FINE ART A Level

Exam board:  AQA

Why study this subject: 

Fine Art encourages personal and creative expression through the understanding of media and skills. Students should explore the use of drawing for different purposes, using a variety of methods and media exploring different scales. Students will work in both 2D and 3D using a variety of media such as painting, mixed media, printing, photography, sculpture and installation to cover both observational and imaginative work. As the course progresses each student begins to follow an individual line of enquiry tailored to their own individual needs. They will follow the process of research which links between their work and that of artists and designers, showing their journey develop. Each unit must include work in journals and sketchbooks.

Personal skills that will be challenged and developed: 

Developing knowledge and a deeper enquiring interest in the Arts, experimentation and working with a broad range of materials. Independence and collaborative group work, critical thinking and reflection, rise taking and self-reflection, Time management and organisation, Literacy communication through technical descriptions, essays and a mini dissertation

How will I be assessed: 

Over 2 years:

Component 1: Fine Art coursework and Personal study Essay (3000 words) 60%. 96marks

Component 2: Externally set assignment 15 hours 40%

Syllabus

Component 1: ‘Feast for the Eyes’ which leads into personal investigation

Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.

The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates the student’s ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation, include evidence of the student’s ability to research and develop ideas and relate their work in meaningful ways to relevant critical/contextual materials.

Students should be aware of the four assessment objectives to be demonstrated in the context of the content and skills presented. They should be aware of the importance of process as well as product.

The written material must confirm understanding of creative decisions, providing evidence of all four assessment objectives by: Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. (1000–3000-word essay).

Component 2:

In Component 2, students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides

evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal

and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished

outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.

Students will undertake a 15-hour exam in a controlled environment, under the standards and conditions set by the AQA exam board

  

All images are Blackfen school students’ work.

Future course and possible careers: 

Art A Level is a well-regarded facilitating subject by both employers and universities due to the range of skills developed during the course, such as inquiry and analytical skills.  Art A Level will be essential for all students wishing to undertake a foundation/degree course at Art College. The possible career paths are almost endless, including: Accessory Designer, Advertising Director, Archaeologist, Architect, Art Consultant, Art Coordinator, Art Critic, Art Teacher, Art Therapist, Artist in Residence, Camera Operator, Cartoonist, Comic Strip Artist, Designer, Fabric Designer, Film-maker, Fine Artist, Furniture Designer, Illustrator, Jewellery Maker/Designer, Make-up Artist, Movie Art Director, Painter, Photographer, Printmaker, Sculptor, Television Art Director, Textile Artist or Web Site Designer.

Art degrees teach problem solving, team work, independence and self-motivation qualities that
every employer is looking for.