AP Studio Art

Introduction

Fort LeBoeuf High School

Ms. Peters

AP Studio Art – students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The portfolios are reviewed by college, university, and secondary school art instructors using rigorous standards.

3 Portfolio Options – Drawing, 2-D Design, 3-D Design

(FLB HS – we do Drawing)

Drawing Portfolio

Section I – Quality 5 actual works (that excel in concept, composition, execution)

Section II – Concentration 12 slides; some may be details (a series of works organized around a visual concept in drawing)

Section III – Breadth 12 slides; one slide each of 12 different works (that demonstrate a variety of concepts, media, and approaches)

Works submitted in Section I may be submitted in slide form in either Section II (Concentration), or Section III (Breadth), but NOT both. (at least 24 pieces??)

Drawing Portfolio

Themes: A very broad interpretation of drawing issues and media.

Drawing issues – Value, line quality, rendering of 3-D form, composition, surface quality, illusion of depth.

Media – drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media.

Focus on observational works, yet abstract and inventive works may qualify.

Drawing Portfolio

Section I – Quality 5 actual works (that excel in concept, composition, execution)

Select examples of your best work in which the evaluators will recognize quality and demonstrate concept, composition, and technical skills.

Artwork – various media – flat paper, cardboard, unstretched canvas (no larger than 18” by 24” – including matting)

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration 12 slides

A concentration is a body of related works based on an individual’s interest in a particular idea expressed visually. It focuses on a process of investigation, growth, and discovery. It is not a selection of a variety of works produced as solutions to class projects, or a collection of works with differing intents. Students should be encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as intensely as possible; they are free to work with any idea in any medium that addresses drawing (painting/printmaking/collage) issues.

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration 12 slides

The concentration should grow out of, and demonstrate, a plan of action or investigation in which the student has invested considerable time, effort, and thought.

The evaluator’s are interested in the artwork, but also the visual evidence of the student’s thinking selected method of working, and development of the work over time.

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration

Requirements: 12 slides must be submitted.

The works should be unified by an underlying idea or theme. The choices of technique, medium, style, form, subject, and content are made by the student, in consultation with the teacher.

A written commentary explaining the development of the concentration must accompany the work in this section.

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration Examples:

A series of expressive landscapes based upon personal experiences of a particular place

Abstraction developed from cells and other microscopic images

A series of self-portraits with a specific theme

Interpretive self-portraiture and figure studies that emphasize exaggeration and distortion

A personal family history communicated through the content and style of still-life images

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration Examples

A project that explores interior or exterior architectural space, emphasizing principles of perspective, structure, light, etc.

A figurative project combining animal and human subjects – drawings, studies, and completed works

An interpretive study of literary characters in which mixed media, color, and form are explored

The use of multiple images to create compositions that reflect psychological or narrative events

Drawing Portfolio

Section II – Concentration

Requirements: 12 slides (some of which may be details) Most likely the student will produce more than 12 works and select the best. The choice of works to submit should be made to present the concentration as clearly as possible (this could include unresolved works that show the evolution of thinking and of the work).

Section II – Concentration and Section III – Breadth, may not contain slides of the same work

Drawing Portfolio

Section III – Breadth

Breadth refers to a student’s experiences and accomplishments in a variety of art forms and techniques. The student’s work in this section should show evidence of conceptual, perceptual, expressive, and technical range; thus, the student should be introduced to a variety of problems in drawing. Class assignments may be used (Art I, Art II, Art Appreciation, Advanced Art).

Drawing Portfolio

Section III – Breadth

Requirements: 12 slides of 12 different works. Detail slides may NOT be included.

Section II – Concentration and Section III – Breadth, may not contain slides of the same work

Drawing Portfolio

Section III – Breadth

In this section students are asked to present evidence of their ability to work on a wide variety of drawing problems (can include printmaking).

A demonstration of advanced drawing concepts: line and tone, observation of 3-D subjects, invented or nonobjective subjects.

The best demonstrations of breadth show experimentation in approach to the work – variety of media, conceptual approaches, and physical means of creating art (single medium or variety of media)

Drawing Portfolio

Section III – Breadth

Possible approaches could include:

element of space (spatial systems) – illusion of 3-D, perspective, aerial views, organization of space

Use of various subjects – human figure, landscape, still-life

Use of various content – observational, expressionistic viewpoint, imaginary or psychological imagery, social commentary, political statements, other personal interests

Drawing Portfolio

Section III – Breadth

Other possible approaches should include:

Arrangement of forms in a complex visual space

The use of different approaches to represent form and space, such as rendered, gestural, painterly, expressionist, stylized, or abstract form

The investigation of expressive mark-making

Fitting Art In

Time management – stay focused and motivated during class. Create a timetable of projects.

Look at earlier work as inspiration for a concentration.

Meet with teacher at least once a week. Meet with fellow AP students. After-school, tutorial. Discuss ideas, look at progress, gather materials. Work at FLB and at home.

Preparing for Concentration

To help you select a Concentration, complete a series of beginning assignments:

1. Still-life in b/w charcoal on colored paper

2. Cubist drawing in pencil (or other media)

3. Surreal drawing in colored pencil (or other media)

4. Figure drawing in charcoal or pencil

5. Combine parts of four animals to create an animal that will enhance life on earth

Preparing for Concentration

To help you select a Concentration, complete a series of beginning assignments:

6. Positive/Negative design in ink

7. Landscape drawing on location on school campus

8. Acrylic or Watercolor abstract painting

9. Scratchboard

10. Architectural drawing in paint, markers, or colored pencil (Fauvist or other style)

Preparing for Concentration

After completing beginning assignments, it is often easier to decide on a Concentration. If unsure, work on a broader scope (realism, abstraction) and complete 2 preliminary pieces.

If beginning assignments are of high quality, but don’t fit into Concentration – use them in Section III-Breadth.

Preparing for Portfolio

Keep all finished projects neat. Decide if something is of high quality and should be included in portfolio (sometimes one or two unfinished works that display thinking can be used).

Take slides in the Spring. Ms. Peters will do this for you – you will assist hanging of work. 1 to 2 days after-school. We can also do this before you are totally finished.

Evening of the Arts

You will set up a display of your work for the Evening of the Arts talent show.

You may help create the poster and program design – especially if it fits into your concentration.

AP Student Work