डॉ. बी. आर. अम्बेडकर विश्‍वविद्यालय दिल्ली
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi
Established by The Government of NCT of Delhi

Course coordinator and team :  Dr. Kshama Divedi

1. Does the course connect to, build on or overlap with any other courses offered in AUD?

This course builds foundational skills essential for studio-based courses within the Visual Art programme, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and visual representation. It supports courses focusing on visual perception, material practice, and observational methods by strengthening anatomical understanding, proportion, and structural drawing. While it complements foundational studio courses, it does not overlap, as its primary focus is disciplined observation from live models and portrait construction.

2. Specific requirements on the part of students who can be admitted to this course:

students and related disciplines Basic familiarity with drawing, painting, or visual analysis Ability to engage with historical texts and visual material. Willingness to undertak research-based and practice-led inquiry

3. No. of students to be admitted (with justification if lower than usual cohort size is proposed):

1The limited intake is necessary due to the intensive nature of visual analysis sessions, close reading of manuscripts and paintings, seminar-based discussions, and individualized feedback on research and practice-based projects.

4. Course scheduling:

(winter/mansoon  course; semester-long course; half-semester course; workshop mode; seminar mode; any other ) Winter Semeste, Semester-long course, Studio and Seminar Mode

5. Proposed date of launch:

Proposed for launch; submitted for review and approval

6. How does the course link with the vision of AUD and the specific programme(s) where it is being offered?

The course aligns with AUD’s vision of experiential, practice-led, and interdisciplinary learning by emphasizing direct observation, reflective practice, and perceptual inquiry. It supports the Visual Art programme’s objective of developing strong studio foundations and critical visual sensitivity. Through sustained studio engagement and reflective journaling, the course fosters analytical thinking, embodied learning, and creative discipline consistent with AUD’s liberal and practice-oriented pedagogy.

Course Description

This course introduces students to the disciplined observation of the living human body and the fundamentals of portraiture. Emphasis is placed on anatomical understanding, proportion, gesture, structure, and the study of the head. Through sustained studio practice, students explore the body in time and space, developing sensitivity to presence, movement, and expression. The course encourages perceptual accuracy, analytical drawing, and individual interpretation while building a strong foundation for advanced figure and portrait studies.

Course Objectives

 The course aims to develop the ability to closely observe and interpret the human body through direct study, while building a foundational understanding of human anatomy, proportion, gesture, and structural relationships. It introduces the fundamentals of portraiture, focusing on likeness and facial construction, and cultivates sensitivity to time, movement, posture, and presence in figure drawing. The course also seeks to strengthen perceptual, analytical, and expressive drawing skills, encouraging reflective studio practice and continuous visual inquiry. 

Course Outcome:

• CO1:  Demonstrate understanding of basic human anatomy, proportion, and gesture.
• CO2:  Draw the human figure with improved observational accuracy and structural clarity.
• CO3:  Represent body movement, posture, and temporal presence through drawing.
• CO4:  Construct and draw portraits with attention to likeness and facial anatomy.
• CO5:  Apply analytical and expressive approaches in life and portrait studies.
• CO6:  Develop a consistent studio practice and maintain a reflective visual journal.

Module Structure

Module 1: Observing the Living Body

Focus: Anatomy, proportion, gesture, skeletal and muscular structure, weight and balance, quick studies and sustained observation

This module introduces students to the disciplined observation of the human body through direct study from a live model. Emphasis is placed on understanding proportion, skeletal framework, and major muscle groups to construct the figure with clarity and balance. Through gesture drawing and sustained studies, students learn to capture weight, posture, and structural relationships while developing perceptual accuracy and analytical drawing skills.

Suggested Readings:

• Bammes, Gottfried. The Complete Guide to Anatomy for Artists and Illustrators. Search Press, 2017.
• Simblet, Sarah. Anatomy for the Artist. DK Publishing, 2001.

 

Module 2: Time, Movement and Presence

Focus: Body in time, breath, posture, rhythm, stillness and movement, spatial awareness.

This module explores the human body as a dynamic form existing in time and space. Through short and long pose studies, students observe rhythm, breath, and bodily energy while understanding posture, balance, and movement. The module encourages expressive mark-making and sequential drawing to capture temporal presence, spatial awareness, and the fluidity of form beyond static representation.

Suggested Readings:

• Hale, Robert Beverly. Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. Watson-Guptill, 1989.
• Jackson, Paul. The Complete Guide to Figure Drawing. Search Press, 2015.

Module 3: Introduction to Portraiture

Focus: Likeness, structure, facial anatomy, proportion of head, expression, tonal modelling.

This module introduces the fundamentals of portrait drawing with emphasis on likeness and structural construction of the head. Students study skull anatomy, facial proportions, and alignment while learning to observe subtle variations in expression and character. Through tonal modelling and sustained observation, the module develops the ability to render volume, depth, and individuality in portrait studies.

Suggested Readings:

Civardi, Giovanni. Portrait Drawing: A Step-by-Step Art Instruction Book. Search Press, 2002.

Edwards, Betty. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. TarcherPerigee, 2012.

Module 4:  Integrated Study – Figure and Portrait

Focus: Relationship between body and head, extended portrait studies, expressive interpretation, material exploration, sustained studio work.

This module integrates figure and portrait studies to develop a holistic understanding of the human form. Students engage in extended poses and sustained portrait drawing while exploring expressive interpretation and material experimentation. Emphasis is placed on connecting the head with the body structurally and emotionally, encouraging personal visual language and portfolio development through intensive studio practice.

Suggested Readings:

Rawson, Philip. Drawing. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1987.

Gombrich, E. H. The Story of Art. Phaidon Press, 1995.

Teaching Methods:

• Studio-Based Observational Practice Sustained drawing sessions from live models to develop close observation, proportion, and structural understanding of the human body.
• Demonstration and Guided Learning Step-by-step demonstrations by the instructor followed by supervised practice to build technical and analytical skills.
• Anatomy and Structural Analysis Focused exercises on skeletal and muscular structure to strengthen anatomical knowledge and figure construction.
• Reflective Sketchbook and Visual Journal Regular maintenance of a sketchbook documenting observations, experiments, and conceptual reflections.
• Material Exploration and Experimentation Hands-on exploration of drawing media such as charcoal, ink, graphite, and mixed media to expand expressive possibilities.
• Continuous Mentoring and Feedback Ongoing individual guidance and formative feedback to support skill development and personal artistic growth.

Assessment Scheme

• Internal Assessment – 40%
• Studio Practice & Class Participation – 10%
• Sketchbook / Visual Journal (Process Work) – 10
• Mid-Semester Portfolio Review – 20%

End Semester Assessment – 60%

• Final Studio Portfolio (Life & Portrait Studies) – 10%
• Viva Voce / Presentation – 10%
• External Jury Evaluation – 40%

Note: Assessment will include: External and internal jury in the end of every semester. (Summit 5 Final works with practice work)