GCSE/A-Level Art and Design Top Tips

Whilst studying a creative subject (such as Art and Design) at GCSE and A-Level can offer a fun alternative to writing essays and solving equations, it can also be tough to manage your workload and know exactly what your examiners/teachers want you to accomplish. I managed to achieve an A* in both CCEA GCSE and CCEA A-Level Art and Design - so here are some of my tips on how to secure a top grade!

Don't be scared to try something new!
When trying to create good coursework, we all have that one technique (e.g. tonal drawing, acrylic painting, found object sculpture) that we tend to rely on more than any other. For me, it was pen drawings - and whilst I did create some pen drawings that I was incredibly proud of throughout both GCSE and A-Level, I often thought that some of my best works were the ones where I tried to experiment a bit more. Whether it's taking your favourite technique and combining it with another (e.g. pen drawing/embroidery) or trying something new entirely (linocut printing, ceramics, textiles), showing that you're willing to try out new methods of working can help showcase your creativity and improve your overall grade.

Remember, you don't have to go out and buy a bunch of new materials to start experimenting with either - you can always use whatever you have in your home/art classroom already!

Make effective sketchbook notes!
During GCSE/A-Level, you'll often have to write notes about your artwork in your sketchbook, both to fill up space and to give your examiners an idea of your artistic process.

Here's some of the prompts I used to use when writing my notes:

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What medium/size is the piece you've created?

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Which artists/artworks were you inspired by?

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What went right/wrong in the process?

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Did you have to make any adjustments to your original concept to complete your piece?

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What would you change/do differently next time?

Don't leave your coursework to the last minute - especially over the holidays!
It's tempting to avoid thinking about your upcoming coursework deadlines during the holidays; however, as art can be a time-consuming subject, the truth is you may need to complete some artwork outside of normal school hours to help boost your grade. In a similar manner to your revision timetable for other subjects, try and section off an hour or so of revision to tie up any loose ends in your sketchbooks/make some progress on bigger pieces.

Research and include contextual references!
Contextual references can be first, second and third-hand research, images and experiences that have influenced the artwork you're currently creating or your creative process as a whole. For example, if you're creating artworks depicting watches or clocks, your contextual references might include artists such as Salvador Dali, Edvard Munch or Louise Bourgeois. Including pictures of the artists/artworks that have influenced your work and have created similar pieces in the past can help demonstrate your understanding of art history - whilst also helping fill some necessary pages in your sketchbooks! :biggrin: