The Notes below have been discussed in class. Please refer back to this page periodically so as to keep up with terminology, techniques and historical context as you will be tested on it during our final.

Week 1

1. Van Gogh was a Post-Impressionist during the late-19th century. His distinctive style of painting is shown by applying thick paint and hatch-like brushstrokes.
2. The Grid system originated during the Renaissance Period (15th century) and was used by artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Massacio, and Raphael. Their goal was to bring science and realism into their paintings. 
3. The Grid system helps an artist achieve proportion and depth in a picture.
4. The Experiment drawing done during the first week forced us to use the right side of our brain because we were not able to identify the parts and verbalize our drawings (left brain function). Our right brain forced us to see shapes and spaces only. Seeing spatially helps us create better drawings because we aren't trying to factor in preconceived ideas about what we think something should look like. We draw well when we draw what is there and what we see.

Week 2

1. ​Contour Drawings -- a type of line drawing that is usually created with a pencil or pen. These drawn lines will not only define the outline of the object, but will also include interior lines. It is these interior lines that give the object a three-dimensional quality or roundness without relying on other methods such as shading, etc...
2. Ways to warm up for a Contour Drawing -- first with a blind contour drawing (or drawings). Blind Contour drawings are drawings where the art student will not look down at his/her drawing during the entire process. The goal here is not to have an accurate drawing but rather to observe the object you're drawing. The key is to look closely at your object and to become more familiar with the object's unique contours. The artist may not lift the pencil or pen during this procedure.
3. The next drawing that prepares the art student is known as a Modified Contour drawing. It's nearly the same kind of drawing as the Blind Drawing, except now the artist may look at the drawing. Lifting the pen or pencil is still not permitted, just as in the Blind Contour Drawing..