Advanced Placement Studio Art (Drawing)  

Naugatuck High School 

Ms. Fin 
magdalena.fin@naugatuck.k12.ct.us 
Rm: S226 

 
Educational Objectives 
My goal for you while you are in AP Studio Art this year is to produce the best collection 
of work in your high school career. The AP Studio course is designed to prepare students 
for collegiate coursework at the post-secondary level by developing the mastery of 
concept, composition, and the thorough execution of 2-D design at a level of high 
quality.  
Using your sketchbook drawings as a template for the AP portfolio pieces you submit is 
very important to developing and following through with the creative processes. The AP 
Studio Art (Drawing) course teaches students a variety of concepts and approaches in 
drawing and painting so that the student is able to demonstrate a range of abilities and 
versatility with technique as well as with problem-solving. 
Such conceptual variety can be demonstrated through either the use of one or the use 
of several media, and places emphasis on the use of “mark marking” through drawn or 
painted works. Additionally, the course teaches students a variety in concepts and 
approaches so that the student is able to demonstrate a range of abilities and a variety 
of topics (i.e. Selected Works Section)  
Students will also work with a specific theme, thus fulfilling the Sustained Investigation 
section of the AP Drawing Portfolio requirement. 
 
You are required to complete the following to submit your artwork to the AP Portfolio 
Review in May: 
 
Selected Works:​ (40% of your overall score) 
“Five physical works or high-quality printed reproductions of physical works that each 
demonstrate synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas using drawing skills” 
-From the College Board AP Manual 
 
Sustained investigations​: (60% of your overall score) 
15 digital images of works of art and process documentation that demonstrate 
sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision 
-From the College Board AP Manual 
 
Selected Works Section  
This section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to 
make and present works of art and design with minimal constraints.  
Each work is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and 
ideas.  
Students should carefully select works that best demonstrate their skillful synthesis of 
materials, processes, and ideas. The submission can be a group of related works, 
unrelated works, or a combination of related and unrelated works.  
These works may also be submitted in the Sustained Investigation section, but they 
don’t have to be. ​Along with each work, students are required to submit written 
responses to prompts about the work. ​Responses are evaluated along with the images 
that students submit. The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those 
that: 
● are clearly related to the images of work submitted 
● directly and completely address the prompts  
● provide further evidence of skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas 
shown in the work. 
● Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation. 
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) material, process, idea, style, or content 
(please refer to student handbook and check with your teacher for any 
clarification) 
Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit.  
 
REQUIREMENTS AND PROMPTS 
Submit five works that demonstrate:   
➔ 2-D/drawing skills 
➔ Use and expression of materials, processes, and ideas. For each work, state the 
following in writing:  
1. Idea(s) visually evident (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 
2. Materials used (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 
 3. Processes used (100 characters maximum, including spaces) 
 
Example: 
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/series/ap-studio-art-drawing/portfolio/2018-student-
samples/selected-works-quality 
 

To summarize, Selected Works are five original works of art made by you that 
showcase your level of skills when using a variety of materials and representing a variety 
of topics.  
 
Sustained Investigation Section  
 
This section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to 
make and present works of art and design based on an in-depth investigation of 
materials, processes, and ideas done over time. 
Sustained investigation is guided by questions. It involves practice, experimentation, 
and revision using materials, processes, and ideas.  
The Sustained Investigation section is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of 
materials, processes, and ideas. Works from the Sustained Investigation section may also 
be submitted in the Selected Works section, but they don’t have to be. 
Along with each work, students are required to submit written responses to prompts 
about the work. ​Responses are evaluated along with the images that students submit. 
The most successful responses in terms of assessment are those that: 
● are clearly related to the images of work submitted 
● directly and completely address the prompts  
● provide further evidence of skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas 
shown in the work. 
● Responses are not evaluated for correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation. 
There is no preferred (or unacceptable) material, process, idea, style, or content 
(please refer to student handbook and check with your teacher for any 
clarification) 
Students should be the principal artist or designer of the work they submit.  
 
Please visit the following link for examples of Sustained Investigations (previously referred 
to by the AP Board as “concentration”): 
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/series/ap-studio-art-drawing/portfolio/2015-student-
samples/sustained-investigation-concentration 
 

In​ ​simpler terms, “Sustained Investigation” is you, as an artist, focusing on 

something you care about, and expressing that idea through your art in 15 original 
artworks.  
  
