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Exemplar Work Journals

Take the worry out of learning those assessment objectives by following this A Level A* examplar journal each week.

Convert each page to fit in with your own topic title and creative approach. One page per week will cover your own

learning programme.

Just remember that you are preparing the work for all your own lessons so bring with you relevant equipment and

materials eg. own photos and reference materials.

Sketchbook 1 by Matt Wood Yr 13

Sketchbook 2 by Matt Wood Yr 13

Using Flipped Learning - Making the most of your homework time.

Virtual Artists in Residence

Virtual artists in residence. Since Samuel Ward first opened there have been several hundred students who went

on to study Art at degree level at Universities around the world. With some winning major awards including

BAFTA's and recognition from acclaimed societies.

In this section we will be building a library of short films made by the artists with your questions and answers.

Questions from J Coote.

1. Why do you paint on board and not canvas?

I must admit that I now paint on canvas, to an extent because of the lack of ability to require good wood. I used to paint on wood because it was available around the school. As well as the fact the surface offers a completely different response to oil paint (and acrylics) it will apply smoother so isn't as taxing with applying layers. If you're looking at my old work try painting or playing around with a black ground to prime the board and work from, I always love the colours compared to on a white surface. A little tip would be to use a black surface as your palette as well so you can really see what the colours will turn out like when put on the board.

2. Why do you usually paint people?

I have always been drawn to figures I guess, whenever I used to draw I didn't want to draw the building or the sun I wanted to draw the little shadow of a man sat infront of those things. The figure offers endless opportunities and is so recognisable for a viewer .i.e. it doesn't have to be picture perfect for them to know what it is. Another love of mine was colour and the human skin offers so many colours that we rarely recognise but can only really see if we look close. There are so many reasons really, emotions, shadows, different faces, unknown faces …..

3. Why have you chosen to study fine art?

The environment of being in a studio space with 15-20 other new artists all working hard and all discovering new things doesn't come around very often. And university courses offer an experience you just wouldn't get from exploring the art world alone. I have had so many opportunities this year such as going to New York, India and Venice. I study painting and drawing, the specialist course was suited better for me as fine art is such a wide topic it was almost too much for me, however I still have access to things such as printmaking and sculpture so don't fear you'll be stuck doing just drawing because after all, what counts as a drawing really?

4. Where did you get your inspiration from?

Artist studies, Lucien Freud, Elly Smallwood, Frank Auckback, Caravaggio, Jake Wood Evans, Richard James. As well as life in general.

5. What brushes do you use?

I tended to use the softer bristled brushes, they're supposedly meant for acrylics but when working on the board with oil they were a god send, I used the flat brushes rather than round so I can block on colours, I don't tend to overly blend the pieces.

6. Is there something you keep the same in every painting?

I'm not sure there is as still I am learning and trying new things in my art, I guess I tend to look for faces with character and have one side shadowed and another light, it gives the piece contrast. I wish I could have improved my compositions in my earlier work

7. Do you have any tips for fine art?

Have fun! Try not to overthink to a certain extent. It's hard in school when you've been given a set brief but try to think outside the box, go with your gut and learn from the people around you, your teachers are only there to help so listen to everyone's feedback and then you decide what parts you'll use. Be competitive but not self-restricting.