AP Studio Art Course Syllabus
Advanced Placement Studio Art is a course that is designed to fulfill the requirements of the College Board program of study. AP Studio Art is a challenging and rigorous course that has at its core the generation of a substantial body of very high quality works of art. The coursework is expected to be at the college level in terms of its quality in subject, content and form. The success of AP Studio Art requires a strong commitment from the teacher(s), the school and highly motivated students. The program of study follows the course description provided by the College Board.
The core of the program is essentially a portfolio course involving three sections.
These are The Quality Portfolio, The Concentration Portfolio and The Breadth Portfolio:
1. The Quality Portfolio requires five of the very best works from the other two portfolios.
2. The Concentration Portfolio contains twelve works that are related to each other in a variety of ways. The Concentration Portfolio involves a written plan of study in an area of investigation that is pursued through several art works.
3. The Breadth Portfolio contains twelve strong pieces that explore numerous subjects using a variety of media. The Elements and Principles of art should be evident in the development of conceptual approaches to composition and problem solving.
The body of work completed for each of the three portfolios must comply with specific program areas. The areas of study in AP Studio Art fall into one of the following categories: The Drawing Portfolio, the 2-D Design Portfolio or the 3-D Design Portfolio.
SECTION I:
THE QUALITY PORTFOLIO
The five works included in this section should demonstrate concepts, composition, technical skills and the realization of artistic intent. The works may be distinctly different or related and can utilize a variety of media. The actual works must be shown and should not be larger than 18”x24”. The evaluators should be able to recognize the students’ best quality in concept and execution. Separate works are to be completed for each of the Breadth and Concentration Portfolios. Selections of the best work from each portfolio will comprise the Quality Portfolio.
SECTION II:
CONCENTRATION PORTFOLIO
The twelve pieces in this section should represent a body of work of the students’ interest in an idea that is expressed in visual terms. The works should show exploration and growth while investigating an in-depth problem or theme. The concentration of work should show development of thinking over time and considerable effort should be evident. A written piece describing the nature of the project, the development and sources of ideas and the media is also required. The twelve pieces selected for this section are to be presented in a slide format.
DEVELOPING THE CONCENTRATION PORTFOLIO:
A concentration is a body of works based on a student’s interest in a particular idea expressed visually. When developing a concentration, students will be encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as extensively as possible. Each student will select a thematic concept. Students will be given freedom to choose from a vast range of ideas and media. 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. An overview of the requirements for the concentration portfolio will be provided along with a presentation of examples of artists’ concentrations throughout history.
Requirements for this portfolio include fifteen to twenty works, from which the best twelve slides are selected, a sketchbook/journal, and a written commentary. In two weeks, students will need to bring in ideas, sketches, notes, and a rough draft of their written commentary. The written commentary has three parts: 1. Briefly describe the nature of your concentration project. 2. Briefly describe the development of your concentration and the sources of your ideas. 3. Provide a description of the media used.
SECTION III:
BREADTH PORTFOLIO
The twelve works completed for this portfolio should show evidence of an ability to work on a wide range of problems. The pursuit of advanced drawing concepts and a broad range of drawing alternatives should be experienced. The work completed also includes technical observation, perceptual solutions and expression. The translation of invented, nonobjective subjects into the two dimensional surface is encouraged. A strong demonstration of breadth is evident through experimentation in approach in conjunction with conceptual thought and physical processes. The twelve pieces for this section are presented in slide format.
DEVELOPING THE BREADTH PORTFOLIO:
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. Students are expected to submit fifteen to twenty works in this portfolio. Requirements for this section are the students best twelve slides of work demonstrating a broad range of experimentation and artistic solutions.
The core of the program is essentially a portfolio course involving three sections.
These are The Quality Portfolio, The Concentration Portfolio and The Breadth Portfolio:
1. The Quality Portfolio requires five of the very best works from the other two portfolios.
2. The Concentration Portfolio contains twelve works that are related to each other in a variety of ways. The Concentration Portfolio involves a written plan of study in an area of investigation that is pursued through several art works.
3. The Breadth Portfolio contains twelve strong pieces that explore numerous subjects using a variety of media. The Elements and Principles of art should be evident in the development of conceptual approaches to composition and problem solving.
The body of work completed for each of the three portfolios must comply with specific program areas. The areas of study in AP Studio Art fall into one of the following categories: The Drawing Portfolio, the 2-D Design Portfolio or the 3-D Design Portfolio.
