11VA & 12VA : Understanding the importance of LO1

Dear Grade 12's 
There was a big discrepancy between your sourcebook evaluations and my marks.  Therefore I think we need to discuss what a ten out of ten looks like.  

One recurring problem is that most of you are doing drawing studies as experiments.  This is problematic as it does not allow you to explore composing a composition/ creating a miniature of your final idea.  

 
Image from: http://www.artfoodandpassion.com/2011/03/animal-drawing-studies-predators/

 
 image from: http://joe-heasman.blogspot.com/2010/03/life-drawing-studies.html

The examples above are drawing studies.  They are limited conceptually, because the images do not have sufficient visual clues to create meaning.  This means that they do not fulfill the rubric requirements for LO2. They work as preparation for compositional sketches, but they cannot be the only type of experiments in your sourcebook.

The sourcebook is preparation for the final product, so there should be lots of reference images in your books that demonstrate how your imagery choice relates to your concept. e.g how would you positioned the figure in a landscape to tell the story of a journey? 

There should also be COMPOSITIONAL sketches.  A good composition should make use of compositional rules such as the Rule of Thirds and at least 3 elements and principles of art.  

 Delacroix Massacre of  Chios  1824

(French Romanticism)

- Oil painting on canvas

The Ottoman Turks (Muslims) slaughtered the Greek Orthodox inhabitants of the Mediterranean island of Chios.

Below is a diagram Mrs Moore drew showing the compositional devices Delacroix has used:

Can you see how a compositional diagram combined with conceptual imagery allows me to assess whether your idea is ready for a final product???  

The second are that your sourcebook covers is technical skills.  Research, investigation and experimentation, allows you demonstrate your ability to handle your chosen medium.  Therefore your experiments should be skillful and they research on other artists should have a practical application to your own work. 

 To check whether your final idea is a hundred percent you need to evaluate it according to the rubric for LO2.

SECTION B: THE ARTWORK (LO2)

CRITERIA

• Choice and use of materials/techniques 10 (do your experiments demonstrate your ability to paint/ draw/ sculpt etc.?)
• Use of formal art elements 10 ( there should be a clear composition when you begin and at least three planned elements and principles, however the relationship between your chosen elements and principles will develop as you work)
• Overall impression of work – originality, creativity, innovation 10 (Is your sourcebook idea innovative?)
• Interpretation and practical implementation of research 10 (this is on-going while you work on LO2 but there should be link between your sourcebook and the final product, you can't suddenly change ideas)
• Completion and presentation of artwork 10 (this comes together at the end of LO2 but Lo1 should show how you intend to hang/ display your work)
• TOTAL 50

Also you cannot assess your sourcebook on content that is not there. I cannot mark drawings as process drawings and as experiments.  Please look at the mark allocation.  15 marks is at least 3 x A3 pages unless your content is super detailed and intricate, then you can get away with doing less because you will still have the same number of hours. 

Sourcebook Rubric

Category	Possible content	Marks	Possible no. of pages
Concept development	mindmap, final intention (this includes a compositional sketch and artists statement, originality and innovation of idea	10	2 x A3s
Research, investigation, experimentation, et cetera	inspiration artists, experiments, tutorials, reference images - photographs, internet images, collages	15	3 xA3s
Process drawings	thumbnails, illustrations, skilful drawings (tonal range, linear drawings, illusions of form and space)	15	2-3 x A3s (depending on drawing style)
Presentation and overall view	time management, binding, aesthetics	10
Total		50

Please note these sourcebooks are crucial to your final exam preparation.  Please fix up problematic areas and make sure you understand the process work.  It is half of your marks!!!