LIFE DRAWING UTD ATEC

 

SPRING 25 - Life Drawing for Animation/Plein Air Class 

Life Drawing - WED 10a - 1115A/ Plein AIr - FRI 1P - 215P 15 Weeks (Twice a week)

Professor Frederick Gardner (University of Texas at Dallas)

Course Information
Course Number/Section: Class 28219 / Course ANGM 3321.001.25S

Course Title: Life Drawing/Plein AIr Spring Term 25S 1/22/25 - 5/7/25 WED/FRI

 

 

 

 

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions:
Some ability to draw traditionally on paper with pen, marker, pencil, charcoal, chamois and sanguine. The computer is only used in this class to receive notes, clean up drawings in Photoshop CC and upload class assignments. Drawing for Animation ANGM 2309 with a grade of B or better, and Instructor consent with Portfolio Review is required to take this course.

Course Description:
ANGM 3321 - Life Drawing/Plein AIr (3 semester credit hours) designing characters (human & animal, costumes & props), constructing turns, size comps and developing shape language and model sheets from story outlines and scripts for Visual Development and Production. This Course offers a further exploration of ideas and principles utilized in the animation process. Sections may be devoted to a single aspect of animation or to a variety of subjections in the field. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Department consent required.


Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
Students will experience a professional studio environment, using the current software, tools and techniques to develop the movement of characters, props and environments from traditional pencil thumbnail through to final digital animation. Live action and animation movement mechanics will be studied and referenced as foundational skills are demonstrated in a studio setting. Notes may be given online and the discussion will continue throughout the week on Teams (online/phone app). It is your responsibility to take detailed notes everyday. 


Required Textbooks and Materials:
Drawing the Head & Hands (ISBN 978-0857680976) by Andrew Loomis


Required Materials:
Computer (MAC or PC) w/ Webcam, Microphone 
Photoshop CC & Toon Boom Harmony
Stylus & Tablet or WACOM Cintiq
Portable Drive or USB Drive
Moleskin Sketchbook (Unruled)
Fine Point (or Extra Fine Point) Black Sharpie
Prismacolor Verithin & Prismacolor Pencils in Indigo Blue, Sepia or Black w/ Pencil Sharpener
Kneaded Eraser
Smartphone w/ Camera
Microsoft Teams software (for phone & computer)
** You are REQUIRED to use the Teams Software for Class Assignments and Schedule Updates.

Suggested Course Materials:
Drawing the Head & Hands (ISBN 978-0857680976) by Andrew Loomis
Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life (ISBN 978-1454926535) by George Bridgman
Drawing the Head & FIgure - (ISBN 978-0399507915) by Jack Hamm

Suggested Course Films:
Fantasia (1940) Walt Disney
Sleeping Beauty (1959) Walt Disney
Exposing Muybridge (2022) Gravitas Ventures
Muybridge Motion Studies (1884) Pennsylvania University
Primal (2019) Cartoon Network

15 WEEK LECTURE OUTLINE (Lecture Topics may change at any time):

- INTRODUCTION TO LIFE DRAWING/PLEIN AIR - Syllabus, Class Structure, Drawing the Model, Line of Action, Drawing Trees Outside

- CHARCOAL DRAWING/GESTURE - Developing Gesture Drawing Skills (.30sec - 1:00min), Charcoal & Chamois, Plein AIr - Pen & Marker in Moleskin Sketchbook (Outside 2-5:00 min)

- DRAWING THE SKELETON - Proportions, Thumbnail Sketching, Simple Shapes, Canopies

- TONE STUDY - Lighting Direction, Form & Cast Shadow (1:00 - 2:00 min), Tree Roots

- CONTOUR DRAWING - Different Styles of Drawing, Tree Bark & Leaves

- PROPS & DRAPERY - Explore Various Props (in Scale) & Define Cloth Drapery Over Objects & Human Figure. Tree Cluster Studies

- HEAD TURNS/FACIAL EXPRESSIONS/SKULL- Turn & Articulation for Posing, Mouth/Eye Shapes, Hair Detail, Skull Detail, Plant Details

- HUMAN FIGURE DISTORTION/CARICATURE - Age Differences, Posture, Masculine v Feminine Shapes, Design Character Aging

- CHARACTER PROPS/HANDS & FEET - Mechanics of Hands & Feet/Action Poses, Develop Model Sheet Callouts for Hands & Feet, Props

- HAIR, HATS & SURFACING,
RUN/WALK - Drawing Texture, Run/Walk Cycles, Develop Hair Models & Texture Callouts, Props

- CHARACTERS & VEHICLES w/ SCALE - Draw Details and Silhouette Studies of Steam Locomotive, Indicate Accurate Scale

- ANIMAL POSES, ANATOMY & SCALE - Animal Differences in Design, Draw Animals in Zoo, Arboretum, Aquarium, State Fair and/or Tiger Sanctuary.

- ANIMAL ANATOMY & SKELETON - Draw Dog Anatomy and Draw Dog Skeleton Anatomy on Tracing Paper Overlay with 10 Major Bones Defined.

- FINAL PRESENTATION - Final Presentation of Plein Air Sketchbook, Extra Credit Sketchbook, Life Drawing Portfolio (From Previous 14 Weeks) and 2 Life Drawing Poses (8:00 min ea) with Skeleton Anatomy Drawin in Detail on Tracing Paper on Top of Each Pose. 10 Major Bones need to be Identified with Skeleton Layer (4:00 min) for a Total 12:00 min Pose for each. Life Drawing Portfolio to presented to Jury Class for Jury Score. Final Grade based on Portfolio Assessment, Sketchbook Reviews, Attendance and Professional Presentation.

LIFE DRAWING, GESTURE & PLEIN AIR SKETCHING:

Life Drawing is available every semester, on Wednesdays in the Life Drawing Studio (4th Floor), 10-1115a at Standing Easels based on Availability. Live Model provided. Bring Newsprint (18x24") & Vine or Willow Charcoal w/ Chamois.

Gesture Sketching is always available at the Student Union Mon - Fri. Take advantage of the students lounging in the area and try capturing 2 or more students, sharing the same space. Bring Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie and 20% Gray Marker (Tombow Brushpen Cool or Warm Gray 2).

 

 

Plein Air Sketching is offered several times a semester at the Texas State Fair, Tiger Refuge, Dallas Arboretum or Zoo. At these locations, you will be given the opportunity to Gesture Sketch animals in a semi-natural environment and study their motion and biomechanics. Schedule to be announced in the first weeks of the semester. Gesture Sketching done in Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie, 20% Gray Marker or pencil.

LIFE DRAWING FILM REFERENCE -


"Fantasia" (Walt Disney) 1940

"Primal" (Cartoon Network) 2019

"Sleeping Beauty" (Walt Disney) 1958

"Exposing Muybridge" (Warner Bros) 2022

Life Drawing/Plein AIr Poster Annotation -Life Drawings & Designs by Frederick Gardner

 - Upper Left Image - "Knotty Oak & Tall Pine" from "Jack & Ben" (Laika Studios) 2009

- Upper Middle Image - "African Art" Museum Studies from DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) 2024

- Upper Right Image - "Oak Tree Roots" from "Jack & Ben" (Laika Studios) 2009

- Bottom Left Image - "Sketching on the Train" from "UTD FIeld Trip" (Texas State Fair) 2024

- Bottom Middle Left Image - "Roman Art" from DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) 2024

- Middle Images - "Skull & Hand Details" from "Life Drawing" (UT Dallas) 2024

- Bottom Right Image - "African Art" from DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) 2024