visual study
( 30% external assessment )
due week 2 term 2
Welcome to Ms. Axford's Year 12 Visual Study page, on here is everything you will need to complete a successful Visual Study. Firstly you must understand that the Visual Study is the first assessment task and due in Term 2 (I will give specific dates in class and via email). The first 9 weeks of class time is dedicated to the Visual Study.
so.... what is the visual study?
A Visual Study is where you explore and experiment with art styles, ideas, concepts, media, materials, methods, techniques, technologies or processes of your choice. You must submit a maximum of 20 A3 pages integrated with 2000 written words or a 12 minute recorded oral explanation. Source references (bibliography) is not included in the count but must be submitted. The Visual Study will incorporate both practical and theoretical components reflecting your research, analysis, evaluation, problem solving and the use of art terminology.
what do you have to do first?
So first of all you need to think about what you are personally interested in and perhaps what you would like to know more about in regards to Art. You then can come up with ideas by using good old brainstorming techniques such as writing out lists, mind maps or spider charts. Another good way to come up with an idea is to talk to your class mates and bounce ideas off of them or even talk to former art students to see what they did. Also, talk to me because I am the best resource you have and I do this all the time.
Once you have had a think you need to clarify your idea, give it a focus and come up with a question or statement that can guide your Visual Study and give you direction. Below I have given you examples of topics students have created in previous years. Feel free to use these and build onto if you need.
Like your Research Project coming up with a GOOD topic question will help you focus your Visual Study. You will need to make sure there is enough information and research material out there on the Internet and in books etc so that you have enough evidence to successfully demonstrate a clear understanding of your chosen topic (analysis of artworks using appropriate terminology is essential).
Once you have had a think you need to clarify your idea, give it a focus and come up with a question or statement that can guide your Visual Study and give you direction. Below I have given you examples of topics students have created in previous years. Feel free to use these and build onto if you need.
- Why is the Australian landscape such a rich source of inspiration for artists?
- Why and how do artists and designers collaborate?
- What is the difference between an artist, a designer and a craftsperson?
- How have female Australian artists responded to life in Australia?
- Metal work – artists who use robust materials
- What’s in a line? How have artists used line as a compositional device?
- How to represent motion in a static image.
- Developing skills in digital landscape art.
- How to colour figurative drawings using different mediums and techniques.
- Investigating the use of Mass Media in art and appropriating the work of Roy Lichtenstein creating my own contemporary versions using a variety of media and techniques.
- Exploring Conceptual Art focusing on the use of text, the power of language and everyday objects as artworks.
- Appropriating the work of Robert Boynes, Investigating photographic techniques to capture the moving body and represent movement using mixed media.
- Exploring traditional Japanese art making techniques focusing on the representation of the Koi Fish and Dragon.Exploring the work of Banksy and his activist street art pieces.
- Exploring the work of Barbara Kruger and the use of Photoshop techniques.
- Exploring Graffiti writing styles and techniques
- Exploring the work of Andy Warhol focusing on creating my own appropriations of his work with repetition and patterning.
- Exploring the work of Tim Burton, focusing on drawing media and techniques.Exploring the portraiture work of Mark Ryden and his painting techniques.
- Using a variety of drawing techniques explore 'Pop Surrealism' and' Symbolism in art.’
- How to combine digital art with traditional techniques.Exploring the pointillist style and technique of Grace Cossington Smith paintings.
- Investigating techniques to make Pixel Art.
- Exploring the work of May Gibbs and the technique of watercolour painting.
- Exploring the work of HAHA focusing on creating and making robot stencils.
Like your Research Project coming up with a GOOD topic question will help you focus your Visual Study. You will need to make sure there is enough information and research material out there on the Internet and in books etc so that you have enough evidence to successfully demonstrate a clear understanding of your chosen topic (analysis of artworks using appropriate terminology is essential).
see examples below
Rachelle Preece appropriated the work of Cindy Sherman for her Visual Study. Rachelle used Emma as her model and dressed her in a Air Force uniform borrowed from the Drama department and AFL uniform she sourced from a teacher. Rachelle's Visual Study explored how feminism can influence artwork. Emma was dressed in male clothing to represent male dominated careers such as the Air Force and AFL football. Rachelle studied photographic composition and techniques to create her Visual Study.
Above: Investigating the work of Cindy Sherman by Rachelle Preece (2012 student).
Casey Berkeley investigated the work of Roy Lichtenstein and created contemporary versions using three of his artworks. She designed compositions and studied techniques to create the comic book look. Below the first image is of Lichtenstein's work titled 'Thinking of Him' made in 1963. The second image is the composition plan of Casey's version using Rhianna and Chris Brown which is her 2013 contemporary interpretation.
examples of Former students visual studies
after you have chosen your topic it is time to start collecting information and visual examples for your study
The reason you need to collect all the research materials first is to find the relevant information related to your topic and it will help you plan and start your Visual Study outline. This will help you write your first page of your Visual Study which must be an introduction to your topic and your visual investigations. It only needs to be 100-200 words but must be clear and well written. Click on the buttons below to see examples of Introduction to Visual Study.
next is to write a introduction to your topic
In your introduction you need to cover
1. Your topic/question
2. What are you going to research and learn about
3. How are you going to go about it
1. Your topic/question
2. What are you going to research and learn about
3. How are you going to go about it
NEXT STEP......PLANNING the format
There is no correct format for your Visual Study but you will need to:
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analysing artwork
Analysing the artworks that you use to inspire and guide your Visual Study is MOST IMPORTANT. You need to understand what has been done by the artist to create the artworks. NOTHING in successful art happens by accident. After art analysis you will understand what you need to do and how you need to do it within your studies.
There are 2 ways you can show you are analysing artworks. The first is a more informal way with annotations and arrows pointing towards the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork composition. See below at the examples.
There are 2 ways you can show you are analysing artworks. The first is a more informal way with annotations and arrows pointing towards the elements of art and principles of design within the artwork composition. See below at the examples.
The second way is more formal following a writing structure. Click on the analysing artwork reference sheet below to understand the structure and how to write it. There are also 3 examples for you to read and help you understand. Choose which ever you like (or even both) but remember the aim is to have highly perceptive critical analysing skills that use visual arts language.
Link to my Art terminology page (Elements of Art and Principles of Design) http://www.katrinaaxford.com/art-terminology.html
Documenting process examples
VISUAL STUDY PROCESS PHOTOS
YOU WILL NEED TO INCLUDE PHOTOS DOCUMENTING YOUR PROCESS OF STUDY .
HOW TO WRITE THE CONCLUSION
The length of your conclusion will depend on how many words you have left for your Visual Study. Remember the word limit is 2000 words. The conclusion needs to recap what you have learnt and what insights you now have regarding your artist/style/media/techniques used. Refer back to your guiding question and your introduction (have you completed successfully what you set out to do?).
- What have you learnt throughout the Visual Study?
- What insights do you have into your artists work?
- What insights do you have into the media you have used?