Last Updated on April 2, 2023
This A2 Coursework project was completed by Dave Watson, while studying AQA A Level Fine Art at Hereford Sixth Form College, United Kingdom. Dave achieved a final A Level Art result of 91% (A*). Portraiture is a common subject amongst A Level Art students; it is therefore essential that this topic is approached with originality and innovation – which is why Dave’s project caught my eye.
Dave began his Coursework project by producing accurate and detailed observational drawings. Portraiture is a subject that exposes technical drawing skill: leaves it naked to the viewer. Our familiarity with the human face means we recognise immediately if a line is wrong (unlike, for example, drawings of trees, in which an incorrect line is viewed much more forgivingly). Dave has no issues in this area, demonstrating an aptitude for highly realistic representation (this is also evident in his GCSE Art project, for which he achieved 100%).
With inspiration drawn from images of himself and friends at British music festivals, Dave’s project has youthful enthusiasm embedded within it at every level: explorations of expression, costumes and decorative face paint. It is a study of not only the aesthetic richness of festivity, but ‘the different frame of mind, perceptions, behaviours that people exhibit at music festivals compared to everyday life‘.
Guided by a teaching programme that encourages students to explore ideas under subheadings such as light, colour, scale, texture, emotional impact, cultural / social references, gesture and mood (an approach that ensures students investigate their topic thoroughly), Dave’s portraiture focused upon distortion (primarily physical manipulation through pushing, pulling and twisting faces). He referenced a range of contemporary artists such as Bruce Nauman, Julie Verhoeven, Paula Rego, Ben Tour, Russ Mills, Mark Demsteader and Jenny Saville, developing his ideas with the use of a wide range of media. Mediums included coffee (to create blotched, stained washes), highlighter pens (see the drawing below), watercolour, acrylic (applied using a palette knife and dripped in watery washes), biro and coloured pencil. In addition, physical elements such as lighting conditions were explored through vast photographic investigations that were then developed into further drawings and paintings.
Dave’s project offers a reminder that an A2 Coursework project doesn’t have to be devoid of fun: it can embrace excitement that is at the very heart of a teenage existence. It can (and should) follow a candidate into their world.
To gain a full understanding of Dave’s A2 Coursework project, I recommend you watch the video below. This showcases his A Level Art sketchbook – a thorough and comprehensive body of work, in which you see how his work continually feeds back on itself, exploring and developing ideas with reference to artist analysis, photographic investigation, media trials and experimentation with composition: a vibrant and personal A2 Coursework project.
If you wish to see more examples of excellent student artwork, please view our Featured Art Projects.
Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.
