Art

[daffodilbrain]

My Ds has started to get some excellent marks in art yr 9. We've never really considered him 'arty' and nor has he... he's about to choose his options do you think he could 'risk' choosing art?

[ihatethecold]

Why is it a risk?
He can take a subject he enjoys if he wishes.

What an odd question!

[ReallyLilyReally]

For GCSE? Yes, take art! Why would that be a risk?

[DontCallMeBaby]

Do you see it as a risk because if he doesn’t have talent he can’t just work harder for a better mark? That’s true of all subjects really, no subject is amenable to just working harder if you’re no good at it.

The bigger risk with art is it’s hard work, lots of work to put a portfolio together. DD doesn’t do it, but does a couple of coursework subjects, and the effort to get her to understand this is her damn GCSE and she doesn’t just get to wing it in an exam at the end has been intense (and no t entirely successful).

Broadly though I think all kids should take at least one creative subject through to GCSE, sod the grades and perfect English bacc.

[VioletCharlotte]

Does he enjoy art? If so, then he should take it. It's good to have to balance out academic subjects with some creative ones. He must be reasonable at it if he's getting hood marks, so he should do ok at GCSE if he likes it enough to put the work in.

[zasknbg]

Ask his art teacher what s/he thinks

[Saintandsinner]

It was a nightmare despite Dd being good at art and getting a 9, workload was immense, tutors all wanted their input which made it difficult to stay with her original concept and plus it’s never really finished so there’s always more to do. If art is what you are aiming st then great but don’t be mislead by the illusion it’s a soft option.

[boredboredboredboredbored]

Dd chose Art as one of her options. I genuinely didn't see any talent and thought she was taking it as an easy option. She's now year 11 and I could not have been more wrong. Firstly she adores it, she takes it very seriously and spends hours at it but it's very demanding, not easy at all. She's excelled and her work is fantastic. She's choosing to do it at A-level alongside English & History. For all of the academic stuff she finds Art a real outlet.

[daffodilbrain]

Super helpful responses. I see it as a risk because I never realised he was good at art, he can't draw but has done some other artwork, sculptures etc which are good from What I've seen at least. Art teacher changes each term but last one was very encouraging... I cynically wondered if he just wanted to make the numbers up. The other choices are drama (he's already dong LAMDA and DT so all labour intensive courses. I love the thought of him doing art, particularly as I'm not that arty myself. My MIL was extremely creative though and I'm
Desperate for one of my dc to be happy just thought it would be dd. I'm concerned DS will choose the subjects based on the teachers and how well he is currently doing as his mind changes all the time and sometimes it's like getting blood out of a stone. Options evening next week so maybe that will reveal
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[ihatethecold]

My DD is in her final year at school and doing art gcse. There is lots of work but she really enjoys it and is creative.
We seem to spend quite a bit of money at the art shop for supplies so she can vary her techniques and methods.

She will get more points if she varies what tools and styles she uses on her coursework.

[ACatWhoBinds]

Yes!! Though it's a massive workload - not an 'easy' option but definitely the most fulfilling. If he enjoys it then go for it! I'm in my second year of art and design btec (after starting sixth form with just academic subjects and really hating it) and not everyone is great at drawing. There are so many different mediums and half the fun is trying them and finding what you like!

[Flossiefoo]

My dd is Y11 and taking GCSE Art & DT. The workload for Art especially is huge, all consuming really. So, I would say it if your child is passionate about it definitely encourage. Dd wasn't passionate BUT having said that she has grown and grown in this subject, got a 9 in her recent mocks. She is not a natural artist in the sense of drawing or painting but is very v=creative in other ways, not least digital Art. The more mediums they work in, the more marks they get. DD has got so much out of Art and is really enjoying it. Have a look on Youtube, lots of examples of GCSE sketchbooks to give you an idea of examples and ability needed. We spend many an hour in Hobbycraft, it can be expensive if you're happy to support (I am creative too so love mooching, as well as charity shops for books to use to cut up etc) The fun is experimenting, I have been surprised & very proud at how dd has embraced the subject. Don't be nervous of your ds choosing Art