Art and Design

Course summary

Art is appropriate for those who wish to have an introduction to professional practice in a creative and visual world and those who are interested in culture and the history of ideas. A Level of Art is about looking, understanding and expressing ideas. The most important indicator of suitability is the ability to make intelligent, well-observed drawings and in-depth, perceptive articulation about the artwork. The disciplines that can be explored on the A Level course are painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, photography and moving images. To achieve the marks awarded pupils must: • use their ideas to generate starting points • understand how the works of other artists relate to ethical, political social and historical contexts • undertake sustained visual experiments by way of developing and refining artwork • develop a visual language to communicate ideas and be open to working with new media • demonstrate skilful use of the formal elements: line, tone, colour, shape, form and structure • record evidence of progress made in ongoing critical and analytical review • respond in an individual and personal way to a theme, stimulus or concept • make connections between investigations and creative intentions • realise intentions by producing and presenting unique outcomes