How To:

AREA OF STUDY 1: DEVELOPING IDEAS AND SKILLS.

This area of study focuses on the development of ideas, imagery and skills through the exploration of techniques
and working methods. Specific tasks are set to direct and facilitate the process of investigation.

As a rule of thumb I always start off with a mixed media drawing unit for year 11 ART unit1.

Students are encouraged to explore, experiment and develop their own imagery through observational drawing and digital
photography.

The investigation of an art form:

DRAWING was explored by using different materials and media such as inks, fine liners, dry pastels, collage on assorted
papers.

Students were inspired by seeing the TOP ARTS at the NGV folio of drawings on brown paper bags.

Theme: CONSTRUCTED ENVIRONMENT

Task 1 RESEARCH

Students were given the theme of “Constructed Environment” to brainstorm ideas through a mind map. They
were encouraged to undertake research by looking at other artists work as motivation and inspiration. They created
a collage of images of artist’s work that they photocopied from art books, journals and magazines. They also
took a series of 20 digital photos around their immediate constructed environment which they used as starting points
for their homework drawing activities.

Students were expected to critically analyse these images and reference the key formal elements observed through
annotations in their visual diaries.

Task 2 OBSERVATIONAL DRAWINGS

Students were given 2 X 50 minute sessions of class time to complete a series of drawings of details around the school
environment. (10 small drawings were completed)

Task 3 EXPLORATION OF MATERIALS TECHNIQUES AND METHODS

Students were given 4 x 50 minute lessons in class to experiment with media, washes and collage effects in their
visual diary documenting their thinking and working practices in the visual diary.

Teacher directed activities included media exploration, technical knowledge, safety and health issues in using media
and in conceptual development of ideas.

Task 4 EXPLORING THE FORMAL ELEMENTS

Students select and investigate the following formal elements:

·    Line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, repetition, harmony, cropping and balance.

Students through annotations are encouraged to document the formal elements applied and used in their work with relevant
evaluations of the effectiveness of these elements in their visual diary.

Task 5 REFINING IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES

A total of 20 drawings were necessary as part of the criteria for assessment of which 10 completed were submitted
from this exploration.

Students were required to develop and explore 10 final drawings that best illustrated the formal elements.

Final Resolution 1

A series of 10 completed mixed media drawings on mountboard

Students presented their Visual dairy as part of this assessment by showing the explorations and documentation of
the investigation of drawing.

Stella Greig
VCE ART TEACHER
HEAD OF ARTS
KILLESTER COLLEGE
Suitable for Unit
One VCE Art