​After reading the Sustained Investigation student artist statements on the AP website, write your own Sustained Investigation proposal as an essay of at least two paragraphs (typed).

Answer the following:

1. What is the central idea of your Sustained Investigation
2. How do you plan to explore that idea?

THEN, complete your first fully-realized, high-quality, exam-worthy Sustained Investigation piece based on that proposal.

Play to your strengths but challenge yourself. Also remember that it needs to address the concerns of your particular portfolio: Drawing, 2D Design, or 3D Design, so re-read the descriptors for that portfolio type.

Finally, remember that for the AP exam you must demonstrate your understanding and skills in the following (You will be scored in these areas by the AP judges.):

• Investigating the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use
• Practicing, experimenting, and revising as you create your own work
• Communicating your ideas about works of art and design

So consider drawing on your knowledge of artists whose work you admire or who stretch your thinking about art, and try to develop deep ideas for your work.

Tips:

• Think about your artistic interests and passions.
  
• Notice what’s being done in the contemporary art world.
  
• Make research an important part of your art-making process.
  
• Brainstorm possibilities.
  
• Be clear on what you will be learning, how you will be growing as an artist.
  
• Foresee and plan for problems/challenges.
  
• Be clear on how you will know when/if you are successful.
  
• Be prepared to discuss your plans and be challenged by your peers.
  

For the AP exam, you must demonstrate your understanding and skills in the following (You will be scored in these areas by the AP judges.):

• Investigating the materials, processes, and ideas that artists and designers use
• Practicing, experimenting, and revising as you create your own work
• Communicating your ideas about works of art and design

OVERVIEW: SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION

The Sustained Investigation section shows the student's in-depth exploration of a particular design concern. It is presented as 15 images, some of which may be details of work or documentation of process. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision. The emphasis is on a coherent development of an idea through a body of work, in addition to the artistic success of the work.

By January 5, you will need to turn in a short essay (2 paragraphs) describing your Sustained Investigation idea and how you plan on exploring that idea. You will need to upload your Selected Works section to the digital submission website. From December vacation until April 13, you will be completing at least one Sustained Investigation artwork per week. In addition, you will be experimenting with materials and techniques and developing additional work or refining existing work for your Selected Works section of the AP exam. There will be mini-lessons and exercises to complete as well. You will also be photographing/scanning your work, documenting your process, writing about your process, and writing essays regarding your work.


PREPARATORY STEPS

I. Create a College Board Account

You should receive notice from Guidance to register and pay for the AP exam. Taking the exam is typically a required part of this course (although it is optional during this pandemic year. I recommend you take the exam this year, as you will do all the work for it anyway.). The forms that our Guidance Dept. send you should be filled out and the check for the exam given to our school's AP Coordinator.

• If you haven't already done so, please create a College Board account. Click here for directions. You may need the school code for Burlington High School. Create your College Board account before creating your Digital Submission Account (Your College Board account and Digital Submission account will be different.).

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/access-your-ap-resources/sign-in-to-college-board-account


II. Create a Digital Submission Account

• If you haven’t already done so, create an AP Digital Submission account. (This is separate from your My AP account for which you previously registered. Usernames and passwords for My AP or other College Board websites will not work on this site. Create a separate username and password to access the AP Art and Design Digital Submission web application.

You should use a personal email address, not your school email address.

https://apstudio.ets.org/apstudioart/

https://apstudio.ets.org/apstudioart/document/HelpText.pdf

You will need these two numbers: the school code and the teacher key.


III. Understand the Focus of Your Exam & Study the Work of Others: What does QUALITY look like?

• View/study AP student samples for the exam for which you registered.
• Study the work of master artists from the past and from the contemporary art world.
• Dig into the books and magazines on art history and contemporary art that are available in the Studio Art Honors classroom.

Below are samples of student work from AP portfolios. Selected works are scored from 1 - 5,  with scores of 4 and 5 show the quality to shoot for in your own individual works. The Sustained Investigation is scored from 1 - 3. When working on pieces for homework and for your own Sustained Investigation, look to these examples and resources for the quality of work to which to aspire.
​
The DRAWING portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition. Students should consider marks that can be used to make drawings, the arrangement of marks, the materials and processes used to make marks, and relationships of marks and ideas. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media work are among the possibilities for submission.

