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Art III: Portfolio Development

Advanced Placement G/T and Honors

M. Brennan www.howardartdept.weebly.com

604M(1 credit) 605M(2credit)

(AP Studio Art: Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design)

Course Description

This course begins the development of a body of individual artwork. For some students, this body of artwork leads

to the Advanced Placement Examination. It is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability tocomplete challenging work successfully at a demanding pace. Emphasis is placed on creative problem solving,

independent research and learning, task commitment and special topics.

The Portfolios

Students, both enrolled in Honors and Advanced Placement, are required to investigate 2 aspects of the portfolio

that includes Concentration, and Breadth.

Students begin the course the first semester by working on their Breadth portfolio. This portfolio consists of 12

art problems given by the instructor that show the students abilities with a variety of media and in using the Art

Elements and Principles. Students are given monthly home assignments to supplement this portfolio and we will have

class critiques on the due date of the homework.

Examples of Drawing Breadth problems:

The use of various spatial systems, such as linear perspective, the illusion of three-dimensional forms, aerial

views, and other ways of creating and organizing space

The use of various subjects, such as the human figure, landscape, and still-life objects

The use of various kinds of content, such as that derived from observation, and expressionistic viewpoint,

imaginary or psychological imagery, social commentary, political statements; and other personal interests

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 forms

Examples of 2-D Breadth problems;

Media could include graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, fabric design, weaving, illustration,

painting, or printmaking.

Work that employs line, shape, or color to create unity or variety in a composition

Work that demonstrates symmetry/asymmetry, balance, or anomaly

Work that explores figure/ground relationships

Development of a modular or repeat pattern to create rhythm

Color organization using primary, secondary, tertiary, analogous, or other color relationships for emphasis or

contrast in composition

Work that investigates or exaggerates proportion/scale

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In the second semester, students develop and choose an idea to explore in depth for their Concentration section.

In the Concentration section, students are expected to develop a body of work that is an investigation of a theme

or an idea. The body of work should be well planned and investigate an idea that is of personal interest to the

student. Students are required to complete 10-12 pieces for this section.

Examples of 2-D Concentration problems:

Design and execute a childrens book

A series of identity products for imaginary business Political cartoons using current events and images

Series of works starting with representational interpretations and evolving into abstraction.

Exploration of pattern and design found in nature and/or culture

Abstractions developed from cells and other microscopic images

A personal family history communicated through symbols and imagery

A series of fabric designs, apparel designs, or weavings on a theme

Use of multiple modules to create compositions that reflect narrative or psychological events

Series of landscapes that use color and composition to intensify artistic expression

Examples of Drawing Concentration problems:

A series of expressive landscapes based upon personal experience of a particular piece A personal or family history communicated through the content and style of still-life images

Abstractions from mechanical objects that explore mark-making

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

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

ambiance created by 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 works that reflect psychological or narrative events

Additionally, students who take the AP Examwill submit 5 actual artworks to the Collegeboard along with their

digital Breadth and Concentration sections. The artworks are packaged up on exam day. Honors students will NOThave to do this. Honors students will, however, submit a digital portfolio to me.

How can I judge the QUALITY of my artworks? We will be using the following RUBRIC to consistently assess

artworks in progress:

Poor Moderate Good Strong Excellent

Materials well used;

Technique is excellent

1 2 3 4 5

Inventive/Imaginative 1 2 3 4 5

Evidence of thinking;

Clear visual intent

1 2 3 4 5

Purposeful composition 1 2 3 4 5

Awareness of style and

Format

1 2 3 4 5

Sensitive/evocative 1 2 3 4 5

If you have not scored your work

consistently in the 4 or 5 range, now

assess what the strengths and

weaknesses are, and how to rework the

piece so it will score a 5. What are you

going to do so that each section scores

EXCELLENT?

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Requirements for the Art 3 Portfolios There are three essentials to every portfolio:

1. The portfolio work will be of the highest possible quality.

2. The portfolio work will document a range of technical, formal, and expressive experiences.

3. The portfolio work will begin to focus on a particular interest, theme or problem.

In the building of the best possible portfolio, this course will focus on interpreting your own experiences, primarily

through observation and experimentation. Does your artwork demonstrate your ability to do the following?

Think creatively

Think criticallyTake risks

Interpret the world around you

Experiment with techniques and concepts in a visual journal

Create a composition

Work in diverse media

Depict light

Depict space

Handle color

Draw what you see

Respond to or reinterpret works of master artists and artists from other cultures

Develop a series of thematically related works

Portfolio Plan Binder You will need a binder for this course to keep track of your assignments, worksheets, printed

text, an Artists Log and schedules. You will be given a Table of Contents and an Artwork Log so that you can keep

up with the progress of your artwork. I will provide you with dividers for each section.

Homework As this is an advanced art course, a minimum of three hoursof outside work is expected each week. This

includes sketchbook and monthly home assignments. As the long-term homework assignment allows for the greatest

individual interpretation and creative problem solving, the expectation is substantial. Significantly, these are also

the works that colleges tend to be MOST interested in because the homework problems have the greatest latitude

for personal interpretation. The homework is given more weight than individual class work assignments. Therefore,

any student not submitting homeworkor submitting hastily-prepared homeworkwill be unlikely to pass thatmarking period.

