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Taking a level art without doing gcse

Our school limits the amount of gcse subjects we can take quite drastically, (only two options, the third is always a language and suggested to be whichever you’ve studied from year seven). I initially chose art but switched to drama because I didn’t want to lose enjoyment for it. I’d like to take it for a level and have applied to take it at the school I’ve been accepted to, but I need to present a portfolio. I’m not sure what to include in a portfolio for it to be truthful. What could I include or what should I work on to develop my art skills so they accept it. (I’m now considering an arts/architecture career and need to take art). Thank you!! :smile:
Reply 1
Original post by bunnybones3
Our school limits the amount of gcse subjects we can take quite drastically, (only two options, the third is always a language and suggested to be whichever you’ve studied from year seven). I initially chose art but switched to drama because I didn’t want to lose enjoyment for it. I’d like to take it for a level and have applied to take it at the school I’ve been accepted to, but I need to present a portfolio. I’m not sure what to include in a portfolio for it to be truthful. What could I include or what should I work on to develop my art skills so they accept it. (I’m now considering an arts/architecture career and need to take art). Thank you!! :smile:
does the school offer any guidance on what to include? if not here's an example of A level art portfolio criteria, but i would think if they're asking for a portfolio they'd give you some idea of what they want to see/how many pieces. In general, I would say try and show off as many different skills, media, subjects etc as you can. some ideas for things to include:

•

observational sketches / life drawing

•

perspective drawing (you can reuse these for your uni application portfolio if you decide to take architecture)

•

drawings of large objects or scenes (landscapes, street scenes etc)

•

detailed studies of small objects and different materials

•

photography (depends if they accept it)


and try and do these using different media, e.g., a watercolour landscape, graphite drapery study, charcoal study of a wooden table, ink sketch of a person you see on the street, etc. good youtube channels for tutorials if you need them is Proko for a wide variety of subjects/media, and Stephen Travers Art for specific tutorials on pen drawing and drawing buildings.

disclaimer: I did my A-levels several years ago so my advice may be outdated, i also did Fine Art specifically so this may not be good advice for other art a levels
Reply 2
Original post by Pedr0
does the school offer any guidance on what to include? if not here's an example of A level art portfolio criteria, but i would think if they're asking for a portfolio they'd give you some idea of what they want to see/how many pieces. In general, I would say try and show off as many different skills, media, subjects etc as you can. some ideas for things to include:

•

observational sketches / life drawing

•

perspective drawing (you can reuse these for your uni application portfolio if you decide to take architecture)

•

drawings of large objects or scenes (landscapes, street scenes etc)

•

detailed studies of small objects and different materials

•

photography (depends if they accept it)


and try and do these using different media, e.g., a watercolour landscape, graphite drapery study, charcoal study of a wooden table, ink sketch of a person you see on the street, etc. good youtube channels for tutorials if you need them is Proko for a wide variety of subjects/media, and Stephen Travers Art for specific tutorials on pen drawing and drawing buildings.
disclaimer: I did my A-levels several years ago so my advice may be outdated, i also did Fine Art specifically so this may not be good advice for other art a levels
oh my god thank you so much this is so helpful!. No sadly they don’t offer any advice about it :frown: I asked and they just said to bring a portfolio with no specific direction. Definitely going to follow this! THANK YOU YOURE THE BESTT
Reply 3
Original post by bunnybones3
Our school limits the amount of gcse subjects we can take quite drastically, (only two options, the third is always a language and suggested to be whichever you’ve studied from year seven). I initially chose art but switched to drama because I didn’t want to lose enjoyment for it. I’d like to take it for a level and have applied to take it at the school I’ve been accepted to, but I need to present a portfolio. I’m not sure what to include in a portfolio for it to be truthful. What could I include or what should I work on to develop my art skills so they accept it. (I’m now considering an arts/architecture career and need to take art). Thank you!! :smile:

I too wanna take arts/interior designing. So I thought I will have to take arts and design
(edited 5 months ago)

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