ART EXAM PREPARATION GUIDANCE

1. ART EXAM PREPARATIONGUIDANCE A checklist for students of GCSE & A Level Art

2. Select your ‘subject matter’ or ‘objects’ as the starting point. You must work from direct observation in the early stages of your preparation. Once selected, focus on these objects – do not introduce too many completely different objects. Your subject matter/choice of objects should be as visually interesting as possible. A poor choice here could limit the success of your work. Ask your teacher for advice on your choice. • Make at least 5 A3 pages (or 10 A4 pages) from real life of your chosen subject. These should be in materials and media you are familiar with e.g. Pencil, Conte Crayon, Charcoal, Watercolour, • Use strong directional light (a window or reading lamp) to show clear differences between light and dark areas • Experiment with compositional studies; at least 5 A3 pages (or 10 A4 pages)this means try out different arrangements of your subject matter in a specific format/rectangle (see example) • Use digital photography to support your studies: Photographs taken from different angles by yourself and developed with Photoshop count as observation • Relate your drawings/studies to the work of another artist/artists who has worked from similar ‘subject matter’. Do not copy his/her work directly but learn from and experiment with the techniques

3. THE VISUAL ELEMENTS TONE: Show a range of tones from dark to light LINE Show varied line strength & quality ANNOTATION Comment thoughtfully on your progress. PERSPECTIVEShow an awareness of 3 dimensions and perspective techniques COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc. SHAPE: Show a considered use of outline and shape COMPOSITION: Use the space of each page effectively to organise your studies DIRECTIONAL LIGHTShow an awareness of strong side lighting COMPOSITION: show your awareness of the impact of different arrangements TEXTURE: Ensure you consider different textures & surfaces. VIEWPOINT: Ensure a variety of different viewpoints

4. LINE Show varied line strength & quality. Keep your marks inventive TONE: Show a range of tones from dark to light TEXTURE: Ensure you consider different textures & surfaces qualities COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm, Cold/Colour Harmony etc. ANNOTATION Comment thoughtfully on your progress. VIEWPOINT: Ensure a variety of different viewpoints

5. The words in COLOURthat we have highlighted indicate areas where we think you are making good progress. The words in COLOURthat are nothighlighted are areas that may need further development. Your teacher will discuss these ideas with you and suggest ways of improving. LINE: In your work you have used LINE with fluency, confidence, accuracy and originality. Your use of LINE shows very good control with subtle variations of strength and pressure. Lines can be thin, thick orwide, interrupted (dotted, dashed, broken, etc.), blurred or fuzzy, controlled, freehand, parallel, hatching, meandering, and spiralling. TONE: In your work you have used TONE effectively showing an awareness of directional light, an ability to create gradations of tone showing the illusion of 3 dimensional form and the use ofstrong tonal contrastto create a dynamic visual impact.

6. TEXTURE: In your work you have used different materials effectively to create different textures (surface qualities) including hard, soft, rough & smooth. Your work shows successful experimentation and an ability to select appropriate examples. Examples of materials used: pen, pencil, crayon, chalk, pastels, collage, print, clay SHAPE: In your work you have shown an ability to identify, record and use 2 dimensional shapes effectively. You have the ability to create shapes that give the illusion of 3 dimensional form. SPACE: In your work you have shown a clear understanding of how to create the illusion of 3 dimensional space. Your work displays knowledge of perspective and how this can be used to create the illusion of depth and distance. You understand how to use vanishing points, diminishing size and atmospheric (tonal/aerial)perspective to enhance your work.

7. FORM: This refers to objects which have width, length and depth. This is different from the ‘illusion’ of 3 dimensional form. In your work you have shown an ability to create successful 3 dimensional forms using a range of materials including, card, string, paper, wire, clay etc. COLOUR: In your work you have shown an ability to use colour selectively. You have shown an awareness of the role of contrasting, harmonious, primary, secondary and complementary colours. You know how to darken (shade) and lighten (tint) colours appropriately. You are aware of the emotional impact of colour, reflecting moods and feelings (cold and warm colours). Your work displays an ability to create areas of both flat and modulated colour. You are also able to use colour to create spatial effects.