• AP Drawing Samples 2020
• AP Drawing Samples Archive
• Kevin Buxton - AP Art Show (BHS 2020)
• Nicole Benjamin - AP Art Show (BHS 2020)
• Sarah Schissler - AP Art Show (BHS 2020)
• Martello Cesar - AP portfolio exam (BHS 2019)
• Marley Gainley - AP exam (BHS 2017)
• Anne Zhang - BHS sustained investigation
• Irina Grigoryeva - BHS sustained investigation
• Pablo Aguilar - BHS AP exam
• Jake Ursino - BHS Sustained Investigation
• ​Toula Papadopoulos - BHS Sustained Investigation

The 2D ART & DESIGN portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of two-dimensional (2-D) elements and principles of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students should consider how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that exists on a flat surface. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking are among the possibilities for submission.
The Principles of Art (slideshow)
Color Theory
​

• AP 2D Design Samples 2020
• AP 2D Design Samples Archive
• Danielle Spinosa - AP exam (BHS)

​
The 3D ART & DESIGN portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of three-dimensional (3-D) elements and principles of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, volume, mass, occupied/unoccupied space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students should consider how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that involves space and form. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Figurative or non-figurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, glasswork, installation, performance, assemblage, and 3-D fabric/fiber arts are among the possibilities for submission.
The Principles of Art (slideshow)

• AP 3D Design Samples 2020
• AP 3D Design Samples Archive
• A Pinterest collection
• Example AP 3D Design portfolio with fashion emphasis - score 5
• Youtube introduction from an AP 3D class

Other examples of high quality high school work:

• The AP College Board’s  2020 AP Art and Design Digital Exhibit showcases outstanding artwork created by students who submitted portfolios for the May 2020 exam. Amid a global pandemic, AP Art and Design students worked with diverse ideas, materials, and processes to create incredible, impactful art. The exhibit features student and teacher reflections on these works, providing compelling insights into how artists make choices and approach art making.

 

• The National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Entries are judged on: ORIGINALITY; TECHNICAL SKILL; and EMERGENCE OF A PERSONAL VOICE OR VISION, characteristics similar to what the AP College Board is judging in the exams.

IV. Set High Expectations for Yourself

Each artwork you turn in for homework and for the Sustained Investigation is to be a FINISHED, PORTFOLIO-QUALITY artwork. Refer to the College Board's Student Samples for expectations on QUALITY. Make each drawing, design, or sculpture portfolio-worthy. Concentrate on design principles and good composition, mark-making, technique, and expression. 

As is always expected, spend AT LEAST 3 - 5 hours on your projects (outside of regular class sessions) each week.

1. Visit and explore the College Board's AP Art & Design Program website. Refer to it regularly. From the Main/Overview Page you'll be able to find a lot of helpful resources. Devote time to exploring the pages of the exam to which you registered:

• AP Drawing Homepage
• AP 2D Design Homepage
• AP 3D Design Homepage

2. Read for understanding the AP Scoring Guidelines at the end of this AP Portfolio Exam Description (pages 42 and 45): Selected Works are scored from 1 - 5; Sustained Investigation from 1 - 3. The pieces for your Selected Works and your Sustained Investigation must be “exam-worthy”. They will be graded according to the rigorous standards set forth by the AP College Board. View samples of student work online for comparison.

3. Visit the following pages to view/read Student Samples and Scoring Commentary:

• AP Drawing Samples 2020
• AP Drawing Samples Archive
• AP 2D Design Samples 2020
• AP 2D Design Samples Archive
• AP 3D Design Samples 2020
• AP 3D Design Samples Archive

4. Read the artist statements by students explaining their Sustained Investigations, and the rationales/explanations by the judges for the scores that students received.

5. Begin thinking about the possibilities for your own Sustained Investigation by answering the following questions (These will later be put in essay form.):

• What inquiry or question(s) will guide your sustained investigation?
• How do you plan to explore that question/idea (particularly in ways that would show practice, experimentation, and revision)?

V. Upload Selected Works

• Scan or photograph all your best work.
• Upload images of your five Selected Works to your Digital Submission account and include your written text.

Read the instructions for uploading your images. 
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/digital-submission/submit-ap-art-design-work

Format your JPG images to be just under 5 MB in file size, and RGB color mode. To do this, reduce the resolution to approximately 1400-1500 pixels/inch for the longest side. If needed, I can help you format images to the appropriate file size and upload them into a shared GoogleDrive folder of your full portfolio.

