In Art, Craft and Design we believe passionately that every student should have the opportunity to discover their skill and preferred media. They should be given the chance to explore and develop so that they can create work with sense and meaning.
This booklet has been produced to allow you and your parents to have an overview of what you will be doing in Art, Craft and Design over the next two years. It is structured in such a way that allows the individual to develop at a steady, preferred pace (Parents should be aware that while there is some order to the assignments each teacher will need to judge which order they feel is best for the students in their class.
The Art student will be able to choose the best time to do personal study* work at home during each assignment. The quantity of work may vary according to what the student feels is appropriate and able to give them enough information to continue their Art work in school.
During their time in the Art, Craft and Design area students will work on individual pieces as well as doing group activities. The expectation is that all Art students help and advise each other and give constructive criticism when asked.
You will be given a work journal at the start of the year. You will be using this to record information, experiments and experiences in the form of a ‘visual diary’. It is vital, therefore, that you bring it to every Art session so that you can use it to help your work progress. Consider all your work and annotate (label) it, showing what has and hasn’t worked, as well as your thoughts and possible improvements you could make to the process. By doing this you will be able to see how you have developed and grown as an artist.
The Art, Craft and Design area is always available for personal study time and staff members are willing to help whenever possible.
*Personal study means work that you are unable to do during the lesson because you either don’t have time or the necessary resources are unavailable to you.
STILL LIFE ASSIGNMENT
8 weeks
Task 1 – Find out what the term ‘Still Life’ means (Dictionary and Thesaurus)
Task 2 – (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artists
(b) Choose one of your artists and copy their work or a part of their work. You will need to annotate with discussions of media used, influences of the artist, composition etc.
(c) Produce your own version (response) to your chosen artist. You can choose the same themes but approach it in a different way. Write annotations showing how your work was influenced by the artist you chose.
Task 3 – Set up a still life using objects that have some connection – e.g. tools, fruit etc. Using different light sources and viewpoints take a series of photographs of your still life. Manipulate the images on the computer to improve your work. You could also change and distort your photos.
Task 4 - Do at least 5 different studies of your still life (different angles, close up etc.) using different media and mark making techniques (you can mix the media too – chalk and charcoal for example). These should be on at least A3 paper.
Task 5 – Produce an investigation sheet of the artist Ben Nicholson. Show that you have considered the media and composition of the work and shown your thoughts.
Task 6 – Create your own Ben Nicholson style piece using the images from your own still life.
Task 7 – Consider the best medium and composition for your still life and produce a final piece. This can show influence from any of the artists you have looked at.
Task 8 – Mount your work (if you can)
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:
Dictionary and Thesaurus description of ‘Still Life’ / at least one A3 theme research sheet / a copy of an artists (or part of) work, with annotations / your own response / a series of photographs of a themed still life using different light sources, manipulated on computer / at least 5 studies of the still life, using different media / an investigation sheet on Ben Nicholson / Your response to his work / Planning for your outcome / Your final piece, mounted / Review.
Task 9 - Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
CULTURES ASSIGNMENT
8 weeks
Task 1 – Find out what the term ‘Culture’ means (Dictionary and Thesaurus)
Task 2 – (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artists who have produced work showing other cultures. Show your findings on at least one side of A3 paper.
Task 3 - Using images (collected and drawn), objects and artefacts compose a ‘mood board’ showing different cultural images and styles from different eras.
Task 4 - Choose one of your artists and copy their work or a part of their work. You will need to annotate with discussions of media, materials and processes used, influences of the artist, colours etc.
Task 5 – Investigate a variety of themes to do with cultures eg. Festivals, traditions religion etc.
Task 6 – Choose a theme for you to work from and begin to produce some designs of your own.
Task 7 – You will now need to transfer your designs onto silk using batik.
Task 8 – after a brief demonstration of coil pottery you will begin to consider designs for a coil pot based on the cultural work you have done. You will need to consider the size and shape of your pot and a variety of different designs before you settle on your final idea.
Task 9 – Make your final clay piece, following the shape of your design in your work journal.
Task 10 – You will either glaze your work or paint it – this is your choice and should be in sympathy with your design and intentions
Task 11 – Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:
Dictionary and Thesaurus description of ‘Culture’ / at least one A3 theme research sheet / a copy of an artists (or part of) work, with annotations / your own response / a series of photographs of a themed still life using different light sources, manipulated on computer / at least 5 studies of the still life, using different media / an investigation sheet on Ben Nicholson / Your response to his work / Planning for your outcome / Your final piece, mounted / Review.
