ARTT 210: Intermediate Drawing

ARTT 210 at the University of Maryland Global Campus is a continuing examination of drawing materials and techniques, with ARTT 110 as the prerequisite.

UMGC states the objective as applying drawing techniques and visual principles to various subjects, communicating through drawing and critiquing works of art. More advanced media, compositions, techniques and subjects are explored than in the introductory course.

Where ARTT 110 trains you to see and record accurately, ARTT 210 asks you to make more deliberate choices: which medium suits an idea, how a composition directs attention and how a drawing can express something beyond accurate description.

The step up students notice most is that technique alone is no longer enough; intention and the ability to explain it matter more.

What ARTT 210 Typically Explores

Your syllabus sets the exact projects; the table shows the kinds of extension an intermediate drawing course usually involves.

Key Concepts Explained

Working on Toned Paper

Starting from a mid-tone surface lets you add both darks and lights, which speeds up value work and produces a strong sense of light.

Perspective in Complex Scenes

One- and two-point perspective help with interiors and buildings; atmospheric perspective (lighter, cooler, less detailed in the distance) helps with landscapes.

Mark-Making as Expression

Fast, broken marks convey energy; slow, layered tone conveys calm. Choosing marks deliberately turns a technical drawing into an expressive one.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Critiquing at an Intermediate Level

Critiques in ARTT 210 should go beyond "accurate" or "inaccurate". Discuss how the medium and marks contribute to the mood, how the composition leads the eye and whether the drawing communicates its idea. Refer to visual principles by name, such as emphasis, contrast and rhythm, and point to where they occur.

When critiquing published artworks, connect the artist's choices to their effect. Looking closely at how master drawings handle line and value is also one of the best ways to improve your own work.

Where Students Get Stuck

• Overworking. Know when to stop; step back often.
• New media frustration. Practice on scraps before committing.
• Empty compositions. Plan the whole page, not just the subject.
• Descriptive critiques. Interpret and evaluate, not just describe.

Developing Intention and Personal Voice

An intermediate course is a good place to start developing your own direction. Within each project brief, look for a choice you can make: a subject that interests you, an unusual viewpoint, a medium you want to push further.

Writing a sentence or two of intent before you start keeps the drawing focused and gives you a clear basis for evaluating it afterwards.

Look at drawings by artists you admire and ask what makes them distinctive: the kind of line, the handling of tone, the way space is used. Borrowing a single technique for a study, and saying so in your reflection, is a legitimate way to learn and broadens the range of approaches you can call on.

Study Tips for ARTT 210

• Do short master copies to study how artists handle line and tone.
• Keep a page of media tests for reference.
• Photograph work in progress to review composition with fresh eyes.
• Write a few notes on intent before starting each project.

How We Help with ARTT 210

Send the project brief, rubric, photos of your drawings and instructor feedback. A tutor with a fine art background can give detailed feedback, explain techniques and help you write critiques, reflections or artist statements. Our critical analysis essay guide helps with longer critical writing.

GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. We never create artwork for you to submit; your drawings must be your own, and written help is a study aid under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Written work includes free revisions within the scope of your original request.