Let me know if you have any problems in accessing and uploading work to the site. Upload your five Selected Works images (Your five highest quality works so far, showing a range of subject matter, materials and techniques, and styles). Input the appropriate information for each selection (You can always “swap out” your selections for other work later.).

If you have questions or need technical assistance, contact AP Services by phone at 877-274-6474 (toll free in the United States and Canada) or 212-632-1781, or by email at apexams@info.collegeboard.org.


----------------------


CALENDAR


TERM 2 

In Class: Large Self Portrait Painting in Environment (Due Thursday, January 21)

• There will be some modifications for 2D Design students. 
• 3D Design will work out an alternative with the instructor.

Dec. 9 (Wednesday)

• DUE: Homework: Figure Drawing of Family Member

*3D Design can work out an alternative with the instructor.

Dec. 11 (Friday)

• (Optional) Deadline for submitting work to the Scholastic Art Awards

Dec. 16 (Wednesday)

• DUE: Homework: Self Portrait Genre “Painting” (Oil Pastel) in Style of Vermeer

        *3D Design can work out an alternative with the instructor.

Dec. 18 (Friday)

• DUE: Complete Steps I - V above to prepare for your Sustained Investigation

Dec. 23 (Wednesday)

• DUE: Homework: Choice/Sustained Investigation Try-out #3: Inventive Use of Materials / Exploration

December Vacation

• Write proposal and begin Sustained Investigation

Jan. 5 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: Written Sustained Investigation proposal (typed) – Answer the following:
  • What is the central idea of your Sustained Investigation
  • How do you plan to explore that idea?
• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 1 finished piece in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

Jan. 12 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 2 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

Jan. 19 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 3 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

January 21 (Thursday) --

• DUE: Large Self Portrait Painting in Environment (Class Project)

Jan. 26 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 4 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

January 28 (Thursday)

• Quarter 2 Ends

TERM 3 

Feb. 2 (Tuesday) --

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 5 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

Feb. 9 (Tuesday) -- 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 6 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

February Vacation February 13 - 21

• Work on TWO pieces for your Sustained Investigation.

Feb. 23 (Tuesday) -- 

• DUE: At least TWO new fully-realized, exam-worthy pieces for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 8 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

March 2 (Tuesday) -- 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 9 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

March 9 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 10 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

March 16 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 11 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

March 23 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 12 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

March 30 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 13 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

April 6 (Tuesday) – 

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of at bare minimum 14 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

April 7 (Wednesday)

• Quarter 3 Ends

TERM 4 

April 13 (Tuesday)

• DUE: At least one new fully-realized, exam-worthy piece for the Sustained Investigation, for a total of 15 finished pieces in your series in which you are fully satisfied. Take the best photographs (or scans) you can. Turn the work in via Google Classroom, email, or share with me from your Google Drive.

 

• Complete your digital submission by the week following vacation. Make final selection of 5 pieces for Selected Works.
• Homework for upcoming week: Essay about Sustained Investigation -- revised and perfected (Typed and emailed to the instructor by April 27.)
  • Answer the following:

1. Identify the inquiry or question(s) that guided your sustained investigation.
2. Describe how your sustained investigation shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision guided by your inquiry or question(s) (1200 characters maximum, including spaces, for response to both prompts) 

Spring Vacation Week (April 17 - 25)

• Use this week to make any final changes to the work for digital submission and write your essay
• Make changes to your work for digital submission: either new work for your Sustained Investigation or your Selected Works, or revisions/reworking/replacements of any pieces in your portfolio. Refine your weaker submissions. Fill in gaps. Create new work as necessary.

Tuesday, April 27 -

• DUE: Essay about Sustained Investigation (First draft) - Typed and emailed to (or shared via Google Drive with) the instructor.

• Answer the following:
  • Identify the inquiry or question(s) that guided your sustained investigation.
  • Describe how your sustained investigation shows evidence of practice, experimentation, and revision guided by your inquiry or question(s) (1200 characters maximum, including spaces, for response to both prompts) 

Week of April 27 -  30

• Use this week to make any final changes to your work for digital submission: new work for either your Sustained Investigation or your Selected Works, or revisions/reworking/replacements of any pieces in your portfolio. Refine your weaker submissions. Fill in gaps. Create new work as necessary.
• Format and upload all new work to the Digital Submission website 
  • (Instructions at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/digital-submission/submit-ap-art-design-work)
• Review your Selected Works and cull to your best 5 pieces.
• Begin work on AP Portfolio Exhibition invitation and name design for exhibition.

