Download this WAEC Visual Arts Syllabus to study smart and excel in your exams
Home » WAEC Syllabus » The WAEC Visual Arts syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including general knowledge, the art of West Africa, graphics, drawing, painting, and the history of art. It is designed to give you a broad understanding of Fine Arts and how it can be used to communicate ideas and express creativity.
If you intend to study courses like Creative Arts, Fine arts, Performing Arts, etc then we would advise you to write Visual Arts in WAEC as these courses need you to possess some form of creative thinking and artistic expression, so it’s important to have a good understanding of the arts.
The WAEC Visual Art exam aims to help you:
i. Develop a deep sense of observation, analytical and expressive skills through a variety of self-participatory art activities.
ii. Gain knowledge and skills in the use and maintenance of art tools, equipment and materials.
iii. Understand the creative application of design elements and principles.
iv. Gain knowledge of the history and branches of Art.
v. Gain knowledge and appreciation of the relationship between African Art and Western Art.
vi. Have a good understanding of the meaning, significance and role of art in socio-economic development and self-reliance, and so much more.
The examination consists of three papers: Papers 1, 2, and 3 all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be combined in a composite paper and will be taken in one sitting.
Paper 1: This paper will contain 40 multiple-choice objective questions to be taken in 50 minutes for 40 marks.
Paper 2: This paper will consist of three sections: Sections A, B and C covering the following areas of the syllabus:
Section A: General knowledge in art;
Section B: Art of West Africa;
Section C: Prehistoric art, Ancient Egyptian art and Western Art.
The paper will contain a total of eight essay questions. Candidates will be
required to answer four questions choosing one question from Section A, two from Section B and one question in Section C. The paper will last 2 hours and carry 60 marks.
Papers 1 and 2 will focus on general knowledge of art, i.e. elements and principles of art; branches, processes, history and appreciation of art; as well as creative design processes. They will also involve tests on the use and care of art tools and materials.
The test in art history will cover both the traditional and contemporary Art of West African countries. It will also cover prehistoric art, ancient Egyptian art and European (Western art). The section on art history will cover specific periods and regions and candidates must have an adequate understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that influenced artists in their work.
Paper 3:
The paper shall also have three sections: Sections A, B and C. Candidates for the
May/ June diet of the examination shall be required to answer questions in Section A and those in either Section B or C. Those for the November/December diet shall answer questions in Sections A and B only. Details on the questions in
the sections are as follows:
Section A – Drawing
This section will contain three questions, one each on drawing from objects, nature or life, from which candidates shall attempt one question only in 3 hours for 100 marks.
The instruction(s) for the section will be given to art teachers/supervisors two weeks before the date of the test. This is to enable the art them obtain the required materials for the test before the day of writing the paper.
Section B – Creative Design (2 – Dimensional)
This section will contain a total of six questions; two each on graphic design,
textiles design and picture-making. Candidates will be required to answer one question only in 3 hours for 100 marks. The question paper will be given to candidates at least 2 weeks before the day of executing the work, but the artwork must be done on the day of the test under appropriate WAEC supervision.
Section C – Creative Design (3 – Dimensional)
This section will contain four questions; one each on sculpture, product design/modelling, ceramics and crafts. Candidates will be required to answer one question only within six months for 100 marks
| WAEC VISUAL ART SYLLABUS | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| PAPER I & II | ||
| 1 | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ART | i. Nature and branches of Art and careers in art; ii. Visual awareness, understanding and appreciation of Art elements, their forms, characteristics and functions e.g. line, colour, space, shape, form, texture, etc.; iii. Principles of Art – creative application of art and design principles e.g. balance, rhythm, proportion, harmony, emphasis, variety, etc. iv. Perspective – meaning and type e.g. aerial, linear (angular/parallel) and foreshortening. v. The knowledge of production, use and care of art/craft tools and materials e.g. brushes, pencils, colour, palettes, easels, etc; vi. Art and craft terms e.g. tie and dye, biscuit ware, silhouette, relief, chiaroscuro, sfumato, aperture, etc; vii. The inter-relationships of the arts e.g. music, visual art, dance, drama and literary arts. |
