Foundations in Art - Drawing I

Classes

The Drawing I Course is divided into 4 classes that allow for careful development and training of each drawing technique. We recommend taking the entire course to build your drawing skills, but you can also take individual classes to focus on a particular subject or to join in at any time.

Class 1 - Drawing What You See
To learn how to draw you first need to train your eyes to see what is actually there, NOT what you “think” is there. To do this we start with contour drawing exercises including blind and modified contour drawing. Learn how to concentrate your attention on the line and shape of your subject to accurately draw what you see while developing strong eye-to-hand coordination using various drawing techniques.

Class 2 - Negative Spaces
Learn to draw the negative spaces around objects rather than the objects themself. This important techniques helps the artist focus on the shapes and relationships between and around the shapes to produce visually accurate drawings and to further break down preconceived notions about the subject. By focusing on the negative spaces the true shape of the subject comes into focus while increasing your drawing skills.

Class 3 - Creating Volume and Depth
This class introduces various shading and drawing techniques to create a sense of volume and depth while considering proportions and the object envelope. Learn the basics of cross-hatching, cross contour drawing, as well as volumetric sketching, stippling, blending, and subtractive highlighting to develop well composed drawings that begin to create the 3rd-dimension in your artwork.

Class 4 - The Final Drawing
The Final Drawing conceives of an idea and carefully expresses it through the drawing techniques learned from the previous three classes. We look at drawing and composition to express an idea and communicate story to create our final masterpiece and get it ready for a public critique.

Details

Cost (Course): $140 for the Full Course (4 class set)
Cost (Single): $38 for a Single Class (join any single class!)
Ages: 15+ All skill and creative levels welcome (younger artists are welcome with accompanying adult)
Materials: All materials are provided

Schedule

Spring Semester 2025 Dates:
Class 1 | Drawing What You See - January 23 - OPEN
Class 2 | Negative Spaces - February 6 - OPEN
Class 3 | Proportions - February 20 - OPEN
Class 4 | The Final Drawing - March 6 - OPEN

Time: Thursday 5:30-8pm

Location

3 Square Art - New Classroom (2F)
2415 Donella Ct, Ste 110
Fort Collins, Colorado

*Please note that we do not have elevator access to the 2nd floor at this time. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience.

Instructor

Craig A. McKee
BA Studio Arts, magna cum laude, Kenyon College, OH