AP Studio Art Benchmark, 1st Quarter (200 points):

DUE: Tuesday, October 28th 2014.

NAME: _________________________________
PART 1: Breadth Portfolio: (100 points)
1. Complete 10 of the breadth assignments to Portfolio quality from this
quarter.
Look back at all of the work you have completed in the first quarter and pick
the 10 most successful pieces. You will present them for critique in a
Portfolio Ready state:
- Complete, no sketches, shading is at an AP level, no empty
backgrounds, no smudges, no torn or crumpled paper. (Photo
students will make a list of their 10 best pieces with detailed
descriptions these MUST be uploaded to your blogs for
consideration)
- Review rubrics and grades that I have returned to you and make
adjustments based on the feedback. Make adjustments based on
the feedback of your peers.
- Stored in a portfolio. I will provide poster board to make one if
necessary.
- Include a rubric/self evaluation for these works.
PART 2: Breadth Artist Statement (typed). (50 points)

How to write an artist statement for AP

Studio Art:
Your artist's statement can be a moving testament to your creativity
and integrity. The expression of this commitment will vary, but the
effectiveness of your artist's statement stems from the authority with
which you write it.
Our words "author" and "authority" come from the Latin root "augere,"
which means "to increase, to create, to promote." This implies that the
notions of creation and promotion are compatible! The more I muse on
the meaning of working from my authority, of being the author of my
work and of my conduct, the more I understand that authentic
communication about my work is a powerful tool for creative growth as

well as for business success.

WRITING YOUR ARTIST'S STATEMENT

You'll need pencil and paper, a dictionary, and a thesaurus.

STEP ONE (Pre-writing turned in with typed

statement):
1. Take five minutes and think about why you do what you do. How
did you get into this work? How do you feel when work is going well?
What are your favorite things about your work? Jot down short
phrases that capture your thoughts. Don't worry about making sense
or connections.
2. Make a list of words and phrases that communicate your feelings
about your work and your values. Include words you like, words that
make you feel good, words that communicate your values or
fascinations. Be loose. Be happy. Be real.
3. Answer these questions as simply as you can. Your answers are the
meat and potatoes of your stew. Let them be raw and uncut for now.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What is your favorite tool? Why?

What is your favorite material? Why?
What do you like best about what you do?
What do you mean when you say that a piece has turned out
really well?
What patterns emerge in your work? Is there a pattern in the
way you select materials? In the way you use color, texture or
light?
What do you do differently from the way you were taught? Why?

6. Write five sentences that tell the truth about your connection to
your work. If you are stuck, start by filling in the blanks below.
When I work with__________ I am reminded that___________.
I begin a piece by______________.
I know a piece is done when__________________.
When my work is going well, I am filled with a sense of
_____________.

When people see my work, I'd like them to ________________.

STEP TWO: Artist Statement (typed).

Write a three paragraph artist's statement. Keep your sentences
authentic and direct. Use the present tense ("I am," not "I was," "I
do," not "I did.") Be brave: say nice things about yourself.. Refer to
yourself with the pronouns "I, me, my." Use the suggestions below to
structure your statement. Write six to eight sentences per paragraph.
First paragraph. Begin with a simple statement of why you do the
work you do. Support that statement, telling the reader more about
your goals and aspirations.
Second paragraph. Tell the reader how you make decisions in the
course of your work. How and why do you select materials,
techniques, themes? Keep it simple and tell the truth.
Third paragraph. Tell the reader a little more about your current
work. How it grew out of prior work or life experiences. What are you
exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work.
At its best, an artist's statement reads easily, is informative, and adds
to your understanding of the artist and the painting. At its worse, an
artist's statement is difficult to understand or rambles on, is
pretentious, and irritates rather than informs (or, even, provokes
laughter).
What Should an Artist's Statement Say? An artist's statement
should be an explanation of your painting style and subjects or
themes. Add a bit about your approach or philosophy if you wish.
Consider mentioning which artists (living and dead) have influenced or
inspired you.
Help, I Find It Impossible to Describe My Work in Words! It
can often be difficult to explain something visual in words and after
all, you're an artist not a writer! But, as with making art, practice
makes it easier and perseverence is essential. You're unlikely to
produce a polished artist's statement the first time you try, so be
prepared to rework it several times.

