Art and Design A2 Level

William Ellis School

2014-2015
Whos Who

Sophie Pearce (Head of Art) pearce@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
Sharon White (Head of Year 13) white@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
Art Technician Appointment in process
William Ellis School Art Department website http://williamellisart.weebly.com/



Course Outline

A2 Level Art and Design is an exciting course that requires you to be creative and develop
your skills and ideas on from Year 12. You work both in and out of a sketchbook to explore
ideas, research a chosen theme, research artists, experiment with a range of materials and
create final responses. You will be expected to choose a theme of art within which to work
from for your focus area Portraiture/Still Life/Conceptual/Environment/Digital media.
Alternatively, you may wish to focus on a technique in art or a process.

Over the summer holidays, you will be expected to visit galleries independently and work
on your essay. As well as this, you will be expected to develop a concertina sketchbook of
ideas and notes that relate to your area of personal study. This could be notes from a
particular exhibition or first-hand drawings or artist research that you have done.







Unit 1: Coursework Unit
60% of the total AS mark
Marked out of 80 (4 Assessment Objectives equally weighted)
September 2014 January 2015

During the coursework unit, you will explore a range of media including pencil, ink, charcoal and chalk as well as collage, plaster,
screen printing, mono printing, etching, 3D and sculptural outcomes, as well as digital photography and digital processes.
You will investigate a range of artists that link to your chosen theme, and will be asked to do a great deal of independent
contextual research as the project develops. You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of ideas, processes and
materials independently and document these creatively in your sketchbook. During your mock exam you will create the first of
two outcomes for your project.

Throughout the project, it is essential that you review your work, annotating your ideas and thoughts as the work progresses,
and refine it leading towards producing your final outcomes. You will learn how to effectively annotate your sketchbook and
consider different ways of interpreting artwork.

Please see the annotation and artist study help sheets below.

During the course, you will experiment with a range of materials including:

Screen printing
Poly/mono printing and etching
Drawing skills in a range of media and scales
Sculpture modroc, plaster, 3D
Painting
Digital manipulation

As an A2 student, you will be encouraged to choose the material/s you work with carefully and with purpose/appropriateness.
You will be expected to spend time mastering the techniques and processes required for a successful outcome. You will also be
expected to spend time on first hand observational drawings. You will have the opportunity to attend life drawing classes that
will help improve your understanding of drawing techniques and methods.


Your sketchbook will document the following:

It will show your planning, intentions and ideas how you intend to make something and the concept behind the
artwork
First-hand and second-hand observational drawings
On-going analysis of your work and ideas
Contextual work looking at the work of other artists in terms of social / political / historical / technological ideas and
the formal elements of artwork
Development of ideas sketches/Photoshop ideas
Experimentation with a range of media and processes


You are also expected to write a 3000 word essay, linked directly to your chosen theme, as well as produce a concertina
sketchbook documenting your ideas as they progress. You will be expected to hand in a concertina sketchbook linked to your
personal study, your essay, and an A3 sketchbook at the end of the unit.
Please see the personal study guidance below this is a fundamental aspect of A2 Art and Design.

During Unit 3 we will advise you about current exhibitions and galleries that are exhibiting artwork that directly links to your
chosen area. You will be encouraged to visit exhibitions and galleries that relate to your work to gain an insight into both the
artwork and how the artist has presented the artwork for display. Whilst at exhibitions/galleries take notes of ideas that will be
helpful with your own work and do on-the-spot drawings to capture the artwork you are observing.
__________________________________________________

A2 Art Personal Study
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A. YOUR PERSONAL STUDY

This is an in-depth critical study containing written and visual research, presented in the form of a physical essay /collage/
separate sketchbook, as well as a computer printed version. Your personal study MUST be in the same area of study as your
practical project (E.G. Architecture, Portraits and People, Urban Environment).

The written part should be approximately 3000 words in the final version.


Through the ideas, techniques and research in your practical work identify an aspect of art practice that intrigues you.
Having a question as the title is the most important starting point.
WHAT do you want to investigate?
HOW will you investigate it?
Research into 10 artists linked to your theme/essay question. Find images from each of the artists that relate to your
essay question. Document and analyse the artwork. Link and compare them with other artists.
Choose 2 or 3 artists from the 10 that you wish to study in depth. We recommend you have approximately 10 artist
study double pages in your sketchbook (from Sept to Jan) that relate directly with your essay/theme.
We recommend going to at least 2 exhibitions related to your theme. Make rough sketches and take notes directly in
the gallery. Illustrate your recording with gallery leaflets and postcards. Include any reviews of the exhibitions that you
may find in newspapers/Time Out/online/Metro/magazines/newspapers/websites. Then write reviews on your
favourite exhibitions.
Develop your findings and critically analyse the work. Develop an argument what are you trying to say? What is the
artist trying to communicate in their work? How? How does this link with other photographers/artists? You should be
illustrating your creative journey and discovery in a formal essay.
You should use images to illustrate the work you are discussing in your essay.
You should insert photographs of your own work alongside the work of your chosen artists and compare/contrast your
work (show links and connections).
You need to write a bibliography of books/exhibitions/website record.

