A* A Level Art Sketchbook Tour!

I've finally done an A level art sketchbook tour! I'm hoping to do a part 2 soon, where I show my Yr 13 final project, so subscribe for that x thanks for watching!
Music:
Kevatta - Warm Feeling: • Frumhere, Kevatta - Wa...
Gil Wanders - Dreams: • Gil Wanders - Dreams -...

[@jennytye1034]

I will never forget being in GCSE art class with you, and being sooooo Jealous of your mind blowing art skills! You're amazing Maryam!

[@shethemuse]

Ahh you're too kind Jenny! 💗Thank you love xx

[@marif2993]

it might sound weird but i love your hands. you look so elegant

[@shethemuse]

Aw thank you so much!

[@jazzsart]

ahh my first alevel art lesson is next week .. your work is literally amazing

[@shethemuse]

Good luck with it!! Thank you so much✨

[@ishuika]

OH we have the same last name ✨

[@jazzsart]

@@ishuika aH there are so many ✨patels✨

[@ishuika]

@@jazzsart Too many 😅

[@leelaachan637]

How did it go 😂

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

What you say isn't so good is 10,000 times better than I could do!

[@elh9720]

i loved watching this, i am also doing light as a project and i feel we are at a similar skill level and so it’s very inspiring

[@ishuika]

*Ugh carrying these BIG sketchbooks home is not easy.........my school uses A2* 😔

[@danielleb5823]

You’re so talented and I love your work! I’m currently working on my Year 13 A-Level Art project (the essay based component) and I would be most grateful if you could upload or share your Year 13 portfolio. Also, do you have any tips on how to go about the essay based component?

[@shethemuse]

Hi there, thanks so much! I could certainly do that once I get back from uni (early December) but for now here are some tips: 1. choose a topic you're really interested in so you don't lose interest! This project will take time and patience 2. Don't try to cover too much! I chose three artists to look at (although I referenced others in passing if needed) and analysed one of their paintings in detail. 3. Always proof-read your work before you hand it in, and try to add a bibliography at the end. Have clear headings to make it easy to read. Hope this helps!

[@maisan252]

My photography a level is so different we don’t have that much stuff to write we only write a bit of work but our background is creative like u have to be creative with u background

[@Katie-qm5eq]

thank you sm for photography ideas for chiaroscuro! that’s my topic for AS, and I was stuck for ideas! love the video! 💖

[@shethemuse]

Thanks so much for your encouragement! glad I could help you💕

[@Katie-qm5eq]

Maryam W ive just taken some photos and they worked out so well! thank you again 🥰

[@bobbobby9732]

Well wow 😱😲

[@Yourmumsfavourite.]

This really helps me with art book trying to complete it

[@carolinependleton8445]

What a fabulous,talented young lady you are,good luck in the future.

[@matmberi7000]

Yoooo I'm doing o level this year and this made me feel like I'm bad at art😂😂

[@shethemuse]

Aww no! I've felt like this many times, but there are so many different forms of artistic expression, so try not to compare yourself and focus on what you enjoy!

[@sashahill7842]

The whole thing was so stunning!

[@shethemuse]

Thank you so much Sasha 💕

[@aiyushg1769]

Hi, what does the hair spray do over the charcoal? Do you have any tips for working with charcoal, it seems really interesting!

[@shethemuse]

Thank you! Literally any kind will do, I just used whatever my mum had! My tip would be to use a tissue so the oils from your hands don't interfere with your drawing!

[@sophierebekah]

The hairspray makes the charcoal stay in place and no longer blendable or smudge-able, so when you're happy with your piece give it a good coat but from at least 30cm away 😊 But yeah, tissue paper and build the tones rather than do one area at a time, that way it flows better.

[@Hi-en6sk]

Wow all your ideas are so inspiring omg I love the idea of your sculpture do you mind if I use a picture of it in my gcse art mindmap because it really correlates with my ideas about how you view others xx

[@shethemuse]

Thanks so much! Sure, go for it😊

[@markdagnell941]

You are so so talented!! Xx ❤

[@shethemuse]

thank you love!! Xx

[@areetashams]

your art is so good 🥺 i go an A* in gcse and i took art for a level but i’m so scared

[@shethemuse]

That's amazing! Please don't be worried about it xx if you enjoy doing the work it will come naturally ☺️ I'm always happy to give any advice if you need it!

[@areetashams]

Maryam W thank you!! that makes me feel better 😭 it was one of my favourite subjects and i was usually ahead of most people so i hope it goes well

[@elisaaylmer-hall419]

im starting a level art next year and was wondering- do you get to pick your theme/ topic right away and basically do what you want with your art and sketch book, or is it still controlled like gcse?

[@shethemuse]

It's still a bit controlled at the beginning, but after the first half term we were given much more freedom to choose our own topics x the final project does still have a 'theme' but you could take it in many directions!