‘MYSELF’ ASSIGNMENT
8 weeks
Task 1 – (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artists who have produced 3D work of the figure. Show your findings on at least one side of A3 paper.
Task 2 - Using images (collected and drawn), objects and artefacts compose a ‘mood board’ showing other artists images and styles from different eras and how they responded to the theme.
Task 3 - Choose 2 artists and compare their work on at least on sheet of A3. You will need to show differences and similarities as well as your opinion.
Task 4 – Investigate a variety of themes to do with ‘Myself’ eg. family, friends, hobbies, religion etc. Show your findings on at least two sides of A3 paper.
Task 5 – investigate at lease 2 areas more thoroughly using a variety of different media.
Task 6 – Choose one area to investigate and begin to consider some ideas you may wish to follow.
Task 7 – Plan your final piece. Make sure you use all the information in your work journal to ensure you can produce your best work.
Task 8 – Produce your final piece.
Task 9 - Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:At least one A3 theme research sheet / a mood board / a comparison of 2 artists work / at least 3 A3 sides of investigations using different media / planning for your final piece / Your realisation / Review
DECORATIVE ARTS ASSIGNMENT
8 Weeks
Task 1 – Find out what the term ‘Decorative Arts’ means (Dictionary and Thesaurus)
Task 2 – (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artist
(b) Choose one of your artists and copy their work or a part of their work. You will need to annotate with discussions of media used, influences of the artist, composition etc.
(c) Produce your own version (response) to your chosen artist. You can choose the same themes but approach it in a different way if you wish. Write an evaluation of your work and how it was influenced by the artist you chose.
Task 3 – Choose an interesting everyday object and redesign it in the style of your chosen artist. You can modify it however you like and use any materials to make sure it is influenced by your artist.
Task 4 – Investigate a variety of natural forms and patterns. These could be from foliage and flowers, insects, reptiles, animals etc. (these should be direct observation work where possible). Use different media, sympathetic to the subject you are studying.
Task 5 – focus on one area e.g. flowers and produce some further studies in more detail.
Task 6 – simplify your images to use on a lino or screen print.
Task 7 – prepare and produce a series of screen / lino prints of your image. Consider your designs (they could look like wallpaper, a border or an image on its own.
Task 8 – work on top of one of your designs using other media to enhance and refine it. Then mount your work.
Task 9 - Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:
Dictionary and Thesaurus description of ‘Decorative Arts’ / a copy of an artists (or part of) work, with annotations / your own response / an everyday object in the style of your artist / at least 3 A3 sheets investigating natural form, using different media / at least 2 A3 pages of detailed studies of your chosen theme / Screen or Lino prints (min 5) / One of your prints with other media / Your final piece, mounted / Review.
THE FIGURE ASSIGNMENT
8 weeks
Task 1 – (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artists who have produced 3D work of the figure. Show your findings on at least one side of A3 paper.
Task 2 - Using images (collected and drawn), objects and artefacts compose a ‘mood board’ showing figurative images and styles from different eras.
Task 3 - Choose 2 sculptors and compare their work on at least on sheet of A3. You will need to show differences and similarities as well as your opinion.
Task 4 – working in groups of 3 or 4 produce quick figure studies (10 or 15 mins). Consider poses that you have seen in your investigations and ones you may wish to use in your own work later. Minimum of 10 studies
Task 5 – From your studies choose one pose to do in detail. You will need to do 2 pencil studies from different angles and one colour one from your favourite angle.
Task 6 – Plan for a figurative sculpture in a material of your own choice. You may wish to break down the figure into simple forms or work from a more detailed perspective. Your choice must be influenced by your chosen artist.
Task 7 – Make your figurative sculpture
Task 8 – Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:
At least one A3 theme research sheet / a mood board / a comparison of 2 sculptors work / at least 10 quick figure studies / 2 detailed pencil studies of the figure / one colour study of the figure / planning for a sculptural response to your studies / Your final piece / Review.
FREE CHOICE ASSIGNMENT
8 weeks
Task 1 – Choose a title for your theme that builds on a previous assignment (you should consider the theme and / or media that you enjoyed doing the most or work the best for you). Make sure you can have a variety of ideas and possible outcomes. Check the dictionary and thesaurus to see if you have a number of starting points. build on a previous assignment if you wish, going more in-depth and exploring the theme further.