SECTION I:
THE QUALITY PORTFOLIO
The five works included in this section should demonstrate concepts, composition, technical skills and the realization of artistic intent. The works may be distinctly different or related and can utilize a variety of media. The actual works must be shown and should not be larger than 18”x24”. The evaluators should be able to recognize the students’ best quality in concept and execution. Separate works are to be completed for each of the Breadth and Concentration Portfolios. Selections of the best work from each portfolio will comprise the Quality Portfolio.
SECTION II:
CONCENTRATION PORTFOLIO
The twelve pieces in this section should represent a body of work of the students’ interest in an idea that is expressed in visual terms. The works should show exploration and growth while investigating an in-depth problem or theme. The concentration of work should show development of thinking over time and considerable effort should be evident. A written piece describing the nature of the project, the development and sources of ideas and the media is also required. The twelve pieces selected for this section are to be presented in a slide format.
DEVELOPING THE CONCENTRATION PORTFOLIO:
A concentration is a body of works based on a student’s interest in a particular idea expressed visually. When developing a concentration, students will be encouraged to explore a personal, central interest as extensively as possible. Each student will select a thematic concept. Students will be given freedom to choose from a vast range of ideas and media. 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. An overview of the requirements for the concentration portfolio will be provided along with a presentation of examples of artists’ concentrations throughout history.
Requirements for this portfolio include fifteen to twenty works, from which the best twelve slides are selected, a sketchbook/journal, and a written commentary. In two weeks, students will need to bring in ideas, sketches, notes, and a rough draft of their written commentary. The written commentary has three parts: 1. Briefly describe the nature of your concentration project. 2. Briefly describe the development of your concentration and the sources of your ideas. 3. Provide a description of the media used.
SECTION III:
BREADTH PORTFOLIO
The twelve works completed for this portfolio should show evidence of an ability to work on a wide range of problems. The pursuit of advanced drawing concepts and a broad range of drawing alternatives should be experienced. The work completed also includes technical observation, perceptual solutions and expression. The translation of invented, nonobjective subjects into the two dimensional surface is encouraged. A strong demonstration of breadth is evident through experimentation in approach in conjunction with conceptual thought and physical processes. The twelve pieces for this section are presented in slide format.
DEVELOPING THE BREADTH PORTFOLIO:
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. Students are expected to submit fifteen to twenty works in this portfolio. Requirements for this section are the students best twelve slides of work demonstrating a broad range of experimentation and artistic solutions.
A.P. COURSE OVERVIEW
COURSE CONTENT
Advanced Placement Studio Art is a highly rigorous and competitive course. Students are expected to work inside and outside of the classroom. Students enrolled in AP Studio Art will be required to complete a minimum of 12-18 works of art by the end of the course. Of the student’s artworks, a minimum of twenty-four pieces will need to be selected for the portfolio.
PORTFOLIO
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PORTFOLIO REQUIRMENTS:
CONCENTRATION = 12
BREADTH = 12
QUALITY = 5 (May Repeat)
TOTAL ARTWORKS = 24 (MINIMUM)
Each students enrolled in this course will work towards producing a portfolio at the end of the A.P. process that contains a minimum of twenty-four works of art.
*See the A.P. Brochure and/or the above for specific requirements.
SKETCHBOOK
Students will also be required to keep a sketchbook and use it regularly to compose visual ideas, notes, photos, make doodles, plan compositions and future ideas, short assignments, quick drawings, and practice of various techniques. Many art schools and I will want to see how your mind works creatively.
*See sketchbooks assignment section.
SCHEDULE
The pace of the class will be very intense and students must maximize their class and personal time if they plan to succeed. Students will be expected to complete a finished artwork every two-and-a-half to three weeks. Artwork must be photographed upon completion and stored on USB drive.
CRITIQUES
Critiques will be scheduled on Monday’s throughout the year. They will be used to discuss artwork and the progress being made in the course by each student. Ongoing critical analysis, through individual critiques, enables both the students and the teacher to assess the strengths and weaknesses in the work.
*See critique schedule for specific dates.
“Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist” by: Rene’ Magritte
CONFERENCES
All students will be required to set up a CONFERENCE time with the instructor before, during or after school throughout the semester. These conferences will be used to discuss, evaluate and monitor each student’s progress in this course.
