Visual Arts study guides

A complete overview of contextual and critical studies in OCR A-Level Art and Design: analysing an artwork, the major art movements and periods, studying named artists, gathering contextual sources, and writing critically, and how they earn AO1 and ground the related study.

A complete overview of developing a personal style in OCR A-Level Art and Design: finding a personal voice, sustaining development and experimentation, and presenting and curating a portfolio, and how each earns the top bands of AO1, AO2 and AO4.

A complete overview of drawing and recording skills in OCR A-Level Art and Design: observational drawing, rendering tone and form, perspective and proportion, and recording from primary sources, and how disciplined first-hand recording underpins AO3.

A complete overview of the OCR Externally Set Task (Component 02): the question paper released on or after 1 February, developing preparatory work across all four objectives, the 15 hours of supervised time and its rules, and planning a personal response, worth 80 marks and 40 percent.

A complete overview of the formal elements and visual language in OCR A-Level Art and Design: line and mark-making, tone and light, colour theory, and composition with shape, form, texture, pattern and space, and how using them with intention earns AO2, AO3 and AO4.

A complete overview of the four assessment objectives in OCR A-Level Art and Design (H600 to H606): AO1 develop, AO2 explore and refine, AO3 record and AO4 present, how they are equally weighted, how the two components carry the marks, and how the performance band grid turns work into a grade.

A complete overview of the OCR Personal Investigation (Component 01): the component structure (120 marks, 60 percent), building a line of enquiry, the related study of at least 1000 words, and resolving a final outcome, all assessed against the four objectives.

A complete overview of working across media and disciplines in OCR A-Level Art and Design: painting and colour media, printmaking, three-dimensional work, and photography and digital media, and how selecting and controlling each with intention earns AO2.