Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Professor Williams
Sketchbook
Directions:
Purchase or find a small, portable sketchbook. You will need to bring this to class each
day, so don’t get a huge one that you won’t want to carry. You may use a sketchbook that
you plan to use for another class or for personal use, but please be aware that I will
collect and hold on to your sketchbook at midterm and final time.
Once you have a sketchbook, prepare it in the following way:
On the front cover, write your name CLEARLY
Write my name (Prof. Williams), the course number (ARTH 1100), and the
semester (e.g. SP18)
*Each drawing should be clearly labeled with the date completed*
Some assignments will be completed in class, and others will be done on your own time.
Below is a list of MOST of the assignments, but additional ones may be added
throughout the term. PAY ATTENTION FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS IN CLASS OR
VIA EMAIL ABOUT UPCOMING SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENTS!!
Sketchbook Assignment 1: Prehistory
Using only line, draw any animal you choose, ideally from life. You may use shading,
but only hatching or crosshatching. Use only one color for the sketch.
Sketchbook Assignment 2: The Ancient Near East
In ancient Mesopotamia, visual narratives began to appear. Create a short visual narrative
(at least 3 panels) without any words. These sketches should be sort of like a graphic
novel.
Sketchbook Assignment 3: Egypt
Ancient Egyptian architects and sculptors began working on a massive scale. Sketch an
idea for any large object or building and include something that will indicate the object’s
scale. You can either draw an additional feature to show scale, or you can include a
measured scale as you would see on a map.
Sketchbook Assignment 4: Greece
Greek artists were very interested in depicting the nude human form, especially the male
form. Draw a nude (or minimally clothed) figure so that we can really see the person’s
anatomy. If you are taking Life Drawing this semester, the sketch can come from that
class.
Sketchbook Assignment 5: Free Space
Choose the object or time period that you have found most interesting so far and create a
small work of art that is inspired by it. You may use any medium you like, but it has to be
two dimensional.
Sketchbook Assignment 6: Rome
The Romans were frequently inspired by the Greeks, particularly in their efforts to render
the human form. In Rome, however, many more figures were clothed. Draw another
figure—or redraw the same figure, your choice—with clothing this time. Work on
creating realistic looking folds using shading.
Sketchbook Assignment 7: The Early Middle Ages
Medieval artists were much more focused on pattern and twodimensional design than
they were on rendering the world in a visually accurate way. Create a design that you
might use as a logo for a graphic design client who is interested in medieval art.
Sketchbook Assignment 8: Byzantine or Islamic Art
Choose ONE of the following tasks:
1) The Byzantine world was wealthy and glamorous, resplendent with silks and
gems. Design a textile using Byzantine imagery as your inspiration.
2) Islamic cultures produced amazing ceramics for use in royal and religious
settings. Design a ceramic vessel using Islamic imagery as your inspiration.
Sketchbook Assignment 9: Romanesque and Gothic Art
In the later Middle Ages, architecture became immense and heavily decorated. Choose
between Romanesque and Gothic aesthetics and design a mural painting (Romanesque)
or a stained glass window (Gothic) for an imaginary medieval building.
Sketchbook Assignment 10: Free Space
Choose the object or time period that you have found most interesting so far and create a
small work of art that is inspired by it. (You must choose something different from what
you selected for Assignment 5) You may use any medium you like, but it has to be two
dimensional.