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Art and Design: Fine Art

A Level Art and Design: Fine Art

What is it about at sixth-form level?

Are you creative and imaginative? Do you enjoy exploring ideas and looking at things in different ways? If so, you should consider a course in fine art. Fine art is about looking, learning, thinking and communicating. You will enjoy developing your understanding of the visual world, learning practical skills and responding to ideas and issues in ways that are personal to you.

Both Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth courses are practical courses in which you learn by doing, so you will be able to create imaginative personal work. You will find out about a whole range of media, techniques and processes. You will develop your creativity and independent thought, learn to express yourself visually and let your imagination flourish. Fine art is a great companion to all other subjects as creativity, imagination and problem solving skills can give you great ideas for your other subjects.

Fine Art is for you if you have a passion for Art as well as self-motivation and commitment. Students are expected to spend a significant amount of time producing artwork outside of lesson time.

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Lower sixth
Upper sixth

Why study it and what skills does it develop?

Fine art offers opportunities to use your creativity to express yourself. You will develop your understanding of creative processes, your ability to observe and to think, to solve problems and to communicate in a visual way. It will enable you to work independently and to make your own discoveries by exploring ideas, other artists’ work and different materials and techniques. Fine art gives you the skills and knowledge to create personal and imaginative work. If you have an adventurous, creative and enquiring mind and are excited by shaping and determining the visual world around us, there is a career opportunity waiting for you.

What prior knowledge and skills are required?

No previous experience of Art is required. Enthusiasm, creativity, organisation and self-discipline will be important attributes. Commitment outside of lessons is crucial to success. Strong drawing ability and/or a good grade in Art GCSE are desirable.

How is the course assessed?

A level

At A level for component 1 you will develop work for a personal investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme supported by written material (3,000-word essay). This will count for 60% of your total A level. In component 2 you will produce personal work in response to one of eight exciting starting points. Component 2 is an external assessment set by AQA and concludes with a supervised time of 15 hours. It is marked out of 96 and carries 40% weighting. The work is marked at MPW and externally moderated in June.

Reading

To be confirmed at the start of the course

History of Modern Art
By H. Arnason
Published by Pearson, ISBN 9780136062066

The Story of Art
By E. Gombrich
Published by Phaidon Press, ISBN 9780136062066

The Story of Modern Art
By N. Lynton
Published by Phaidon Press, ISBN 9780714824222

General reference books for research and influence. Specific books for individual projects.

Exam Board and Specification Codes

A level: AQA 7202

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Grades achieved at MPW: AAB Progressed to: Southampton University (Business Innovation)

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Grades achieved at MPW: AAA Progressed to: Warwick University (Chemistry)

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Grades achieved at MPW: AAA Progressed to: Nottingham University (Philosophy)

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Grades achieved at MPW: A*AA Progressed to: University of York (Law)

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Grades achieved at MPW: A*A*A* Progressed to: University College London (Mathematics and Statistics)

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Julia

Grades achieved at MPW: A*AABB Progressed to: King's College London (International Relations)

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