Art, Craft and Design - A-Level

Course summary

If you are creative and love exploring ideas, then Fine Art is for you. Fine Art is one of the best subjects to express your feelings in an imaginative way. You can go wild with different materials, such as acrylic, oil, pastel, chalk...or maybe wood, metal, clay etc., to make sculptures and express you ideas in a more tactile way. The Fine Art course explores a range of creative practices including painting, mixed media, sculpture and print-making. Drawing is an essential skill for studying this subject and forms an integral part of Fine Art practice. You will use drawing to record and analyse the observed world, to explore ideas visually and to find new ways of expressing your thoughts and feelings. You will extend your drawing ability by experimenting with a range of tools, materials and techniques in order to refine your practical skills. You will also learn how to use sketchbooks as a creative journal in order to document your own creative process. Gallery and research visits are an essential part of Fine Art practice. You will develop your study skills by researching, analysing and evaluating the work of other artists, craftspeople and designers in order to make connections to your own ideas and methods. An important aspect of your progression will be your ability to express yourself in writing. As part of the personal investigation component of the A Level you will be required to produce a minimum 1000 word critical study. At the end of the course your work will be displayed at St John's annual Art Exhibition, which celebrates the creativity of our learners. Course Details What you will study • Intensive studies of the three main areas of Fine Art (Drawing, Painting and Printmaking) following a thematic approach. • Extensive exploration of materials and techniques to enable you to develop a unique and expressive personal visual language. • An understanding of the importance of Art, craft and design in everyday culture. • You will be taught how to analyse and evaluate key works of art and apply this to your own knowledge and practice. • You will develop an ability to appreciate to the visual world, respond in a personal and creative way, and produce work that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.