AP Studio Art – Drawing

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Course Overview

This AP course, taught by Acellus Instructor Erica Crist and filmed in 3-D, provides students with a conceptual and visual foundation of the components of artistic drawing. It is an excellent foundation for students desiring a career in an art-related field, and gives guided preparation on preparing artwork for the AP exam. Acellus AP Studio Art - Drawing has been audited and approved by the College Board. Acellus AP Studio Art - Drawing is A-G Approved through the University of California.

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Sample Lesson - Charcoal Portrait

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Unit 1 - The AP Portfolio In this introductory unit, students gain understanding of how to create a drawing portfolio. They learn about the three sections of a portfolio (quality, concentration, breadth), and about ethics, artistic integrity, and plagiarism. They discuss developing concentration ideas and photographing artwork, and learn how to critique art through description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. Unit 2 - Line and Expression/Line Quality In this unit students learn about line and expression, and line quality. They study types of lines and see a demonstration of line quality.  They learn to use blind contour lines, cross contour lines, gesture lines, implied lines, and line quality, and learn about exploration of mark making, and monoprint and line exploration. Unit 3 - Composition In this unit students delve into composition, learning about visual potential, positive and negative shapes, and the rule of thirds. They receive composition recommendations and a demonstration of negative shape design. Unit 4 - Principles of Design This unit provides students with the principles of design, beginning with design basics. They learn about unity and variety, contrast emphasis, balance, movement, repetition and rhythm, and an overview of the principles of design. Unit 5 - Form In this unit students are introduced to form. They explore planar analysis, mass gesture drawing, continuous line drawing, and topographical drawing. They are given a demonstration of planar analysis drawing with value, as well as a demonstration of painting cloth. Unit 6 - Illusion of Depth In this unit students learn to create the illusion of depth. They gain understanding of figure-ground relationship, methods for creating three-dimensional space, foreshortening, and ambiguous space. Unit 7 - Linear Perspective In this unit students come to understand linear perspective. They study point of view, one- and two-point perspective, units on a receding plane, three-point perspective, the circle in perspective, and the benefits and limitations of linear perspective. They are given a demonstration of combining 1- and 2-point perspective. Unit 8 - Proportions In this unit students discover proportions. They learn about measuring with a pencil, more basics of pencil sighting, using a viewfinder, and seeing angles, and receive a demonstration of sighting a doorway. Unit 9 - Value (Light and Shade) In this unit students investigate value. They study value scale, value shapes, and value on form. They are given demonstrations of drawing reflective objects, value and line as texture, and tonal drawing. Unit 10 - Color In this unit students learn to work with color. They explore hue and value, receive a demonstration of landscape drawing, and learn about intensity, color schemes, and space and form. They are given demonstrations of drawing an apple and of complementary color painting. Unit 11 - Ideation In this unit students gain understanding of ideation. They learn about scamper, about real, abstract, and non-objective, about design ideas, and about building on ideas. They are given a demonstration of creating a collage. Unit 12 - The Human Figure In this unit students learn to draw the human figure. They discuss ideal proportions, basic shapes, gesture drawing, the head and face, the foot, the hand, and the foreshortened figure. They are given a demonstration of drawing a charcoal portrait.