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
• 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
Intentions
Pencil studies of leaves
Pencil studies of leaves
B&W natural form photos
B&W natural form photos
John Ruskin research & study
Inspired by Ruskin
Pencil study inspired by Ruskin
Charcoal & carbon pencil studies
Charcoal study
Fine-liner studies
Fine-liner studies
Monoprint
Lino print (the process)
Lino prints
Colouring pencil studies
Colouring pencil study
Acrylic paint experiments
Acrylic paint experiments
Faith Te research & study
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Oil paint studies in the style of Faith Te
Colour studies
Oil painting
Development of ideas page
Development of ideas page
Colour photos
Colour photos
Oil painting
Photoshop compositions
Oil painting inspired by Marianne North
Marianne North research page
Marianne North research page
Marianne North study in acrylics
In the style of Marianne North
Pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Colouring pencil studies of flowers from around the world
Exotic fruit studies
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
William Morris research
William Morris study
William Morris research
Canvas pieces (out-of-sketchbook):
Marianne North study
Oil Study
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
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