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About this exam

Dibujo Artístico II is one of the optional subjects in the Spanish university entrance examination (PAU/EBAU) as organised in the Canary Islands, aimed at students who want their drawing skills to count towards the university admission score. It is chosen by candidates heading for Fine Arts, design, architecture, conservation and restoration, or art education, and it is normally taken alongside the compulsory general-phase subjects. The paper is written in Spanish and asks you to draw, analyse and reason about images rather than to recall isolated definitions: you will be expected to observe form accurately, compose a page deliberately, build convincing space, handle the human figure, control value and colour, choose materials knowingly, and place drawing within its historical and cultural context. Because the exercise rewards judgement as much as technique, preparation should combine regular timed drawing from life with critical reading of your own work and of recognised drawings. Work through the official Canary Islands PAU documentation for the current structure and instructions, and train with the materials you actually intend to bring to the examination room.

What you'll study

Common questions

About PAU Artistic Drawing II (Canary Islands) preparation

What does the Dibujo Artístico II paper actually look like?

Expect a written examination in Spanish, usually offering two options with an internal choice, combining practical drawing on paper with analytical or theoretical tasks about images. The exact structure, number of exercises and marking breakdown are set by the official regulations, so read the current Canary Islands PAU documentation rather than relying on past papers alone.

How long is the exam and how many questions are there?

The official body publishes the current duration and the number of exercises each year, and these can change between calls. Check the Canary Islands PAU regulations and the model papers issued with them. Do not plan your rhythm from older sittings; confirm the current timing before you rehearse full papers.

How difficult is it compared with other optional subjects?

It is demanding in a different way: there is no single right answer, so marks come from accuracy of observation, coherence of composition and clarity of analysis. Students who draw regularly and can explain their decisions usually progress faster than those who only memorise theory. The preparation is cumulative rather than a last-minute revision subject.

Can I retake it if I am not happy with my mark?

Retake rules, including how often you may sit the exam and how the best mark is used for admission, are defined in the current regulations. The Canary Islands university access authority publishes the applicable conditions, so verify them there before assuming a resit is possible or that your previous mark will be replaced.

How should I organise my study time?

Start with perception and composition, since every other task depends on them, then move to space and perspective, the figure, and finally light, value and colour. Keep technique practice running throughout rather than treating it as a separate block. Spend part of each session drawing from life and part analysing finished drawings.

What do candidates most often get wrong?

Common problems are weak composition with the subject floating on the page, inconsistent perspective within one drawing, anatomical guesswork instead of observed proportion, and flat value ranges with no clear light source. Another frequent loss is ignoring the wording of the question and producing a beautiful drawing that does not answer what was asked.

Do I need to know art history to do well?

Yes, to a degree. The syllabus places drawing in its historical and cultural context, so you should be able to discuss how drawing has been used and understood across periods and cultures, and connect techniques to the works that used them. Specific factual content is limited, but confident, accurate references strengthen analytical answers.

Which materials should I bring and practise with?

Use the materials the official instructions permit, and rehearse with exactly those: graphite, charcoal, coloured pencils or whatever the current call allows, on the specified paper. Familiarity matters more than variety. Practise handling the support you will actually be given, including its size and surface, so nothing surprises you on the day.

Where can I confirm the official details?

The Canary Islands body responsible for university access publishes the current regulations, calendar, structure and model papers. Consult that official source for anything numerical or procedural. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the examining authority.