The document is an AP Drawing portfolio submission that explores themes of nihilism and solipsism in American youth through surrealist colored pencil art. It includes 15 images depicting how consumerism and technology leave youth feeling empty and addicted. Issues like pornography addiction, school shootings, and suicide are increasing. Later images get more personal and show depersonalization and mental chaos. The portfolio emphasizes layered colored pencil techniques to portray intrusive thoughts and fractured humanity. It aims to express the artist's social anxiety and negative internal voice. Advice is given to future AP students to be true to themselves and not procrastinate.

1. Andrew
AP Drawing
Portfolio

2. How can I explore the causes & effects of nihilism & solipsism on youth in America
w/ surrealist art using colored pencil?
As young people in America today, we are told that we are the centers of our worlds, making
our world
views self-centered in a universe that seems indifferent & meaningless. For many, this nihilistic
&
solipsistic worldview leaves us alone w/ our intrusive, negative thoughts that eat away at our
very
identities which I portray w/ swarms of insects 1, 3, 12. Our consumerist society exploits this by
promising to fulfill our desire for meaning w/ material goods & distractions, but these
ultimately leave
us dissatisfied, unfulfilled, & addicted, catching us like fish on hooks 4. As a result, we see
increases in
young people involved in pornography addiction 6, school shootings & gun violence 9, &
suicides 14,
as we become increasingly dependent & attached to technology 7. I explore my feelings of
depersonalization by covering the subject’s eyes & showing him physically decay 10, 12.
I re-worked 14 by experimenting w/ surface manipulation. In 15 I show my feelings of despair,
sinking as a tiny, seemingly insignificant part at the center of my endlessly blue world.

3. Image 1
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper,colored
pencil, acrylic paint
Process(es): Layering colored
pencil to create movement to
portray the chaos of the
negative internal voice

4. Image 2
Sustained
Investigation
Height: NA
Width: NA
Material(s): Process shot
Process(es): I drew the
insects resembling static to
represent disconnection
from reality and isolation

5. Image 3
Sustained
Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper, colored pencil
Process(es): Gradating layers of
insects emphasize spotlighted
endless darkness

6. Image 4
Sustained
Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper,
colored pencil, charcoal
Process(es): I emphasized
red to mimic popular
brands’ billboards and
focus on the
subject

7. Image 5
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper, colored
pencil Process(es): Divided
composition shows
fractured humanity as heart
and wounds juxtapose w
machine, gears, wires

8. Image 6
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper, colored
pencil
Process(es): Started being
more
personal, the eye shows
wanting to
be seen while subject is
adrift and
dissolving

9. Image 7
Sustained
Investigation
Height: NA
Width: NA
Material(s): Process
shot
Process(es):
Experimented with
photoshop to
determine how the
insects should look
coming out of
face

10. Image 8
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper,
colored pencil
Process(es): Used light
and shade to
render the form fading
and
dissolving, further
showing
depersonali ation

11. Image 9
Sustained
Investigation
Height: NA
Width: NA
Material(s):
Progress shot
Process(es):
Experimented with
surface
manipulation by
tearing to
make design more
engaging and
unify it with 15

12. Image 10
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper,
colored pencil,
watercolor
Process(es): In suicide,
red, showing
internal mental chaos,
shatters over
blue, showing cold,
unfeeling death

13. Image 11
Sustained Investigation
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Material(s): Paper, colored
pencil,
watercolor
Process(es): Composition
shows a
nihilistic and solipsistic world,
subject at center surrounded by
endless void

14. Work 1
Selected Works
Height: 19.5 inches
Width: 27.5 inches
Idea(s): An expression of my
social
anxiety as an artist. I want to
hide and express myself at
the same time.
Material(s): Charcoal and
graphite
on paper
Process(es): Used light and
shade to render form, and
harsh lights and darks to
create the illusion of depth.

15. Work 2
Selected Works
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Idea(s): An abstract
depiction of my
negative internal voice, the
insects
representing intrusive
thoughts.
Material(s): Colored pencil
on paper
Process(es): Layered
colored pencils
to create movement, used
simple
composition to make it
more
visceral.

16. Work 3
Selected Works
Height: 5 inches
Width: 10 inches
Idea(s): Inspired by The
Metamorphoses by Ovid,
where Roman gods turn
people into birds,
flowers, and rivers.
Material(s): Ampersand
Claybord scratchboard
Process(es): I payed
special attention to line
quality in my mark
making, with many thin
lines to
render form.

17. Work 4
Selected Works
Height: 15 inches
Width: 18 inches
Idea(s): Portrays
depersonalization and
loss of identity.
Material(s): Colored
pencil on paper
Process(es): Played
with light and
shade to show the
subject fading
and dissolving,
emphases ed by black
and white

18. Work 5
Selected Works
Height: 10 inches
Width: 13.5 inches
Idea(s): I drew my father
playing
guitar because music is a
significant
part of our relationship.
Material(s): Colored pencil
on paper
Process(es): Used light and
shade to
create depth, used surface
manipulation by carving in
the guitar
strings.

19. Advice to Future AP Art Students:
● Do what you want to do. My work this year is embarrassingly edgy but the fact
that I was expressing how I really feel is what got me through.
● Every former AP student will tell you not to procrastinate. You will do it anyway
and you will see why we tell you this.
● Listen to Prof. Robson. If you follow her advice you cannot fail.