DUE May 4 (Tuesday)

• Final essay about Sustained Investigation -- revised and perfected. Email to Mr. Ratkevich and upload to the Sustained Investigation section of your digital submission account.

 

• Complete digital submission of AP exam portfolio (Selected Works and Sustained Investigation) and “Forward to Teacher” (Further revision may be necessary after the instructor reviews it.)

May 11 (Tuesday) - 

• DUE: Final deadline to the instructor for AP exam digital submission (Press “Forward to Teacher”) after addressing the instructor’s feedback, if any was given.

As soon as you have forwarded your final portfolio exam, we will begin preparation for an online AP Portfolio exhibition of all your best work, including all of your AP Portfolio Exam. It will be an online exhibition, for which you will make a slideshow of your portfolio.

May 14 (Friday)

• Mr. Ratkevich forwards your portfolio to Mr. Attubato.

DUE May 18 (Tuesday)

• Name design/sign for Portfolio Exhibition (name, college, major; done artistically)

Create an artwork/design that emphasizes your full name and includes the college you will be attending and your intended major. This is to be a well-designed and well-crafted artwork with high visual impact that profiles your artistic strengths. It can be done in any medium or combination of media. It may reflect the work you have been doing with your Sustained Investigation, but it doesn't have to. This will be used to promote your work and will also serve as the first slide in your Google slideshow, which you will create the following week. 

May 20 (Thursday) - 

• This is the last day for Mr. Attubato to submit AP Art and Design digital portfolios to the College Board.

DUE May __

• Creative Invitation to Online AP Studio Art Exhibition (Send out invitations with Google Meet code via email)

Design a creative invitation (using whatever materials and techniques you choose) to "The Second Online BHS AP Studio Art Exhibition 2021". Share your invitation with me and email it to friends and family. Your artwork invitation must include:

• The Second Online BHS AP Studio Art Exhibition 2021
• The time and date of the event (Tuesday, May ____, _____ am - ______ pm):
• The Hangout code: "Join us at ____am using this Google Hangout code: ____________"
• Creative visuals

 

• Google  slideshow presentation, with titles, sizes, and very brief descriptions of all pieces included. 

Arrange a Google Slides presentation of your portfolio of your best work from the past two years, with large images, titles, dimensions, and very brief descriptions of all pieces (You may use all the same text as in your AP Digital Submission.). The slideshow must include your name design from this past week as its first slide, all pieces from your AP exam Selected Works and Sustained Investigation, your essay for your Sustained Investigation (This slide should be placed before the slides for the Sustained Investigation artwork.), and any other of your strongest works. Share the link to your slideshow with me, and I will share it with the world (or at least the Burlington school community)

May __ 

• AP Portfolio Exhibition - HOST online art exhibition (during class or early afternoon) - attend and present your work to friends, family, and teachers

June ___ (Sunday)

• Graduation

------------------

SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION PLANNING (OUTLINE)

Here is the Sustained Investigation Proposal sheet we have used in the AP class during the previous four years. Write it and refer to it to keep your eyes on the prize.

Project Description: 
Write a one-page outline for your Sustained Investigation, a personalized focus of artistic study on which you will be working for several weeks.

Objectives:

• Think about your artistic interests and passions.
• Notice what’s being done in the contemporary art world.
• View books and magazines on art history and contemporary art (Many are available in the art room.).
• Brainstorm possibilities.
• Be clear on what you will be learning, how you will be growing as an artist.
• Foresee and plan for problems/challenges.
• Be clear on how you will know when/if you are successful.
• Be prepared to discuss your plans and be challenged by your peers.

Parameters:
The Sustained Investigation must be a series of 15 artworks that can be displayed together.
The proposal must include:

• Title of Project
• Project Description (Intentions)
• Purpose (What excites you about this project)
• Media
• Content
• Timeline for completion of parts
• Work schedule on project outside of class (The Sustained Investigation will not be your only homework during the full span of time, but you will be expected to work on it regularly outside of class.)
• Learning Objectives!
• Other explanatory information as necessary

​This week, you have a choice for your homework: 

A. Concentration Try-Out #2 

Over the next several weeks, some of your homework assignments will be to try out different ideas from your list of ideas for your upcoming Sustained Investigation. 

Each artwork is to be a FINISHED, REFINED, PORTFOLIO-QUALITY artwork. Refer to the College Board's Student Samples for expectations on QUALITY. 

