Advice for Art A level

I thought i would make this thread since this is the time of year that AS art students start their personal investigation for A2 and i also find myself writing similar things on art threads. I don't profess to be an absolute expert on this but having recently finished A2 everything is still quite fresh so i thought i would write it down.
Two things are worth noting: this thread is technically for the AQA course however i think that some things for art a level are quite generic and could probably be laterally applied across many courses. Secondly, the art a level has changed structure so the AS no longer counts, it didnt count when i was doing it a year ago as we were the first people through but im not sure how the AS course is taught anymore as some schools don't do defined 'projects' AS, therefore this thread is probably most relevant to 2017-18 A2 students

A2:
The course for AQA A2 art is split into the following:

There are marking areas for each of these projects and they are the same for both, I have broken them down into roughly the same as the advice we were given by teachers:


This is very important, if you don't have a good base to work from the end product will be sub-standard. Whilst the internet and sites such as 'pinterest' are good starting points to find artists research (of which you will need at least 4 artists) you will need primary photographs that you have taken yourself of your subject matter. On the topic of artists it is worth mentioning that no-one is interested in their life story and that your annotations should be about what you like and dislike about the artist's work and style and how you could incorporate parts of their style/expression etc into your own work. For the primary research get out and go to places. Examiners love this as it shows real effort and enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to ask to go behind the scenes at galleries or museums etc, the worst thing anyone can say is no and most of the time they are happy to help students. Doing this gives you an edge over other students as you will have access to resources that no-one else does. Speaking of art galleries make sure you go to a couple at least as part of your research, this shows an interest in 'art history' and whilst i will admit they aren't the most exciting things in the universe they become important for the essay you will write about your personal investigation.


Experimentation in different media and styles is also very important for projects, examiners like to see versatility and students stepping out of their comfort zone. Try lots of styles and materials even if you think you wont like them. If you dont like them you include them in your sketchbook and say why which will get you marks and if you do like them include them in the sketchbook and say you will develop and refine this technique. This makes your final prep outcome more varied and interesting. Experimentation with techniques such as printing can also help speed up slow workers as unfortunately this course does place a heavy emphasis on quantity as well as quality. Experimentation doesn't have to mean materials either, it could be using a different colour scheme or creating pieces of different scales.


After the experimentation phase you will need to pick the techniques that you enjoyed the most and looked the most effective. You then need to practise using these techniques to achieve an excellent standard of the pieces being produced. Document this process in your sketchbook with lots of photos to show the progress.


After all the previous stages this is the culmination of all of that work. Choose the pieces that you think look the most effective from what you have produced and then mount these on an A2 board. This is your 'prep sheet' you can include photos on this or do a separate photos board. You can also include standalone pieces that can be mounted on a separate board. This outcome work will eventually be put in a display case for the moderator to see. The outcome will also include your 15 hour exam piece. This is the final 'exam' and will be done over the course of 3 days (5 hours each day). You are not allowed to touch any of your work except this final piece from when you start on the first day. This piece shouldn't be a totally new technique, it should be something you have created as a result of a culmination of ideas from your prep work and needs to link directly to this. Make sure you choose something doable within the time frame.

General Tips:
-Your sketchbook is your best friend, document everything in your sketchbook as you will get marks for it and it shows an organic thought process. Don't just include the things you have done which worked, include things that didn't and explain why they didn't and why you aren't happy with it.
-Don't throw stuff away, even if you aren't happy with something you have produced save it and stick it in your sketchbook
-Don't be too stubborn, whilst it is easy to get defensive of your own project listen to constructive feedback and act on it, it is always good to get opinions from others
-Try to find some local artists that you could liaise with or go to a workshop with, you could learn some new techniques from them and this will really impress the examiner
-Plan your time carefully and meet internal deadlines. For a course like this it is really important that you get things done on time as then at the end you will be less stressed. Furthermore if you get all your art work done on time then this frees you up to revise your other subjects for the A2 exams as art finishes quite early

Finally good luck this is a hard and intense course but it really does feel rewarding to see your work in a display case on the walls at the end of the year

hopefully that helped at least someone

Thank you so much Cavs, this was very well thought out and thank you for your time - it's sagely advice, particularly for a STEM-oriented website where there is little support or info around other subjects..

