Summary:
The first project you complete as part of your GCSE will be on the theme of Natural Form. It will give you the opportunity to try new media, materials, processes and techniques, while also allowing you to refine your existing skills. The project can be split into the following sections:
  •  Initial ideas and intentions
  •  A look at the work of John Ruskin
  •  Studies with a range of media: Photography, pencil, charcoal, biro, fine-liner, mono-printing, etching, lino-printing, colouring pencil, sepia/sanguine pencils, watercolour, acrylics, oils and Photoshop. 
  •  Ideas development
  •  Research an additional artist
  •  Studies in the style of this artist that also explore ideas
  •  A series of larger out-of-sketchbook pieces
  •  Refinement of skills
  •  Final Piece
Exemplar Sketchbook:
Below are photos of my sketchbook for you to use to help structure your own book and inspire ideas for how you might develop the theme in your own way. It is still a work in progress, so there are many empty pages with notes on to remind me what I intend to put there.
Mind map
Mind map
Intentions
Intentions
Pencil studies of leaves
Pencil studies of leaves
Pencil studies of leaves
Pencil studies of leaves
B&W natural form photos
B&W natural form photos
B&W natural form photos
B&W natural form photos
John Ruskin research & study
John Ruskin research & study
Inspired by Ruskin
Inspired by Ruskin
Pencil study inspired by Ruskin
Pencil study inspired by Ruskin
Charcoal & carbon pencil studies
Charcoal & carbon pencil studies
Charcoal study
Charcoal study
Fine-liner studies
Fine-liner studies
Fine-liner studies
Fine-liner studies
Monoprint
Monoprint
Lino print (the process)
Lino print (the process)
Lino prints
Lino prints
Colouring pencil studies
Colouring pencil studies
Colouring pencil study
Colouring pencil study
Acrylic paint experiments
Acrylic paint experiments
Acrylic paint experiments
Acrylic paint experiments
Faith Te research & study
Faith Te research & study
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Colour studies
Colour studies
Oil painting
Oil painting
Development of ideas page
Development of ideas page
Development of ideas page
Development of ideas page
Colour photos
Colour photos
Colour photos
Colour photos
Oil painting
Oil painting
Photoshop compositions
Photoshop compositions
Oil painting inspired by Marianne North
Oil painting inspired by Marianne North
Marianne North research page
Marianne North research page
Marianne North research page
Marianne North research page
Marianne North study in acrylics
Marianne North study in acrylics
In the style of Marianne North
In the style of Marianne North
Pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Colouring pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Colouring pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Exotic fruit studies
Exotic fruit studies
Photos of exotic fruit from around the world
Photos of exotic fruit from around the world
Photos of exotic fruit from around the world
Photos of exotic fruit from around the world
Birds from around the world
Birds from around the world
Birds from around the world
Birds from around the world
William Morris research
William Morris research
William Morris study
William Morris study
William Morris research
William Morris research
Canvas pieces (out-of-sketchbook):
Marianne North study
Marianne North study
Oil Study
Oil Study
In the style of Marianne North
In the style of Marianne North
Final Piece:
Under construction!
Personalisation
What direction will your project take you? Although you begin with the set starting point of 'Natural Forms', it can evolve in whatever direction you like.
Checklist:
  1.  Title page
  2.  Mind-map
  3.  Initial ideas / intentions
  4.  Observational drawings of leaves in pencil
  5.  Black and white photographs of natural forms
  6.  John Ruskin research pages
  7.  Watercolour study of one of Ruskin's leaves
  8.  Black/white/sepia/sanguine study of a leaf in the style of Ruskin
  9.  Pencil study of a leaf with the same dramatic lighting as Ruskin
  10.  Charcoal studies
  11.  Fine-liner studies
  12.  Monoprints
  13.  Linoprints
  14.  Etchings
  15.  Colouring pencil studies
  16.  Acrylic studies
  17.  Oil studies
  18.  Development of ideas pages
  19.  Photographs to support ideas
  20.  Photoshop compositions to support new ideas
  21.  Research new artist relevant to ideas
  22.  Studies in the style of new artist
  23.  Larger, more refined pieces that evidence ideas while also clearly informed by new artist
  24.  Studies to further develop ideas in greater depth
  25.  Additional photographs
  26.  Studies to develop ideas even further
  27.  Research another artist relevant to extended ideas development
  28.  Refinement of skills and ideas
  29.  Larger, more refined pieces that evidence ideas while also clearly informed by new artist
  30.  Final piece planning
  31.  Final Piece
  32.  Evaluation