Art and Design (Fine Art)

Course summary

Art is a course that is both enjoyable and rewarding. It is a chance for you to unlock your creativity and experiment with a range of media, including drawing, painting, digital media and printing. Building on prior skills and knowledge you will develop techniques in a range of artistic styles. You will explore and gain an understanding of the visual world around you investigate ways to record images and develop your knowledge of genres in art and art history. The course emphasises the importance of independent learning and self-directed research, exploration and experimentation along with contextual research and academic creative thinking. Art is not only for students who wish to pursue a career in the artistic industry, it will also allow you to develop transferrable skills such as problem-solving, contextual thinking, analysis and greater visual literacy. Gallery visits are an integral part of the course and students will be encouraged to visit galleries. The initial part of the A-level course allows students to explore and practice working in various media through a series of workshops. The intention is to provide a wide range of skills so that when it comes to selecting a theme for The Personal Investigation each can use their knowledge and experience to recall useful processes and techniques. The Personal Investigation requires students to independently select a theme or concept to explore in depth. Students must be able to show development and refinement of ideas from start to outcome. As well as producing a body of practical work the students will also be required to hand in a written response between 1000 – 3000 words. This piece should be closely linked and in support of their practical work.