CBSE Class XII Fine Arts
Complete Chapter-wise Syllabus 2025-26 | Four Specialized Art Streams
Course Overview
Theory Paper
30
Marks
Practical Work
70
Marks
Theory Duration
2
Hours
Practical Duration
6
Hours
Learning Objectives
- Mastering advanced art techniques specific to chosen specialization stream
- Understanding evolution of Indian art from classical to contemporary periods
- Developing appreciation for miniature painting traditions and modern art movements
- Creating professional-quality artworks with technical proficiency
- Building comprehensive portfolio showcasing artistic growth and creativity
- Analyzing artistic styles, techniques, and cultural influences in Indian art
- Preparing for advanced art education and professional art careers
- Understanding commercial applications of fine arts in modern contexts
Fine Arts Stream Options
Painting
049
Subject Code
Graphics
050
Subject Code
Sculpture
051
Subject Code
Applied Art
052
Subject Code
Important Note
Students must choose ONE stream from the four options available
All streams share the same Theory syllabus but have different Practical components
Theory Paper (Common for All Streams) - 30 Marks
Duration: 2 Hours | Same for Painting, Graphics, Sculpture & Applied Art
Unit 1: Classical Indian Miniature Painting Traditions 15 Marks
Chapter 1: Rajasthani School of Miniature Painting
- Historical development and regional variations
- Mewar School characteristics and themes
- Marwar School distinctive features
- Bundi and Kota painting traditions
- Jaipur and Bikaner school developments
- Common subjects: religious themes, court life, nature
Chapter 2: Pahari School of Painting
- Hill state painting traditions of Himachal Pradesh
- Kangra school - refined style and romantic themes
- Guler school - naturalistic approach
- Basohli school - bold colors and geometric patterns
- Kullu and Chamba regional variations
- Integration of folk and classical elements
Chapter 3: Mughal School of Painting
- Persian influence and Indian adaptation
- Akbar period - synthesis of styles
- Jahangir period - naturalistic portraits
- Shah Jahan period - refinement and elegance
- Court chronicles and historical manuscripts
- Techniques: detailed miniature work, gold usage
Chapter 4: Deccan School of Painting
- Golconda and Bijapur court paintings
- Persian and Turkish influences
- Distinctive color palette and compositions
- Portrait traditions and literary themes
- Integration with South Indian artistic elements
- Unique stylistic features and innovations
Unit 2: Modern Indian Art Movements 15 Marks
Chapter 5: Bengal School of Painting
- Abanindranath Tagore and revival movement
- Reaction against Western academic art
- Return to Indian artistic traditions
- Wash technique and spiritual themes
- E.B. Havell and nationalist art ideology
- Influence on pan-Indian art renaissance
Chapter 6: Contemporary Indian Art
- Post-independence artistic developments
- Progressive Artists' Group formation
- Modern painting techniques and themes
- Graphic printmaking evolution in India
- Contemporary sculptural movements
- Digital art and new media integration
Chapter 7: Significant Modern Artists
- Raja Ravi Varma - realistic portraiture
- Amrita Sher-Gil - modernist approach
- Nandalal Bose - neo-Bengal style
- Jamini Roy - folk art integration
- M.F. Husain - contemporary expressionism
- S.H. Raza - geometric abstraction
Important Artists and Works to Study
Rajasthani Artists
Radha (Bani-Thani), Krishna with Gopis, Court scenes, Ragamala paintings, Royal portraits
Pahari Artists
Kangra love themes, Basohli bold compositions, Guler naturalistic works, Religious narratives
Mughal Artists
Falcon on Bird-Rest, Historical manuscripts, Portrait studies, Court life depictions
Modern Masters
Bengal School works, Progressive group paintings, Contemporary sculptures, Graphic prints
Practical Work (Stream-wise Specialization) - 70 Marks
Duration: 6 Hours (3+3) | Portfolio Assessment Included
Each stream has specific practical requirements and techniques
Painting (Code 049) 70 Marks
Traditional & Contemporary Painting Techniques
Practical Components
- Part 1: Nature and Object Study (25 marks)
- Part 2: Painting Composition (25 marks)
- Part 3: Portfolio Assessment (20 marks)
Portfolio Requirements
- Record of practical work throughout the year
- Selected nature studies and compositions
- Works based on Indian Folk Art traditions
- One composition in personal artistic style
- Sketchbook with observational drawings
Skills to Develop
- Advanced color theory and mixing techniques
- Composition principles and visual balance
- Light and shadow rendering
- Texture representation in various media
- Personal style development
- Folk art interpretation and adaptation
Graphics (Code 050) 70 Marks
Advanced Printmaking Techniques
Practical Components
- Part 1: Graphic Print Creation (50 marks)
- Part 2: Portfolio Assessment (20 marks)
Advanced Techniques
- Serigraphy (Screen Printing) methods
- Lithography traditional techniques
- Etching and Engraving processes
- Multi-color printing procedures
- Digital integration in printmaking
Portfolio Requirements
- 5 selected prints including process documentation
- 1 composition in personal artistic style
- Experimental techniques and variations
- Color studies and progressive proofs
- Technical notes and process evaluation
Sculpture (Code 051) 70 Marks
Three-Dimensional Art Creation
Practical Components
- Part 1: Modeling in Relief (25 marks)
- Part 2: Modeling in Round (25 marks)
- Part 3: Portfolio Assessment (20 marks)
Sculpture Techniques
- Clay modeling and firing processes
- Plaster of Paris casting methods
- Relief sculpture - high and low relief
