Topic Five (0.5): Annotations and Key Vocabulary

Annotations

Annotations are written notes, comments or explanations added to your art and design work to help you communicate your thoughts.

Writing about your work and the work of other artists is an important part of your International GCSE. Do not be afraid to use your own thoughts and opinions. Get into the habit of annotating every piece of work you do in your sketchbook.

You will find it useful to read the Guide to Annotating Your Work [not available with the sample course] to help you with this topic.

Below are a few ideas where you can use annotations:

When you are doing artists studies to analyse the work of an inspirational artist or designer.
When you have been experimenting, in order to record your techniques.
To record your ideas.
To explain your thinking behind an idea or piece of art.
To analyse the success of a technique, idea or composition.
To explain how a particular artist or designer’s style or technique has influenced your work.

Key Vocabulary

These are some of the words you will come across in the International GCSE Art and Design course:

Thumbnail sketch - a small idea sketch

Mark making – using marks to create different textures

Mixed media – artwork using more than one material

Visual research – pictures collected on a theme

Research – information (visual or written) about a theme

Artist research page – research presented to investigate the artist’s style

Refine – carefully and thoughtfully improve your ideas or art skills

Tone – light and dark

Tonal range – the shade in-between light and dark

Texture – the way a surface looks to feel

Annotate – make notes explaining processes and ideas

Preparatory work – work which covers the Assessment Objectives and leads you to a final piece

Composition – the layout of a drawing/design