8. ART HISTORY (Context): In your work you have made thoughtful connections with the work of other Artists and Art movements. You have shown a clear understanding and appreciation of different styles, methods, techniques and working practices. This is reflected in both discussion and practical outcomes. ICT: In your work you have shown effective use of ICT. You have used the following computer programmes to support and develop your work (Photoshop, PowerPoint, Elements Premiere). Some of the techniques use include: cutting, pasting, cropping, merging, composing and working with layers and text. You have a good understanding of how to use the internet for research purposes.

9. COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc. ANNOTATION Comment thoughtfully on your progress.

10. ANNOTATION Comment thoughtfully on your progress. COMPOSITION & LAYOUT Ensure you use all of the space effectively. Empty space has to have a visual purpose or it suggests an inability to complete work

11. TEXTURE: Use lively brush marks. The way you apply the paint can add interest and subtlety to your work COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc.

12. COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc.

13. DIRECTIONAL LIGHT Show an awareness of strong side lighting

14. COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc. TONE: Show a range of tones from dark to light. On this study, the highlights (lighter tones) need to be more visible. Try chalk, oil pastel, white acyrlic EXPERIMENTATION: A successful series of observational studies

16. TONE: Show a range of tones from dark to light COLOUR: Show an understanding of colour e.g. Warm,Cold/Colour Harmony etc.

17. ART HISTORY: Show connections with the work of artists who have influenced you. Learn from them but don’t copy exactly

18. ART HISTORY: Show connections with the work of artists who have influenced you. Learn from them but don’t copy exactly

19. LINE QUALITY: Show a lively approach to observation and line drawing; develop your own style of mark-making DRAWING AT SPEED: Draw fast to create a sense of energy, movement and life

20. MIXED MEDIA: Pencil, watercolour, conte crayon, white acrylic TEXTURE: Experiment with different materials to create surfaces and textures

21. COMPOSITION: The arrangement of images, shapes and objects within the picture frame COMPOSITIONAL STUDIES: You need to show your awareness of the effect of different arrangements within a frame

22. PHOTOGRAPHY: Use photography creatively – interpret and develop but avoid copying

24. MIXED MEDIA: Pencil, watercolour, oil pastel, conte crayon, white acrylic TEXTURE: Experiment with different materials to create surfaces and textures

25. TYPE/ FONTS: Consider the use of words and lettering styles

27. COMPOSITION: show your awareness of the impact of different arrangements

28. SURFACES: Experiment with different drawing/painting surfaces and media

29. COMPOSITION: Experiment with alternative compositions and arrangements MIXED MEDIA: Be creative with different surfaces and collage effects OBSERVATION: Work from real objects

30. ANNOTATION Comment thoughtfully on your progress. This student is very conscientious but has probably written more than is necessary COMPOSITION: Use the space f each page effectively to organise your studies

31. SURFACES: Experiment with different drawing/painting surfaces and media

33. MIXED MEDIA Watercolour, chalk, oil pastel MIXED MEDIA STUDIES Combine different materials and media to add power and strength to your work

38. PHOTOGRAPHY: Use photography creatively – interpret and develop avoid copying

39. COLLAGE/MONTAGE Photographs can be drawn on and painted over for creative effect

42. PHOTOSHOP: Use Photoshop to manipulate and add originality to your images. Layers, transparency, filters

43. PHOTOGRAPHY: Use strong directional light to add drama to your images PHOTOGRAPHY: Use photography creatively – interpret and develop avoid copying

47. FINAL COMPOSITION

48. FINAL COMPOSITION

49. FINAL COMPOSITION

50. FINAL COMPOSITION