B. ESSAY PLAN GUIDANCE

Introduction: 350 words
What is this essay going to be about? Why are you interested in answering this question?
Why are you interested in this subject matter?
What are you hoping to find out/learn more about?
What sort of work are you hoping to make as part of your coursework project?
Are there any particular ideas, themes, processes, techniques you are interested in exploring?
What artists work are you going to be exploring in your essay?
What interests you about these artists? How do they link to your ideas/work?


Contextual Research: 600 + at least 3 images to support
What is your theme about?
Can you quote a definition? Use a dictionary to clarify the meaning of your chosen word/theme.
Who is involved in this area? Are there any particular people/artists involved?
What have they been quoted saying on this topic?
How does it relate to our environment/ engagement with the world?
What connections can be made with other areas e.g. architecture, politics, countries, our surroundings?
Who does it relate to and how?
What impact does it have on you/others?
Is it something we experience? How?

Related Artist 1: 350 words + at least 3 images of their work
Who is this artist? Where are they from?
What sort of work do they make?
What materials do they use?
What scale do they work to?
How is their work exhibited? Have they exhibited?
What do you like about their work?
How does it relate to your own work? Include pictures of your response work and discuss.

Critical analysis of one piece of their work: 250 words include an image of the work you are discussing
Ensure you have a picture of this piece of work included in the essay and then write an in depth piece of writing about
it. Critical analysis is about what you think about the artwork and what the artwork communicates the
ideas/CONCEPT behind the work.

Related Artist 2: 600 words total + at least 3 images of their work
Same as artist 1 including critical analysis.

Comparison and Conclusion: 350 words
How have the artists you have looked at explored your subject matter similarly and differently? Discuss and compare
and contrast their different approaches. Give your opinions. It could be they use similar/different materials, explore
similar ideas, use similar techniques/processes etc. Think about their work interlinks and how it can also be about the
same topic, yet look at it from different angles.

Evaluative Comment: 350 words + images of your own work links and connections
What have you learnt from writing this essay?
Are you better informed about your subject matter?
Do you feel you have answered the question you set out to?
How is this research and your understanding of the topic going to help you with your practical work?
What ideas do you have for the development of your work? How have these ideas been supported by your research

Annotation Help Sheet Formal Elements
Form
This means looking at the formal elements of an artwork.
What is the medium of the work?
What colours does the artist use? Why? How is colour organised?
What kind of shapes or forms can you find?
What kind of marks or techniques does the artist use?
What is the surface like?
What kinds of textures can you see?
How big is the work?

Context
This refers to how the work relates to a particular time, place, culture and society in which it was
produced.
When was it made? Where was it made? Who made it?
Who was the work made for?
What do you know about the artist?
How does the work relate to other art of the time?
Does the work relate to the social or political history of the time?
Can you link it to other arts of the period, such as film, music or literature?
Does the work relate to other areas of knowledge, such as science or geography?
Content
The content is the subject of a piece of work.
What is it? What is it about? What is happening?
Is it a portrait? A landscape? Abstract?
What does the work represent?
The title - what does the artist call the work?
Does the title change the way we see the work?
Is it a realistic depiction?
Have any parts been exaggerated or distorted? If so, why?
What is the theme of the work?
What message does the work communicate?
Process
Looking at process means studying how the work was made and what techniques were used.
What materials and tools were used to make the piece?
What is the evidence for this?
Do sketchbooks provide any clues as to how the work developed?
Mood
Mood means looking at how the artist has created a certain atmosphere or feeling.
How does the work make you feel?
Why do you think you feel like this?
Does the colour, texture, form or theme of the work affect your mood?
Does the work create an atmosphere?




Artist Study Help Sheet

You need to find out information and collect images on the artists work/art movement. You should
arrange this information in an interesting way. You must include at least one detailed drawing of a piece
of the work. This can be in colour and could be a small section of the whole piece.

Follow the steps below to help you
1. Go to an art website, i.e: artcyclopaedia, Wikipedia etc. (You can also look on google images)
Basic Information

What is the artists name?
When was the artist born/ did the movement take place?
Where was the artist born?
Where did he go to art school?
Which other artists did he know/ does he know/are working at the same time as him/influenced him?

Interesting facts

Find out 3 interesting facts about the artists life or work. You should try to find things no one else will so
that your work is individual.

Quote

Include a quote of something relevant that the artist has said or a critic has said about an artwork/artist.

Images (Look on Google Images)

Find and include in your pages images of at least 3-5 different pieces of the artists work.

What you think..

Write in detail about two of these images. Choose at least 5 of the questions below to answer
What is it? What is it about? What is happening?
Is it a portrait? A landscape? Abstract?
What does the work represent?
The title - what does the artist call the work?
Does the title change the way we see the work?
Is it a realistic depiction?
Have any parts been exaggerated or distorted? If so, why?
What is the theme of the work?
What message do you think the work communicates?
How has the artist applied the paint? Smoothly/ roughly/ showing texture?



