Course Description:
The city of Florence, Italy, serves as a laboratory for an inspiring study in drawing. This course includes drawing and sketching from master works, architecture, gardens, and the streets and markets of Florence as artists have done for centuries. Direct observation while drawing the city sites will strengthen and improve drawing skills. Each individual will develop a richer and more personal connection to art history as they explore Florence through their drawing. Students will use sketchbooks and unbound surfaces with drawing media in order to work “on location” at various sites around the city. Instructional sessions will be organized so as to encourage a range of approaches useful to both beginning and advanced students At the end of this three-week course, each student will have produced a sketchbook and drawings that together record the visual observations and emotional responses to the art, architecture, landscape and culture of Italy.

Course Requirements:

• Students will be expected to show the equivalent of 4 hours of drawing per day for five days of each week in their sketchbooks.
• Sketchbook entries will include drawing from direct observation with an emphasis on space, atmospheric light, color observations and picture plane organization.
• Students will be responsible for acquiring all drawing materials needed for the course.
• Students are required to attend all pre-departure organizing sessions, instructional sessions, and “on-location” field studies while abroad.
• Students will be given ample time, upon return home, to incorporate and synthesize there studies and sketches into larger sustained drawings.
• Due date for the submission of the completed sketchbook and drawings will be strictly enforced.