AP Drawing — Cheatsheet
Formulas, exam-day tips, and key terms on one page.
How to get a 5
- The Drawing portfolio requires a focus on mark-making, line, surface, space, light and shade, and composition.
- Practice drawing from direct observation, not just from photographs, to better understand form and light.
- Don't be afraid to leave some areas 'unfinished' or looser to create emphasis and contrast with highly detailed areas.
- Your written commentary is important; use specific drawing vocabulary to describe your process and intent.
Key terms
Mark-making — The different lines, dots, marks, patterns, and textures created in an artwork.
Line Quality — The thickness, thinness, lightness, or darkness of a line, which can convey emotion or indicate form and space.
Hatching & Cross-hatching — Techniques used to create value and texture using sets of parallel and intersecting lines.
Stippling — Creating value and texture by using small dots.
Contour Line — A line that defines the edges and surface ridges of an object.
Gesture Drawing — A quick, loose drawing that captures the fundamental movement and posture of a subject.
Linear Perspective — A system for representing 3D space on a 2D surface using vanishing points and converging lines.
Atmospheric Perspective — Creating the illusion of depth by reducing color saturation, value contrast, and detail in the background.
Foreshortening — Creating the illusion of an object receding strongly into the distance or background.
Chiaroscuro — The treatment of light and shade in drawing to create the illusion of three-dimensional form.
Tooth — The surface texture of paper; paper with more tooth holds more charcoal or pastel.
Fixative — A spray used to preserve dry media drawings (like charcoal or pastel) and prevent smudging.