Assessment and Grading

Overall, you will be assessed on your ability to:

Maintain an artists portfolio

Keep an artists sketchbook/visual journal

Effectively critique your own and your peers work

Successfully use design and compositional space.

Develop knowledge of master arts and cultures

artwork.

Complete classwork, home assignments, and

sketchbook work on time.

Meet requirements to complete a mid-year and

final portfolio review

We will assess each art problem while it is in progress and/or when it is complete. This may take the form of

written reflections, individual critiques, online peer commentary, or (most often) group critiques. Intelligent,

thoughtful, and open-minded participation in the assessment process is mandatory, and is 10% of your grade. At

the end of every marking period you will assess your own progress, reflecting on your finished works, your

processes, and your participation. Submitted work mustbe in pristine condition. Insure that your work is not

smeared, creased or torn.

You are graded on the following

categories:

Home Assignments

Classwork/Artists LogSketchbook

Critiques/Artful Reading

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Final works of art will be evaluated based upon the following components:

1. OBJECTIVES Meeting the criteria or objectives for the specific assignment.

2. STUDIO SKILLS Proper handling of materials, responsible use of time, respect for others and their work,

clean-up and class participation

3. DESIGN Thoughtfulness to the composition and its relationship to personal ideas.

4. CRAFTSMANSHIP/PRESENTATION Neatness and respect for your work should be evident in the

appearance of a COMPLETED assignment

AP Credit/Honors Digital Submissions/Portfolios If you are an Honors student, or are registered as an AP student

but end up NOT taking the exam, you will submit a digital portfolio containing your BREADTH portfolio and

CONCENTRATION portfolio to me. You will not, however, get the AP credit. It is expected, and encouraged, that

you follow through with the AP test if you are registered as an AP student. Digital portfolios are to be maintained

by the student through an ePortfolio site, Mahara.

Another thing to know is that MOST universities accept the AP credit; meaning, that having a 4 or better on your

transcript will get you out of your Drawing I class, for example, and place you in a higher level class), BUT several

art schools, such as Maryland Institute College of Art, do not accept AP credit in lieu of getting out of their

Foundation year classes. This is just so you know

Letters of Recommendation I will be happy to write a letter of recommendation for students that maintain a B or

better throughout the year. If you need a reference for college, a job, or any pre-college program, I request that

you ask me at least 2 weeks in advance.

Copyright Students are not allowed to work from published photographs or other copyrighted work. Many

students will come into the program with the idea that there is nothing wrong with drawing from

photographs, and many of them are quite accomplished at it. Nonetheless, it a practice that we do not

allow in any class and strongly discourage out of class. Even if students take their own photographs, the

resultant image has a distinctly flat and stiff look about it. Copyright issues tends to be an issue in the

drawing and 2D classes, admittedly, there are specific things that students could only reference

through a photograph (such as certain animals). In these instances, students thoroughly understand

that the image is merely for reference and must be transformed through their individual expression in a

three-dimensional media.

For Quick

Reference - The

Portfolios at A

Glance.

2-D Design Portfolio 3-D Design Portfolio Drawing Portfolio

Section I Quality (one-third total score)

5 actual works that

demonstrate mastery of

design in concept,

composition, and execution

AP EXAMS TAKERS ONLY.

5 actual works that

demonstrate mastery of

drawing in concept,

composition, and execution

Section II Concentration (one third of total score)12 images: some may be

details A body of work

investigating a strong

underlying visual idea in 2-D

design

HONORS digital submission to

instructor

AP digital submission to

Collegeboard

12 images: some may be

details

A body of work investigating

a strong underlying visual

idea in drawing

Section III Breadth (one third of total score)

12 images: 1 slide each of 12

different works

Works that demonstrate a

variety of concepts andapproaches in 2-D design

HONORS digital submission to

instructor

AP digital submission toCollegeboard

12 images: 1 slide each of 12

different works

Works that demonstrate a

variety of concepts andapproaches to drawing

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ART III Honors and Advanced Placement

Dear STUDENTS and PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

I look forward to having your student in Art III H/AP this year. This will be quite a challenging year for your

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student he/she will be asked to solve thought-provoking art problems at a demanding pace that exhibits higher-

level thinking and remarkable craftsmanship. The resulting portfolio will allow your student to apply to the college

art program of their choice and/or digitally submit their portfolios to the CollegeBoard in May for the Advanced

Placement exam. Follow our progress on our blogwww.howardartdept.weebly.com. Each student will keep a digital

portfolio through Mahara.

Ms. Brennan went over the syllabus, course content, and class structure. I know what Ms. Brennans grading

policies are. I understand the components of the BREADTH and CONCENTRATION portfolios. I have read

this syllabus and understand what is expected of me in Art 3 H/AP.

PRINT student name______________________________STUDENT signature_________________________

PRINT guardian name______________________________GUARDIAN signature______________________

CONTACT INFO:

Phone number/best time to reach you:_________________________________________________________

E-mail (optional)__________________________________________________________________________

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