AWM4M Course Outline

Visual Arts, Portfolio, AWM4M The development of sound learning skills is essential to the success of our students.  Teachers and students will work together to understand and further the development of student learning skills in the areas of initiative, work habits, organization, team work, and independent work. Portfolio preparation emphasizes individual development in drawing, painting and three dimensional artworks and is intended for students pursuing Fine Arts after high school. Students are encouraged to make decisions regarding their immediate artwork as well as their career goals. The creation of a portfolio with both in-depth thematic exploration as well as varied handling of media is a requirement. The development of a sketch book and the completion of ten major works are integral. A properly documented portfolio presentation and written critique will be an integral part of basis of a summative evaluation. Students applying to post-secondary programs will follow portfolio guidelines as set out by each institution to which they apply. A combination of evaluation techniques will be used:  conferencing and informal verbal feedback, formative and summative assessment with numerical grades/levels based on student progress, including studio and written assignments, quizzes and tests, as well as self, peer, and teacher evaluation. Formative evaluation will make up 70 % of the final mark. Summative evaluation will make up 30 % of the final mark. The marks will be weighted according to the following: Knowledge and Understanding 20% Thinking and Inquiry 20% Communication 20% Application 40% The summative project is administered towards the end of the course.  It takes the form of a specific performance task studio project with written research and support materials. Note: Mastery of craftsmanship and sensitivity to the material is a large component of this course, however, image building and awareness in relationship to the chosen media is also stressed through intensive research, brainstorming and creative problem solving. Students will be expected to build on past experiences in creation/application skills. Marks reflect the student’s effective use of all preparation time, the effort and skill demonstrated. I read a really good example for expectations of a good art portfolio.  I wanted to share it with you: A good portfolio should contain from 12 to 20 works of art. If a student has taken a number of art courses, a variety of media should be represented. Copies of published work are unacceptable. An interpretation of a masterwork could be considered, but paintings and drawings copied from magazines or photographs taken by anyone but the artist are just not done. Originality and creativity cannot be stressed enough. Size of the work is not important, though variety in media is desired. Consider including something less than perfect if the student has stretched and shown imagination. The following are the three important skills to include in a portfolio: 1. Drawing: a portfolio should have good examples of drawing in a variety of media such as pastels, colored pencil, magic marker, ink, charcoal, and conte crayon. A sketchbook could be included. The best drawings are familiar objects, people, nature, and architecture. 2. Painting: acrylic, oils, pastels, watercolor paintings. Drawings made with colored media could take the place of painting in the portfolio. 3. Design: include a poster, publicity flyer, photographs, or layout to show ability to combine a variety of elements. Include pieces that show you have a grasp on color theory, proportion, linear and atmospheric perspective. Include pieces that presented a challenge to you. Here are some examples(none of these are required, they are just to explain the concept): An overhead view of an open container holding an object of personal importance. An image that conveys a "caged in" feeling. An album cover depicting someone's life. Two unrelated objects juxtaposed in a way that suggests a possible relationship. Two circles, one inside the other. Fill the larger circle with designs that represent classical music and the smaller circle with designs that represent jazz or rock music. A distorted landscape that expresses a human emotion such as anger, sorrow, jealousy or happiness. An object with interesting reflections in it, i.e. chrome hub cap, metallic box, glass bottle. A book cover. An action figure positioned or distorted to fit the shape of a letterform. Source: answers.yahoo.com