Fine Art
Level 3
Qualification: A Level
Duration: 2 years
What will I study?
The Fine Art A Level encompasses exploration of a wide range of exciting materials, processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. The start of the course is workshop based, teaching a range of Fine Art Skills including drawing, painting, a range of printmaking such as lino and intaglio, photography (digital and dark room) and sculpture. After this introductory workshop period, students are encouraged to develop their own specialism, explore their own concepts and produce their own ambitious work. Students are encouraged to base their work around their own individual identity, incorporating cultural influences or personal experiences and interests.
Although most of the assessed work is practical, and sketchbook based, there is a separately assessed written essay. This encourages students to explore the work of other artists who inspire them and look at their work in a wider context. The course culminates in an impressive exhibition which showcases each students Major Coursework Project. Students are involved in the planning, preparation and staging of this, giving them valuable experience of how to showcase their work. Videos of our previous exhibitions can be found on our YouTube channel.
Study Visits
First Year: Day visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park (October) and residential trip to Liverpool (June/July).
Second Year: Day trip to Manchester (February).
Cost
Day trips: small contributions towards transport, between £10-£15 per trip.
Sketchbooks; Students will need to buy their own sketchbooks; however we have high quality monogrammed sketchbooks available to purchase at cost price from us. We recommend buying these from the department to ensure that they are of a good enough quality. These range from £5.50 – £7.00.
Starter portfolio pack including basic materials – £12.00 (subject to materials/availability).
Printer Credits – Art is a visual subject and will rely heavily on good quality print outs. Students are given a certain amount of ‘printer credits’, however, they may need to top this up.
The Art Department provides a lot in terms of consumables such as paint, printing ink, glue, fabrics etc. However, you will need to purchase your own paint brushes, pencils, pens, canvases and paper. We buy these in bulk and sell them on at cost in order to keep prices as low as possible. To help with the cost we offer a levy system where students can pay an amount to the art department and have the cost of materials deducted as they go.
Assessment
The course consists of two components:
Component One (60%) is coursework and will start in September and continue for approximately 4 terms.
Component One allows you to develop your technical and analytical skills through the use of workshops and the development of a journal exploring a set theme. This component also includes a separate written study based on contextual research. This will be completed alongside your practical work.
Component two (40%) is the exam unit which sets a theme to be explored with a timed test at the end in which you produce your final outcome under exam conditions.
Entry Criteria
Grade 5 GCSE Art or related qualification (Grade 6 if taken in combination with another Art based course).
Grade 4 English Language.
If you have not studied GCSE Art you will need to submit a portfolio. Please contact the department.
Useful Supporting Courses
Other Art endorsements, such as Photography and Graphic Communication, Media, Film, Music and Performing Arts. Most subjects contrast well with and support the study of Art from sciences to History and Literature.
You can have a look at the subject specific Instagram sites by searching:
@trcartdept
@trcperformingarts
@trcmediaandfilm
@trc.music.dept
Careers
If you want to pursue a career in Architecture you will need also Maths and Physics along with an Art based A level. Most of our students progress onto a broad range of Art Degrees at University. These range from Fine Art to Architecture, including Textiles, Interior and Fashion Design, Illustration, 3D Design, Graphic Design, Film and Animation.
Fine Art
Check out our Culture Vulture link to see what takes your interest.
Flying start
Click the link and have a go at our 10-week learning plan to get you off to the best start.
Course Overview
Follow the link to see an introduction to the course, identifying what you will study with us in the first few months and what you might already know.
Further Information
Despite our exhibition not going ahead as planned, we still wanted to celebrate and share all the amazing work that has gone into this year’s exhibition. While we have been unable to physically meet and greet everyone due to Covid isolations and restrictions, we can still invite you… digitally! For the first time ever we are now holding our exhibition ONLINE!
So please do give this a visit and have a look at some of the amazing work our students have created under what we all know have been very difficult circumstances and a tumultuous two years!