2007-2008 submission dates:
standard grade - expressive + critical
1. Each week you should do at least one hour's worth of quality drawing in your sketchbook to compliment projects you are working on in class, improve your skills and try out new techniques and materials. These sketchbooks will be checked on a regular basis, so bring them to each class.
2. During s4 you will prepare for your Standard Grade expressive painting exam (5 hours)
Most students will work towards a still-life painting exam, however if you think you would prefer to do a portrait, landscape or figure composition, you must demonstrate to your teachers that you have the relevant skills in this genre by drawing and painting for homework.
3. You will also write your second Standard Grade critical activity essay (circa 1,500 words)
In this essay you must analyse, evaluate, compare and contrast artworks by two artists from different styles and periods.
Use these essay guides and question booklets to help you.
Check out previous essay examples and other tips here...
Explore different periods of art history here...
First draft of this essay must be complete and ready to be formatively assessed by the dates set by your teacher . At this point you will be given ideas as to how to improve your essay - however I do not expect to have to suggest too many improvements. You should have gone over your essay yourself and discussed it with your friends to iron out most of the problems before handing it in.
Both critical activity essays (design essay (from S3) and expressive essay) must be completed, typed, spellchecked, proofread, with images, a bibliography and a signed submission sheet ready to send to the SQA for marking normally in March.
Design activity must be complete, ready for marking by the end of S3. There will be no more class time in S4 to do any more work on your project, however if you wish to improve it during S4 you can - however everything must be ready to be marked by March. These final marks have to be submitted electronically to the SQA at this point by the school.
Prepare for the expressive exam by practising drawing and painting at home - we will practice in the run up to the exam too. Expressive exam (5 hours) will take place normally in late April (exact date to be confirmed) .
