What to Include in your Sketchbook
Below are some of the main areas you should focus on throughout each topic. A01-4 are essential for even the most basic marks but the extent of research you do and the quality of your work will also impact how well you do after that. Click on the titles for more detailed explanations.
A01 Art History
Research the origins certain art movements and analyse the message an artist is trying to get across with their work
A02 Experimenting and refining
After exploring an artist's work, create detailed and vivid experiments to refine them into your own style. This way you can take inspiration and techniques from other artists and give them a personal twist. If you made a transcription of an animal in watercolour, create another version in acrylic. Then, use macro photography to record an animal's fur and add sewing and collage materials to it.
Also create some pieces outside your sketchbook, such as a 3D book or fill a suitcase with objects related to your topic and photograph it.
Also create some pieces outside your sketchbook, such as a 3D book or fill a suitcase with objects related to your topic and photograph it.
Recording
Record from life: sketch anything that inspires you and links to your topic. Carry a small sketchbook and pencil everywhere or pay to take part in still life lessons or painting classes to improve your techniques. Write about what you learnt from these and include some photographs as proof of your commitment
A04 Final Piece
Develop your work into a Final Piece that draws your project to a planned, organised end
Annotation
Learn how to explain your thought processes about your pieces of work and suggest ways you can improve them
Gallery Visits
Visit new, interesting places to inspire you as well as widening your cultural knowledge. Use school trips or days out to record sources of inspiration.