Subjects

Who is it for?

This subject is for students who enjoy making art and are interested in the history of art through to contemporary times. You may want to simply explore your own creativity or you can be interested in pursuing a career in the world of art.

What do you do?

In order to prepare you to achieve your best results in your two written school-assessed courseworks and your end of year exam, you will complete:

• written worksheets to refine your ability to correctly use art language to analyse artworks
• short quizzes and blogs with fellow students in order to improve your general knowledge of art
• a carefully annotated visual diary that documents your journey toward expressing a theme of your own choice and teaches you how to follow the art process
• at least one finished artwork in each unit of work.

You will take part in online classes and can visit the VSV at different points of the course so we can help with any difficulties that you may have.

What skills do you need?

You need the ability to create and take some creative risks. Drawing skills are an advantage but are not essential as there are many ways in which creative ideas can be expressed.

You should also be prepared to describe your own ideas with your teachers and peers. A willingness to read and research a particular artist and their artworks is necessary in order to complete the school-assessed coursework and end-of-year exam.

What skills do you develop?

By completing Units 3 and 4 Art, you will:

• develop your ability to discuss your own artistic ideas with teachers and your peers
• learn to analyse and discuss artworks
• discover the way that personal experiences and differing points of view are demonstrated by artists throughout history
• develop your own art making practice
• improve your technical skills through developing your art works.

Requirements

Internet access is essential as all course content is online and submissions are made through the online class.

OPTIONAL: Art-iculate, Second Edition (print and digital) Units 1 and 2. Art-iculate, Second Edition by Lou Chamberlain and Deryck Greenwood. Cambridge University Press

An A3 Visual Diary is recommended for your developmental work. Start with the materials you are comfortable with, such as coloured pencils or paints. You can include something new and different later on. You do not need to present your work in plastic folders, as it is preferred that your work appears as a diary – mistakes and all. An additional exercise book or small sketchbook can be added so you can jot down ideas when you are out and about. You may include an A4 visual diary as well.

Things to think about

Many students initially complain that they have to talk about their work when they just want to do it. However, by the end of the year, you find that your ideas have become much stronger and clearer to you.
The study of artists and artworks is far from dry and boring, all of history is communicated through the artists of their times and there is so much to discover. A willingness to research and read widely is a great asset.

Things you can do now

Look at artworks on the internet or in books. Find out which art galleries are near to home and start to visit them. There is free admission into the National Gallery in the city and the Ian Potter Museum at Federation Square. Find the artworks that you like and write down the names of the artists and their works. Try to put into words what you like about the artworks and how you would like to use them as inspiration for your own art making.

Practice your skills in the area that interests you, whether it is drawing, painting or sculpting.

Look for some short courses for learning new techniques. YouTube is full of short videos that will teach you all sorts of techniques for making art. One example is how to draw a realistic face.

Go to the VCAA website for more information about this subject.