The Academy: Year One: Drawing

The Academy at Scottsdale Artists’ School is an accelerated two year training program with information and organization similar to schools of the mid nineteenth century. Drawing is taught the first year, with 6 intensive studio classes and 2 lecture courses. This 300 page textbook organizes the Academy student’s first year. While it is not designed to be a stand alone art instruction book, it is an invaluable resource for students attending the Academy, or those interested in a similar pursuit. The illustrated text is organized into 3 sections. Section one provides schedules, course descriptions, supply lists, and assignment guidelines. Section two is filled with illustrated demonstrations and step-by-step guides walking the student through processes first demonstrated in class. Section three contains exercise workbooks, resource information, working tools, suggested books, and artists for students to research. It ends with ruled pages for students to take and organize notes from the two lecture courses. Lacking dazzling graphics and poetic insights into Art, this is a true workhorse book, densely packed with necessary information and demonstrations ranging from topics as simple as how to hold charcoal to the complexity of the entire drawing procedure.