+rep

I thought i would make this thread since this is the time of year that AS art students start their personal investigation for A2 and i also find myself writing similar things on art threads. I don't profess to be an absolute expert on this but having recently finished A2 everything is still quite fresh so i thought i would write it down.
Two things are worth noting: this thread is technically for the AQA course however i think that some things for art a level are quite generic and could probably be laterally applied across many courses. Secondly, the art a level has changed structure so the AS no longer counts, it didnt count when i was doing it a year ago as we were the first people through but im not sure how the AS course is taught anymore as some schools don't do defined 'projects' AS, therefore this thread is probably most relevant to 2017-18 A2 students

A2:
The course for AQA A2 art is split into the following:


There are marking areas for each of these projects and they are the same for both, I have broken them down into roughly the same as the advice we were given by teachers:



This is very important, if you don't have a good base to work from the end product will be sub-standard. Whilst the internet and sites such as 'pinterest' are good starting points to find artists research (of which you will need at least 4 artists) you will need primary photographs that you have taken yourself of your subject matter. On the topic of artists it is worth mentioning that no-one is interested in their life story and that your annotations should be about what you like and dislike about the artist's work and style and how you could incorporate parts of their style/expression etc into your own work. For the primary research get out and go to places. Examiners love this as it shows real effort and enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to ask to go behind the scenes at galleries or museums etc, the worst thing anyone can say is no and most of the time they are happy to help students. Doing this gives you an edge over other students as you will have access to resources that no-one else does. Speaking of art galleries make sure you go to a couple at least as part of your research, this shows an interest in 'art history' and whilst i will admit they aren't the most exciting things in the universe they become important for the essay you will write about your personal investigation.



Experimentation in different media and styles is also very important for projects, examiners like to see versatility and students stepping out of their comfort zone. Try lots of styles and materials even if you think you wont like them. If you dont like them you include them in your sketchbook and say why which will get you marks and if you do like them include them in the sketchbook and say you will develop and refine this technique. This makes your final prep outcome more varied and interesting. Experimentation with techniques such as printing can also help speed up slow workers as unfortunately this course does place a heavy emphasis on quantity as well as quality. Experimentation doesn't have to mean materials either, it could be using a different colour scheme or creating pieces of different scales.



After the experimentation phase you will need to pick the techniques that you enjoyed the most and looked the most effective. You then need to practise using these techniques to achieve an excellent standard of the pieces being produced. Document this process in your sketchbook with lots of photos to show the progress.



After all the previous stages this is the culmination of all of that work. Choose the pieces that you think look the most effective from what you have produced and then mount these on an A2 board. This is your 'prep sheet' you can include photos on this or do a separate photos board. You can also include standalone pieces that can be mounted on a separate board. This outcome work will eventually be put in a display case for the moderator to see. The outcome will also include your 15 hour exam piece. This is the final 'exam' and will be done over the course of 3 days (5 hours each day). You are not allowed to touch any of your work except this final piece from when you start on the first day. This piece shouldn't be a totally new technique, it should be something you have created as a result of a culmination of ideas from your prep work and needs to link directly to this. Make sure you choose something doable within the time frame.

