On most sunny days students take the opportunity to sit outside and take in the good weather. In Kevin Harris’ Art Drawing 1 class, students sit outside and draw the scenery.
Harris, who has been teaching at Sinclair Community College for eight years, holds his class outside a few times during the quarter.
“It’s a chance to be outside the classroom, take advantage of the good weather,” Harris said. “It’s good to come out here and just use different parts of the campus. Different forms.”
Harris’ class is currently doing two-point perspective drawing. Two-point perspective is a type of linear perspective. All of types of linear perspectives include a horizon line and a stationary point (the position of the observer). In two-point perspective, there exist two points from which an object’s lines radiate from; the sides of the object vanish to one of two vanishing points on the horizon line, according to creativeglossary.com.
“Since perspective drawing is mostly for drawing geometric forms, these buildings of Dayton’s skyline and geometry of the buildings on (Sinclair’s) campus are great for this type of exercise,” Harris said.
Harris described the Art Drawing 1 class as one for “true beginners” and students with some skill at drawing.
“I cover a lot of basic fundamental principles and if you can follow those it will help (improve) your drawing,” he said. “If you already know that stuff, what I try to do is make you more aware of it.”
Greg Gross, a visual communications major, said the class has helped him as an artist.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Gross said. “Being able to shade a lot better and drawing a lot faster… I think those are the two biggest things (that has helped me improve). And not being afraid to mark on my paper; I was more careful before than I am now.”
Harris said that drawing outside is a necessity for students.
“It’s just another part of the learning experience,” Harris said.