Art at KSGS
Our aim at KSGS is to offer a broad and balanced experience across the many aspects of Art and Design within the art Keystage 3 curriculum. Students have 2 lessons of art a fortnight and are encouraged to develop skills in a variety of media as well as developing essential observational skills and an understanding of a variety of genres and artists work.
Art and Design at KSGS is both challenging and exciting. In year 7 we try to build the confidence and basic skills of the individual student developing on these throughout year 8 and 9, work is intended to be a building process of skills across the 3 years in a variety of disciplines in order to equip students for art at GCSE level and beyond.
Students develop skills through ‘projects/units of work’ to get them used to the process of developing an idea through preparation work and experimentation of media. All students have a sketchbook where much of the preparation work is documented, plus homework and research tasks as appropriate. In most units students also develop a final piece.
Year 9 Art
The main focus in year 9 is to revisit observational skills and develop media, building on these skills to ensure that students are well prepared for GCSE level and continuing to extend their experience of a range of media. Students also begin to lead their own work more independently in preparation for GCSE Level.
Unit 1 – Collections – media and mark making
In this unit students revisit many of the observational skills taught in year 7 and 8 building on these skills, extending their understanding of detailed observation and how to analyse and draw complex objects. We explore elements such as reflections and extend the students experience in a range of media.
Areas of focus:
- Observational techniques/ ways of looking, extended analysis of shape and form
- Further work on composition looking at complex arrangements and composition rules
- Creation of the illusion of texture using tonal techniques where appropriate
- Further development of weight of line
- Use of pen and coloured pencil on coloured backgrounds as a drawing medium to draw objects
- Development and revisiting linear tone
- Looking at the different styles of a number of artists who develop a range of still life outcomes
- Application of paint to create different effects
Unit 2 – The figure – 3D
In the unit students explore the figure and movement, looking at a number of sculptors who work from the figure as a source to develop their work. Students produce their own 3D piece exploring the figure in movement.
Areas of focus:
- Developing understanding of the proportions of the figure and balance
- Developing personal ideas to create a 3D piece
- Exploring 3D techniques to create their work using a wire armature as a base
- Moulding materials to add form
- Using instructional literacy to explain the process and steps taken
- Comparing the work of a range of artist who work in 3d materials based on the figure as stimuli
- Exploring surface finish
Homework
Homework is set regularly as short tasks or longer more in-depth research activities. Homework is set to consolidate skills learnt in class and to practice techniques.
Assessment/feedback
Verbal feedback is used to help the student progress and advice is given throughout the lessons on current classwork.
Homework is marked with a comment, and where appropriate a target for how to improve work. Students are encouraged to self assess and use peer assessment to help develop work within lessons.
Formal assessment of the overall unit of work takes place at the end of the unit - consisting of ‘self assessment and evaluation’ as well as ‘teacher assessment’. Assessment takes place to determine how well the student has understood and applied the skills covered in that unit plus general comments, targets, effort grades, homework grades and progress indicators in relation to expectations’.
For further information contact Mrs S Wealleans Subject Leader of Art.