Here are samples of student work from AP portfolios. The scores of 4 and 5 show the quality to shoot for in your own Sustained Investigation Try-Outs as as well as all your other work.

• AP Drawing Samples 2020
• AP Drawing Samples Archive
• AP 2D Design Samples 2020
• AP 2D Design Samples Archive
• AP 3D Design Samples 2020
• AP 3D Design Samples Archive
• AP Art & Design 2020 Digital Exhibit

More AP Portfolio Samples from BHS Students
​
Drawing
This portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition. Students should consider marks that can be used to make drawings, the arrangement of marks, the materials and processes used to make marks, and relationships of marks and ideas. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Drawing (analog and digital), painting, printmaking, and mixed media work are among the possibilities for submission.

• Kevin Buxton - AP Art Show (2020)
• Nicole Benjamin - AP Art Show (2020)
• Sarah Schissler - AP Art Show (2020)
• Martello Cesar - AP portfolio exam (2019)
• Marley Gainley - AP exam (2017)
• Anne Zhang - sustained investigation
• Irina Grigoryeva - sustained investigation
• Pablo Aguilar - AP exam
• Jake Ursino - Sustained Investigation

​
2D Art & Design
This portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of two-dimensional (2-D) elements and principles of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students should consider how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that exists on a flat surface. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, fashion design, fashion illustration, painting, and printmaking are among the possibilities for submission.

•     Danielle Spinosa - AP exam

​
3D Art & Design
This portfolio is designated for work that focuses on the use of three-dimensional (3-D) elements and principles of art and design, including point, line, shape, plane, layer, form, volume, mass, occupied/unoccupied space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy. Students should consider how materials, processes, and ideas can be used to make work that involves space and form. Students can work with any materials, processes, and ideas. Figurative or non-figurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work, ceramics, glasswork, installation, performance, assemblage, and 3-D fabric/fiber arts are among the possibilities for submission.

• A Pinterest collection
• Example AP 3D Design portfolio with fashion emphasis - score 5
• Youtube introduction from an AP 3D class

Make each drawing, design, or sculpture portfolio-worthy. Concentrate on design principles and good composition, mark-making, technique, and expression. 

As is always expected, spend AT LEAST 3 - 5 hours on your project each week.

​
OR 

B. Cereal Boxes "Painting"

Project:
Using oil pastels, "paint" a still life comprised of two cereal boxes or other packages. Include the table surface, wall, and cast shadows in your drawing.

Set up a cereal boxes on a table top. Light the set up with a single light source, so that there are clear changes in darkness on each of the sides of the box.

This is to be done from direct observation, not from a photograph.


Objectives:

• Improve observational accuracy
• Build a strong composition
• Mix specific colors with accuracy - Blend oil pastel colors
• Establish 3D form through chiaroscuro and color changes
• Improve your ability to create a rich range of tonal value
• Become skillful with the oil pastel "painting"

Materials:

• Boxes (two package designs)
• Sketchbook
• Pencil
• Oil pastels

Grading Criteria:

• Composition
• Accuracy of line, shape, and color
• Three-Dimensional Form through Chiaroscuro - Shifts of tonal value and color
• "Completeness" - Craftsmanship

Below are some contemporary painters to look and to learn from. Remember to concentrate on the changes in color even within the same surfaces/planes. Also remember that every change in direction (every plane) will have a shift in value and in color temperature. Typically, shadows will be cooler in color (bluer) and where the light hits will be warmer (more yellow, orange, or red), but not always.

• Dik Liu
  • https://www.dikliu.com/food
  • https://www.dikliu.com/trolls 
• Wayne Thibaud

To Start:

1. Set up your cereal boxes on a table top. Light the still life with a single light source, so that there are clear changes in darkness on each of the sides of the box.
2. Draw thumbnails and/or rough drafts of the composition, in pencil, blocking out the basic arrangement of lights and darks.
3. On a piece of sketchbook paper, use pencil to lightly draft the outlines of your major shapes.
4. "Paint" with oil pastels.

Due:
2 - 3 weeks


Project:
Using pencil and various other drawing media, create a series of observational figure drawings.

We will start with quick gesture drawings of one or two minutes each, focusing on the action lines and the energy of the pose. With gradually longer poses, we will learn to block in the basic shapes of the complex form that is the human body, focusing on accurate placement and proportion and noticing the relationships of parts. In the final drawing(s), we will refine the contours and include the details of the observed figure, add a range of tonal value, and suggest the figure's relationship to its environment.

