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Experiments in Drawing - Fall '26

Professor: Robert Spahr, MFA
Email: rspahr@siu.edu
Phone: 618.453.6992
Office: COMM 1050C
Office Hours:
W  10:00am - 01:00pm
R  11:30am - 02:30pm
and by appointment

Required Text:

* All required readings will be available online. *

Description:

Advanced Experimental Strategies: Experiments in Drawing
An intensive production course for students who want to expand their creative possibilities and develop depth in their conceptual understanding of experimental processes and strategies in film, video or new media. May be repeated as topics differ. Sample topics include: Live Art/Generative Art, Advanced Film Arts, Poetic Autobiography, 3-D filmmaking, Experimental Animation. Restricted to 3rd Year standing or higher. Equipment usage fee: $60. Credit Hours: 3-6

We will explore the following:

• Drawing approached from multiple directions.
• Drawing as a method of investigating visual, temporal, and spacial phenomena.
• Drawing as a mode of speculation and inquiry.
• Drawing as an essential activity intrinsic to all artists & designers.

Objectives:

• To apply new information and techniques to generate experiments in drawing.
• To analyze and evaluate historical ways drawing has been used as a mode of speculation and inquiry.
• To create and evaluate new and original works of drawing as we continue to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of our creative process.

Syllabus:

# Syllabus is subject to change with notice. #

The absurd, with its rupture of rationality —of conventional ways of seeing the world— is in fact an accurate and a productive way of understanding the world.

         -- William Kentridge

Wed Aug 19
Introductions, Syllabus, & Collaborative Project

UNIT 1: DRAWING: NONSENSE TO MAKE SENSE

Wed Aug 26
Studio Day

Wed Sep 02
Studio Day

Wed Sep 09
Studio Day

Wed Sep 16
Studio Day

Wed Sep 23
Studio Day

Wed Sep 30
Studio Day

Wed Oct 07
UNIT 1: DRAWING: Nonsense to Make Sense Critique

UNIT 2: DRAWING MACHINE

Oct 14
Studio Day

Oct 21
Studio Day

Wed OCT 28
UNIT 2: DRAWING MACHINE FINAL CRITIQUE

UNIT 3: SELF-INITIATED PROJECT

Wed Nov 04
Studio Day

Wed Nov 11
Veterans Day - No Class Meeting

Wed Nov 18
Studio Day

Saturday 11/23 - Sunday 11/29
THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec 02
UNIT 3: SELF-INITIATED PROJECT CRITIQUE

Dec 07-11
FINALS WEEK

Supply List (Required)

**All required supply list materials must be brought to each class meeting**

Supply List (suggested)

Evaluation:

The work in this course requires motivation, exploration, risk-taking, and most importantly, an openness to new ideas. The grading policy of this class is meant to encourage you to explore new ideas and take chances. Do not think in terms of "What must I do to receive an A grade", but think in terms of what you would like to learn.

Attendance: You are expected to attend ALL classes. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absence. IFour (4) or more unexcused absences will result in automatic failure for the course. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class and absences will affect your grade. 3 lates = 1 absence. You will be marked "late" if you are not in the classroom fifteen minutes after class begins. Leaving during class and/or leaving class early will be considered equivalent to being late. Arriving later, or leaving earlier, than 30 minutes = 1 absence.

Due to the nature of practiced based courses, the class itself cannot be made up due to absences as it is an experiential course dependent on in-class participation in critiques and completion of exercises/projects.

For absences due to medical issues to be excused, appropriate documentation is necessary. You must also email the professor at rspahr@siu.edu prior to being absent.

Assignments: All Unit Projects are due at the beginning of class. Homework assignments are due the following week after being assigned. Late projects will not be accepted.

Critique: Critique is how we assess your progress in a studio/production course and is equivalent to an exam in a studies course. Students will work closely with each other to develop their projects. This includes developing your verbal skills, confidence, and insights about receiving and providing criticism. Students will work to express themselves clearly while respectfully discussing their own and others artwork.

Critique Guidelines:
1. Be attentive. (look and linger)
2. Don't be lazy (don't use lazy comments like "interesting", "I like it.", "I hate it."
3. Be generous and have empathy for others.
4. Find your entry point into the work. (ex: formal issues or subject matter)
5. Be respectful of others. Don't be a jerk.
6. Put yourself out there.

Sketchbook: Students should document their creative process and artistic development within the sketchbook. The sketchbook should also be used to take notes and capture ideas during critique. Think of the sketchbook as a resource to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore. There are several homework assignments that must be completed in the sketchbook.

Grading:

Each Project will be graded on artistic, creative, and intellectual merit.

• 30% Originality of concept
• 50% Delivery / Craft / Process
• 20% Critique & participation

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

• 25% Unit One
• 25% Unit Two
• 25% Unit Three
• 15% Participation/Exercises
• 10% Sketchbook

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone use for the purposes of texting, email, or other social media is not permitted. Earphones for music can be used during studio work, as long as the volume allows you to hear announcements. Also cell phone or other cameras may be used to photograph projects in progress.

Web Resources

Elements of Art & Principles of Organization (PDF)

Leonardo DaVinci Anatomy Drawings (PDF)

William S. Burroughs: The Cut-Up Method of Brion Gysin (PDF)

William Carlos Williams: Red Wheel Barrow (PDF)

Radical doodles – how ‘exquisite corpse’ games embodied the Surrealist movement

SIU Syllabus Attachment

SIU Syllabus Attachment - Fall '26 - PDF