AP ART CONCENTRATION

I found this information about AP Art Concentrations. Click here for the original school in NC. The information is simple and the suggestions are great. As they say "Why reinvent the wheel?"

 

Concentration

A concentration is defined as “a body of work unified by an underlying idea that has visual coherence”.

What the judges are looking for:
Coherence of thought as demonstrated through the art work

—is the work presented actually a concentration?
The quality of the concept/idea presented must show 

evidence of thinking AND a clear FOCUS.
To what degree has the student investigated the idea?  

This also will include the amount of work or number of pieces represented.

Some aspects of an Excellent concentration include:
There is a strong connection between the work presented and the idea described.
The concentration is interesting and attracts the viewer
The work is of excellent technical quality
The work shows feeling; the artist has given something of himself
The work takes risks; the artist has “thought outside the box” and it is successful
The body of work presented attracts viewer attention and makes the viewer think

KEEP IT SIMPLE! If your concentration were a book and each artwork a page, how would all of your images connect together to be unified? How would the viewer be able to visually connect your images? How can you present a visually coherent body of work?

1. If you could define your concentration with one word, what would it be?
2. If you could define your concentration with one sentence incorporating your one word, what would it be?
3. Now, expand your sentence into a paragraph explaining how you plan to investigate your topic sentence.
   
   
   NOW - Ask yourself, do my images have visual coherency? Is there an underlying theme? Is my topic of interest? What can I do to make it more interesting? What “twist” can I give it to make it more interesting?”  Refer to the handout on creativity for ideas of how to push your investigation into something more interesting.
   
   
   Research artists and styles as you develop your concentration.  Why reinvent the wheel?  See if you can find other artists that have illustrated or created works similar to your idea. The “twist” to your artwork could be honing in on a particular style to create a body of work or being influenced by your favorite artist and pushing your work in a new direction.
   
   
   REQUIRED!!!!!
   Look at examples of concentration statements, scores and score rationals click here.

2011 - 12 School Year

Please explore this class blog. 

Each Class has a page with lessons posted including any links that might be helpful. Both Mr. Johnson and myself have youtube channels that we use to support teaching and learning.You can find links listed in the right hand column. Mr Johnson has a class web site.

Familiarize yourself with the resources offered here! We will be using this blog a lot!

The AP/Studio Art 2nd lesson is now posted. Click here.

Feel free to explore what other art classes are doing.

Here is the video we watched in Art One today about creating 3/D value and form on an object.

Define "Sketch"

AP Students:
Have fun with your sketchbook! It is an assignment but don't labor too much and take all the fun out of it.

Sketches often include notes.
Notes can include descriptions of colors, textures or lighting!
Sketches can be inspired by magazine clippings, advertisements or any visual imagery! Add these to your collection in your sketchbook!

Define Sketch?
- a rough idea
- the basic elements
- a quick interpretation of something
- a quick plan for a possible later product
- essential features
- a preliminary layout
- a quick study
- an outline
- a workup

This is an online resource of 100's of links to artists sketchbooks from all over the world. Many of them are master artists. Click here to explore.


This is a cool exploration of a variety of sketchbooks. It is a project started by an artist and teacher. Click any sketch and get an explanation of the work, artist, media and more info links. Click here to explore.


This is an artist living in France and working in a sketchbook every day. Beautiful, fresh drawings of every day things. Click here.


The 2012 Art House Co-op World Tour Sketchbook Project! Click here. Here is my entry for 2012 - think I might do it again!

Here is a small sample of my own personal sketchbook. Click here.

Fantastic Images

Well, we have about one month left! I hope you have been having a restful and productive summer.

Please check out this Polish Surrealist Artist! I want to thank Ryan D. for sending me this link. The images are both beautiful and disturbing, right in line with the concept of Surrealism. Click here to see 28 of this artists fantastic paintings!

Here is the translation for the text on this site.

Jacek Yerka is an artist born in Torun, Poland, whose showy works combine surrealism and fantasy, the hand of a naive and almost childlike style. Crayons and acrylic paint are the preferred materials. Passionate about the details, Jacek confesses that for him the early '50s was a golden age, and for that reason probably choose to transform technological devices with rustic and pastoral.

AP Students: You should be about half way through your summer assignments. If you are not - !!!!!! Assignments do NOT have to be sophisticated work! They do NOT have to be large! They just have to be done. There are 7 assignments, 60 drawings, 1 blog, comment, explore AP site, 2 concentration assignments, 1 art event assignment, 1 principles of design assignment. Can't wait to see them and share.

2011 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Winners

Abraham Hunter, a 17 year old student from Vienna, Illinois is the 1st place winner in the 2011 Junior Federal Duck Stamp competition.  Click here for more info. Check out the judges in action in the video below. They give great tips as to what they are looking for in the art work.
Click here for the top three!

Maine Artist An International Treasure

The state of Maine has a long, rich history of Art and Artists. This clip is but one of many art icons with deep connections to Maine.

AP STUDIO ART STUDENTS:

Please watch this video about Andrew Wyeth (click here) Please make one comment or observation about the clip.

ALIVE PORTRAITS

This artist paints live portraits (on live people) that melt into an artwork. How would you like to try one of these installations at the art exhibition this year? Anyone want to volunteer?