| 2 | ART OF WEST AFRICA | i. Ancient Traditional Art Cameroon – Bamileke Dahomey (Now Benin Republic) – Fon Gambia – Wollof, Mandinka, Jola Ghana (Formerly Gold Coast) – Ashanti, Fante, Ewe, Frafra Guinea – Kissi Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – Senufo, Baule Liberia – Dan and Ngere Mali – Dogon, Bambara Sierra Leone – Mende, Sherbro Upper Volta (Now Burkina Faso) – Mossi, Bobo, Kurumba Nigeria – Benin, Ife, Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, ii. Modern Traditional Art Oshogbo art, Ashanti and Ewe Kente, Modern Benin art, Winneba pottery, Abuja pottery, Ntoso adinkra, Bida brass works, calabash carving, Enyiresi basketry, Mbari mud sculpture, weaving, leatherwork, wall decoration, indigenous Decorative Motifs. iii. Contemporary (a) Art institutions (art schools, art galleries, arts centres, museums). Various departments responsible for art and culture, Art organizations, e.g INSEA (International Society for Education through Art), NSIAD (Nigeria Society of Industrial Artists and Designers), Ghana Artists Association, Ghana Craftsmen Association, Ghana Arts Council, GAT (Gambia Art Teachers Association), NAAC (National Association of Artists and Craftsmen) SNA (Society of Nigerian Artists), NSEA (Nigerian Society of Education through Art), Ona Art Movement of Artists, Ulli Art Movement, The Eye Society. Cultural festivals (their artistic significance e.g. costumes, symbols, objects, masks, body decorations, wall decorations, etc). (b) Outstanding contemporary West African Artists: their training, style, achievements and contributions to the development of art. |
| 3 | PRE-HISTORIC, ANCIENT EGYPTIAN AND WESTERN ART | i. Pre-historic (Earlyman’s Art 20,000 – 2000BC) (Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic stone Ages) beliefs, materials, characteristics and functions; ii. Ancient Egyptian art 11,000 – 7,000 BC (Old, Middle and New Kingdoms) beliefs, styles and functions; iii. Greek Art – Periods and charctreristics; iv. Medieval Art – Features, media and characteristics v. 19th Century Art (a) Impressionism – Artists – Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Georges Seurat. (b) Post Impressionism (late 19 century)- Artists – Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin etc. vi. Renaissance Art Early, Low and High Renaissance Art – Artists: Giotto, Donatello, Masaccio, etc. vii. Medieval Art: Features (characteristics). viii. Greek Art: Periods (Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic), characteristics and artists. ix. 20th Century Art Cubism: Influence of African Art and Artists – Pablo Picasso, George Braque. |
| 4 | PAPER III: DRAWING | i. Drawing from Objects: The aim of this alternative is to test candidates’ ability to observe and interpret a group of arranged objects as a total composition. It will require a drawing of a group of man-made objects. The work may be carried out in relation to the surroundings or the part of the room in which the objects are placed. The drawing may include objects such as old radio sets, parts of cars, bicycles, machines, bottles, etc. ii. Drawing from Nature: The purpose of this alternative is to get candidates to make a study of natural objects to bring out the beauty of their forms and/or the nature of their growth. This may require the study of a branch which may include flowers, foliage, fruits and vegetables. It may also be the study of rocks, bones, insects and birds, shells and other forms including fish, crustacean, skeleton etc. iii. Drawing from Life: The aim of this alternative is to test candidates’ ability to observe and depict accurately, the structure and form of a living person. The model (male or female) is to be posed in an attitude which will be described. The figure must be drawn as may be instructed. |
| 5 | PART B: CREATIVE ART (2-DIMENSIONAL ART) | i. Graphics Design a) Lettering and poster design This includes: the design and layout of a brief notice requiring formal lettering, which may be in Roman, Gothic or any other formalized characters; creation of pictorial posters with suitable lettering; lettering and layout appropriate for purposes such as greeting cards, formal invitations and book jackets, logo types, emblems, symbols, labels, wall hangings etc. b) Book Illustration – This includes story and text illustrations in books, magazines and newspapers. c) Printmaking – This includes linocut, woodcut, yam print, stenciling, screen printing and others. d) Package Design – e.g. wrappers, cereal packages and record (CD) jackets etc; e) Computer Graphics – Designing any of (i – iv) with the use of computer software e.g. CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop etc. ii. Textile Design Designing a piece of material such as cotton, or silk, dyed in a pattern as in batik, tie and dye or printed as in block or screen printing. The piece should be at least two metres in length and unsewn. This section will also involve the following: a) Appliqué – shaped fabric pieces sewn on a foundation fabric to