GCSE vs A-Level vs Foundation

Comparison Project

In this section, a comparison is shown between the work of the same student at 3 different points in time, ranging from GCSE work to that of A-Level and finally Foundation Art. 

(written by the student in question, hello I'm Emily)

GSCE - A*

This project was focused on "Natural Form", and the subject matter was that of dinosaurs. As it can be seen, the piece was made using external references through online photos and has been created using a mixture of HB pencil, biro and paint markers. Artists used for this project were Ernst Haeckel and Karl Blossfeldt.

Naivety can be seen greatly in this work through the use of only one grade of pencil (HB) when in reality a range of grades would've benefitted the overall piece to allow for greater depth. Issues are foregrounded in the layout too with the biro studies as they overwhelm the work greatly, also there are anatomical problems with the top left and bottom left skeletal studies. 

Overall the work was a decent first attempt, but a lack of knowledge on mediums and composition led for the work to suffer greatly. 

Below this is the second project of "Liquorice", where the subject matter was confectionary items. Influences were taken from a variety of artists such as Tim Burton and Andy Warhol. A more imaginative approach was taken with this work, focusing on the spiral imagery that is present within most of Burtons work, and vivid colours were taken from Warhols pop art.

Alcohol markers, coloured pencils, paint markers and fine liners were used for this piece. The composition was a large step in the right direction for this second project as the colours, shapes and subjects have a far better placement in comparison to the previous work.

Issues with this work do include a lack of accuracy on colour and anatomical errors for the liquorice horses. The work appears flat due to minimal knowledge on shading. 

The "Final Project"; which the A* was received for, was a piece based on Detail and then condensed to "Chains". So, the wider subject of a food chain was considered. The artist Hua Tunan was used as a main influence alongside with a the new favourite medium of watercolour. The piece was more experimental with expressiveness of colour and markings. 

Unfortunately, there are anatomical problems with the face of the caracal, and the transition between the predator and the prey is rather clunky; which is due to the use of heavy watercolour application and the lack of knowledge over the use of the medium. 

 

Overall, GCSE's were used as a stepping stone to figure out what mediums, processes and art styles were best suited to specific subjects. 

A-LEVEL - A

1st Year:

First year was recovering the fundamentals of art, with taking a greater range of external influences from new sources, I was able to explore and hone-in on work that I was excited by. This led to my creation of spray paint works (thankyou David). 

Problems that I faced with this work was largely based on my understanding of how the medium reacts. Overspray can be seen alongside with confused mark making and rips on the paper from my lack of knowledge over what is suitable for stencil sticking and creation. 

As can be seen, a clear link can be shown in the final result of my GCSE work and the end of my first year during A-Levels. I intended to take forth my new love of spray paint and experiment with it further over the duration of my time at KECs. 

https://emilysalevelart.blogspot.com/?zx=759c19866b683289

Coursework:

Above is a photograph of the final presentation of my coursework for the 'Personal Investigation'. My work was based on extinction and critically endangered animals, I chose the Amur Leopard to focus my piece around; a continuation of my first year spray paint work.

I was pleased with my presentation but overall, my work can be seen as inferior as it is rather 'lost' amongst the exploratory works. To combat this, I should've singled-out this work by presenting it in a fitting environment (for example outside or in a dark alcove). 

To explore the works further, please follow this link : https://emspersonalinvestigation.blogspot.com

2nd Year:

https://emilysfinalproject.blogspot.com/?zx=2cca199d3d52cd2f

Above is a section from my final major project, I took the title "Agglomeration" and explored print making of repetitive patterns. It was a big leap away from any work that I had created before, this abstract avenue was one that I wanted to explore greatly with, yet struggled to do well at all. This led to my A grade as opposed to an A*, but I am still satisfied with what I made considering the problems I had. 

I later used this final project during my foundation year at KECs to create a piece called "Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy", which can be seen both on my instagram and in the last blog link below my Foundation Art post.

FOUNDATION ART: DISTINCTION

Unit works : https://identityprojectartfoundation.blogspot.com

A change of subject and medium : https://emsfinalmajorart.blogspot.com

Within the pandemic, I found creating work for my final major very daunting. It led me to 'throwing aside' my love of animals and various other practices, and later led to my dabbling in oil paintings. 

This work is one that remains incomplete. I intended to finish this work before the end of 2020, but with the onset work from being at university, I have found oil painting too time consuming to progress with.

As a whole, my time at KECs was extremely valuable, so much so that university feels like a step backwards. But I know that I am in a far greater position than most of the other students here as of my artistic upbringing by our lord and saviour, David Bird. 

---

please email my spam account if ya got any questions (seriously, please do I'm so bored) : smoll.susurrus@gmail.com