2nd Year - COURSEWORK Part 2

As we are approaching the end of our time on the Final Pieces for Part 1 of your Coursework and sketchbooks are due in for assessment on Monday 31st October we need to start thinking ahead to what comes next.

Over half term you need to plan a photoshoot to kickstart part 2 of your Coursework. 

Alongside Part 2 of your Coursework you will need to produce an Extended Essay exploring an aspect of Art and Design related to your practical work. This is the "Personal Study" which forms an important part of what you are assessed on in this Unit. More detail on this to follow soon.

Still from film based on Edward Hopper's "Office at Night"

Option 1 You may choose to build on your portraiture work in which case you must get new source photography to work from. This could be related to the imagery you have investigated so far, or a change in direction. Developmental possibilities include dealing with more than one figure (see the Human Relationships starting point), setting your figures in a more complex environment or introducing a narrative element to your imagery.

As usual remember that the quality of your source photos goes a long way towards generating a successful body of work. It is essential that you return after half term with imagery ready to work from, you have a shorter period of time to produce the second part of your coursework so you must hit the ground running.

Option 2

Alternatively you may choose to explore an entirely new direction. In which case you will also need new source imagery, this should be a set of at least 20 photographs of your subject matter taken specifically for this set of work. Again consider formal aspects and experiment with unusual viewpoints.

Starting Points

Bill Jacklin - Seashore bathers

• Figures in Space. Look at the relationships between figures in crowded spaces such as shopping malls, beaches, markets, train stations or sports stadiums. You might choose to investigate movement by emphasizing the contrasts between static surroundings (e.g. Architectural features, shop fronts, advertising slogans) and dynamic figures.                    References: Bill Jacklin, Umberto Boccioni, Andreas Gursky.

Edward Hopper - Office at Night

• Human Relationships. Examine the emotional tension between people in awkward or intimate situations. Consider how you might use composition and lighting to enhance the narrative qualities of your images.                   References: Edward Hopper, Eric Fischl, Paula Rego, Edgar Degas.

David Tress - Welsh Landscape

• The Landscape. Seek out dramatic viewpoints that accentuate spatial aspects of the landscape. Use tone and/or colour carefully to help describe foreground, middle distance and horizon. Attempt to select compositions that explore the relationship between horizontal planes such as fields and vertical elements such as woodland.        References: Ivon Hitchens, Michael Honnor, Richard Diebenkorn, David Tress.

Cathy Read

• Modern Architecture. Look at the abstract elements of modern buildings by cropping imagery, zooming in and selecting unusual viewpoints. Reflections, geometric forms and repetition may be elements you investigate.                                                                References: The buildings of Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Frank Gehry, Santiago Calatrava and Mario Botta.

Ian McKeever

• Erosion and Decay. Focus on the surface qualities of items such as rusting machinery, derelict buildings, lichen covered rocks or trees, driftwood and shoreline debris. Zoom right in and produce careful studies that describe the rich textures.               References: Antonio Tapies, Anselm Kiefer, Therese Oulton, Ian McKeever.

Albert Irvin's studio

• Colour and Composition. Select a brightly coloured collection of objects such as flowers, toys, sweets, packaging etc. From these objects create a still life from which you can make a series of studies. This starting point lends itself well to developing abstract outcomes.                                                                                            References: Hans Hofmann, Albert Irvin, Howard Hodgkin, Cy Twombly.

Tim Marrs

• Youth Culture. Explore objects that symbolise youth culture such as skateboards, guitars, clothing and footwear. Thoughtfully arrange these items and consider integrating elements such as logos, slogans or symbols into the imagery you produce.     References: David Carson, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean Michel-Basquiat, Tim Marrs.