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 need 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 A4/3 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?
'The only time I feel alive is when I am painting', said Vincent Van Gough; Fine Art is about expressing yourself personally, creatively and practically to the highest level. On the course you will be exploring new ways of drawing, develop work from your own expressive photographs, building skills in working from the human figure, and exploring painterly mark making using paint in an abstract way. Sometimes you will work from broad themes, and produce sequences of related works, which explore your theme and lead towards large-scale and ambitious final paintings. You will also creatively explore composition and the use of colour, expressive and descriptive drawing and painting techniques, finding your own successful expressive response, various ways of using tone effectively and photographic image manipulation. Contemporary art is often used as a stimulus to develop new and challenging apporaches to art, and we encourage students to participate in the creation of installations in the College, murals, competitions and other extension activities. There are several 'Late Nighters' during the year when students can develop and complete work.
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 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 only time I feel alive is when I am painting', said Vincent Van Gough; Fine Art is about expressing yourself personally, creatively and practically to the highest level. On the course you will be exploring new ways of drawing, develop work from your own expressive photographs, building skills in working from the human figure, and exploring painterly mark making using paint in an abstract way. Sometimes you will work from broad themes, and produce sequences of related works, which explore your theme and lead towards large-scale and ambitious final paintings. You will also creatively explore composition and the use of colour, expressive and descriptive drawing and painting techniques, finding your own successful expressive response, various ways of using tone effectively and photographic image manipulation. Contemporary art is often used as a stimulus to develop new and challenging apporaches to art, and we encourage students to participate in the creation of installations in the College, murals, competitions and other extension activities. There are several 'Late Nighters' during the year when students can develop and complete work.
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 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 QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO TAKE THE COURSE?
You should have at least a grade C in both GCSE Art and English Language. However, students who are keen to do A Level Art and Design but do not have C grades in either GCSE Art or English Language will be considered on an individual basis in September. 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 will need to be prepared to provide some of their own art media and materials. Most of these materials can be bought at cost price from the College. You will be told of the specific requirements when you start the course.
You should have at least a grade C in both GCSE Art and English Language. However, students who are keen to do A Level Art and Design but do not have C grades in either GCSE Art or English Language will be considered on an individual basis in September. 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 will need to be prepared to provide some of their own art media and materials. Most of these materials can be bought at cost price from the College. You will be told of the specific requirements when you start the course.
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 often required for entry into the architectural field.
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 often required for entry into the architectural field.
AND AFTER THE COURSE?
Many students progress onto prestigious Foundation and Degree courses, locally and nationally. A major requirement of any advanced art course will be a good portfolio of practical work.
View the Art and Design page on the AQA Website.