Think about how you would describe your work to someone who didn't
know you, what other people have said about your work, what you are
aiming to achieve in your paintings, your outlook on life. Ask a friend
for comments on what you've written (but pick someone you know will
give you an honest answer, this is no time for "that's lovely"
comments). Write your artist's statement in first person ("I work ..."),
not third person ("Mary works ...").
Can an Artist's Statement Change? Certainly, because you and
your work will change.
PART III:
Developing your Concentration Ideas (50 points):
Once the concept of a Concentration is presented and understood, the student needs
to develop his or her own ideas. This is the moment every visual art student has
been waiting for. Students continually ask, "When can we do what we want to do?"
In nine out of ten cases, however, students have no idea of what to do -- especially in
terms of an in-depth exploration of a particular concern in the visual arts. In many
instances, developing a visual language that carries through a series of related
works is the most problematic aspect of the entire AP portfolio.
To ease into finding ideas for the Concentration, the student first needs to inventory
his or her personal likes and dislikes... The student needs to explain how other
influences are brought into, or become part of, the idea he or she wishes to pursue,
and to explain why this idea can serve as the basis of an in-depth exploration. All AP
participants need to realize that a Concentration is not just a series of drawings of
cats, cars, horses, emotions, and so on, appropriated from magazine images that
appeal to them. Nor is the Concentration found one week prior to the submission of
a portfolio by searching for commonalities in a group of divergent works. The
individual must come to "own" her or his imagery, whether objective or
nonobjective, based on personal contact, history, manipulation, observation,
research, or a combination of these. By feeling deeply comfortable or involved with
a Concentration, the AP student can continue to explore various approaches to the
concept being developed.
A specific series of thoughts/ideas can lead into a specific series of images. Further
investigation or articulation needs to take place to help identify materials,
techniques, artists, and styles that are of interest to the student. By delving into the
mechanics of making visual images, the student will begin to identify, articulate, and
develop an aesthetic. Finally, as the series evolves, the student's personal markmaking approaches and compositional preferences develop.

Directions:
Complete the following question: What 3 artists appeal to you the most, include
their style and periods of art:
1.
2.
3.
Next: Complete the following questions for each of your top 3 artists:
#1 Artist ______________________________
Period/Time _________________________
I. List and describe in detail the similarities of the subject matter.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
II. List and describe in detail the techniques used by the artist(s).
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
III. List various interpretations of the concept to be found in these artworks.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________

C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
#2 Artist ______________________________
Period/Time _________________________
I. List and describe in detail the similarities of the subject matter.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
II. List and describe in detail the techniques used by the artist(s).
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
III. List various interpretations of the concept to be found in these artworks.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________

#3 Artist ______________________________
Period/Time _________________________
I. List and describe in detail the similarities of the subject matter.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. ____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
II. List and describe in detail the techniques used by the artist(s).
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
III. List various interpretations of the concept to be found in these artworks.
A. _____________________________________________________________________
B. _____________________________________________________________________
C. _____________________________________________________________________
D. _____________________________________________________________________
E. _____________________________________________________________________
Begin to get organized:
List and write a description using the elements of art and principles of design of
your six concentration ideas below:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Next you will pick your top 3 different/separate concentration ideas and list with a
title below and sketch 4 sketches for each of your top 3 ideas. For each of your top 3
titled concentration idea answer the following questions for each 3 concentration
ideas:
Title _________________________________of #1 top concentration pick with 4 sketches
Technical considerations:
1. Influential artist, period, or style _____________________________________
2. Techniques/materials to be used _____________________________________
3. Themes to use for your idea _________________________________________
4. Paper(s) and size(s), canvas, etc _________________________________________
Title________________________________ of #2 top concentrations pick with 4 sketches
Technical considerations:
1. Influential artist, period, or style _____________________________________
2. Techniques/materials to be used _____________________________________
3. Themes to use for your idea _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

4. Paper(s) and size(s), canvas, etc _________________________________________

Title _________________________________of #3 top concentrations pick with 4 sketches
Technical considerations:
1. Influential artist, period, or style _____________________________________
2. Techniques/materials to be used _____________________________________
3. Themes to use for your idea
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Paper(s) and size(s), canvas, etc _________________________________________