A / AS Level Fine Art

To give students a thorough understanding of processes in art and design, particularly in the areas of drawing, colour, design and composition.

Students are also encouraged to explore historical and contextual aspects of art and design.

Who is the course for?:

The course is for anyone who would like to continue to develop their art and design skills and knowledge as they move into A level study.  You will follow a fine art course, this is broad based and gives you the opportunity to work in a wide variety of media including collage and mixed media as well as more traditional painting and drawing media. You will be encouraged to develop your creativity based on solid basic skills such as observational drawing. During the course you will produce a Personal Study. This will be presented in both written and visual form and will be based on an art and design theme which is preferably related to the coursework. The theme of the study could be historical, philosophical, technical or psychological. In the A2 year of the course you will develop the skills you learned during your AS year. You will start to do longer projects which will allow you to develop your ideas more fully and produce more finished pieces. Your coursework will develop one aspect of your AS work in a more personal and creative way. Throughout the course the emphasis will be on developing your creativity and research skills and your appreciation of art and design.

Teaching and Learning Styles:

Each student is encouraged to interpret the set projects in their own personal way. The facilities allow for a range of two dimensional work, particularly drawing, painting, graphic design, some textile art and related areas of study. Three dimensional craft such as pottery, is not offered.

AS Level

Unit 1 - Course Portfolio:

You are required to produce a portfolio of work for this unit. This will include work from direct observations, analysis of your own work and the work of others in contemporary, historical and cultural contexts. Investigations using a variety of media and scale leading to a personal, well researched final outcome. Marks: 60%

Unit 2 - Controlled Assignment:

This unit has three elements:

• Planning
• Preparation
• Realisation

A question paper is given out in early February from which you choose one starting point. You have several weeks to experiment, record and research and you may consult with your  tutor as you develop your ideas. The final piece of work is produced independantly under controlled conditions in five hours in May. Your exhibition of both units of work must be displayed at the end of May. It will be marked by your tutors and a moderator from the exam board. Your friends and family will be invited to a final exhibition at the end of June. Marks - 40%

A2 Level

Unit 3:

For this unit you are required to use personal starting point(s) to produce a major project that shows you working through a range of art and design experiences. You will include a personal study, related to your coursework theme, of between 1000 and 3000 words. Marks - 60%

Unit 4 - Controlled Assignment A2

From an early release paper you will choose one starting point. During the initial planning and preparation stage you will demonstrate an ability to record, plan and develop ideas and complete a final response under controlled conditions in 15 hours. Marks - 40%