| Drawing is addressed both as an essential course of study for all visual art disciplines, as well as a focused area of concentration. The SIUE Drawing curriculum begins with a technically rigorous foundation that enables students to visualize ideas, analyze structure, and translate visual phenomena rather than merely copy surfaces. As students advance through the undergraduate drawing classes, a holistic development of each student artist is nurtured. Technical and formal skills are honed in balance with personal thematic development. We are committed to making the discipline of drawing a vital and complementary practice to those working in other studio disciplines. We develop the skills for individualized research. Those accepted into the BFA program with a focus in drawing are offered studios (almost always available), and engage in critique nights attended by multiple faculty members and shared with MFA students. Other offerings include figure drawing sessions open to students and artists out in the community, membership in our student organization the Painting and Drawing Association, and dialogues with visiting artists. Brigham Dimick is Head of the Drawing Area. Jason Bly is the full-time instructor. Historically, the Drawing Area has had a variety of studio faculty teaching drawing classes. This interaction and variety of faculty from other disciplines has provided depth and richness to the drawing specialization. The Drawing Area includes two classroom studios equipped with easels and drawing horses, and is set up for figure drawing, still-life, as well as non-figurative investigations. The department as a whole places an emphasis on drawing as a vital skill for visualizing ideas. |
