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The Comprehensive Guide to AP Art and Design: Drawing

Picture of Admit Hero Team By   ·  3 minute read

Introduction

Welcome to the comprehensive guide to AP Art and Design: Drawing! The AP Art and Design program offers high school students the opportunity to develop their artistic skills and create a portfolio that showcases their drawing abilities. This guide will provide you with valuable information about the AP Art and Design: Drawing course, portfolio requirements, exam structure, and tips for success.

Overview of AP Art and Design: Drawing

AP Art and Design: Drawing is a college-level course that focuses on the development of a student's drawing skills. The course emphasizes the exploration of drawing techniques, materials, and concepts to create original works of art.

Throughout the course, students engage in observational drawing, figure drawing, still life, landscape, and other drawing subjects. They learn to experiment with different drawing tools, mark-making techniques, and compositional strategies to develop their technical proficiency and creative expression.

Portfolio Requirements

The AP Art and Design: Drawing course culminates in the submission of a portfolio that showcases a student's best artwork. The portfolio consists of three sections:

  1. Quality: This section requires students to submit 5 actual artworks that demonstrate mastery of drawing techniques and materials. These artworks should exemplify the student's ability to use line, value, form, and composition effectively.

  2. Concentration: In this section, students develop a concentration, which is a body of work that explores a specific theme, concept, or visual problem in drawing. The concentration should consist of 12 digital images that demonstrate the student's sustained investigation and growth in their chosen area of focus.

  3. Breadth: The breadth section encourages students to demonstrate their proficiency in a variety of drawing techniques, subjects, and approaches. Students must submit 12 digital images that represent a range of drawing skills and experiences.

Exam Structure

The AP Art and Design: Drawing exam is divided into two parts:

  1. Sustained Investigation: This section requires students to select one of the artworks from their concentration section and write an extended response that analyzes and reflects on their artistic process, concept development, and visual outcomes. This response should demonstrate their ability to articulate their artistic choices and explain the connections between their ideas and their artwork.

  2. Selected Works: In this section, students choose five artworks from their Quality, Concentration, and Breadth sections to submit as digital images. They also write short commentaries that provide context and insights into their artistic decisions for each selected work.

Preparing for the AP Art and Design: Drawing Exam

Preparing for the AP Art and Design: Drawing exam requires a combination of artistic skill development, conceptual thinking, and portfolio organization. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:

  1. Experiment with Different Drawing Techniques: Explore a variety of drawing techniques, such as line drawing, shading, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending. Practice with different drawing tools, including pencils, charcoal, ink, and pastels, to expand your technical skills and artistic range.

  2. Develop a Strong Conceptual Framework: Focus on developing a clear and cohesive concept or theme for your concentration. Your concentration should demonstrate your ability to explore and develop ideas through a series of drawings.

  3. Seek Feedback: Share your artwork with your peers, teachers, and mentors. Seek constructive feedback and engage in critiques to gain different perspectives and insights into your work.

  4. Organize and Document Your Portfolio: Regularly document your artwork as you progress through the course. Pay attention to composition, value, and capturing accurate representations of your drawings. Organize your digital files and keep track of the artworks you plan to include in each section of your portfolio.

  5. Practice Time Management: Pace yourself throughout the course and allocate sufficient time for ideation, creation, and reflection. Develop a schedule that allows for regular studio time and meets the portfolio submission deadline.

Tips for Success

Here are some additional tips to help you succeed in the AP Art and Design: Drawing course and exam:

  1. Be Original: Explore your unique artistic style and experiment with different ideas, concepts, and techniques in drawing. Embrace your individuality and create artwork that reflects your personal experiences and perspectives.

  2. Be Reflective: Regularly reflect on your artistic choices, creative process, and artistic growth. Consider the intent behind your artwork, the techniques you employ, and the impact of your visual decisions in your drawings.

  3. Take Risks: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take artistic risks. Push the boundaries of your skills and experiment with new approaches, subjects, and styles to create dynamic and innovative drawings.

  4. Engage with Art: Immerse yourself in the world of art by visiting galleries, museums, and art exhibitions. Study the works of established artists and emerging talents to gain inspiration and broaden your artistic horizons.

  5. Stay Organized: Keep track of important dates, deadlines, and requirements for the course and exam. Maintain an organized portfolio and ensure all digital images accurately represent your drawings.

FAQs

  1. Q: How many artworks do I need to submit for each section of the portfolio? A: You need to submit 5 actual artworks for the Quality section, 12 digital images for the Concentration section, and 12 digital images for the Breadth section.

  2. Q: Can I include collaborative artworks in my portfolio? A: Yes, you can include collaborative artworks in your portfolio. However, it is important to clearly indicate your role and contribution in the collaborative process.

  3. Q: How is the AP Art and Design: Drawing exam scored? A: The exam is scored holistically by a team of experienced art educators. They evaluate your portfolio based on the College Board's scoring criteria, which assesses your artistic skills, conceptual understanding, and the overall effectiveness of your drawings.

Conclusion

The AP Art and Design: Drawing course offers students an opportunity to develop their drawing skills and create a portfolio that demonstrates their artistic abilities. By carefully planning and organizing your portfolio, practicing drawing techniques, and engaging in thoughtful reflection, you can successfully navigate the course and excel in the AP Art and Design: Drawing exam.

Best of luck on your artistic journey!