In Texas, Art, Level II TEKS (19 TAC §117.303) build directly on the foundational skills learned in Art I. While Art I provides a broad survey across many media, Art II requires students to specialize in a specific discipline (e.g., Drawing II, Painting II, Sculpture II, Ceramics II, Printmaking II, Jewelry/Metalwork II, Photography II, or Digital Art II).

The curriculum deepens technical rigor, personal style, and portfolio development through the four mandatory structural strands:

1. Foundations: Observation and Perception

Students use sophisticated visual perception to inform their creative choices.

• Refined Analysis: Analyze and apply complex interactions of the elements of art (line, shape, color, texture, form, space, value) and principles of design (emphasis, pattern, rhythm, contrast, balance, proportion, unity) within their chosen specialization.

• Visual Synthesis: Synthesize direct observation, memory, imagination, and conceptual ideas to develop personal symbolism, narrative, and artistic voice.

2. Creative Expression

Students focus on technique mastery, personal expression, and professional studio practice.

• Specialized Media Skill: Demonstrate advanced technical control and safety procedures using discipline-specific tools, materials, and processes (e.g., advanced glazing/throwing in Ceramics II, layering/glazing in Painting II, or manual controls/editing software in Photography II).

• Concept & Problem Solving: Plan and execute a series of related artworks through preliminary sketches, research, and experimentation to solve complex visual problems.

• Intellectual Property & Ethics: Apply copyright standards, public domain guidelines, and ethical practices when referencing existing visual imagery.

3. Historical and Cultural Relevance

Students study art history through the lens of their specific medium and career pathways.

• Art History & Movements: Research and analyze historical styles, master artists, and contemporary trends relevant to their chosen medium.

• Cultural Context: Explore how different cultures and time periods have utilized the specific art medium to communicate identity, values, and social commentary.

• Career Exploration: Investigate higher education programs, professional industries, and career opportunities connected to their specialized artistic field.

4. Critical Evaluation and Response

Students engage in rigorous, professional-level critique and portfolio compilation.

• Structured Critique: Conduct formal oral and written critiques of personal work, peer work, and masterworks using precise discipline-specific vocabulary.

• Portfolio Development: Select, curate, and prepare a cohesive portfolio of original artworks accompanied by written artist statements that articulate intent, process, and technical growth.

Core Difference: Art I vs. Art II