For centuries, religious and secular Islamic manuscripts have contained beautiful geometric decorations. Explore the history and construction of these traditional designs with Sughra Hussainy, a graduate of Turquoise Mountain Institute in Kabul, Afghanistan. Then, create designs with graph paper and a compass.
This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.
Popular theory on right side brain activity holds that the right brain is primarily responsible for the intuitive understanding of visual and spatial relationships. Designed to improve the way people see and record objects on paper, this class provides a set of visual exercises to help build the ability to draw.
Chalk pastels can be used to create dynamic artworks in any genre: portrait, still life, abstract, or landscape. Techniques are demonstrated, and various types of chalk pastels, how to combine them with other media, their history, and proper storage are discussed.
In this class, learn the strategies artists such as Rembrandt, Daumier, Cézanne, and Van Gogh used to harness light and unify, intensify, and give dimension to their images. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Silverpoint drawing uses a silver stylus on specially prepared paper to produce delicate lines. Initially silver-gray, the drawing tarnishes when exposed to air, resulting in a characteristic warm brown tone. Learn the history of silverpoint (Leonardo da Vinci used this technique), the materials required, and the vocabulary.
Guided by instructor Paul Glenshaw, learn the art of copying and develop your rendering and composition skills at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
