Media and techniques - AQA GCSE Art and Design
An overview of the core media and techniques in AQA GCSE Art and Design: drawing and painting, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional and mixed media, and how building skill in each supports the four assessment objectives.
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Media and techniques are the practical skills that turn ideas into work. AQA does not prescribe a fixed list, but a strong GCSE shows competence across a range of media so you can make the informed choices AO2 rewards. This module covers the core areas every student benefits from, whatever title they take.
Why skill matters
Skill is the foundation of choice. The more confidently you can draw, print, photograph and build, the more genuine the selection you make for AO2, because you are choosing from real options rather than the one thing you can do. Skill also frees you to focus on ideas rather than struggling with the material.
The four core areas
- Drawing and painting are the backbone: observational drawing, tone, line, mark-making, colour mixing and paint handling.
- Printmaking covers relief, monoprint and stencil processes, with editions, registration and repetition.
- Photography covers composition, light, viewpoint and simple editing, as both a recording tool and a medium.
- Three-dimensional and mixed media cover modelling, construction, assemblage and collage, combining materials purposefully.
Choosing what is appropriate
The thread through all four areas is purposeful selection. Experiment broadly, review what each medium does, and choose the ones that best serve your idea, explaining the choice in annotation. A medium is appropriate when it fits your subject and theme, not when it merely looks impressive.
How to study media and techniques
- Practise drawing regularly, because it underpins everything else.
- Experiment broadly, so you have real choices to make for AO2.
- Review every experiment, noting what worked and why.
- Gather your own photographs as primary sources for AO3.
- Combine media purposefully, tying each material to your idea.
The topics, one by one
Each topic has its own dot-point guide with worked examples and exam-style questions:
For the official specification
AQA publishes the full Art and Design specification (8201 to 8206) and assessment guidance at aqa.org.uk. Always work from the current specification, because details are board-specific.
Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Art and Design specification — AQA (2016)