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Many high school Art students (such as those studying AS or A2 Level Art &
Design) must present a Coursework or Exam portfolio that shows development.
Students are sometimes confused about what the term ‘development’ means
in this context, and are uncertain about how they should go about achieving
this. This article endeavours to answer these questions and provides a process
by which students can ensure their work develops sufficiently. This is intended
as a broad guide only, and should be used only in conjunction with advice
from your teacher.
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If you are told that your work must show development, your teacher is telling
you that your work must change a little (both in use of media and
composition) from one piece to the next. In other words, an A Level Art
Coursework portfolio must tell a visual story: with a starting point, a
conclusion, and a journey in between. It is not acceptable, for example, to
show the same things drawn or painted from different angles over and over
again, or to execute the same composition first in pastel, then in paint, then in
charcoal and so on…or to submit paintings of many different items that have
no visual or thematic connection to each other.
‘Development’ means systematically working towards better artwork: trialing,
refining and exploring compositional devices and technique, demonstrating to
the examiners that you have gone through a learning process and arrived at a
successful final piece.
6. When you have learned all that you need to from the first artist, select
another artist and repeat the process. Once you have learned from this
artist, repeat again. The intention is that by the time you get to your final
piece, your work is a beautiful combination of your own ideas and the
influence of several others. Your work should look absolutely original – a
beautiful mixture of wisdom gained from a multitude of sources. It can be
good practice to choose a range of artist models – ie. national / international,
contemporary / historical etc…but this is not always necessary. The best
outcomes occur when students choose artists whose work really moves them.
It can be typical for an AS student to have 2-4 artist models and A2 students
to have 3-10 artist models.
Here is a well-developed A Level (A2) Painting portfolio by Nikau Hindin, a
talented A Level Art student from ACG Parnell College. Her A2 Coursework
portfolio achieved 98%.
Still unsure? Viewing our Featured Art Projects will also help you understand
how to develop your ideas within your work.