Examination Board and Qualification: Edexcel Level 3 Advanced

Endorsed Fine Art – drawing, painting and related media

Component 1 Title: Personal Investigation (60%):

The following overview of the component content is based, fundamentally, on processes which use drawing and painting from first-hand Observation; Analysis & Recording from primary sources:

Processes will involve:

• Developing ideas
• Exploring media, developing and applying skills
• Researching, recording, analysing and reviewing
• Creating and presenting outcome(s)

The component must evidence three major elements: supporting studies, practical work and a personal study.

Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of developmental work and outcome(s) and the personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in 1000-3000 words of continuous prose, which may contain integrated images.

Component 2 Title: Externally Set Assignment (40%):

This component will be produced in Year 13 from the end of term 3 onwards.

This requires students to process the same content as Component 1 (not including the personal study) but in response to an externally set theme. It also requires students to work more independently and to produce a final outcome under controlled examination conditions, over 15 hours.

Topics:

• Still-life, self-portrait, figure, natural forms, man-made forms, environment, architecture.
• Critical/Contextual Studies and Art History

Skills acquired:

• Analysis/First & second hand study – how to see and record formal/visual elements (Line, Tone, Colour and Form) from direct observation; primary & secondary sources
• Critical – How to analyse and evaluate images (and interpret their meaning) through research and visual investigation.

Technical/Practical:

• Methods, Processes, Techniques.
• Manipulation of media and visual elements to express and communicate “ideas” and aims.
• Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, photoshop, textiles, 3D work.

What kinds of students are most suited to this course?

Students must have done GCSE Art & Design, preferably endorsed Fine Art.

Students must have had experience of drawing and painting from direct observation; primary sources.

Students will also need:

• Commitment
• Concentration and ability to focus (often for long periods of time)
• Motivation and initiative
• Interest/enthusiasm for visual arts (media, visiting galleries, museums)
• Research Skills (using reference systems, data-bases, etc.)
• English Language/Literature (enjoy reading and writing)

What other courses often combine successfully with this?

All subjects are compatible in terms of cross-curricular interest and suitability. Successful combinations have been with Textiles, Graphics, Theatre Studies, Photography, History, English, Media, Psychology, as well as the sciences and Maths (Architecture).

What career or higher education options might this course lead to?

Art & Design is one of the country’s largest industries offering an enormous range of careers in the creative sector. There is a considerable range of practical and academic subjects which can be studied at degree level.

1 year Diploma Foundation Course in Art and Design – this course is designed to learn about and experience the breadth of creative discipline, building a portfolio of work and make informed decisions for specialised degree courses. (e.g. Fine Art, Illustration, Graphics, Costume Design, Architecture, Digital Animation etc.)

OR

4 year Foundation Degree Course.

E.g., Art Administration, Cultural/Media Studies, Fashion, Photography,    Illustration, Graphics  etc.

OR

Degree Course (in specialized subjects – subject to suitable A Levels) E.g. Fashion, Photography, History of Art, Illustration, Graphics  etc.

What extra-curricular activities support this course?

Life-Drawing, Visiting Galleries & Museums, etc.