Week 1 - Research, investigate and generate ideas.
Remember to embellish and decorate your background sketchbook pages always try to design your pages, a good tip is to use different papers/surfaces to mount images or draw upon (as shown above).
|
It helps to begin with few constraints. Explore the suggested artists on the exam paper, to help you some of the artists and examples of their work can be found on the suggested artists list on this site.
To begin with start with the Theme 'Layers' and mind map all that you can think of connected to this theme. Don't worry about going off at a tangent at this time, be creative and enjoy thinking laterally. You should not be designing a final piece! try to resist the urge at this early stage to plan a final piece. AO2 - Research Begin with a close look at the suggested artists. Who's work do you like the look of? Next complete these 4 tasks:
|
Week 2 - Draw, take photos and develop ideas.
AO1 - Recording Observations.
Remember that you are an art student and not yet a practicing artist, this raises one fundamental and important rule, you must show off your skill level to the best of your ability to gain important marks. Drawing is key and the more high quality drawings you can produce in this second week the better.
You should aim to do a drawing everyday during this week. However you do not need to complete every drawing. Sometimes a partially completed study has enough worth that it shows us what you are thinking and where you are heading. However do not forget that your theme is Layers! Follow these top tips below to help you complete 3-6 sketchbook pages:
- Draw from observation, primary if possible but secondary if you need to.
- Always grid drawings, this will help you scaffold the drawing.
- If possible draw with a different medium each day, Pencil, colour pencil and pen are a must and each medium will have a different feel and help you explore an idea in a different way.
- Experiment with composition. Zoom into images and pick the area you are going to draw don't draw the whole object or picture, be selective.
- Finally continue to annotate your ideas about your drawings keep writing alongside your drawings to help you develop ideas.
AO1- Photography counts like drawing.
Explore the medium of photography as much as you can in the first few weeks of the Exam. This medium is excellent for exploring ideas and later you can draw from your own photos which is an excellent idea to show development and gain marks. Below you will find 3 possible ways you could use photography in relation to this years theme of Layers.
Theme - Layers in Society
Take photos of people, yourself or your family and friends. Take images of daily life either in Abu Dhabi or internationally if you are visiting another country.
Theme - Layers in Nature
Take photos of the landscape, zoom in and take close up (macro images) of flowers, shells, plants, trees, sand, rock, forests, water, sea.
Theme - Layers in Architecture
Take photos of buildings, streets, skylines, zoom in and take macro images of details of buildings, corners, mechanical forms.
Theme - Layers in Clothes
Many of you might be travelling to colder parts of the world over the three week holiday period. This could be a perfect opportunity to take photos of people who protect themselves from the elements. Take photos of hats, scarves, umbrellas, boots, gloves etc. If you are skiing take photos of the layering that is necessary.
Theme - Layers in Society
Take photos of people, yourself or your family and friends. Take images of daily life either in Abu Dhabi or internationally if you are visiting another country.
Theme - Layers in Nature
Take photos of the landscape, zoom in and take close up (macro images) of flowers, shells, plants, trees, sand, rock, forests, water, sea.
Theme - Layers in Architecture
Take photos of buildings, streets, skylines, zoom in and take macro images of details of buildings, corners, mechanical forms.
Theme - Layers in Clothes
Many of you might be travelling to colder parts of the world over the three week holiday period. This could be a perfect opportunity to take photos of people who protect themselves from the elements. Take photos of hats, scarves, umbrellas, boots, gloves etc. If you are skiing take photos of the layering that is necessary.