100% IGCSE Art and Design: A comprehensive Coursework Project

Last Updated on April 2, 2023

This exceptional IGCSE Art Coursework Project is another from the high-achieving Art Department at ACG Strathallan College. Completed by the dedicated and conscientious Tarika Sabherwal, this  sketchbook and final piece were awarded 100% and the highly sought after TOP IN THE WORLD placing for the 2011 CIE October examination session. Tarika achieved this result along with another student in her class, Tingjian He (Jim). Viewing these two projects together provides an invaluable learning opportunity for students and teachers alike, as it illustrates how a classroom-wide teaching programme can be used to successfully guide students to achieve outstanding original and creative work.

Tarika’s project consists of a twelve page A3 sketchbook, plus a final acrylic painting (approximately A3 in size). Her work explores a ‘Coastal Environment’ theme, depicting beach-related still life scenes, bones, fish, seedpods (harakeke flowers) shells, coastal landscapes, birds and traditional Maori carvings.

igcse art and design coursework
The first page in Tarika’s IGCSE Art and Design sketchbook introduces students to observational drawing. Working from a still life based on a beach theme, students gain practise representing three-dimensional form. Even in the initial sketchbook page, background washes are used to create visually interesting drawing surfaces and to give students mixed media experience.
top of the world cie art and design
As is expected in an IGCSE Top of the World Coursework project, this sketchbook page is exceptionally strong. The skull has been rendered using black charcoal and white paint, drawing upon on a wild and unpredictable background created using coloured wash on sugar paper, with white paint marks made using the edge of a piece of card. Students find this kind of work exciting and fun and this enthusiasm is evident in the great outcome. Superb.
drawing of fish - igcse art coursework example
This IGCSE Art sketchbook page contains further examples of the great mixed media work that is prevalent throughout this Coursework project. Here, freshly caught fish have been drawn on a splattered acrylic ground.
igcse art portfolio A*
It is in this page in Tarika’s IGCSE Art portfolio that her exceptional skill really becomes evident. Learning from New Zealand artist Jason Hicks, this page provides excellent opportunity for Tarika to practise her acrylic painting skill, using a dry-brush technique and using masking tape to create straight edges. Colour schemes are kept earthy and minimal, allowing emphasis on shape and form and allowing Tarika to really master the blending of paint and the smooth gradation of tone. A great example of an Art & Design research page.
A* example, igcse art cambridge
In the left IGCSE sketchbook page Tarika demonstrates an understanding colour schemes such as monochrome, complementary and harmonious, whilst continuing to refine her superb blending and control of acrylic paint. Many Painting and Related Media students benefit from the gradual introduction to wet media that is exhibited in this programme of work. This allows students the opportunity to really develop and refine their painting skill (rather than throwing them in at the deep end) – something that is crucial within a Cambridge IGCSE Art project. This second IGCSE artwork (a sketchbook page depicting birds) illustrates a great teaching exercise: students have the opportunity to learn about space, depth and distance through overlapping form and understanding of perspective. This sketchbook page also gives Tarika the opportunity to use her competent painting and drawing skills to render more complex forms.
A* sketchbook page - igcse art and design
This IGCSE Art and Design sketchbook page is truly spectacular. Upon first glass it seems that the majority of the works are completed by the artist model Andrea Mae Miller. It is only upon close examination that your realise the majority are in fact stunning etchings that Tarika has completed herself.
igcse art cie - A* example
Learning from artist models is a crucial part of IGCSE Art (CIE 0400). Here Tarika analyses the composition of works by New Zealand artist Harold Coop, completing quick diagrams of compositional structure and imitating his painting technique.
igcse art sketchbook - mixed media
In this page Tarika demonstrates layered, mixed media techniques, gaining valuable insight from New Zealand artist Jason Hicks. The comprehensive annotation in this IGCSE Art sketchbook also clearly demonstrate to the examiner that she is a conscientious and dedicated student who has an excellent grasp of art-making terminology.
composition development, igcse art and design
Composition Development: With visual research and artist analysis now complete, Tarika begins to culminate her ideas, generating concepts for her final work.
composition plan for the final piece
The final two pages in her IGCSE Art and Design sketchbook show the composition development and plan for her final piece.
igcse art and design coursework, cie
Confidently summing up her IGCSE Art and Design Coursework project, Tarika produces a carefully executed and well-balanced final piece. It is obvious how cleverly all the pieces of Tarika’s project fit together into a whole and develop systematically towards this excellent solution. Far too many high school Art projects are bitsy, inconsistent and jump wildly from one topic to another. Tarika’s work is an example of clear and coherent development of ideas, while demonstrating a broad and wide variety of skills. Fantastic!

Tarika’s Coursework project is visible in the YouTube clip below:

If you are a reader of the Student Art Guide, you will no doubt already be aware that ACG Strathallan College has an exceptional Art department that continues to achieve great success under the guidance of Curriculum Co-ordinator Jo Palmer. More to come from this great faculty soon!

In the meantime, you may wish to view Tarika’s beautiful 100% IGCSE Art exam.

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