The Art of Teaching Art

Often the finest artists do not make the best teachers. Many frustrated college students of art know this all too well as they suffer through unstructured classes with inexperienced teachers or graduate student instructors. In these situations, it is easy to blame the teachers. But the problem is largely institutional: most students graduating with MFAs from art schools receive little if any instruction in teaching art. If you find yourself in this predicament as teacher or student, this book is for you. The first book to provide a comprehensive guide for teaching college-level art, The Art of Teaching Art is the culmination of respected artist and instructor Deborah Rockman's two decades of teaching experience.Believing that drawing is the backbone of all of the visual arts, Rockman begins with a complete explanation of drawing concepts that apply to any subject matter, e.g., composition, sighting processes, scaling techniques, and methods for linear and tonal development. She then illustrates these concepts with step-by-step methods that easily translate to classroom exercises. Next, she applies the drawing principles to every artist's most important and challenging subject, the human figure. After an extended section on understanding and teaching perspective that explores illusionistic form and space, the focus of the book shifts to the studio classroom itself and the essential elements that go into making an effective learning environment and curriculum. From preparing materials lists and syllabi, to setting up still-lifes, handling difficult classroom situations, critiquing and grading student artworks, and shooting slides of student artworks, she leaves no stone unturned. The Art of Teaching Art is the guide every new or experienced teacher of college-level art must have. Its helpful suggestions and numerous examples of student artwork from Rockman's classes will impart confidence to the inexperienced and fresh inspiration to the veteran instructors.

“"Rockman demystifies the process of perceptual drawing by comprehensively providing practical methods and strategies for measuring visual experience. The book includes lucid explanation of proportion, perspective, composition and metaphor to space. An excellent, clearly illustratedintroduction to the teaching of the visual arts, The Art of Teaching Art is a pleasure for artists, students and teachers who are interested in the project of approaching representation of nature. In fact, the well-organized treatment and wealth of information, illustration and defining vocabularymay well become a handbook for professionals working in this arena of the visual arts." --Thomas Cornell, Professor of Art, Bowdoin College”

"In thirty-six years of teaching all aspects of drawing to students aspiring to become artists and teachers, I have labored my way by trial and error to conclusions Deborah Rockman outlines so very clearly in her The Art of Teaching Art. With high tuition costs, students have the right to demand sensitive and informed instruction even from teachers just beginning their career. This comprehensive compendium of the arcana of studio teaching is invaluable. The special difficulties of revealing the possibilities and limits of perspective are well presented; insights I thought all my own I find in this book."--R. Richard Gayton, Drawing and Painting Professor, California College of Arts and Crafts

Deborah A. Rockman is Professor of Art in the Foundation and Fine Arts Department, Kendall College of Art and Design.

Often the finest artists do not make the best teachers. Many frustrated college students of art know this all too well as they suffer through unstructured classes with inexperienced teachers or graduate student instructors. In these situations, it is easy to blame the teachers. But the problem is largely institutional: most students graduating with MFAs from art schools receive little if any instruction in teaching art. If you find yourself in this predicament asteacher or student, this book is for you. The first book to provide a comprehensive guide for teaching college-level art, The Art of Teaching Art is the culmination of respected artist and instructor Deborah Rockman's two decades of teaching experience. Believing that drawing is the backbone of all of the visual arts, she begins with a complete explanation of drawing concepts that apply to any subject matter, e.g., composition, sighting processes, scaling techniques, and methods for linear and tonal development. She thenillustrates these concepts with step-by-step methods that easily translate to classroom exercises. Next, she applies the drawing principles to every artist's most important and challenging subject, the human figure. After an extended section on understanding and teaching perspective that exploresillusionistic form and space, the focus of the book shifts to the studio classroom itself and the essential elements that go into making an effective learning environment and curriculum. From preparing materials lists and syllabi, to setting up still-lifes, handling difficult classroom situations, critiquing and grading student artworks, and shooting slides of student artworks, she leaves no stone unturned. The Art of Teaching Art is the guide every new or experienced teacher of college-level art must have. Its helpful suggestions and numerous examples of student artwork from Rockman's classes will impart confidence to the inexperienced and fresh inspiration to the veteran instructors.

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