Level 3 Art and Design Practice BTEC

This subject is broken down into 52 topics in 8 modules:

  1. Visual Communication in Art and Design 7 topics
  2. Ideas and Concepts in Art and Design 7 topics
  3. Contextual Studies 5 topics
  4. Professional Practice in Art and Design 7 topics
  5. Surface Design and Textiles 6 topics
  6. 3D Design and Craft 6 topics
  7. Photography and Lens-Based Media 7 topics
  8. Fine Art Practices 7 topics
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  • 8
    modules
  • 52
    topics
  • 20,655
    words of revision content
  • 2+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Art and Design Practice

Visual Communication in Art and Design

Drawing techniques and processes

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Drawing techniques and processes

Drawing Techniques and Processes

Fundamentals of Drawing

  • Understand the principles of line drawing, learning to control your hand to achieve different line weights and types.
  • Master the shading techniques: hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and blending to add volume and texture.
  • Practice perspective drawing, incorporating both one-point and two-point perspectives.
  • Develop skills in contour drawing to create an outline and suggest volume and perspective.
  • Learn to use gesture drawing to capture the essence of the subject's action or motion.

Drawing Materials and Tools

  • Experiment with different drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, ink, pastels, and coloured pencils.
  • Understand the value of paper choice, how varying textures and weights can impact the final result.
  • Learn the use of erasers, not just as removing tools, but also as drawing tools.
  • Realise the role of blending tools like tortillons and stumps in achieving gradients and smooth textures.
  • Get familiar with inking tools and their roles in line art, stippling, and cross-hatching.

Drawing Styles and Techniques

  • Understand the portrayal of realism and how to create a photo-like image with accurate proportions and realistic shading.
  • Learn about the abstract style, using lines, shapes, colours, and textures to depict subjects.
  • Practice cubism, a style that views subjects from multiple angles and depicts them in geometric forms.
  • Explore surrealism, a style that creates unrealistic and dream-like images.
  • Master impressionism, capturing the effect of light on objects, without focusing on realism and details.

Process of Drawing

  • Start with a rough sketch to define the overall shape and proportion.
  • Refine with a detailed sketch, focusing on specific features and textures.
  • Apply shades using appropriate shading techniques according to the texture and light source.
  • Add the final touches and small details last, including sharp edges, highlights, and texture.
  • Critically assess your finished piece, evaluate how effectively it communicates the desired message.

Course material for Art and Design Practice, module Visual Communication in Art and Design, topic Drawing techniques and processes

Art and Design Practice

Surface Design and Textiles

Textile materials and techniques

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Textile materials and techniques

Textile Materials

Natural Fibres

  • Cotton: A soft, fluffy staple fibre that grows in a boll, or protective capsule around the seeds of cotton plants.
  • Wool: Derived from sheep and other animals; it is flexible, resistant to tearing and tends to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
  • Silk: A natural protein fibre that can be knitted or woven into textiles; it's known for its shine and softness.
  • Linen: High-strength fibre from the flax plant; it's absorbent and dries quicker than cotton.

Synthetic Fibres

  • Nylon: A type of polyamide that was originally designed as a synthetic replacement for silk; known for its strength and elasticity.
  • Polyester: It's durable, resistant to shrinking and stretching, easily dyed, and affordable.
  • Acrylic: Lightweight, soft, and warm, with a feel and appearance similar to wool.

Mixed Fibres (blends)

  • Polyester/Cotton blends: Combines the strength of polyester with the comfort of cotton.
  • Wool/Silk blends: Provides the insulation of wool and the strength and lustre of silk.

Textile Techniques

Weaving

  • Plain weave: Also known as tabby weave, this is the simplest type of weaving.
  • Twill weave: A patterned weave, characterised by its diagonal lines.
  • Satin weave: Characterised by its lustrous, shiny surface.

Knitting

  • Garter stitch: Every row is knit on the front and back, giving a ridged texture.
  • Stockinette stitch: Composed of alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, creating a smooth surface.

Dyeing and Printing

  • Batik: A method of dyeing textiles by using wax to prevent the dye from reaching certain parts of the fabric.
  • Tie-dye: A dyeing technique in which parts of the fabric are tightly bound with thread or rubber bands to form a resist before dyeing.
  • Screen printing: An image is transferred to a fine mesh screen and ink is forced through the screen onto the fabric.

Surface Embellishment

  • Beading: Sewing beads onto fabric for decoration.
  • Embroidery: Creating designs and pictures by hand or machine stitching strands of thread onto a layer of fabric.
  • Appliqué: A technique where fabric shapes are sewn onto a foundation fabric to create designs.

Course material for Art and Design Practice, module Surface Design and Textiles, topic Textile materials and techniques

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