Objectives:

• Improve observational accuracy
• Establish accurate gesture, proportion and tonal value
• See the figure as a unified whole, and not separate parts
• Establish figure/ground relationship

Terms / Concepts:

• Gesture
• Action Line
• Blocking in ("The Envelope")
• Foreshortening
• Proportion
• Contour

Materials:

• Model
• Drawing board
• Drawing paper (sketchbook size to 18 x 24")
• Variety of drawing media

Grading Criteria:

• Accuracy of gesture
• Accuracy of proportion
• Quality of line
• (In some) Sense of form through value
• (In some) Composition using figure/ground relationship; sense of space

Due: One week

Context:
Artists often use their art to express their thoughts and feelings. We have just been through a long, divisive election season (In fact, we're still in it!), and emotions are high. Yours might be too right now. 

Project:
Create an artwork that expresses your ideas and feelings about the election. You can approach this as a personally expressive art statement or as an editorial illustration.

Medium: Collage (Color clippings from magazines)
Size: 11 x 14" or larger

Objectives:

• Expressiveness
• Strong Composition
• Experimentation with and Refinement of Media (Materials and Techniques)

Things to Think About:

• This is a collage, but it can include other media as well.
• Be as expressive as you can. Say something!
• Consider using visual metaphor rather than being literal.
• It should have a strong composition. Apply what you know about the Principles of Design: Contrast, Balance, Emphasis, Repetition, Movement, Variety and HARMONY.
• You should develop the composition through thumbnail sketches.
• It can't have any words. Show, don't tell.

Steps:
1. RESEARCH/LOOK - Before settling on your technique, study the mixed media collages of Romare Bearden, the photomontages of David Hockney, and the photomanipulations of Yasumasa Morimura. (Look them up online.). View the magazine covers of The New Yorker from recent weeks. View the social/political paintings of Jack Levine and George Grosz. Look at other political art.

2. WRITE - In your sketchbook/journal or in a Google Doc, write a paragraph or two about either the election, about the media, about where we are as a country right now, or about the future of the country (You will turn this in with your artwork.). Spend some time on this. Dig deep. How do you REALLY feel? There is no right or wrong answer.
Some possibilities for content:

• How might you describe your experience of the political process over the past year? 
• How might you describe media coverage over the past few months?
• How do you feel at this moment? 
• What are your hopes and dreams for the future of the country?
• How do we come together as a country?
• What are different ways we might relate to one another? What do you feel are some important Ways of Being?
• What do YOU need?

3. PLAN your art -- Use that written reflection in developing an artwork that expresses those ideas and emotions. Visually brainstorm in your sketchbook, then draft your composition by drawing a series of thumbnail sketches. Develop further your best sketch. (Turn in your sketches.)

4. COLLECT MATERIALS - Collect color from magazines. You will "paint" your image by using a color collage technique. Collect variations of all the colors you'll need, but keep them organized (Use envelopes to collect them by color.)

5. MIXED MEDIA - Complete a mixed media artwork (cut-paper collage; See student examples of technique) based on your best thumbnail sketch that expresses some of the ideas/feelings you wrote about. 

TURN IN YOUR WRITING, SKETCHES, and A REFINED, "PORTFOLIO-WORTHY" FINISHED COLLAGE via Google Classroom.

Grading Criteria:
Studio Habits of Mind

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References:

For technique, look to the approach of Romare Bearden (1911 - 1988), a Social Realist of the Harlem Renaissance.

For an editorial illustration approach, here are recent covers of The New Yorker, a weekly politics and culture magazine.:

For style and composition, look at the work of the Italian Futurists (early 20th Century) as one approach:

​Or, for a darker view, the social/political paintings of Georges Grosz (German) and Jack Levine (American) from the first half of the 20th Century:

Over the next several weeks, some of your homework assignments will be to try out different ideas from your summer Sustained Investigation Ideas list. They are each to be finished, refined, portfolio-quality artworks.

Make each drawing, design, or sculpture portfolio-worthy. Concentrate on design principles and good composition, mark-making, technique, and expression.

Spend AT LEAST a few hours on each piece, and view/study the student examples on the AP website before starting.

For the first week, you have the option of doing the assignment posted previously, OR to do your first Sustained Investigation Try-Out