W E A R E E X P L O R E R S Y E A R 9 T O G C S E S U M M E R T R A N S I T I O N T A S K

- s e p t e m b e r s u b m i s s i o n -

- due first lesson -

- I N T R O D U C T I O N -

In the ‘Foundation stage’ of the GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art you will begin to explore your identity as a ‘creative

practitioner’. Through experimenting with new materials and techniques, you will begin to expand and develop

your personal skills palette, creating an understanding of what you enjoy, what your strengths are and mentally

preparing yourself for the creative challenges you will face across your programme of study. At the end of this

phase you will have gained the basic tools to help communicate effectively your ideas about visual art, with indi-

vidual style and informed by your contextual studies into the works of inspirational creatives.

- T A S K -

Over the summer, you are to create a ‘micro-project’ that demonstrates and reflects on your current interests and

passion for visual arts. You should take this opportunity to demonstrate: what you feel are your strongest material

skills; how imaginative you can be within the recommended activities; your understanding and interpretation of

artists/designers/craftspersons/photographers works that inspire you.

You should avoid using artists/designers/craftspersons/photographers studied in Key Stage 3 lessons or Year 9 ArtsAward for this project,

as through research into the world of Visual Arts your ideas about what makes the most exciting art should be continually evolving.

You may present your ‘micro-project’ in any way you feel is appropriate for the work. However, the recommended activities are expected

to be the minimum requirements for your submission.

- P R E S E N T A T I O N -

Before leaving for summer you will be provided either: an A5 sketchbook, or the opportunity to make your own

sketchbook using your own, more individual, page proportions.

You may use this sketchbook to present your ‘micro-project’ or devise your own method of presenting your ideas.

INDUCTION

- A C T I V I T Y O N E -

Contextual Studies/Critical Analysis (In KS3 we called this ‘artist research’)

Present your research into at least two artists

that you discover during the holidays that

inspire you.

You should write a short analysis of at least

one of each creative practitioners’ works,

particularly to justify why their work moti-

vates you or why you feel passionate about

their work.

The summer holiday is a great opportunity for you to

get out and see artwork first hand, although it is not

essential for you to do this. Try and use one of these

experiences or the useful sources list provided to dis-

cover some work that makes you really excited to be

developing as an artist.

- S O U R C E S - Great places to discover exciting new artworks

www.thisiscolossal.com/category/art

www.pinterest.com

www.timeout.com/london/art/latest-art-reviews

www.artdiscover.com/en/news

www.tate.org.uk/art

www.manchesterartgallery.org

Use your research skills to find more...

TOP TIP!

As well as these great sources, try using the

suggested artist & visit lists provided as

a starting point to find what you like!

- A C T I V I T Y TWO -

Making (Creating your own personal artwork to demonstrate your

strongest skills, e.g. drawing, painting, constructing)

You should create a minimum of three visual

studies in any materials you feel appropriate

that show techniques you enjoy practicing.

Each piece of artwork should be at least

15x10cm (there is no limit to how large you

would like to make the study).

It would be a good idea to work either from first hand

observation or from a photograph you have taken

yourself. Copying an image is a lower lever skill than

creating your own imagery.

This task could be an ideal opportunity to demon-

strate how you use the work of other artist to influ-

ence your ideas.

- A C T I V I T Y T H R E E -

Reflection (Creating your own personal artwork to demonstrate your

strongest skills, e.g. drawing, painting, constructing)

Create a decorated/illustrated reflection on

the process of creating your ‘micro-project’,

present in any way you feel appropriate.

Suggested questions to ask yourself…

What skills have I demonstrated/developed?

What have I learnt about my own creative interests?

What skills or knowledge would I like to improve as a

result of creating my ‘micro-project’?

Was I surprised by any of my discoveries when re-

searching the work of others? How did this effect

what I created?

What went well? How could I improve my project?

- A R T I S T S -

some artists currently creating exciting work

(you could use some of these if you can’t decide when researching your own)

- S U M M E R V I S I T S -

some easily accessible and affordable places you can

enjoy a range of art, craft and design over summer.

(if you fancy it) SUGGEST A GREAT DAY OUT FOR THE FAMILY!

