GCSE Art support

[billylollypop]

My DS is starting GCSE Art, what tools will he require and how can I best support him? (I'm very unartistic so advice is greatly appreciated)

[BeingFluffy]

The school should supply a list; probably an A3 sketchbook at the very least and some good pencils. Later on as well as several more books(!) you may be asked to provide watercolours or acrylics etc. My DD had to do some photography, sculpture etc as well during the course, but if anything is needed you will be asked for it at the time. She also had to visit certain places and exhibitions (we live in London).
DD has just finished and is predicted an A*. It is a very heavy workload, I would recommend that your DS keeps up to date and makes a start now. My DD got a new list of stuff to complete every half term or so. It is easy to fall behind and tbh it is hard work rather than talent that gets the grades. I found I had to be constantly on DD's back to get her to work and in the end the teacher basically begged her to finish her coursework so she could get the grades!

[balia]

Time (often in the middle of the night, for some reason) Space - and no, a desk will not do, it has to be spread across the entire room with boxes of old crap everywhere; and Stuff. This may be household products that you had not previously considered for their artistic properties; wallpaper, popcorn, ring pulls, bubble wrap, old coins, cling film, bath products...

Mine got an A. I bloody deserved it.

[sashh]

A load of B2 pencils, and a set of other ones. A gift voucher for hobby craft or your local art shop.

[Elephantmouse]

Make yourself aware of every one of their deadlines. Put any plans you have for these periods in the bin.

Balia : Ha!

[hellsbells99]

Time!!!! As a parent, I think Art GCSE is a nightmare. DD is just finishing year 10 so has completed 1 year of the course. Even during the GCSE exam period where she has had modular exams and also taken maths early, the art teacher has still loaded work on them. Otherwise, just pens, pencils and a huge folder - lots of biros for 'star scribble'!

[pinkbraces]

Wine, for you :)

My DD had just finished her A2 Art, and is expected to get A* - I can honestly say its been the hardest few years of my life!

Most of her art supplies came from school, but as they progress she liked different types of sketch books and various types of glues and heat guns. It does depend what type of art they like.

They need space to work and a floor to throw all of their art supplies on, I havent seen the floor of my DD's bedroom for years. They also need lots and lots of support.

She has really enjoyed her art and is now off to Central St Martins in London.

Dont let anyone tell you or her its an easy option, there is so much work

[NoComet]

DD1 has signed up for art for "fun".

I have tried to explain she is mad, but she won't listen.

[Elephantmouse]

At a school careers night a junior hospital doctor -who was probably only about 23 or 24 - explained at length to DC and friends how this doctor's own Higher Grade Art qualification was taken very seriously at university interview when she applied only a handful of year's previously to do medicine.

She explained that there was genuine recognition that 'Art' was not an easy option and involved a huge workload, planning, considerable patience and time managment skills as well as the obvious creativity.

My child came away saying she definitely didn't want to be a doctor but she probably would take Art to Higher Grade after all...

[Theas18]

StartBB

Good luck to her! GCSE art is hell on toast. Mad mad mad !!!

OP does he really love art and is he good at it? THen he'll be fine. Yes you need art supplies but you need so much time too. DD1 took almost a whole day some weekends. Not to mention the awful hair shredding " it's not very good" wails.

Perfectionists should NOT do art, however good they are and the art teachers just don't see this.

[BringBack1996]

I must say we didn't have to supply anything for DS as he could borrow everything from school. We did have to pay for the sketch book, but the school still provided.

It might be worth contacting the department because every school is different and you don't want to be caught out without something!

[TroublesomeEx]

God mine's starting GCSE Art in September.

I wish I'd known all this beforehand!!!

[dottygamekeeper]

Art is bad, but textiles is worse from point of view of workload, stressing about whether it is good enough etc etc. I foolishly let my DS do both....he does really enjoy them but they are also the subjects about which we have the most angst. Our school have just sent us the list of required materials for my DD who will be in Yr 10 from Sept - all of which can be purchased through school shop, but past experience with DS has taught me we will need endless extra sets of acrylics, watercolours, different types of pastels, umpteen different types of brushes, paper etc as well. I never knew how many different sorts of art materials there were (though make excellent Christmas and birthday presents). Agree with the need for space - our 3 metre long dining room table is permanently covered with art stuff.

We have all enjoyed visiting galleries etc though - the David Hockney exhibition earlier this year was an inspiration, and tonight we are going to the school's DT exhibition.

[billylollypop]

A huge thank you to all who posted, your advice is fab. Looking at what you've written it looks like I'm going to get an art education too!(my dad made me do French!)