form a Design or pattern. b) Tapestry – a piece of fabric with a woven pattern or picture used as wall hanging, upholstery, etc. iii. Picture Making Questions on picture-making are meant to test candidates’ creative sense, ability and technical proficiency in the execution of the under-listed areas: a) Painting – Creating illustrative composition of ideas (themes) from everyday life or imagination, using suitable medium. This shall include Mural. b) Photography – the art of producing pictures with camera. The purpose of this aspect is for candidates to be able to demonstrate basic knowledge and creative skill in shooting and printing of pictures from a variety of subjects such as: Portraits – – – – human compositions Landscape – – – – rocks, hills, anthills, buildings, street scenes, etc Seascape – – – – beach scenes, streams, waterfall, dams etc. Nature – – – – plants, leaves, flower foliage, twigs, fruits, etc. Pets – – – – – . cats, dogs, birds etc. N.B: Experimental photography with simple forms of photo tricks e.g. photo grams and image distortion in printing etc. is encouraged. c) Mosaic – making picture with small pieces of regular shaped coloured materials e.g. glass, paper or tile stuck onto a surface. d) Collage – making pictures by synthesizing a variety of irregular shaped materials like cloth, pieces of paper and other objects onto a surface. |
| 6 | PART C: CREATIVE DESIGN (3-DIMENSIONAL ART) | i.Sculpture:This may be rendered in clay, metal, wood, papier-mâché, cement, etc. All works rendered in clay must be fired. ii. Product Design/Modeling: Designing and producing models of industrial products, such as automobiles, phones, bottles, cosmetics, etc. iii. Ceramics: Ceramic wares such as jugs, flower vase, bowl, etc which a candidate has either moulded, handbuilt or thrown on the wheel or any other object such as a toy animal or figure. Clay works must be fired. iv. Crafts: This shall include: a) Basketry: the making of mats, chair, hat, stool, bag, macramé or other useful objects designed and woven or plaited in cane, raffia, etc. b) Jewellery: the design and construction of ornaments with metals, beads, plastic, shells, seeds, etc. c) Calabash Decoration: Designing and decorating calabash using various method. |
2. E. H. Gombrich The Story of Art Phaidon Press Limited l
3. Hellen Gardner Art Through the Agers Harcourt, Brace & World, N.Y. 1980
4. Kofi Antubam Ghana’s Heritage of Culture
5. Bernard S. Mayers Art & Civilization McGraw Hill, New York
6. Harlow Art History in Africa Longman Group Limited
7. Robert Clement The Art Teacher’s Handbook Century Hutchinson Limited, London
8. Harry Stemberg Composition Grosset & Dunlop New York
9. Maurice De Samsmarez Basic Design: The Dynamics of Visual Form Studio Vista Limited, London
10. Harold Osborne Art of Appreciation Oxford University, London
11. Henry Pluckrose The Book of Crafts Evans Brothers Limited, London
12. Werner Gillon A Short History of African Art Penguin Books Limited, Harmondsworth, U.K.
13. Whitfield Beginning Pen lettering (Book 3) Gina and Company Ltd, London.
14. Ayisi, Eric, O. An Introduction to the Study of African Culture Heinemann, 1972
15. Beier, Ulli Art in Nigeria London, Cambridge University Press, 1960
16. Olaosebikan, W.A. Cultural & Creative Arts: A Source Book for Teachers Ibadan: Evans
17. Underwood, Leon Bronzes of West Africa Transatlantic Art 1968
18. Wangboje, S. J. A Textbook on Art for Senior Secondary School Evans Brother (Nig.) Ltd, 1982
19. Frank Willett Ife and the History of West African Sculpture Thames and Hudson, 1967
20. Pat Oyelola Nigerian Crafts Macmillian 1981
21. George Talabi Art Teaching in African Schools Heinemann Educational Books, Ibadan
22. Frank Willett African Art Thames and Hudson
23. Ibrahim Banjoko Cultural and Creative Arts
24. Emu Ogumor Certificate Art for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools University Press 2007
25. Uzoagba, I. N. Understanding Art in General Education African First Publishers Ltd, 2008
26. Filani Kunle Patterns of Culture in Contemporary Yoruba Art Symphony Books 2005.
The objective and theory section will last for 3 hours in total. 1 hour for the objective section and 2 hours for the theory section. For the practical section, the time usually varies.
The exam will consist of 50 multiple choice/objective questions, 8 essay-type questions for you to answer 4, and a practical section based on topics in the syllabus above.
The syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including general knowledge, art of West Africa, graphics, drawing, painting, history of art, etc
To prepare effectively, we would advise you to study the syllabus thoroughly, find and practice past questions, participate in group discussions, and seek clarification on topics you don’t understand from your teacher(s).
Yes, a full list of recommended textbooks is listed above.
Some tips include understanding the topics in the syllabus, reading and understanding instructions on exam day, practising time management before exams, and being as detailed as possible when answering theory questions.
