AS and A2 level Art - Fine Art

AS and A2 level Art - Fine Art
All Art and Design courses provide a stimulating and exciting exploration into the varied art specialisms. You will develop ideas by researching into other artists and be encouraged to examine the world around you visually. You will work through a variety of techniques and learn to work with appropriate media, materials and processes. As an Art and Design student, you will be expected to write about your work, to express personal, creative ideas and produce final outcomes using a range of approaches and methods. You will primarily develop your art in A3 Workbooks; final pieces are produced in a wide range of sizes. It is possible to study two Art and Design subjects as part of your learning programme.



WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
Fine Art is about expressing yourself visually through a variety of media, materials and techniques. For example, you might be exploring collage and mixed media work developed from looking at another artist†s work. Drawing from direct observation is important too. You could be given a starting point or theme, then have to produce a sequence of related works which explore and visually investigate your theme, towards a large scale final painting. You will explore composition, use of colour, creative experimentation with various media and materials, handling and use of paint and brushes, drawing approaches, ways of abstracting, use of tone and texture, and image manipulation. You will produce development work and also final pieces, often on canvas. Contemporary art is often used as a stimulus to explore new and challenging approaches to art.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?
Fine Art involves a wide variety of approaches and ways of working, often targeted to your individual skills and interests. You will be involved in all of the above practical activities and will be producing your practical artwork in workbooks. You will also be discussing your art with your subject tutor, presenting ideas, looking at the work of fellow students, developing your own practical and decision making skills, be producing annotations and notes, and developing your work in a range of materials and approaches.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
The AS units will be:

·Coursework
·An externally set assignment
The A2 units will be:

·Coursework
·An externally set assignment

WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS COULD I DO WITH FINE ART?
You can choose to do Fine Art with a wide range of other subjects. It fits well with other creative subjects and with the humanities. It is also acceptable with certain sciences for entry into the architectural field.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
A level Fine Art is accepted by Colleges of Art for Foundation and Degree courses in Art, and also by Higher Education institutions for other courses. A major requirement of any advanced art course will be a good portfolio of practical work.

Requirement
A minimum C grade in GCSE Art and English (language) is recommended. However, students who are keen to do A Level Art and Design but do not have either GCSE Art or English (language) will be considered on an individual basis. For such students, evidence of art work is useful for us to see at enrolment. Enthusiasm, a willingness to work hard and persevere with work are very important, as is spending time out of lessons building up and further developing your work. Students studying Art and Design courses will need to be prepared to provide some of their own art media and materials as well as workbooks. Most of these materials can be bought at cost price from the shop. You will be told of the specific requirements when you start the course.