ART SUPPLIES
All students will be given an art kit at the start of the school year. However, I strongly encourage all students to purchase their own art supplies as needed. Students are responsible for maintaining all supplies and replacing all lost or broken items. Students will also have access to a wide variety of papers, paints and other essential art materials. *See teacher for additional needs.
• Portfolio (20”x26”)
• Artbin Art Box
• Sketchbook (9”x12”)
• Paint Palette
• Paint Brushes (5pack)
• Acrylic Paints
• Pastels (Oil & Chalk)
• Prismacolor Pencils (24pack)
• Graphite Pencils (4B, 2B, HB, 2H, 4H)
• Ink Pens (.25, .45)
• Design Kneaded Eraser
• Steadtler White Vinyl Eraser
CRITIQUES
I highly encourage every student to purchase and read “The Artist’s Way” A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by: Julie Cameron
THE FOUR C’s
Focus on the Four "Cs"…to help ensure that you focus on doing good "C" work.
The Four C’s are:
1. Compelling -meaning eye-catching or intriguing.
2. Capable -when it comes to understanding the medium and its uses and application.
3. Confident -in terms of a sense of adventure and willingness to experiment and take risks.
4. Complete -as in realizing that one has attained to the degree possible what one set out to accomplish.
“ The world of reality has limits; the world of imagination is boundless” by Rousseau
COURSE CONTENT
Advanced Placement Studio Art is a highly rigorous and competitive course. Students are expected to work inside and outside of the classroom. Students enrolled in AP Studio Art will be required to complete a minimum of 12-18 works of art by the end of the course. Of the student’s artworks, a minimum of twenty-four pieces will need to be selected for the portfolio.
PORTFOLIO
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PORTFOLIO REQUIRMENTS:
CONCENTRATION = 12
BREADTH = 12
QUALITY = 5 (May Repeat)
TOTAL ARTWORKS = 24 (MINIMUM)
Each students enrolled in this course will work towards producing a portfolio at the end of the A.P. process that contains a minimum of twenty-four works of art.
*See the A.P. Brochure and/or the above for specific requirements.
SKETCHBOOK
Students will also be required to keep a sketchbook and use it regularly to compose visual ideas, notes, photos, make doodles, plan compositions and future ideas, short assignments, quick drawings, and practice of various techniques. Many art schools and I will want to see how your mind works creatively.
*See sketchbooks assignment section.
SCHEDULE
The pace of the class will be very intense and students must maximize their class and personal time if they plan to succeed. Students will be expected to complete a finished artwork every two-and-a-half to three weeks. Artwork must be photographed upon completion and stored on USB drive.
CRITIQUES
Critiques will be scheduled on Monday’s throughout the year. They will be used to discuss artwork and the progress being made in the course by each student. Ongoing critical analysis, through individual critiques, enables both the students and the teacher to assess the strengths and weaknesses in the work.
*See critique schedule for specific dates.
“Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist” by: Rene’ Magritte
CONFERENCES
All students will be required to set up a CONFERENCE time with the instructor before, during or after school throughout the semester. These conferences will be used to discuss, evaluate and monitor each student’s progress in this course.
ART SUPPLIES
All students will be given an art kit at the start of the school year. However, I strongly encourage all students to purchase their own art supplies as needed. Students are responsible for maintaining all supplies and replacing all lost or broken items. Students will also have access to a wide variety of papers, paints and other essential art materials. *See teacher for additional needs.
• Portfolio (20”x26”)
• Artbin Art Box
• Sketchbook (9”x12”)
• Paint Palette
• Paint Brushes (5pack)
• Acrylic Paints
• Pastels (Oil & Chalk)
• Prismacolor Pencils (24pack)
• Graphite Pencils (4B, 2B, HB, 2H, 4H)
• Ink Pens (.25, .45)
• Design Kneaded Eraser
• Steadtler White Vinyl Eraser
CRITIQUES
I highly encourage every student to purchase and read “The Artist’s Way” A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by: Julie Cameron
THE FOUR C’s
Focus on the Four "Cs"…to help ensure that you focus on doing good "C" work.
The Four C’s are:
1. Compelling -meaning eye-catching or intriguing.
2. Capable -when it comes to understanding the medium and its uses and application.
3. Confident -in terms of a sense of adventure and willingness to experiment and take risks.
4. Complete -as in realizing that one has attained to the degree possible what one set out to accomplish.
“ The world of reality has limits; the world of imagination is boundless” by Rousseau