Visual manipulation, creativity and reinterpretation are some of the individual elements judged in the overall grade of a Junior Cert art project. A painting in the style of contemporary artist Yaacov Agam's polyphonic paintings would satisfy these requirements, and provide students with a strong base for their art project. Agam used two or more abstract designs on zigzagged panels, which creates a different image depending on the viewer's angle to the painting. To duplicate, paint three realistic images that closely relate in theme on sheets of equal sized paper. Construct a frame by folding a sheet of heavy paper, equal in width but three times in length as the size of one of your paintings, into folds that measure 1 inch wide and 1 inch tall, leaving 1 inch between each fold. Cut your paintings into 1-inch strips and paste them onto the frame in order. When finished, three separate images should appear when the piece is viewed from the left, center and right.
The use of plaster gauze was made famous by artist George Segal during the 1960s and remains a cheap, imaginative way for students to create realistic sculptures. Plaster gauze can be purchased at any art store and takes only minutes to dry. Wet the gauze and place it over the head of your model. When the gauze drys you will have a plaster replica of your model's head that you can mount onto a piece of plywood. Once mounted, decorate the plaster mask, keeping in mind the more effort you put into a well-executed design, the better your overall scores.
Graphic design projects offer students the opportunity to alter images in unique, colorful ways. Take close-up photos of the faces of four of your friends. Scan those images, along with the images of basic playing cards, into your computer. Using imaging software such as Photoshop, replace the faces of the jack, queen, king and joker on the playing cards with those of your friends. Manipulate the images so the color of your friend's face matches the background and style of the playing card. Finish the project by printing your own deck of cards with your friends as the stars.
The Junior Cert exam requires students who select drawing as their medium to sketch both a still object and a human form. Students will be graded on observation -- shape, form, texture, tone, line -- and interpretation -- personal, creative, skill, presentation. Students should practice drawing their subjects in advance, while focusing on improving in the areas of the grading criteria. When drawing an individual, be sure to focus on the small details that will give your portrait added depth such as the hands, eyes, lips and nose.