Year 11 - Project Update

Firstly, Good News! The stock of new sketchbooks has arrived and these will be distributed in your next lesson.

The even better news - that means we can really start getting stuck in. As well as leading to your mock exam this set of work will form the basis of your GCSE coursework submission, so start well and then keep that momentum up.

Sketchbook Pages

• Your book should open with a title page - nothing fancy (there are no marks for title page decoration - invest your time where it counts), but a clear indication of what your project is all about - so “A sense of place” or “Self-image” or whichever mock exam title you have chosen to pursue.
• Next should be your summer photos - but please don't see this as the end of the image gathering process for this project, adding to your imagery is encouraged at any time and can often re-energise your visual work. Include contact sheet thumbnails of all your shots and a decent selection (5+) printed at a larger scale (A5/A4).
• A rich Mind map should follow your summer photos. Think literally, think laterally and really expand your ideas on your chosen theme, indicate in bold text the ideas that you are most excited by.
• Pinterest boards are a quick way of grouping together lots of bits of inspiration - use this brilliant tool to explore your theme further, it is important that you remember to make note of those who have created the images you like so that you can return to it later. Compile two A3 pages of inspirational imagery which is accompanied by brief written annotation explaining why you have been inspired by these things.
• A sustained piece of tonal pencil drawing (based on your photos) - this should feature a full range of tone and represent at least 3 hours worth of work.
• The set of expressive timed drawings we completed in class (3 x 8 minute sketches), simply mounted into your book and briefly annotated.

The items listed above should be complete and mounted thoughtfully into your book by Friday 21st September when books will be taken in for assessment.

• As we get to know you and your ideas we will help you to select specific artists and designers whose work might help to advance your ideas. Research suggestions will form part of your feedback from the first assessment.

Extension Work:

• Additional drawings in other media (e.g. Biro, fine liner).

We will then be ready to start the exciting practical studies and investigations that will build up to your final outcomes, some of these things will be taught as workshop sessions where staff will demonstrate a technique or process and some will require you to demonstrate a high degree of self motivation and greater independence. What you put in is what you will ultimately get back, so be ambitious and open-minded, get involved and work hard and success will follow.