THE MANCHESTER GALLERY

THE WHITWORTH GALLERY, MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER CRAFT AND DESIGN CENTRE

ROYAL EXCHANGE GALLERY & CRAFT SHOP

TATE LIVERPOOL GALLERY

THE WALKER ART GALLERY, LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL BLUECOAT GALLERY & DISPLAY CENTRE

RUTHIN CRAFT CENTRE, North Wales

BANKSY

KATE BRINKWORTH

MICHEAL CARSON

MARK DEMSTEADER

SHEPARD FAIREY

MITCHELL FEINBERG

ZARIA FORMAN

ROSANNA JONES

MATTHEW LANYON

SHINICHI MARUYAMA

ALBERT OEHLEN

KURT PIO

MANDY PUTTULLO

BROOKS SALZWEDEL

JENNY SAVILLE

BERNDNAUT SMILDE

DEBBIE SMITH

ALBERT RUIZ VILLAR

MOTOI YAMAMOTO

these artists working in a variety of

appropriate disciplines, search with the

word artist for improved results

TOP TIP!

Use the guides provided to help you write artist analysis

and project reflection.

Use as many of the prompts as you can.

CAUTION! ABSOLUTELY NO FELT TIP SHOULD BE USED IN YOUR

‘MICRO-PROJECT’. GEL PENS ARE ONLY TO FINE LINE IN BLACK!

TOP TIP!

Give careful consideration to how

you present these studies. Present them

smartly in your sketchbook. (If they fit)

ZARIA FORMAN

Form

This means looking at the formal elements of artwork.

What is the medium of the work? What colours does the artist use? Why? How is colour organised? What kind of shapes or forms can you find? What kind of marks or techniques does the artist use? What is the surface like? What kinds of textures can you see? How big is the work?

Context

This refers to how the work relates to a particular time, place, culture and society in which it was produced.

When was it made? Where was it made? Who made it? Who was the work made for? What do you know about the artist? How does the work relate to other art of the time? Does the work relate to the social or political history of the time? Can you link it to other arts of the period, such as film, music or literature? Does the work relate to other areas of knowledge, such as science or geography?

Content

The content is the subject of a piece of work.

What is it? What is it about? What is happening? Is it a portrait? A landscape? Abstract? What does the work represent? The title - what does the artist call the work? Does the title change the way we see the work? Is it a realistic depiction? Have any parts been exaggerated or distorted? If so, why? What is the theme of the work? What message does the work communicate?

Process

Looking at process means studying how the work was made and what techniques were used.

What materials and tools were used to make the piece? What is the evidence for this? Do sketchbooks provide any clues as to how the work developed?

Mood

Mood means looking at how the artist has created a certain atmosphere or feeling.

How does the work make you feel? Why do you think you feel like this? Does the colour, texture, form or theme of the work affect your mood? Does the work create an atmosphere?

W E A R E E X P L O R E R S Y E A R 9 T O G C S E S U M M E R T R A N S I T I O N T A S K

- s e p t e m b e r s u b m i s s i o n -

- due first lesson - INDUCTION

- T A S K O N E : C O N T E X T U A L S T U D Y G U I D E -

You should present your research into inspiring creative people in a visual way, including interesting backgrounds,

title fonts and illustrations based upon the work of the artist/designer/craftsperson/photographer you are studying.

Analysing an artist's work means studying the elements that make up an artwork. You can show your understanding

by answering questions about the work.

In order to achieve higher marks in Assessment Objective 4, you need to show that you understand the work of

artists, designers and craftspeople.

The following headings and questions can help you to structure a piece of writing and understand a piece of

artwork. Always remember to use your own words so that you are expressing what you think. You do not need to

use all of these questions, just choose a couple per section that are relevant and help you explain your opinion.

W E A R E E X P L O R E R S Y E A R 9 T O G C S E S U M M E R T R A N S I T I O N T A S K

- s e p t e m b e r s u b m i s s i o n -

- due first lesson - INDUCTION

- T A S K T H R E E : R E F L E C T I O N G U I D E -

Evaluating your preparatory work

When you’re evaluating you prep work (developing work produced to prepare for making a final piece), you should

consider:

1. What was the theme for the project?

2. How have you developed your ideas? How did your work change through the project?

3. How much reference material (artists etc) did you find? Do you think you should have done more or less of

this research?

4. What artists, art movements or cultures have you looked at to help and inspire you?

5. What materials, tools and techniques did these artists use? Have you tried to develop similar skills?

6. How have your skills developed during the project?

7. What do you think you have done particularly well? What do you think you could (or would like to) improve

on?

8. Are there any aspects of your studies that you wish you had explored further?

Evaluating your final piece(s) - your three studies in Task Two for this project

You also need to evaluate your final piece. You should reference relevant work from your preparatory studies.

1. How have you used formal elements such as line, tone, colour and shape?

2. What materials did you use, and why? Did they work successfully?

3. What meaning or messages did you want to convey and where you successful? Was your piece purely of

aesthetic value?

4. Are you happy with your final piece(s)? Are there any elements you like in particular?

5. Is there anything you would change? Why?