Drawing in the new AS and A level Art and Design

This is exemplified in the specification as follows:

“Drawing is an essential skill for studying art and design at Advanced Subsidiary GCE and degree level. It forms a core element of the practice of artists, craftspeople and designers. It can take many forms; at its simplest and most direct it consists of marks of pencil or pen on paper, though it can employ any media and be applied in two and three dimensions or time-based media.

"Drawing in the context of this qualification is taken to mean the following: recording the observed world, using mark-making in appropriate media; exploring ideas visually, through the act of mark-making; investigating, through the exploration of drawing media to find new ways of expressing ideas, feelings or observations; experimenting with various tools, materials and techniques.”

In endorsements such as Photography, teachers often ask what the purpose of drawing is in such disciplines. In this regard, a teacher should encourage learners to use drawing as a means of investigation, drawing to ‘record’ situations and ideas rather than drawing in its traditional sense. I recently reviewed a fantastic book called Photographers’ Sketchbooks, which captures the essence of what the A level specification means in regard to drawing and in relation to photography. I would recommend that you get a copy for your learning centre.  

This behind-the-scenes look at photography provides a real insight into the work that goes on before the click of the shutter. 43 leading photographers have chosen material that shows how they develop their work and ideas, from Polaroid studies and sketches to notes and contact sheets. This is a great resource for anyone interested in the creative process, with the photographers discussing their methods and essays looking at issues of contemporary practice.

Susan