ART 1977 - THE ART OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY

credits: 3.0
TRAVEL COURSE, FEES ASSOCIATED. This is an intensive studio art travel course focused on drawing and painting natural forms and phenomena within a tropical ecosystem. Students will use a variety of 2-D media to create drawings, illustrations, and watercolor paintings. Sketches will be made in the field, and other projects will be completed from those sketches, or from reference materials. An emphasis on observational drawing and scientific illustration will complement content being taught in the corequisite science course. Method of Evaluation: Grades will be based on attendance, participation in critiques, sketchbook exercises, and finished projects. Effort, creativity, technical execution, and connection to the topics covered will all be considered in grading. Prior art experience is not required for this course. Objectives: A) Develop manual skills leading to a basic understanding of drawing, illustration, and watercolor painting; B) Develop observational skills as an observer as it relates to nature and natural forms; C) Discuss aspects of art history (specifically relating to biological illustration, landscape, and watercolor traditions); D) Develop familiarity and confidence with graphite, colored pencils, ink, and watercolor media; E) Effectively critique their own work as well as that of others; F) Define and use terms as they relate to drawing and painting. Method of Instruction: Lectures, technical demonstrations, visual examples, along with one-on-one feedback throughout class. This is primarily a studio art course. Lectures and online materials will be given to provide technical, art historical, and art material information. Demonstrations and exercises will be used to teach and develop a variety of art techniques and approaches. Students will be provided with individual feedback throughout class. Evaluation of artwork will primarily take place during group critiques. $3,700.00 (for this course and either one of the two co-requisite courses, BIO 3977 or NSC 1977).

Co-Requisite(s): BIO 3977 TROPICAL ECOLOGY or NSC 1977 INTRODUCTION TO TROPICAL ECOLOGY.