General Tips:
-Your sketchbook is your best friend, document everything in your sketchbook as you will get marks for it and it shows an organic thought process. Don't just include the things you have done which worked, include things that didn't and explain why they didn't and why you aren't happy with it.
-Don't throw stuff away, even if you aren't happy with something you have produced save it and stick it in your sketchbook
-Don't be too stubborn, whilst it is easy to get defensive of your own project listen to constructive feedback and act on it, it is always good to get opinions from others
-Try to find some local artists that you could liaise with or go to a workshop with, you could learn some new techniques from them and this will really impress the examiner
-Plan your time carefully and meet internal deadlines. For a course like this it is really important that you get things done on time as then at the end you will be less stressed. Furthermore if you get all your art work done on time then this frees you up to revise your other subjects for the A2 exams as art finishes quite early

Finally good luck this is a hard and intense course but it really does feel rewarding to see your work in a display case on the walls at the end of the year

hopefully that helped at least someone

Hi
I have done A level Art. and I think this really amazing that you have written this. I would like to help after my exams are over which will be finish by the 28th June. To give my experiences , advices and tips. That is if you are happy.I had never had the opportunity such a post like this to guide and btw I dont hold an Art GCSE

hey
and of course i meant to write that in my OP actually, that people should feel free to give their own advice and experiences as this is by no means an exhaustive list
and good luck for your exams

Would you say your advice is applicable to Graphic Design A-level? Also, how many hours would you say you did a week for Art outside the lesson? Did it distract you from studying from other subjects? (thank you for this post by the way, if only i had found it before my art gcse!)

I thought i would make this thread since this is the time of year that AS art students start their personal investigation for A2 and i also find myself writing similar things on art threads. I don't profess to be an absolute expert on this but having recently finished A2 everything is still quite fresh so i thought i would write it down.
Two things are worth noting: this thread is technically for the AQA course however i think that some things for art a level are quite generic and could probably be laterally applied across many courses. Secondly, the art a level has changed structure so the AS no longer counts, it didnt count when i was doing it a year ago as we were the first people through but im not sure how the AS course is taught anymore as some schools don't do defined 'projects' AS, therefore this thread is probably most relevant to 2017-18 A2 students

A2:
The course for AQA A2 art is split into the following:


There are marking areas for each of these projects and they are the same for both, I have broken them down into roughly the same as the advice we were given by teachers:



This is very important, if you don't have a good base to work from the end product will be sub-standard. Whilst the internet and sites such as 'pinterest' are good starting points to find artists research (of which you will need at least 4 artists) you will need primary photographs that you have taken yourself of your subject matter. On the topic of artists it is worth mentioning that no-one is interested in their life story and that your annotations should be about what you like and dislike about the artist's work and style and how you could incorporate parts of their style/expression etc into your own work. For the primary research get out and go to places. Examiners love this as it shows real effort and enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to ask to go behind the scenes at galleries or museums etc, the worst thing anyone can say is no and most of the time they are happy to help students. Doing this gives you an edge over other students as you will have access to resources that no-one else does. Speaking of art galleries make sure you go to a couple at least as part of your research, this shows an interest in 'art history' and whilst i will admit they aren't the most exciting things in the universe they become important for the essay you will write about your personal investigation.



Experimentation in different media and styles is also very important for projects, examiners like to see versatility and students stepping out of their comfort zone. Try lots of styles and materials even if you think you wont like them. If you dont like them you include them in your sketchbook and say why which will get you marks and if you do like them include them in the sketchbook and say you will develop and refine this technique. This makes your final prep outcome more varied and interesting. Experimentation with techniques such as printing can also help speed up slow workers as unfortunately this course does place a heavy emphasis on quantity as well as quality. Experimentation doesn't have to mean materials either, it could be using a different colour scheme or creating pieces of different scales.



After the experimentation phase you will need to pick the techniques that you enjoyed the most and looked the most effective. You then need to practise using these techniques to achieve an excellent standard of the pieces being produced. Document this process in your sketchbook with lots of photos to show the progress.



After all the previous stages this is the culmination of all of that work. Choose the pieces that you think look the most effective from what you have produced and then mount these on an A2 board. This is your 'prep sheet' you can include photos on this or do a separate photos board. You can also include standalone pieces that can be mounted on a separate board. This outcome work will eventually be put in a display case for the moderator to see. The outcome will also include your 15 hour exam piece. This is the final 'exam' and will be done over the course of 3 days (5 hours each day). You are not allowed to touch any of your work except this final piece from when you start on the first day. This piece shouldn't be a totally new technique, it should be something you have created as a result of a culmination of ideas from your prep work and needs to link directly to this. Make sure you choose something doable within the time frame.

