IGCSE

ART

Sketchbooks

Fabulous first page

o Start the journey through your sketchbook by stunning the examiner from your very first page!
Consistent Aesthetics
o Just because your first couple of pages looks good, doesnt mean the rest of your sketchbook can
drown
o Present your work clearly, but in interesting layouts
o Show off mix media in your book
Observational sketches with pen/pencil/watercolour/anything
Gradually refine these ideas
Aesthetics vs. Content
o Make sure the content is as good as the visuals on your page. Examiners do read what you write
sometimes (wouldnt want them to read an artist research which you desperately wanted to get
over with)
Artist Researches
Include:
o Introduction/Short Biography (dont dwell too long on this, mention the biographical points
which contribute to him as an artist/style)
o Artists style o Examples of Artist work and analysis
o How does the artists work inspire you
Evaluations (at the end of every project)
Be descriptive and thorough about:
o Primary and Secondary sources
o Artists that inspired you
o Ideas developed from your sources and artists
o Media/Techniques you used in your final piece
o Describe the process of making your final piece
What went well/ failed miserably; What did you learn/change; How did you adapt
Annotations
o Remember to annotate your sketches/ideas
o What materials did you use, what did you want to achieve, what IS it
o If something inspires you, state why and how youre going to use this inspiration to develop ideas

Grading Criteria
Marks
9-12
Competent

AO3: Record ideas

(25%)

AO4: Present a personal

response (25%)

You get personally involved

in choosing the subjects for
your studies and you record
a reasonable range of
sources.

You produce a good piece of

work that shows thought. You
make useful connections
between your recording and
refinement of ideas and the
work of other artists.

You show exceptional skill

and originality when
researching and recording
from research material.
Your work shows a strong
sense of direction and
purpose. Photographs are
interesting and varied and
drawings are detailed.

--/20

You record a wide range of

sources showing well,
developed skills.
Demonstrate a range of
appropriate recording
methods.

PRESENT

Grade boundaries out of 80 are a rough guide only

You develop many ideas in

a purposeful, useful and
highly developed way. Your
work is creative and uses
appropriate materials with
skill and understanding.

--/20

You search out and respond to the

work of a range of artists in a
focused way, and it significantly
influences the development of
your finished work. You find your
own way to link together what you
have learned from looking at
artwork and your own finished
work

You show evidence of

careful planning in your
working processes. You
show confidence in your
creative ideas
Good use of a range of
techniques is obvious in
your work

RECORD

Analysis is thorough and not just

regarding autobiographical
aspects of the artists work.
Comparisons are made between
artists. You show that the artwork
has actually influenced your
finished work in a personal way
that has gone beyond just copying

You show both thought and

creativity in the way they
go about developing Your
ideas. You use materials
fairly competently

--/20

Mature

You find and look at suitable

artwork in a carefully considered
way and make a few really
meaningful connections between
your work and the work you are
studying

EXPLORE

17-20

--/20

Confident

DEVELOP

13-16

AO2: Refine ideas

through
experimentation and
media (25%)

AO1: Analyze and develop

ideas through research of
artists and cultures (25%)

You produce an effective and

competently produced piece of
work that confidently connects
to confidently to previous ideas
and research

You produce a powerful and

personal answer to the
question, which shows strong
technical abilities. The
connections between your own
work and the work of other
artists show excellent
perception, and understanding
of context.

A* 80-72 A 71-64 B 63-56 C 55-48 D 47-40 E 39-32 F 31-24 G 22-16

How to Survive the 10 Hour Exam

Before

During

IGCSE
ART

Design Ideas
o Never, ever plan the night before (not always a good idea Ive tried)
o Use all of your sources, artists, brain-juice
o Dont limit yourself, but think about whether you want to do a painting, a lino cutting and
print, a sculpture, a graphite drawing, etc.
o Find a way to show off your skills
o If all else fails, choose your favourite sources/ideas in your sketchbook, and start collaging
different them. Sooner, or later, you will realize what works and what doesnt. Eventually
youll end up using the sources again, and again youve found your focus.
o Find the right composition. Use the rule of thirds (the grid) put your focus off center.
o Plan your colour scheme, and what techniques youll use with each part of your piece
Mix media is always a good idea (graphite, paint, tissue paper, news paper, pens,
charcoal, chalk, emulsion, etc.)

Other hacks/tips
o Bring some food (youll probably be super tired after the first 5 hours, and youll probably not
be bothered to walk to the nearest McDonalds)
o Bring earphones (not for the exam; but in the mocks you might get a chance to listen to
music)
o Its true, you have to paint in silence for 10 hours
In all honesty, its not horrible focusing on your final piece is an easy task when
youre in the actual exam.
o Bring your own materials
If you can, bringing your own materials helps so you dont have to walk all over the
classroom scavenging for them.
Lets you work with materials youre comfortable with

Make sure you know what youre doing

Set targets for the first 5 hours, and another set of targets for the next 5
o Youll keep yourself motivated that way
o Eg. Complete 50% of your piece in the first half, and the rest in the other half
Stay warm, sane, and stretch!!
Dont be afraid to change your ideas along the way
o Always adapt to a problem your facing. Trial and Error if you need to.
o You might find an even better way of doing something
o #YOLO - eh no, not really

Exam Timetable*

IGCSE
ART

*Note that the timetable below is just an example/a rough idea on how you should plan your time!
Month
February

Week
3
4

March

April

May

5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

Tasks
Brainstorm ideas + Initial
Photographs
Black and White drawings + Source
Photographs
Artist Research
Artist Research
Media + Materials + Sources
Media + Materials + Sources

Pages
1 page brainstorm, 1/2 pages
photographs
2 pages each

Criteria
A01, A03

Ideally, you should have three

artist researches 2 sides each
2 pages

A01, A03

A01, A03

A02

Holidays
Initial Ideas
2 pages +
Refine Ideas
2 pages +
Final Exam (10 Hours) + Evaluation
Good Luck
Exam Leave (Good Luck )

A01
A01
A04

Exhibition set up, opening night, moderation and take down

Extra TipS!

During the holidays, or the weeks close to your exam, the art rooms will be open on specific dates
o USE THIS TIME WISELY go to school to focus on art, and prepare with like-minded stressed students
If youre stuck, always ask your teacher/friends for inspiration
o Art is a learning process, and getting inspiration from teachers always help (trust me)
Dont be afraid to step outside the box for your Final Exam
o Eg. I projected the written, personal memories on the bodies of their respective people. I then took
photographs to use as sources in my sketchbook.
I got this idea from Ms. Gadd because I was super stuck so dont be afraid to ask for help