AP Studio Art: 2-D and 3-D Summer Assignments

(due first week of school):

Art is about the way things look and what they mean. It is about issues and ideas, but also about feelings and appearances. AP Studio Art is a creative laboratory in which we can explore with our eyes, our hearts, and our minds. Through art, we can come to better understand ourselves, our world and our place in it. Art can even help shape the world.

The main goal of AP Studio Art is to create a portfolio of 24 pieces of art which is due the end of April. That’s 12 pieces BEFORE winter vacation! So, you will need to begin the process of creating over the summer by creating 4 pieces of art. These assignments are absolutely required. Failure to produce the four summer assignments will result in your final grade for the 1st semester being lowered one grade letter. These pieces are due on the first day of class so be sure to bring them with you. *You may drop them off in my room in the morning. Feel free to email me over the summer with any questions you have about these projects. Also you may email photos of your projects in progress to get my advice to help you complete them. My email is

See Mrs. Spade before school is out for a list of concentration ideas. You should begin thinking about that now.

But, before you begin any of these assignments, please visit and learn more about the AP Studio Art requirements. To start, click on “For Students” then click on “AP” under College Board Tests. Under Courses and Exams, use the drop down box to select “Studio Art.” READ the course description and familiarize yourself with the portfolio requirements. LOOK at art in the Drawing portfolio samples for both the breadth and concentration sections. Take the time to look at the level of craftsmanship in each piece.

Choose 4 projects from suggested ideas below which show at least 10-12 hours of work. Photography students may manipulate them using photoshop or other image editing software. 3-D students may alter these ideas into 3-D form.

  1. Create an Architectural Myth…

Collect photographs or photocopies of environments--city skylines, landscapes, and seascapes. Also collect photos/copies of household and technical objects like an eggbeater, a toaster, a toothbrush, parts of a car, etc. Carefully implant the photo of the object within the photo of the environment to create a surreal city or landscape. (Check out the work of Max Ernst online for inspiration.) *Photography students are to do this assignment as is.

2. “Redo” an Old Masterpiece…

Select a painting or other well-known image from art history for interpretation. Update it—change the colors, media, characters, etc. *Photography students are to stage and photograph and old masterpiece. You may use Photoshop to alter the colors/characters in the photograph.

3. Create a Mythological Event…

Think up a story involving the imaginary revolt of one of the following—shoes, flowers, domestic animals, kitchen appliances, computers, elevators/escalators, etc. Visualize your idea by making a convincing illustration of the event. This could be a drawing of an epic battle, or done in a graphic, comic book style.

4. Create a Progressive Magnification of an Object…

Divide a large piece of drawing paper into 3 to 5 equal parts. Start in the upper left hand box by drawing an entire object as carefully and realistically as you can. In the next box, pretend you have a zoom lens, and draw a close-up view of part of the object. In the remaining sections, continue zooming in closer and closer, until the last box is viewed as if it were under a magnifying glass or microscope. Mixed media is encouraged. *Photography students will take a series of five photographs magnifying an object using the instructions above.

5. Make an Altered Book…

Use an old book for the body of your project. Feel free to drill, cut and alter the book as much as possible. Choose a name for your book. Remake the cove and use a variety of media and mixed media to create images on each page that illustrate a theme. Collage and drawing in the book are encouraged. *Photography students are to collage their own photographs into the book.

6. Paint or Draw a creative self-portrait…

Use acrylic paint, watercolor, or pencils to create a unique view of your self. Strive for an interesting view or unusual angle of yourself. *Photography students will take a series of at least five photographs illustrating your identity.

7. Who am I, REALLY?...

A still life with “Character”: Create a still life or room interior that describes the character of a particular person (real or imaginary) without showing that person. Include specifically selected subjects: all objects must have a specific meaning to or for this character in order to be included. Media can be charcoal, colored pencil, or pastel.

8. Objects that Reflect...

Choose a shiny, highly polished object or objects that reflect what is around them. Look for tin cans, glass jars, a part of a bicycle or motorcycle, a car bumper, spoons or eye glasses. Arrange one or more of these objects with strong lighting, so that they reflect other objects somewhere on their surfaces. Zoom in on a small section. Make two or three thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook that demonstrate two or more points of view. Complete a finished composition using charcoal. See artists Parmigianino, Janet Fish, and others for examples.

9. Passageways...

Seek out a doorway/entrance that has remarkable features either by design or by lighting effects. Try a mixed media piece as a final project after you gather a few sketches. Media can be charcoal, ink, colored pencil, or pastel.

The size of each piece must be between 9”x12” and 18”x24” AP does not accept works larger than 18x24.

If you are not working from life, you must take your own photos. Artworks from the internet or magazines will not be graded and can’t be included in your portfolio. If I am not sure that your work is original, I’ll need to see the photos you have taken.

You may NOT use art you’ve made for another class. These MUST be NEW pieces!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT PUT THESE PIECES OFF UNTIL AUGUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also do the following three things:

  1. Visit a museum or art gallery. Please keep your ticket stub (for credit) and sketch some art in the show in your sketchbook.
  1. Go to an Art supply store and purchase the suggested materials listed below. Experiement with the suggested supplies and any other supplies you have.

KEEP YOUR FAILURES! DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY!!

  1. Fill a sketchbook with ideas for future projects. Take some time to think about a concentration (series of 12 pieces on a topic you choose) that will be interesting to you. Try to apply this theme to your summer assignments if possible. Otherwise, your summer assignments will make up part of your breadth section.

SUPPLY LIST

  • A portfolio to safely transport artwork (cardboard ok) or a drawing board
  • Sketchbook
  • A set of prismacolor pencisl (12 miniumum recommended)
  • Charcoal pencils
  • Erasers- kneaded & magic rub
  • Oil pastels
  • Masking tape
  • Paint set (acrylic, goache or watercolor tube set)
  • Other supplies based on student’s choice
  • Flash drive (when school starts)
  • Camera for photography students

Criteria for completion:

  • Use a variety of wet/dry media
  • Variety of sizes (no smaller that 9x12")
  • Reflects design principles
  • Reflects knowledge of materials and techniques
  • Variety of viewpoints
  • Record date and place artwork was done
  • Complete Self-Assessment

Self Assessment Questions to be completed for each piece

  • How much time did you spend on each piece?
  • What helped inspire you to create each piece?
  • How did this piece enhance your skills/ability as an artist?
  • What did you learn about yourself during this project?
  • How would you rate this piece on a scale of 1-5. Defend your answer.
  • What would you like viewers to gain about this piece?
  • What areas of weakness do you identify in this piece?
  • What were your strengths?