Is this subject right for me?

Are you good at time management?
Do you enjoy practical work and learning about artists?
Are you motivated in Art & design, and enjoy taking risks with ideas/techniques?
Are you good at using your creativity to develop personal ideas and responses?
Do you love the visual arts and have dedication?
Can you respond productively to support and positive criticism?

Fine Art is an exciting, challenging and highly rewarding subject to study at this level, whether you intend to go on to Art college or not. We offer a broad approach which has drawing and painting at its centre, but which also includes printmaking, mixed media and 3D work. Above all, we aim to help you to develop the necessary skills needed to produce creative, individual and high quality artwork. We encourage you to be inventive, independent and involved. For most lessons you will be engaged in practical work; however, other lessons are spent exploring the work of artists and designers through lectures, independent study and
seminars using slides, videos, the Internet, CD ROM and books. Visits to galleries and museums locally, and in London form a vital part of the course.

The Visual Arts Department consists of two light and spacious Art studios, one textiles studio, two large well-equipped Photographic Studios and two darkrooms. Each studio has PC’s and Photoshop software for computer aided design, experimentation, research and image manipulation.Studying Art can lead to a number of careers areas such as graphic design, architecture, animation, fashion, three-dimensional design, photography, film and television and arts management, etc. Students are given advice about courses and careers in Art and Design and every year about three-quarters of our students go on to study Art or Art-related courses in Further and Higher Education. AS Level Art can be studied with other creative courses at BHASVIC such as Photography or Textiles, but also goes well with many other subjects.

What is the course content?

Many activities are involved in A and AS Art (AQA):

• drawing in a range of media from different sources
• exploring various techniques and processes, e.g. using oil and acrylic paints, inks, printmaking techniques, 3D and mixed-media work.
• recording and developing ideas in your work journal
  presenting work effectively
• learning to respond to works of art / design by others, in order to improve your critical and practical skills.
  

How is the course assessed?

AS Art - Year One
This is a broad course aimed at students who have studied GCSE Art and achieved at least a grade C and who wish to study Art further. For this you produce 2 'units' of work:
Unit 1 (50% of AS)
This unit explores a range of media and techniques e.g. graphite, charcoal, ink, paints, printmaking and sculpture. You will be able to develop a personal practical project leading to a finished piece. It also includes researching the work of artists/designers. The coursework project focuses on your skills through structured lessons and teaching leading to a personal / independent outcome for unit 2.
Unit 2 (50% of AS)
This unit takes the form of a timed test (8 hours) responding to a theme set by the Exam Board plus preparatory studies. You have the choice of which media you would like to use e.g. mixed media, printmaking, painting or sculpture. You may choose to carry on with AS Art in order to take the full A Level.

A2 Art - Year Two
The second year of study is about building on skills and ideas developed during the AS course to produce a creative, mature and technically proficient body of work showing personal commitment, flair and individuality. There is more emphasis on conceptual approaches. These 2 'units' involve:
Unit 3 (50% of A Level)
This unit allows you to develop a personal practical project based on a theme. It involves producing contextual studies which relate your own work to other artists/designers using visual and written elements. It also includes preparatory studies leading to a finished piece. You will produce a 3000 word written study on artists/art movements that relate directly to your practical studio work. The choice of media is yours.
Unit 4 (50% of A Level)
This unit takes the form of a timed test (15 hours) responding to a theme set by the Exam Board producing preparatory studies and leading to a finished piece of work. Again, you build on existing skills using relevant media of your choice.

Throughout both courses you will have clear feedback from your teachers about your progress and you will be encouraged to develop your work and ideas outside lessons. Therefore, it is expected that you will have a range of art materials at home and a folder to carry work between home and college.

What are the entry requirements?

The general entry requirements for studying at Advanced level apply, and must include a minimum of grade C in Art GCSE.

Other information

Charges are made on all courses in the Visual Arts Department to cover the cost of materials used.

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