GCSE Art and Design

Externally Set Task

2017
You have 10 weeks to carry out preparation work including visuals and notes
to explain ideas and prove your knowledge & understanding.
You will then complete a final piece during the 10 hour test based upon the
work you do in preparation.
Your work will be marked on how well you:
AO1: Develop ideas through investigating the work of others
Demonstrate analytical and cultural understanding.
AO2: Review, modify and refine ideas
Experiment with and select appropriate media, techniques and processes.
AO3: Record observations and ideas
AO4: Produce a personal finished final piece
Make connections with the work of your chosen artist(s)
Demonstrate analytical and critical understanding

Preparation time:
January 16th - March 20th
In art lessons and your own time

Test Sessions:
WB: 27 March
Session 1:
Session 2:

The appearance and tactile nature of surfaces sometimes inspires

th
artists.

GCSE Art and Design EST 2017

Choosing a question: you must choose a starting point from the
selection given. You must also select two artists to research from the
lists given related to each starting point. Think carefully about your skills,
what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? This is the time
to show off what you are best at! If youre not a sculptor or a painter
dont choose artists that work in those media!

Preparation work:
Week One and Two: Explore the starting point (AO3)
Explore the question you have chosen

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Explore all of the given starting points to enable you to
choose your preferred option on which to base your
project.
Define the meaning of the starting point- (this is often just
one or two simple sentences)
Mind map your chosen theme- think of as many areas
that relate to the theme as possible. Identify areas/themes
within the starting point you are most interested by (make
this clear on your research)
Create a visual mood board of themes you are inspired
by- research and collect imagery/make quick sketches to
illustrate the possible direction of your project
Make a list of objects/imagery you need to collect and
photos you need to take that relate to your chosen aspect
of the question
Collect the imagery/objects you need to work from over
the next two weeks

Weeks Three and Four: Artist Research and Analysis (AO1)

Create thorough research pages on your two chosen artists

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Research information about your chosen artists using the
visual literacy sheet to add notes about the visual
characteristics of their work- remember to use the visual
characteristics as keywords on your page
Collect visual examples of your artists work- you can
paint, draw or photograph recreations of some of their

work as well as print images

Choose three pieces of your artists work to analyse in
detail: shape, composition, texture, subject, materials etc
using the visual literacy sheet
Choose a piece of your artists work to copy in
appropriate materials to recreate in detail

Weeks Five, Six and Seven: Visual research (AO3)

Recording in visual forms

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Take a series of photographs of the chosen aspect of
your theme
Make lots of visual studies of your chosen aspect/theme.
Include the following:
a series of line drawings (at least SIX )
a series of tonal drawings (at least SIX)
a series of colour drawings (at least SIX)
NB. Use a range of media and materials to show off your
skill, it would be wise to relate some of the material you use
to how your artists work with materials.

Week Eight: Development (AO1 and AO2)

Develop design ideas based upon your knowledge.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Based on your artists work create at least THREE initial
designs
Try out a range of materials and techniques including trials
of the media used to create texture in your designs

Weeks Nine and Ten: Final Designs (AO2 and AO4)

Final design and controlled time preparation
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Use your research and designs so far to come up with a
developed design based on the themes you have selected
from the starting point and your chosen artists work.
Carefully annotate your design.
Produce a detailed final design: exactly what your piece
will look like. Add notes to explain what youre doing step by
step and in particular explain how your work connects to
your artists work.

 If you have time try out your final design in your chosen
medium.
Plan for the exam, what you will need, how long parts will
take etc.

All you have to do is the final piece youve planned!

You must take all your preparation work into the test with you.

Evaluation!
Take a photograph of your final piece and describe any
changes between your final design and the finished piece,
explaining the reasons for these changes and how your work
links to the artist.

10 hour Test (AO4)

Remember that 75% of the marks are in the preparation work
and if you are properly prepared the controlled time should be
relatively stress free!
TIPS:
Plan out your sketchbook- know what is going on each
page
Type titles up, save time on drawing them out- use free font
websites to find some unique fonts!
Try to minimise timewasting by painting backgrounds- use
dry materials instead e.g. cut torn paper, wrapping paper,
coloured papers, chalk pastel- (avoid oil pastel for
backgrounds as they are messy!)
Avoid double mounting images in sketchbooks
Write only in pencil so that mistakes can easily be rectified
Ask for help if you are stuck or struggling!
Email us if you need help/advice
lrichards@roundhayschool.com or acallaway@roundhayschool.com

Sketchbook Plan

Homework
Keeping on top of work is the BEST way to be successful and
avoid stress. Keep yourself organised!
Date set
Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Task/s

Date due

Notes:

Exam Timeline
Session 2
_________

Making the final

piece 1 x 5 hours

EST

Session 1
_________

Making the final

piece 1 x 5 hours

EST

WB 27th March
Controlled Assessment Week

EST

WB March 20th

Mock ups and

exam preparation

10

WB March 13th

Final Design

WB March 6th

Idea
Development

Visual Research:

WB February 27th
WB February 20th

Drawing/photography

Visual Research:
Drawing/photography

WB February 13th
Half term

Artist research and

analysis

WB February 6th

Artist research and

analysis

WB January 30th

Artist research and

analysis

WB January 23rd

Explore the starting

points

WB January 16th

Choose the
question

WEEK BEGINNING

What do I need to
do?

WEEK