Senior Portfolio Syllabus
Mrs. Dawn Cavanaugh
[email protected]
815-899-8160 ext. 2153
2015-2016
Course Description
Students in Senior Portfolio must have a general understanding of the elements and principles of art
upon entry. They must be decisive, accountable, risk-takers, demonstrate innovation, and above all,
be finishers. Students will produce a portfolio of 10 quality artworks during this course (per
semester). A variety of materials may used.
Overview
During this course, you will be presented with one or more prompts. You will consider the prompt,
and sketch your ideas as you explore possibilities. You will make decisions about the medium that is
appropriate for you as the artist as well as the final project that you envision. Based on your planning
and research, you will complete the project.
Requirements
For each prompt, you will be required to complete the following:
1. A minimum of five sketches prior to starting the final project.
2. A typed critique that includes what worked, what didn’t, and why.
3. A rubric with your name, a grade for sketches, and questions answered.
Evaluation/Grading
On the day the assignment is due, you will need to have all of the above requirements with you, done,
ready to be handed in. We will have a group critique during this class period. When the critique is
done, you will hand everything in. If there is still time in class, you will be work on the next prompt
and your sketches will be due at the end of the next class period.
The district grading scale will be used. Each Prompt rubric will total 150 points. Grades will be
posted on parent portal in a timely manner. The semester exam is worth 20%.
100=A+
93-99=A
90-92=A-
87-89=B+
83-86=B
80-82=B-
77-79=C+
73-76=C
70-72=C-
67-69=D+
63-66=D
60-62=DBelow 60=F
SUPPLIES
The following may be purchased at the school store (your supply fee covers the paper that you will
use as well as graphite, pastel, oil pastel and pen and ink).
Sketchbook
Eraser
Pencil Sharpener
Semester One
Prompt 1
Your first prompt in senior portfolio is “Visual Puns”.
Create a list of visual puns (words or phrases that have double meaning).
a. Pool table, tow (toe) truck, water gun, armchair, hot dog, headlamp, campfire, beach ball, cement truck, eye ball
etc.
b. Sketch several ideas (variations) for your visual pun.
c. Create a list of materials that you will need for the project.
Prompt 2
For the remaining prompts, you will have three options.
Choose one.
2a. Imbuing inanimate objects with human characteristics. Find an interesting discarded object and add
features.
2b. Reinterpreting ancient myths: Creating personal versions of ancient myths. Select an interesting
story or legend from mythology and invent your own characters to serve as substitutes.
2c. Impossible scenarios. Visualize impossible scenarios and create a scene or place where the scenario
exists.
Prompt 3
3a. “Re-doing” an old masterpiece. Select a painting, sculpture or any well know image from art history and re-do
the work.
3b. Optical Illusions: These are misleading images that cause us to perceive things differently from what is
presented. Create you own optical illusion.
3c. DADA. Research this art movement and propose a project that embodies the concept.
Prompt 4
4a. Surreal Totem: Creating a subjective sculpture, drawing or painting from found objects (these can be used as is
or altered).
4b. Unnatural landscapes: Creating surrealistic “landscapes” in a box.
4c. X-ray images: Portraying ideas/images and their inner workings.
.
Prompt 5
5a. Cryptic Images: Creating a piece that has cleverly hidden images within its composition.
5b. Impossible Inventions: Creating inventions that will never become realities.
5c. Street Myth: Creating a 2-D or 3-D image of a building. Think urban or small town, and old hotel or a hotdog
stand.
Prompt 6
6a. Symbolic Shoe: Transform a shoe or shoes into a complex drawing, painting, mixed media piece or sculpture.
6b. Synectic Shadows: Create designs from cast shadows. These can be figurative, abstract etc.
6c. Analyzing and recombining shapes: Draw separate parts of an object (camera, phone, bike), then recombine
them in a unique manner to create an interesting composition.
Semester Two
Prompt 1
1a. Barnacle Grouping: A group of objects can be arranged on a “host” form. Analogize the way barnacles attach
themselves to host forms.
1b. Combining geometric and organic shapes: Combine shapes that have an opposite inherent quality.
1c. Stimulus from and industrial structure: Simplify and abstract visuals of unusual industrial structures (machines,
construction site).
Prompt 2
2a. Art and Issue: A social, ethical or moral issue can be visually signified. Portray your views in a respectful manner.
2b. Dual portraits: Create a portrait that simultaneously signifies two sides of a personality.
2c. Identity in packages: The concept of commercial “packaging” can be used to symbolize the human condition.
Package an element of humanity that you feel has been commercialized.
Prompt 3
3a. 3-D Duality: Create a double-sided sculpture that signifies an idea or emotion.
3b. Iconic Dwelling: Design a small or surrealistic dwelling or house that is imbued with myth and fantasy (symbolic
overtones).
3c. Wacky Monuments: Use mixed media to create a bizarre monument.
Prompt 4
4a. Mimics: Create a humorous scenario by giving inanimate objects human characteristics.
4b. Comic Portrait: Create a comical self-portrait or portrait from your own photo. Exaggerate.
4c. Futuristic Mutation: A common object can be imagined to mutate and develop a hybrid strain possessing
extraordinary powers.
Prompt 5
5a. Architectural Fantasy: Create a study of a building in Sycamore or from a vacation photo (must be your image).
5b. Mock Information: Make up an outrageous story about the right or wrong way to do something.
5c. Modules: A module is a design unit that can be repeated to form an interlocking pattern or architectural design.
(198)
Prompt 6
6a. Movement in the 2-D Plane: An inherently static graphic image can be made to convey the effect of movement.
Take photos of people in action. Alter the image by repeating, adding, superimposing, combining or animating.
6b. Scale-change grid: Create a grid that can be changed in scale (progressive or random). Create a pattern based on
design.
6c. Spiral progression within a grid: Create a 2” grid on 18” x 18” colored drawing paper. Start in the middle and design
using color. Spiral out and make sure that each next square relates in someway to the previous.
Print and Draw
You may not go to the computers, find an image, print it and then just draw it. You may use it as a
resource but it cannot be copied exactly as it appears. You may certainly use your own photographs
but nothing that is not yours/published on a website, face book, photo-bucket etc.
Work Ethic
Your work ethic will dictate your ability to improve and advance your skill.
Cleaning up
If you are painting, clean up about five minutes before the bell. Please put the paint container back
on the shelf. Clean your brushes and if you are using oil and turpentine, be sure it is not on the desks
or counters, anywhere. If you are drawing, clean up about one minute before the bell. Please do not
line up at the door.
Technology
You may use your iPhone to search for reference material or listen to music. You may not use it to
monitor social media, make phone calls or text.
This elective course is not NCAA approved/accredited (which is only relevant for potential Division I Athletes).