General Tips:
-Your sketchbook is your best friend, document everything in your sketchbook as you will get marks for it and it shows an organic thought process. Don't just include the things you have done which worked, include things that didn't and explain why they didn't and why you aren't happy with it.
-Don't throw stuff away, even if you aren't happy with something you have produced save it and stick it in your sketchbook
-Don't be too stubborn, whilst it is easy to get defensive of your own project listen to constructive feedback and act on it, it is always good to get opinions from others
-Try to find some local artists that you could liaise with or go to a workshop with, you could learn some new techniques from them and this will really impress the examiner
-Plan your time carefully and meet internal deadlines. For a course like this it is really important that you get things done on time as then at the end you will be less stressed. Furthermore if you get all your art work done on time then this frees you up to revise your other subjects for the A2 exams as art finishes quite early

Finally good luck this is a hard and intense course but it really does feel rewarding to see your work in a display case on the walls at the end of the year

hopefully that helped at least someone

I know this is an old post from June but thanks for the info! I'm thankful for this due to being on AQA. I have an issue where I haven't been able to start my project yet due to illness and haven't been able to actually ask my teacher yet about it. I was wondering about the personal investigation and how I could actually get it started? Like can I choose anything? If so I'm not sure what to actually go for! I don't want to go back and be really behind.

Thank you in advance and hope you did well!

sorry to hear about your illness hope you get well soon
yes your personal investigation can be on anything however the usual practice is to run it by the teacher first because they want to make sure you are on the right lines. They need to think that your chosen topic will be able to sustain you for the majority of the year and that you aren't going to run out of steam with it and can actually get research on it etc i've never seen anyone's topic get out and out rejected (apart from one person who wanted to do anime but that was at GCSE), usually they are just altered slightly or expanded upon (from a personal standpoint mine wasn't altered because i presented a lot of visual evidence about what i wanted to do and why and i had a lot of knowledge about the topic). It really is advisable to get a teacher to look over your idea before you go and invest loads of time into it over the summer only to be told that your topic needs changing when you get back however i can understand that in your situation that would be difficult. Is there no way you could make a mind map or collage of your proposed ideas and then email a photo of it to your teacher? best of luck with it
no worries and thank you

Thank you so much for this, it's really helped me get my head around what y teachers actually trying to get at! Stopped a lot of stressing haha x

Thank you for the advice! Getting better now, so I should be able to do better this year. I thought running it by my teacher would be a must. I might do little quick sketches that won't waste too much time if my teacher wants me to change it, just so I can show him what I mean and if it would be good enough. Looking into what I can do at the moment and seeing how much I'd like it over the year. I developed the topic I did last year but halfway through the year I got fed up with it and after handing my final work in, admitted to my teacher that I hated that sketchbook more than anything!

Thank you again!

did everything go ok with this in the end?

@CoolCavy


How do you layout your gallery book? I went to a gallery and I have postcards and cards etc, but because I am doing A-Level Art I don't know what to write or do, to make it more A-Level standard.

gallery book? i had gallery pages in my sketchbook if that's what you mean? for stuff like postcards and stuff i always tied in them a bit loosely to make it look a bit 'spontaneous' and scrapbooky and like i was doing my sketchbook at the gallery or something

So what would you write about or do in them? I do know what to do because I have done GCSE Art, but for some reason it seems harder right now.

i always just wrote a little intro of where i went and why and if you took photos of some of the artwork in the gallery say why you photographed it, what you liked about it and how you could incorporate the artist's styles and techniques into your own work, just similar stuff to what you write about when you do artists pages. Even if the stuff in the gallery seems really unrelated you can still say you are 'inspired' by the colour pallets and stuff in the paintings or the 'meanings' behind the art etc etc