Unit 2: EXAM PROJECT as set by the exam board
Exam Unit
40% of the total AS mark
Marked out of 80 (4 Assessment Objectives equally weighted)
February May 2015
The Art exam paper consists of one broad-based thematic starting point. You will be shown examples of good practice and
follow a similar structure to your coursework unit exploring materials and processes, and underpinned by contextual studies.
Throughout the course you will be required to produce quality first-hand and second-hand studies. There will be a 12-hour exam
at the end of the exam unit in which to produce an ambitious final outcome. This exam will take place in exam conditions. At the
end of the exam you are required to hand your exam sketchbook in along with your exam piece.

Both units will involve you:
Developing ideas (A01)
Experimenting with media, developing and applying skills (A02)
Researching, recording, analysing and reviewing (A03)
Creating and presenting your outcome(s) (A04)

Ensure you understand the assessment objectives and what the criteria is for each objective.


Internal Assessment Schedule

Unit 1:
Sketchbook work monitoring and learning conversations Sept-Dec 2014
Essay draft Beginning of Sept 2014 first lesson back
Essay deadline and concertina Beginning of Oct 2014
Interim coursework sketchbook assessment Week beginning 13
th
Oct 2014
Progress Review
Final Piece 1 Mock Exam - Dec 2014
Final Piece 2, essay and completed sketchbook Friday 20
th
January 2015
Unit 2:
Interim exam sketchbook assessment Friday 20
th
March 2015
Final exam and hand in of Exam unit sketchbook Final Exam (day TBC)
(Approx. May 2015)

Please make a note of these dates in your planner. It is very important you are aware of the structure of the course so you can
plan your time carefully.


Assessment Objectives

A01
Develop your ideas through sustained and focused investigations, informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating
analytical and critical understanding.

A02
Experiment with and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining your
ideas as the work develops.

A03
Record in visual and/or other forms ideas, observations and insights relevant to your intentions, demonstrating an ability to
reflect on your work and progress.

A04
Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating critical understanding , realising intentions and, where
appropriate, making connections between visual, oral or other elements.

Learning and Teaching

Please ensure you are punctual to every lesson. You will be barred from the lesson if you are more than 10 minutes
late! Throughout the course, you will access a wide range of art workshops on the following:
Drawing techniques including life drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Printing poly printing, mono printing, etching, screen printing
Digital Photography and Photoshop
Sketchbook practice and portfolio advice
It is very important that you complete all the written work as well. We will give you support and guidance with your analysis and
essay, but you need to ensure that you keep up to date with it, and dont leave it until the last minute! Your 3000 word essay
needs to link directly to your project/sketchbook work/concertina book.

Extending your learning

Where to go/websites to explore:
www.npg.org.uk - National Portrait Gallery
www.tate.org.uk - Tate Gallery
www.haywardgallery.org.uk - Hayward Gallery
http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/ - Photographers Gallery
www.nationalgallery.org.uk - The National Gallery
www.art2day.co.uk a great resource for artist ideas
http://williamellisart.weebly.com/ - The William Ellis School Art website do take a look for exemplar work


Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Life Drawing classes:
We will be running a 4-week life-drawing course one night after school each week for 4 weeks. There will be a small charge for
this to cover the costs of the life model (10 for 4 sessions). If you would like to join up, please let either Miss Pearce or Miss
White know!

After-school Art Support:
A level Art students at WES are encouraged to come along every Thursday to the WES Art Department from 3:15 5pm to spend
time on their Art sketchbook work/final pieces. The Art team will be on hand to offer support, guidance and resources. A level
students are also encouraged to spend lunchtimes and after schools in the Art department to ensure work is up to date.

Gallery visits:
Throughout the year, we will go to a range of galleries including the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery. We are so
lucky to live in London with its excellent galleries, so do make the most of it!


Materials and Resources

Sketchbooks:
All students need to purchase a William Ellis School Art Department A3 sketchbook for 5 at the beginning of the course. Pupils
will need to purchase a second sketchbook for the Exam unit in January. You will also be encouraged to work in an A5 concertina
sketchbook as well for your essay documentation. These cost 5 available from the Art deparment.
You can find out more details about where to buy art materials from the Art website:
http://williamellisart.weebly.com/london-art-shops.html


Progression Routes and Careers

Many of our students go onto Art Foundation level once they have completed their A level course at William Ellis School. We can
help advise you about the best course for you and also assist with your portfolio. We have excellent links with Camden Arts
Centre and the Tate. We will inform you of portfolio workshops in the Autumn term. You will be encouraged to prepare your
portfolio for interview in good time, and not leave it until the last minute.

There are many different careers in the Art and Design world, so it is best to do your research. We will help you with your
decision making, but here are some examples of progression routes from A level Art students from previous years:

Art Foundation level
Combined honours/degree in Fine Art
Interior Design BA
Illustration BA
Media BA
Animation BA
Graphic Design BA
Architecture BA
History of Art BA

You may also want to consider doing an internship this could be with a magazine/web design company/newspaper/gallery or
museum to gain first-hand experience in the arts world. Pursuing a career in the arts opens up an exciting range of
opportunities including Curating, Interior Design, Architecture, Fine Artist, Animator, Graphic Designer, Web Designer to name
but a few.