In Fine Art we work broadly and creatively within the realm of fine art media; painting, sculpture and printing. Students follow a dynamic course structure that focuses on skill development, whilst at the same time encouraging the expression of individual creativity. Students are required to visit a range of contemporary art galleries and larger Museums to support their developing ideas and attend weekly life drawing sessions held on-site. We make a bi-annual school art trip to New York City.
Skills gained from taking this course
Students explore and develop skills in Printmaking (etching/lino/collograph), Sculpture (plaster of paris/clay/wire/card/withies), Painting (acrylic/oil/watercolour) and drawing (all media).
Entry Requirements (all A2 subjects carry a minimum requirement of a D-grade AS level)
The school offer for entry is 5 GCSEs at B Grade and above with English Language or Literature and Mathematics at A* - C grade.
Grade B or A/A* in art at GCSE.
IMPORTANT: If your daughter or son has not studied art at GCSE they will not be eligible to study Fine Art at A'Level.
Students must complete summer holiday work that will be assessed at the start of Year 12. This work is essential as it allows entry level assessment to the Fine Art A'Level and ensures areas of weakness are identified early. In some instances, after the assessment of the holiday work, a student might be advised to not take this subject (even if they have achieved a grade B at GCSE). The reasons for these decisions may be based on oversubscription to the course or a level of assessment for holiday work that does not meet the basic skills requirement to study A'Level Fine Art.
Entry Suggestions
A good working understanding and knowledge of a range of drawing media (pencil, graphite, chalk pastel, oil pastels, inks), painting (oils, acrylics, watercolour), sculpture (clay, plaster of paris, wire) and printing (lino, etching, collograph). An awareness of the developing trends in contemporary art and a knowledge and experience of visiting galleries and museums.
If you are made an offer and meet the required grade, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:
1. An A3 gallery sheet made whilst visiting a gallery. A study made in pencil or pen made whilst standing in front of a piece of live art work. Annotation around the drawing of ideas and thoughts whilst looking at the work.
2. 5 photographs taken as a response to the theme or composition of the artist work studied in the gallery. This could involve setting up a scenario and then photographing it or going to a location/place to take photos.
3. One A3 sustained study from one of the photos using any chosen 2D media (paint/oil pastel etc.)