Task 2 - (a) Using a variety of resources (Library, internet etc.) investigate the work of other artists who have produced art similar to your theme.
Task 3 - Using images (collected and drawn), objects and artefacts compose a ‘mood board’ showing different images and styles from different eras.
Task 4 - Choose one of your artists and copy their work or a part of their work. You will need to annotate with discussions of media, materials and processes used, influences of the artist, colours etc.
Task 5 - Investigate a variety of themes that link with your own.
Task 6 – investigate at lease 2 areas more thoroughly using a variety of different media.
Task 7 – Choose one area to investigate and begin to consider some ideas you may wish to follow.
Task 8 – Plan your final piece. Make sure you use all the information in your work journal to ensure you can produce your best work.
Task 9 – Produce your final piece.
Task 10 - Review the work you have done for this assignment and discuss your thoughts about the work of the artists you have investigated and your own discoveries.
At the end of this assignment you should have the following evidence:
At least one A3 theme research sheet / a mood board / a comparison of 2 artists work / at least 3 A3 sides of investigations using different media / planning for your final piece / Your realisation / Review.
For tips check out:
FINDING ARTISTS OR ART WORK TO INSPIRE YOUR OWN
The important thing to remember is VARIETY. Don’t just look at one artist or form of Art. Investigate a number (and show this in your sketchbook) before settling on the area or artist you wish study.
The first place you should look is your Mind map.
This should have some areas connected to an artist or form of art – in ‘Adorn, Decorate, Embellish’ you will have put things on there like: Jewellery, Clothes, body art, pattern, animals etc. There will be artists who work solely in these styles or with this subject, but you don’t have to focus on one artist so long as you consider some of the ‘what, when, where, how, who, why’ questions.
Another source of inspiration is Art books.
The school library has one of the best collections of Art resource books I’ve seen in a school. You can look at specific styles, forms of Art or inspirations, or you can browse books like ‘The Art Book’ which shows hundreds of Artists. You could choose to look at ones you find inspiring or investigate the suggested artists they show on each page.
The internet is a useful tool for investigating Art work
BUT BE CAREFUL! Although it is useful you will only get the results dependant on your input.
So you may come across a complete amateur who is showing off their ‘Art Nouveau’ style work and is not a recognised or even working Artist.
You can also get information that simply isn’t correct, so it’s a good idea to double check from another source.
Gallery sites often have search engines for you to specify the artist, style or theme you are looking for.
When you have some examples of art work in your sketchbook you will need to consider the usual set of questions and annotate it (you may use arrows to show areas of interest).
REMEMBER THAT THE WORK SHOULD INSPIRE YOU AND HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON THE DIRECTION OF YOUR WORK – INCLUDING YOUR FINAL PIECE.
HOW TO ANNOTATE YOUR WORK
Things to consider when labelling and making notes.
As you investigate and experiment in your work journal it is important to annotate as you go along. This way you can be sure that you are making notes that are relevant and helpful later on (and the examiner wants to see how you are thinking and the journey you intend to make).
When analyzing the work of others
It is important not to simply make factual statements about the work or write as if you are talking to the examiner (they only want to see that you are considering the work).
• Look at the work, consider it, take time to see what the artist wanted you to see.
• Consider what the artist was trying to show. Who is the intended audience?
What sort of mood does the work convey? What has the artist made the viewer focus on?
• You are expected to consider the ‘Visual Elements’ so look at the composition, scale, colours, materials, textures etc. and make notes about them (including your own thoughts or ideas.
• You should have some idea of what was happening to the artist at the time, their background, who influenced their style and what was happening at the time. These don’t need to be detailed notes, but they do need to show that you have some understanding of how and why the artist worked as they did.
WHEN ANNOTATING YOUR OWN WORK•
Remember that your work journal is your Art diary, so write down notes as you go along to remind yourself what you intend to do.
• You should analyse your own work and ideas as you would the work of other artists, so consider the visual elements in each piece you plan for and produce.
• You can improve your grade by modifying and refining your work so consider different ways you may need to change it. You might want to use different media, change the scale, discuss what difference different compositions may make (focus in on the subject or place the subjet to one side etc.)
• Think of what you are trying to achieve. Does your work and ideas hit the criteria you have set yourself for the work?