[@catsandcats1092]

this was stunning, well done!! have you got any tips on using charcoal? my charcoal portraits are looking like the first one you showed and id love to know how you changed your technique to get the end result of those 3 beautiful closeup portraits?

[@shethemuse]

Thank you! Yes, I do: 1) use a soft rag or tissue to blend the charcoal into the paper, covering all the white space and leaving no patches 2) to create depth use different types of charcoal - I used soft willow charcoal sticks for blending, but the Boldmere charcoal pencils for detailed and darker areas, and then chalk for the highlights of course! 3) try doing larger-scale portraits and experiment with different scales/ subjects until you find what works best! Hope that helps xx

[@catsandcats1092]

@@shethemuse thank you so much, ill use your tips next drawing, keep up the amazing artwork!

[@shethemuse]

No worries x Thanks for your encouragement! ☺️

[@MiMi-yc1ek]

@@shethemuse hey can you make a tutorial on how to use charcoal ?? Please ppease please.......

[@theanimerealm2768]

Hello i am currently doing my a level art . I need help for the personal investigation can anyone tell me where we are supposed to put bibliography because i have no clue and i need to submit my project next week ( and I'm doing CIE art; my project is on stained glass)

[@shethemuse]

Good luck with it! Bibliographies usually come at the end of any document you are submitting (i.e. after your essay/research paper). Make sure to look up how to cite your sources properly! Standard APA practice is written as: author's last name, date of publication, title of source (Book/journal name), publisher's name.

[@theanimerealm2768]

@@shethemuse Thank you very much❤it's so helpful🌻

[@elizabethcarpenter6523]

Hi your work is amazing!! Where did you get your white pens? ❤️❤️

[@shethemuse]

I just ordered them off Amazon! There's lots to choose from!

[@elizabethcarpenter6523]

@@shethemuse Thank you 🥰

[@akeel9282]

did this book take the whole of year 12?

[@shethemuse]

I'd say about 2/3 since I started the second project around Easter time

[@johannalee9980]

Why are you so amazing whyyyy 😍

[@shethemuse]

Pinecone! Ahaha glad u enjoyed💕

[@ellenr5037]

why does everyone start the year with matchboxes lmao

[@shethemuse]

Hahaha not sure😂 maybe to really push our creativity!

[@ishuika]

Because we just have to?😂

[@hollyrose4025]

How did you achieve the skin texture with the charcoal??

[@shethemuse]

I think I actually achieved that mostly using the chalk to put in subtle textural highlights! I rubbed the chalk very lightly over the paper and it enhanced the paper's natural grain which gave the effect of skin texture

[@hollyrose4025]

Maryam W ah okay, thank you so much I will keep that in mind😊

[@SS-ld3ip]

What charcoal pencils did u use? Also how did u get the values so dark? The charcoal pieces are amazing!

[@shethemuse]

Thank you so much! I used the Boldmere charcoal pencils for the darkest areas (and pressed really hard haha) and then soft willow charcoal sticks for the lighter parts/ blending etc. The contrast between these materials makes the darker parts look more intense in comparison to the softer medium values. Hope that helps! Xx

[@SS-ld3ip]

Maryam W thank you so much! xx

[@SS-ld3ip]

Also did u use a paint brush to blend the charcoal? Sometimes I struggle with getting even, non-patchy layers.

[@shethemuse]

Actually I just used a tissue! 😂😄 but I'm sure a brush could work - try it out on some test paper first

[@SS-ld3ip]

@@shethemuse Thank you. Hopefully, I'll be able to do A-Level art this year so I'm very grateful for your tips.

[@freyagallagher5399]

Was exam board were you on ?x amazing art btw x

[@shethemuse]

Thank you! It was Edexcel

[@Mixcky_Shadow]

How is AS level art different from A level art?

[@elio_fay]

What were your a-level options?

[@shethemuse]

Art, Music, and English Lit x

[@elio_fay]

Maryam W Do you think I could get accepted into art uni with art, history, psychology? I’m not sure if the two other options are important or not.

[@shethemuse]

Definitely! I think your portfolio will be most important when applying for an art degree xx not sure what year you're in, but if you're in Yr 12 it's good to think about building up a portfolio of your best work which you can present in interviews etc Xx wishing you all the best!

[@elio_fay]

Maryam W Okay thank you!!! I was stressing so much because I have an interview to finalise my a-level selection next week. Thanks for the help! 😺

[@shethemuse]

No worries!

[@asahinarei9164]

Hi! Do you refer any artist in chiaroscuro works?

[@reuben8912]

Did you use grid method?

[@shethemuse]

I drew freehand, but the grid method is great! However, I would advise wearing some rubber/ plastic gloves whilst you draw out the grid because any grease from your hands would cause the charcoal to cling to it and become quite uneven! So perhaps cover your page with a base layer of charcoal first before drawing the grid to mitigate patchiness

[@reuben8912]

Maryam W cool! Thank you for quick reply!