I thought i would make this thread since this is the time of year that AS art students start their personal investigation for A2 and i also find myself writing similar things on art threads. I don't profess to be an absolute expert on this but having recently finished A2 everything is still quite fresh so i thought i would write it down.
Two things are worth noting: this thread is technically for the AQA course however i think that some things for art a level are quite generic and could probably be laterally applied across many courses. Secondly, the art a level has changed structure so the AS no longer counts, it didnt count when i was doing it a year ago as we were the first people through but im not sure how the AS course is taught anymore as some schools don't do defined 'projects' AS, therefore this thread is probably most relevant to 2017-18 A2 students

A2:
The course for AQA A2 art is split into the following:

There are marking areas for each of these projects and they are the same for both, I have broken them down into roughly the same as the advice we were given by teachers:


This is very important, if you don't have a good base to work from the end product will be sub-standard. Whilst the internet and sites such as 'pinterest' are good starting points to find artists research (of which you will need at least 4 artists) you will need primary photographs that you have taken yourself of your subject matter. On the topic of artists it is worth mentioning that no-one is interested in their life story and that your annotations should be about what you like and dislike about the artist's work and style and how you could incorporate parts of their style/expression etc into your own work. For the primary research get out and go to places. Examiners love this as it shows real effort and enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to ask to go behind the scenes at galleries or museums etc, the worst thing anyone can say is no and most of the time they are happy to help students. Doing this gives you an edge over other students as you will have access to resources that no-one else does. Speaking of art galleries make sure you go to a couple at least as part of your research, this shows an interest in 'art history' and whilst i will admit they aren't the most exciting things in the universe they become important for the essay you will write about your personal investigation.


Experimentation in different media and styles is also very important for projects, examiners like to see versatility and students stepping out of their comfort zone. Try lots of styles and materials even if you think you wont like them. If you dont like them you include them in your sketchbook and say why which will get you marks and if you do like them include them in the sketchbook and say you will develop and refine this technique. This makes your final prep outcome more varied and interesting. Experimentation with techniques such as printing can also help speed up slow workers as unfortunately this course does place a heavy emphasis on quantity as well as quality. Experimentation doesn't have to mean materials either, it could be using a different colour scheme or creating pieces of different scales.


After the experimentation phase you will need to pick the techniques that you enjoyed the most and looked the most effective. You then need to practise using these techniques to achieve an excellent standard of the pieces being produced. Document this process in your sketchbook with lots of photos to show the progress.


After all the previous stages this is the culmination of all of that work. Choose the pieces that you think look the most effective from what you have produced and then mount these on an A2 board. This is your 'prep sheet' you can include photos on this or do a separate photos board. You can also include standalone pieces that can be mounted on a separate board. This outcome work will eventually be put in a display case for the moderator to see. The outcome will also include your 15 hour exam piece. This is the final 'exam' and will be done over the course of 3 days (5 hours each day). You are not allowed to touch any of your work except this final piece from when you start on the first day. This piece shouldn't be a totally new technique, it should be something you have created as a result of a culmination of ideas from your prep work and needs to link directly to this. Make sure you choose something doable within the time frame.

General Tips:
-Your sketchbook is your best friend, document everything in your sketchbook as you will get marks for it and it shows an organic thought process. Don't just include the things you have done which worked, include things that didn't and explain why they didn't and why you aren't happy with it.
-Don't throw stuff away, even if you aren't happy with something you have produced save it and stick it in your sketchbook
-Don't be too stubborn, whilst it is easy to get defensive of your own project listen to constructive feedback and act on it, it is always good to get opinions from others
-Try to find some local artists that you could liaise with or go to a workshop with, you could learn some new techniques from them and this will really impress the examiner
-Plan your time carefully and meet internal deadlines. For a course like this it is really important that you get things done on time as then at the end you will be less stressed. Furthermore if you get all your art work done on time then this frees you up to revise your other subjects for the A2 exams as art finishes quite early

Finally good luck this is a hard and intense course but it really does feel rewarding to see your work in a display case on the walls at the end of the year

hopefully that helped at least someone