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AP Art Syllabus


Students with several AP classes state that AP Art may be more time consuming than AP English, Chemistry and History. Think about what other AP classes you are taking during the school year. Three AP classes is a big commitment; and you might not totally realize how much work you’ve taken on until you are in the middle of your classes.

You will choose one of the following portfolios subjects:
  • Drawing,
  • 2D Design,
  • 3D Design.

Drawing is generally considered more rigorous and harder to pass than 2D Design.

Drawing:

Drawing is "designed to address a broad interpretation of drawing issues. For example, printing, printmaking, studies for sculpture, some forms of design and abstract and observational works would qualify as addressing drawing issues. Photos, digital works, videotapes, three-dimensional works, and color photocopies of your work in other media may not be submitted."

2D Design:

2D Design asks you to "demonstrate a conscious and deliberate application of design issues using a variety of forms. These could include, but are not limited to, graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, printmaking, etc. Regardless of the medium, you should submit only works in which design is the primary strength of the work."

3D Design:

3D Design "is intended to address a broad interpretation of sculptural issues in depth and space. They may include mass, volume, form, plane, light and texture. Examples of approaches include traditional sculpture, architectural models, ceramics, and three-dimensional fiber arts or metal work, among others."

AP Art Portfolio:

The AP Art portfolio consists of three sections:
  • Quality (5 pieces) Excellence demonstrated in original artwork
    "Quality is evident in the concept, composition and technical skills of your work. You are asked to demonstrate quality through carefully selected examples of your work: work that succeeds in developing your intention, in terms of both concept and execution…. Flat paper, cardboard, canvas board or unstretched canvas are acceptable." Maximum size: 18x24"

  • Concentration (12 pieces) An in-depth, personal commitment to a particular artistic concern.
    "In this section, you are asked to demonstrate your personal commitment to a specific visual idea or mode of working. To do this, you should present an aspect of your work or a specific project in which you have invested considerable time, effort and thought. It is important to define your concentration early in the year so that the work you submit will have the focus and direction required for a concentration. A concentration is a body of related works that:
    Are based on your individual interest in a particular idea expressed visually;
    Are focused on a process of investigation, growth and discovery;
    Show the development of a visual language appropriate for your subject;
    Are unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence; AND
    Grow out of a coherent plan of action or investigation."

  • Breadth (12 pieces) A variety of experiences in using the formal, technical and expressive means available to an artist.
    "Breadth in this portfolio refers to your experiences and accomplishments in a variety of two-dimensional art forms, concepts and techniques. Successful works of art require the integration of elements and principles of design; you are asked to demonstrate that you are actively working with these concepts while thoughtfully composing your art … They do not simply use a variety of media, but combine a range of conceptual approaches and physical means of creating art."

TOTAL= 29 pieces due by the end of April (must be submitted in slide form)

What AP Judges Want to See:

The AP judges prefer to see drawings of real, three-dimensional subjects drawn from observation. Please avoid the following: mushrooms, fairies, sunsets, rainbows. dragons, cartoons, ponies (especially with eyelashes), rainbows, suns with sunglasses and tongues sticking out and "m" birds.

The AP judges want to see you draw from observation, making the translation from three dimensions to two dimensions yourself. They do NOT want you to copy from photographs because they do not allow you to create your own composition and work with your own ideas. Do not work from photographs unless you substantially alter the image. You could decide to start with an image as inspiration, then change it using color, abstraction or other interpretative techniques. Simply copying photographs does not produce AP-approved work. You may use photographs you take yourself as reference. Be aware, however, that work from photographs tends to look "flat" since the camera sees with one eye, and we see with two.

You will need to produce one project per week, every week. This includes winter and spring break.

We will have a mandatory project list for you to keep track of your projects. This is important. Students who did not do this say that they were "very lost and unorganized and regret not doing this." Additionally, missing one week will keep you behind all the way through the end of April.

Before school starts, read at least one art magazine (i.e. Art in America, Artforum) and see one gallery or museum exhibit each month. LACMA offers free youth memberships; get a free pass! You will have to write gallery reports frequently.

We will have many paper forms in AP Art. It is important that you both complete them AND turn them in. For example, we will have1/1 critique forms for student/teacher conversations and reality checks to assess your progress on the AP portfolio. Reality checks give you a format to organize all your projects into the portfolio. These are easy points! Current students believe this point should be emphasized loudly and clearly.

We will have group and class critiques. During these activities, you owe your full attention to your classmates work. Active participation helps everyone. Students often get the best advice from each other. Everyone is expected to contribute. The best way to get valuable feedback is to offer comments to your peers. Come to critiques with an open mind. Others may not approach things in the same way you would, but outside comments are usually very helpful and can be insightful.

Suggested Materials List:

  • Watercolors
  • Acrylic
  • Oils (cannot be used in the classroom)
  • Charcoal
  • Erasers
  • Canvas or canvas board (a set or so)
  • Paper (drawing, sketching, watercolor, etc)
  • Sketchbook (for ideas)
  • Portfolio (to carry your work)
  • Pencils (variety of softness/hardness)
  • Pens
  • Pastels
  • Brushes
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Lock for locker

Student Comments:

  • FUN is guaranteed. You will make at least two new friends.
  • LOOK at the calendar
  • Get your concentration under control early in the year, if possible.