Advice from Current AP Students to Incoming ('05 - '06) Students
Pace Yourself.
Let me start off by saying that AP Art is a great class. At first, the requirements for the AP Art Portfolio may seem overwhelming, but if you pace yourself, you will do just fine. Don't get me wrong, producing one piece per week can be hectic with a busy schedule, but if you use class time wisely, it will be a breeze. There are so many resources in the classroom to use, to help with creating art. This isn’t just paints and brushes, it is the teacher and your classmates. Getting advice from the people around you is the best and most beneficial resource you have. Just remember to use the class time because you can actually get a lot more done than you think. Applying for AP Art was your decision, so it really helps if you enjoy creating art. (CH)
Turn in Work on Time - Always.
One project can mess you up. Always try your best. Always take advice from your peers. Never decide your concentration at the very end. Pick a CREATIVE concentration. Give it a lot of thought. NEVER procrastinate (yeah right). (MW)
Lots of Advice.
I have a lot of advice for you. One, do not procrastinate or else you will find yourself staying up 'till one in the morning painting all your pieces. Definitely establish a close group of friends. Find a concentration early. Don’t delay your 1/1s and do some extra credit just in case. This class is easy as long as you do not procrastinate. (TN)
Do Not Proscrastinate.
Pop out paintings like you’d pop out a child Make sure you are on top of all your 1/1s. Keep up with painting by writing in your project log. Love your concentration. Otherwise work will be tedious. (NW)
Prepare Yourself.
You never know when an idea will come to you. I’m SURE you’ll have an amazing year next year. Enjoy every bit of time you have with other wonderful artists! Yet even the best artist needs to have the perseverance and organization to keep going. Please know that, although you have the freedom to do what you want artistically, you have to be in the "AP mindset" and remember you’re in an advanced class. Take it upon yourself to do advanced work. PUSH YOURSELF but have fun! It’s hard not to. See you next year! (AG)
Choose your Concentrations Early.
They should choose their concentrations early on in the year so that they won’t have to worry about that at the last minute. Also, start taking slides for your AP Art final at least a month before it’s due. I would also tell them to have fun but get down to work when it is necessary. Also, don’t be afraid to go out of what you’re comfortable with doing and try new mediums. Also, BE PROUD OF YOUR WORK! (CS)
Do More Than You Have To.
1. DON’T WAIT FOR 1/1. Always do one project a week so that you don’t have to do six paintings the night before
2. TRY NEW STUFF. There are lot of different mediums you can use and better yet that are available to you in the art room. Just remember: there’s nothing the AP likes more than lots of different high quality stuff. And if that’s not true, it’s because they suck.
3. FIND A CONCENTRATION. Start as soon as possible, because you want this one to be good.
4. MAKE FRIENDS. You’re going to have to do this at some point in your life, now’s a good time to start.
5. WORK AT LUNCH. An hour is not really enough time to figure everything out and start working, so come in at lunch.
6. DON’T HALF-ASS IT FOR CRITIQUES. There’s no pride whatsoever in presenting a blue canvas and telling people what you are going to do.
7. BE NICE BUT NOT TOO NICE. There’s a difference between being a jerk and being honest. People gain more from criticism than from people just saying "nice" things.
8. WORK AT HOME. If you want to do anything good, or slack off, or do good stuff and slack off, you’re going to need to work at home.
9. DO MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO. If you have a lot of pieces, you can be selective about what you show.
10. DO OBSERVATIONAL WORK. It’s a pain in the ass but you’ll be better for it.
11. GO TO AS MUCH FIGURE DRAWING AS POSSIBLE. This is an artistic challenge and you will learn a lot from it. Besides, there’s nothing like naked people.
12. DRAW HOW YOU LIKE. All that matters in the end is that you’re proud of what you’ve done.
13. DO EXTRA CREDIT. It’s a nice safety net to have.
14. DON’T BE AFRAID TO RUIN A PIECE. In art, the possibility of gaining a skill ALWAYS outweighs an individual painting.
15. GET YOUR SLIDES DONE. The points to difficulty ratio is absurdly in your favor, so don’t think you will just do them the week before the AP. (CL)
Do Your Work!
Don’t put things off. Keep your work in check; fill out the list you get at the start of class. Always have work for critiques. Explore new mediums. (TF)
Please Do Not Compare Yourself to Other Artists in the Class.
You are all doing something different! Don’t freak out about how good people are; you are good too - otherwise you would not be here! Use class time! Surround yourself with things that interest you. Do not wait for the inspiration genie to visit you. Think of art-making like any other sort of exercise; it’s easier with time and regularity. Put in a little bit of time every day rather than trying marathon sessions. Work even and especially when you don’t "feel" like it! Enjoy! (AB)