In fine art at GCSE you are encouraged to work in a range of two and three dimensional media, they include:

• Drawing in a variety of media
• Painting with acrylic, watercolour, poster colour
• Digital photography using Photoshop CS4
• Printmaking, mono-printing and intaglio (etching)
• 3D using clay, card and MDF

The exam board AQA asks for a portfolio of work that represents the best aspects of what you have produced over the course. You will be required to produce two complete units of coursework for component one at GCSE.

There will also be the opportunity to produce additional ‘mini projects’ to compliment your learning experience. These include gallery visits and working with visiting artists.

Component one (Coursework): 60% of the overall award

Component two (externally set assignment/exam unit):

• 40%, started in January of Year 11
• You have to respond to one of a choice of questions (topics) set by the exam board. Preparation work is coursework in style and a final piece of work is produced in exam conditions over 10 hours of externally moderated time in the Art rooms.

There are four assessment objectives that structure your learning. Each one is marked out of 24 and cover:

• AO1 – critical references, using artists’ work as inspiration
• AO2 – development of your own ideas using a variety of processes
• AO3 – observational drawing and photography as starting points
• AO4 – final piece of work in 2D or 3D

Click on the video below for more information.