You get the best results in art and design from trial and error - don't be afraid to make mistakes. Some of the best techniques involve experimenting and seeing what happens. It is important that you try out lots of ways of working with materials, in and out of class. The more work you produce, the more you concentrate on what you are doing, and the more you think about why things have worked (or not worked) the better an artist or designer you will become.
get results!
Assessment is about much more than exams and results. You will be continually assessed during your art and design classes and you will be given tips, ideas and encouragement that are meant to help you improve.
Some of your work will be assessed by your teachers and there will be chances to improve your grade with their help before they give your final mark.
A lot of your work will be sent to the exam board, the SQA, to be assessed externally - this will include expressive drawing and painting exams, coursework essays, design units, expressive units and written exams. The SQA often double-check teachers' marks, so anything you submit might end up being externally assessed.
Check out the SQA's 2006 examples of work with marks and comments for expressive and design. [You need to have the most up-to-date version of Adobe Acrobat to view these properly - you can download this free here...] This is an excellent place to check out sheets, see what marks they got and more importantly read the markers' comments.
Download SQA marking instructions at all levels here....
Download SQA recent past papers here...
Download SQA's Understanding Standards to see how the marks are allocated for each unit...
See other examples of student work from the SQA - expressive; design.
See the SQA galleries of student work: all levels
Follow these links to the SQA benchmarks for expressive and design to see how you are assessed (using the old marking scheme, but they have some good examples to look at).
Sketchbooks + Visual Diaries It is crucial for you to work in sketchbooks in your own time - all great artists and designers have worked in this way. Collect visual materials from magazines, newspapers, packaging or while out and about. Make quick sketches of things that interest you. Try out different techniques - experiment! Use your sketchbook to gather together other drawings you have made. More ideas... |
Practice what you like! Standard Grade, Int2 and Higher all have a timed expressive drawing and painting exam as one of the major elements of the final grade. You will have the freedom to choose from still life, portrait, figure compostion, landscape or fantasy and imagination. If you like doing one activity much more than the other, then you must practice a lot at home. Ideas for work outside of class.... |
Bring it in! Many pupils make artwork out of school for fun - bring it in to show your friends and your teachers. They will be impressed! Your teachers can also give you ideas about how you could use the work you like doing at home as part of assessed coursework. Submit work for the school gallery... |
Explore!Thinking, talking and writing about artists and designers are crucial elements of art and design. You will get more marks for writing about things you are enthusiastic about - it will be easier for you to research things you are interested in. Use this website, books in the department or libraries, magazine and newspapers and the internet to explore the world of art and design. Start exploring here... |
Visit! It is easier to get good marks if you have seen art works or design objects in real life. Try to visit art galleries in Inverness and beyond when you can. Check out design objects in shops and at home. Pay attention to the latest fashions and jewellery. Explore architecture and look carefully at interior design. Look carefully at products you like (cars, MP3 players, games, cosmetics). Current exhibitions... |
Borrow...! Artists and designers have always used the work of other artists and designers to give them inspiration. You are encouraged to borrow ideas, images and styles from other people - this will help you understand how they have solved problems and will help you work out your own, personal solutions. Check out GGS pupils' work... Follow the breadcrumbs at the top of each page to find websites full of ideas... |