- Round sculpture - full three-dimensional
- Surface texturing and finishing
Portfolio Requirements
- 6 sculptural works in various techniques
- High relief and low relief examples
- Round sculptures with different approaches
- Folk art inspired three-dimensional work
- Personal style sculpture composition
- Hollow clay work with technical innovation
Applied Art (Code 052) 70 Marks
Commercial Art & Design
Practical Components
- Part 1: Illustration Work (25 marks)
- Part 2: Poster Design (25 marks)
- Part 3: Portfolio Assessment (20 marks)
Commercial Art Skills
- Advanced illustration techniques
- Poster design principles and layout
- Typography and lettering mastery
- Visual communication concepts
- Brand identity and logo development
Portfolio Requirements
- 8 total works including documentation
- 4 professional illustration pieces
- 2 complete poster designs
- Folk art commercial interpretation
- Personal style commercial application
- Process sketches and concept development
Assessment Pattern & Evaluation
| Component | Marks | Duration | Assessment Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory Paper | 30 | 2 Hours | Written Examination |
| Practical Work | 70 | 6 Hours | Performance Assessment |
| Portfolio | 20 | Continuous | Internal + External |
| Total Marks | 100 | Combined Assessment | |
Evaluation Criteria
- Technical skill demonstration and media handling proficiency
- Creative expression and originality in artistic interpretation
- Understanding of art historical contexts and movements
- Portfolio quality showing consistent artistic development
- Ability to integrate traditional and contemporary art approaches
- Presentation skills and artwork documentation
- Time management during practical examinations
- Knowledge application in both theoretical and practical contexts
Success Tips & Preparation Strategy
Theory Preparation
- Study art movements chronologically
- Create visual timelines of artistic developments
- Practice describing artworks and analyzing techniques
- Memorize important artists and their signature works
- Understand cultural contexts of different art periods
- Compare and contrast different schools of painting
Practical Skills
- Practice daily with your chosen medium
- Experiment with different techniques and materials
- Build a strong foundation in basic art elements
- Develop personal artistic style gradually
- Document your artistic process regularly
- Seek feedback from teachers and peers
Portfolio Development
- Maintain consistent quality throughout the year
- Include variety in themes and techniques
- Show clear artistic progression and growth
- Document your creative process with sketches
- Include artist statements explaining your work
- Present work professionally with proper mounting
Time Management
- Plan your practical work systematically
- Allocate time for research and concept development
- Practice working within examination time limits
- Balance theory study with practical skill building
- Start portfolio work early in the academic year
- Regular review and refinement of artworks
Career Opportunities in Fine Arts
Traditional Fine Arts
- Professional Artist and Painter
- Gallery Curator and Art Critic
- Art Restoration Specialist
- Museum Professional
- Art Historian and Researcher
- Art Dealer and Consultant
Digital & Modern Arts
- Graphic Designer
- Web and UI/UX Designer
- Animation and Game Artist
- Digital Media Specialist
- Multimedia Artist
- Visual Effects Artist
Education & Academia
- Art Teacher and Professor
- Art Therapy Specialist
- Workshop Instructor
- Educational Content Developer
- Art School Administrator
- Curriculum Designer
Commercial Applications
- Advertising Creative Director
- Brand Identity Designer
- Interior and Space Designer
- Fashion Designer
- Product Designer
- Freelance Commercial Artist
Media & Entertainment
- Film and TV Art Director
- Concept Artist for Films
- Set Designer
- Costume Designer
- Storyboard Artist
- Documentary Filmmaker
Entrepreneurship
- Art Studio Owner
- Online Art Business
- Custom Art Services
- Art Supply Store
- Creative Workshop Organizer
- Art Event Management
Important Resources & References
Study Materials
- CBSE Official Fine Arts Curriculum 2025-26
- Previous Year Question Papers
- CBSE Sample Papers and Marking Schemes
- Art History Reference Books
- Online Art Museum Collections
- Art Technique Video Tutorials
Art Institutions
- National Gallery of Modern Art
- Indian Museum Collections
- Regional Art Museums
- Cultural Heritage Sites
- Local Art Galleries
- Contemporary Art Centers
Art Supplies
- Quality Paints and Brushes
- Drawing and Sketching Materials
- Printmaking Equipment
- Sculpture Modeling Materials
- Portfolio Presentation Materials
- Digital Art Software and Tools
Art Communities
- Local Artist Groups
- Online Art Forums
- Student Art Competitions
- Art Workshop Organizers
- Cultural Festival Participants
- Social Media Art Communities
Important Dates & Timeline
| Activity | Timeline | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Stream Selection | June - July 2025 | Choose one Fine Arts stream (Painting/Graphics/Sculpture/Applied Art) |
| Portfolio Development | July 2025 - January 2026 | Continuous work on practical assignments and portfolio building |
| Mid-term Assessment | October 2025 | Internal evaluation of theory knowledge and practical skills |
| Portfolio Submission | February 2026 | Submit completed portfolio for final assessment |
| Practical Examination | February - March 2026 | 6-hour practical test with internal and external examiners |
| Theory Examination | March 2026 | 2-hour written examination on Indian Art History |