Instructor: Ms Walker

apstudio.ets.org   school code: 051978   Drawing Key: tvx8436

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Prerequisite: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Art Ex. or Teacher Recommendation

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Grade Level: 10-12

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Length: 1 year

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Course Description:

This class is a rigorous, college-level course, for highly motivated students interested in the study of manual drawing, either for college-preparatory, or career-related purposes. 15 works are required for a portfolio review (digital submission). The pieces in the portfolio should demonstrate a working knowledge of composition, design theory, color theory, art history, and major art styles, accurate use of proportion and perspective from observation of portrait, figure, landscape, and architectural studies, technical skills and a variety of media. They should also demonstrate creative exploration, revision and a synthesis of ideas, visuals and materials. Self-critiquing, writing, and research will be part of the curriculum.

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The Rigor of AP Drawing:

An A-grade in any of these 1st level courses: Drawing 1/Painting 1/Special Topics/Photo/private drawing class/junior college drawing class... is the equivalent of a C-grade in AP Drawing due to emphasis on mastery of design theory and conceptual/thematic development. Any work which looks like a basic exercise in learning how to draw is a C-grade (especially work copied straight from a photo). Work must show independent thinking and excellent technical skills in the studio art portfolio. This class is equivalent to a 3rd year level class, due to the competition against the very best artists turning in art portfolios across the N. American continent from the US and Canada.

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Portfolio Rubric and Requirements:

Students are required to complete 15 works which demonstrate mastery in these benchmarks for an A-grade:

- Dynamic composition using elements and principles of design theory

- Accurate proportions from real-life study, i.e., figure & facial study - Or purposely distorted proportions if that is in keeping with your S.I.

- Tonal range of values and textural application

- Linear perspective

- Color theory: use of color families, color contrasts, tonal range of color

- Depth in tone and space

- Fading images into negative space

- Contrasting subject and background

- Multilayered background

- Interesting angles and perspectives

- Variety in sizes in perspective

- Completeness of work demonstrated by excellent application of technical skills and conceptual development with thematic ideas.

- Experimentation.

- Revision of works in an effort to further explore the big idea or essential question guiding your sustained investigation.

 

All drawings must be original. Copying from the internet/published art/photos, will result in lower scores from me and the portfolio review board. 

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Grading:

I will grade all assignments on a 50 point rubric based on the one used by the College Board.  

 

In Class Work Policy:

Working during class time is NOT OPTIONAL. You have a huge amount of work to do and I expect it to be done well. This means that you must use your class time wisely. I need you to be working the entire time. 

 

Homework Policy:

Due to rigorous requirements, students are expected to do 1-2 hours of homework everyday. Failure to build in homework time for AP drawing will guarantee a low score. Students with heavily loaded AP schedules, spots, or extracurricular activities should manage time efficiently.

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Required Materials:

Because of lack of funding, and because of my commitment to provide only the best supplies for my students, a donation of $20 is requested for a large variety of drawing supplies: sketchbooks, pencils, specialized erasers, pens, charcoal, prisma-color pencil sets, watercolor, assorted brush sizes, oil pastels, drawing paper, watercolor paper, calligraphy pens and paper, acrylic paint, etc. The donation must be accompanied by the form found here:

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