How can I self study for studio art?

[Merlyn]

Hello guys. 
I'm going to be doing Studio Arts next year, and I'm aiming fairly high as it's probably my strongest subject.
However, my school's art department is pretty... lacking. And most of my classmates are only doing it because they well, suck too much to get a place in any other subject. And so, my teacher's decided to more or less give up on everyone. My classes have been mainly comprised of painting and free drawing, because every time my teacher attempts theory, the class makes a huge ruckus.
Do you think it's possible for me to get a decent score (40+) despite my class situation?
Any tips as to how I could self study and what I should self study would be very much welcomed. 

[Yendall]

Yes it is definitely possible to get 40+. Studio Arts is a subject where you need to be incredibly independent. This includes:

• Working on your folio at home and at school
• In depth research out of hours
• Waste no time at school, you must complete your finals to great detail by the deadline
• Don't underestimate how fast time flies by, work hard from the start right until the end
• Learn theory at home, find notes, ask people, read past exams, examiners reports
• Memorise your artists (birth dates, birth places, history, cultural influences, artworks (DATES, MEDIUMS AND TITLES!!)
• Visit two galleries early in the year and take notes
• Determine your theme EARLY and start developing ideas from the start
• Learn your elements and principles and know how to describe them from unseen artwork
• Learn how to interpret meanings and messages in art

[Merlyn]

Thank you for your tips!
I've started writing my exploration proposal now, and my theme's somewhat set.
The only thing I'm worried about is the theory, because I've never done any of that work. I did however, learn the elements and principles in viscom a few years ago though, is it the same for art?
And what do you mean by taking notes of a gallery, do you mean the type of art and how it was.. arranged?
I should start attempting to describe art work with those elements and principles...

[Yendall]

Not a problem at all!
That's brilliant! what theme have you decided on?
To be honest, art theory is very simple at a 3/4 level. Here are the main things you need to know(might repeat a little from my previous post)

• Elements and Principles of art(Don't confuse this with Elements of Design)
• Interpretation and Discussion of Meanings and Message in art.
• Discussion of art materials and techniques and how artist utilise them to create artworks
• Preservation of artworks (UV control(Lighting), humidity control, handling criterion, temperature control, insects and pest control)
• The role of public, private, government and commercial galleries
• Role of Art Staff and Curators in Art Spaces and Galleries [specific exhibitions]
• The layout of galleries, positioning of paintings, eye-levels, viewing paths
• Legal Obligations and Ethical Considerations (Copyright, Moral Rights, Appropriation etc.)
• Artist (you will study two throughout the year) and Artwork Analysis in regards to Historical and Cultural contexts
• Artist and Artwork analysis in regards to Meanings and Messages, Aesthetic Qualities and Development

In regards to your question about the Elements of Design, they are different to the Elements of Art and if you talk on the wrong one it will be worth 0 marks. The Elements of Art are: Line, Colour,Texture, Tone, Form and Shape.
As for the galleries, it's about these qualities:

• Role of a Public Gallery, Commercial Gallery and other Alternative Art Spaces
• Financial Qualities, Art Staff, Curators
• Size, Proportions, Alignments, Eye Paths, Viewing Paths, Wall Colours, Wall Heights, Themes
• Location, Town, City

Hope that helps a little!