 

 
 
Payment deadline:​ May 1st. Please let me know by October 15th if you are planning on 
submitting your portfolio to the College Board. You do not have to submit your work, 
and still participate in the class and all of its requirements.  
 
Grading 
 
Below is a breakdown of the types of assignments we will work on and the weight of the 
assignment as it relates to your overall grade: 
● Projects:​ 55% of the Semester grade  
● Class Critiques:​ 20% of the Semester grade  
● Daily Grade:​ 25% of the Semester grade. The Daily Grade is based on your 
classroom management (cleanup) and work ethic in class. I expect you to work 
continuously in class. Goofing off, talking (and not working), and cell phone use 
will greatly reduce your overall grade 
 
 
 
 
 
Projects 
Projects makeup the majority of your overall grade. These projects are based on the 
subject we are studying at the current time. Unlike your previous Studio Art courses, you 
have the opportunity to increase a project grade to improve the artwork. Projects are 
graded based on 2 criteria: 
 

 
 
Class Critiques 
 
We will conduct group and individual critiques that will allow each student to 
receive feedback on their artwork. These critiques are led by or held one-on-one with 
the instructor. A grade will be given for student participation and engaging oneself in 
the critique process. In these critiques, we will use the vocabulary of art, elements of art 
and principles of design as discussed by the instructor and used by the students on a 
regular basis to practice verbal communication about the students’ own artworks as 
well as artworks of their peers. ​Art critiques are an opportunity to help and build each 
other up, as well as to receive help and positive feedback from everyone in the class.  
They are not an opportunity to discourage or criticize another artist in your class.  
 
Remember the following:  
 

Critique​: (verb) to evaluate in a detailed and thoughtful way; to analyze 

 

Criticize​: (verb) ​indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a 

disapproving way. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Semester 1 Course Outline.  
As this is a college level course, please be prepared to work on assignments 
outside of the classroom. That includes writing about your artwork and 
brainstorming ideas.   
 
Ideas for Selected Artwork:  
Abstractions from an urban environment ● Altered surface artwork ● Animal 
Drawings ● Collage ● Color Symbolism ● Contour drawing with weighted lines ● 
Cut Paper Composition ● Design related to historical, psychological, or narrative 
events ● Drawing of an unusual interior ● Explorations with mixed or multiple 
media ● Floral Drawing or Design ● Game board and game pieces 
● Mechanical objects ● Psychological use of color ● Self​-portrait with specific 
emotion ● Story, poem, or song lyric illustration ● Tool Drawings ● Vintage 
Cars/Trucks ● Watercolor Landscape 
 
1st Nine Weeks  
Week 1:​ Class Introduction and Syllabus Review.   
Week 2:​ Review of Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Bring in any past 
artwork that you think qualifies for the AP Selected Works section.  
Week 3​: Continue working on Selected Artwork.   
Week 4​:Class Critique on works in progress. Revise Selected Artwork.  
Week 5​: Continue Selected Artwork  
Week 6:​ Continue working on Selected Artwork 
Week 7:​ Work on Selected Artwork 
Week 8​: Continue Selected Artwork.  
Week 9​: Critique and Revise Selected Artworks 
Come up with three topics that you believe you can use for the Sustained 
Investigation (Concentration) of your portfolio.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ideas for Sustained Investigation Topics 
A series dealing with light and shadows in cityscapes ● A series of landscapes 
that use color and composition to intensify artistic expression. ● A series of works 
starting with representational interpretations and evolving into abstraction ● A 
series of works based on the life of an artist ● Exploration of pattern and designs 
found in nature and/or culture ● Hands in various positions & media ● Ink 
drawings based on photographic portraits ● Music: ​interpreted patterns and 
rhythms to graphic images ● Surrealism as it applies to dreams and nightmares ● 
The human figure as shape 
 
2nd Nine Weeks  
Week 10​: Begin Sustained Investigation Artwork.  
Week 11​: Sustained Investigation Artwork.  
Week 12​: Sustained Investigation Artwork.  
Week 13​: Sustained Investigation Artwork. 
Week 14​: Sustained Investigation Artwork.  
Week 15:​ Sustained Investigation Artwork. 
Week 16​:Sustained Investigation Artwork. 
Week 17​: Sustained Investigation Artwork.  
Week 18​: Class critique. Enjoy your break!