Hi Everyone, I’m Esmee and this is my partner in crime, Bambi. I graduated from sixth form last year, in the Summer of 2024 with 3 A*s in English Lit, Biology and Art.

Controversial as it is, I absolutely loved school. But, more on topic, I adored the creative freedom that GCSE and A level art gave me, and yet still gave a framework that held me to my goals. The process of carefully curating the sketchbooks that inevitably became life-long treasured possessions still gives me the same thrill as it did when I first attended the GCSE open evening back in 2021. This is an opportunity that I think is so valuable to any upcoming artist, and if you, as a prospective art student, are having some doubts, I would like to lay those to rest. And if you have made that leap already, I will openly share with you the ins and outs, tips and tricks to getting into the top grade boundaries.

So read on to find the tricks of the trade in riding the scenic river of creative flow with ease and excitement about what’s around each bend.

I’ll start off with some reality checks, however. Sometimes that peaceful river ride is going to feel more like you’ve missed the danger signs for entering the rapids. But as long as you’ve got the skills for navigating the treacherous waters and avoiding the jagged rocks, you’ll be well away.

I aim for this blog to outline:

• What an A* sketchbook can look like
• Some of the pitfalls that students can find themselves in the process
• Tips to avoiding these and to get through the difficult periods