witness your work, these types of warnings are typical if one were to do such a performance in a gallery or other public space.

• Art that includes excessive volume is dangerous to the hearing of students, faculty and staff. These artworks can also be disruptive to other classes and activities within the Visual Arts Building. Artworks and or actions that contain sound at or above 98dB need to be pre-approved by the Department and clearly labeled. During critique situations hearing protection should be made available anyone required to experience the piece. Free decibel metering apps are available for most smart phones determine the level or risk.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN ACADEMIC PENALTIES, FINANCIAL CHARGES, AND/ OR, THE LOSS OF SHOP, LAB, STUDIO, AND EQUIPMENT USE PRIVILEGES.