ARTT 110 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is a hands-on introduction to various drawing media and related techniques.
UMGC sets three objectives: translate the three-dimensional world into two dimensions, communicate through a visual medium and critique visual works of art. Projects are based on nature and still life.
ARTT 110 is the listed prerequisite for both ARTT 210 Intermediate Drawing and ARTT 320 Painting. Many students arrive believing they "cannot draw".
In practice, drawing is a learnable skill of seeing: measuring proportions, noticing light and shadow and recording what is really there rather than what you expect. The written side, critiquing your own and others' work, surprises students more than the drawing.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | ARTT 110 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Level | Introductory undergraduate |
| Subjects | Nature and still life |
| Leads to | ARTT 210 Intermediate Drawing and ARTT 320 Painting (ARTT 110 is their prerequisite) |
What ARTT 110 Covers
| Skill | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Drawing media | Graphite, charcoal, ink and other media, and what each does well |
| Line and contour | Blind and modified contour, gesture, line weight |
| Proportion and measurement | Sighting, comparing angles and relative sizes |
| Value and form | Light, shadow and shading to make objects look three-dimensional |
| Space and composition | Placement on the page, overlap, basic perspective |
| Critique | Describing, analyzing and evaluating visual work |
Key Concepts Explained
Value Creates Form
Value is the lightness or darkness of a tone. Objects look solid when you show the light side, the shadow side, the core shadow, reflected light and the cast shadow.
Example: Drawing an egg under a single lamp, lightly mark the edge of the cast shadow and the line where light turns to shadow first. Then build tones from light to dark in layers, keeping the cast shadow darkest close to the egg. A five-step value scale drawn beforehand helps you match tones.
Draw What You See
Beginners often draw symbols, such as an almond-shaped eye or a perfect ellipse. Sighting with a pencil at arm's length to compare widths and angles corrects those habits.
Composition
Where you place a still life on the page, and how much space surrounds it, changes how the drawing feels. Thumbnail sketches let you try options quickly.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Still-life drawings | Observation, proportion, value | Set strong single-source lighting; thumbnail first |
| Nature studies | Line, texture and organic form | Start with gesture, then refine contours and detail |
| Sketchbook practice | Regular skill building | Short daily drawings beat occasional long sessions |
| Written critique | Visual analysis | Describe, analyze, interpret, then evaluate with evidence |
Writing a Useful Critique
A common structure for critique moves through four steps: describe what you see (subject, media, size), analyze how the elements and principles of art are used (line, value, balance, emphasis), interpret what the work communicates and evaluate how well it succeeds. Each judgment should point to something visible in the drawing.
When critiquing your own work, be specific and constructive: "the shadow side of the jug is too light, so it looks flat; next time I will push the darkest values further" is far more useful than "it could be better". Instructors look for this kind of self-awareness because it shows you are learning to see.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Timid values. Most beginner drawings need darker darks.
- Outlines around everything. Let value, not heavy lines, describe form.
- Proportion drift. Check measurements repeatedly as you work.
- Poor photos of work. Photograph drawings flat, in even daylight, without glare.
Taking a Drawing Course Online
Studying drawing at a distance has particular demands. You set up your own still lifes, manage your own lighting and share your work through photographs, so your instructor sees the drawing only as well as you capture it.
Set up a consistent corner for drawing with one adjustable lamp, and photograph each piece straight on, filling the frame, in even daylight.
Online critique also depends on clear writing. When you comment on classmates' work, name what you see and offer one concrete suggestion. When you post your own, add a short note on what you were attempting, so feedback can address your intention rather than guessing at it.
Study Tips for ARTT 110
- Draw for 15 minutes a day in your sketchbook.
- Use one lamp for still lifes to get clear shadows.
- Squint to simplify values into light, middle and dark.
- Keep early drawings so you can see progress in reflections.
How We Help with ARTT 110
Send the project brief, rubric, photos of your drawings and any instructor feedback. A tutor with a fine art background can give specific feedback on your drawings, explain techniques and help you write critiques, artist statements or reflections. Our critical analysis essay guide is useful for longer written critiques.
GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. We never produce artwork for you to submit: your drawings must be your own, and written work we help with is a study aid for you to learn from under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Written help comes with free revisions within the scope of your original request.
Get Feedback on Your ARTT 110 Work
Share your drawings, the project brief and instructor comments. We give clear, specific feedback and help with written critiques and reflections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a hands-on introduction to drawing media and techniques.
UMGC states that projects are based on nature and still life.
Translating the three-dimensional world into two dimensions, communicating through a visual medium and critiquing visual works of art.
ARTT 110 is the listed prerequisite for ARTT 210 Intermediate Drawing and ARTT 320 Painting.
Describe the work, analyze how elements and principles are used, interpret its meaning and evaluate its success, supporting each point with what you see.
No. Your artwork must be your own. We give feedback, explain techniques and help with the written parts of the course.