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COURSEWORK GUIDES

You have art coursework and need to research artworks for it. Where do you start? How do you find relevant inspiration? How have other artists approached the themes?Our thematic coursework guides provide ideas and inspiration to get you started. Try our 'Have A Go!' section at the bottom of our guides for activities to keep you motivated!

  • 2023 Coursework Guides
  • Past Coursework Guides
  • We Recommend

2023 Coursework Guides

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  • Closeness and simplicity to nature coursework guide

    From the gardens and paradise to land art, discover the artworks in our collection that explore the themes of closeness and proximity to nature

  • Complex and simple movement coursework guide

    From machines to humans, discover the artworks in our collection that explore the themes of simple and complex movement

  • Simple processes, complex outcomes coursework guide

    From optical illusions and repeating forms to instructions, discover the artworks in our collection that explore the theme of simple processes, complex outcomes

  • Details and the uncanny coursework guide

    From photoreal to dreams, discover the artworks in our collection that explore the themes of details and the uncanny

  • Layers Coursework Guide

    From stacking and painting to collage and hidden layers, discover the artworks in our collection that explores the techniques of layering

  • Objects Coursework Guide

    From the uncanny and personal to advertisement and politics, discover the artworks in our collection that explores the themes of object

  • Senses Coursework Guide

    From touch and taste to sight and smell, discover the artworks in our collection that explores the themes of the senses

  • Reflection Coursework Guide

    From mirror and glass to water and fractals, discover the artworks in our collection that explores the themes and techniques of reflection

Past Coursework Guides

  • Olafur Eliasson, The Weather Project in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern 16 October 2003 – 21 March 2004

    Weather Coursework Guide

    From sun worshipers, cloud gazers and storm chasers to artists who use the weather to explore broader themes and ideas

  • Materials Coursework Guide

    From 'usual' to unlikely art materials: explore textures, qualities, techniques and symbolism of things artists use to make their work

  • Still Life Coursework Guide

    Not just fruit and flowers, explore still lifes from realistic to abstract and familiar to unexpected

  • Dynamism and Movement Coursework Guide

    Explore how artists use marks and colour to suggest motion or make kinetic, performance and video art to explore movement

  • Landmarks Coursework Guide

    From art about landmarks to art that is itself a landmark: get some inspiration on the theme of landmarks

  • Diary Coursework Guide

    From sketchbooks to video diaries and the everyday to big life events, explore how artists use diaries to record the world around them

  • Mark Making Coursework Guide

    Explore the different ways artists use marks and expressive qualities

  • Outline Coursework Guide

    Discover surprising ways artists use outlines in art from graphic to graffiti or abstract and animated

  • Clothing Coursework Guide

    Explore art and fashion, from clothes and identity to shapes, patterns and textures of clothing inspired by art

  • Masks Coursework Guide

    Explore how artists have used masks in their work, to protect, disguise, hide and amuse

  • Trees Coursework Guide

    From atmosphere and symbolism to textures and abstract shapes, explore how trees have inspired artists

  • Memory Coursework Guide

    Explore memories of the past, memories of people and fading memories to see how artists recall and reminisce in art

  • Food Coursework Guide

    Can a humble bag of chips or slice of pizza become a masterpiece? Explore some tasty art about food

  • Colour Coursework Guide

    Explore how different artists have used colour in their work and sketches

  • Form Coursework Guide


    What exactly is form? And how can you explore it in your sketchbook?

  • Play Coursework Guide

    What does play mean for you? Is it sports, or music? Perhaps it’s drifting into a personal imaginary world, or maybe it’s social – board games, card games, or just meeting others

  • Underwater Coursework Guide

    About 70 percent of the Earth is covered in water. It’s probably the least-explored part of our planet - we’ve explored more of space than the oceans. But maybe because of that, for artists, water has been a theme, a subject and even a medium to work with

  • Line Coursework Guide

    See how artists use the power of a line and try some ideas in your sketchbook

  • Tone Coursework Guide

    Learn how you can use tone in your sketchbook

  • Transmission Coursework Guide

    Discover works in which artists explore the complex ways humans spread thoughts and ideas

  • Isolation Coursework Guide

    Recently we have all had to deal with long and short periods of isolation. How have artists explored the ideas of isolation in their work, and what can you learn from those experiences?

  • Mother and Child Coursework Guide

    Discover tender images of new mums and babies and artists' in-depth explorations of mother and child relationships

  • Journeys Coursework Guide

    From physical journeys and migration to journeys of self-discovery, get ideas and inspiration about journeys in art

  • Relationship Coursework Guide

    Exploring relationships in art, as a connection or association between people, things or ideas

  • Letters and Words Coursework Guide

    Discover how artists use letters and words in their art

  • Force Coursework Guide

    From forces of nature and forceful feelings to force as a method, explore how artists have used force in art

  • Ritual Coursework Guide

    What is a ritual? Discover how ritual has been used as a theme in art

  • Self-Image Coursework Guide

    Explore how artists have represented themselves, and others, using portraiture

  • Transformation Coursework Guide

    Explore how artists have transformed objects and ideas through their work

  • Details Coursework Guide

    Explore the theme of details through works in our collection

  • Human Figure Coursework Guide

    Explore people drawn, painted or sculpted from life and art that explores abstract ideas about being human

  • News and Event Coursework Guide

    Look at artists responses to news, from headline-grabbing events and social or political issues, to stories of the extraordinary everyday

  • Light and Dark Coursework Guide

    Look at artworks made from light and shadow to the symbolic use of light and dark to make powerful statements

  • Interwoven Coursework Guide

    Explore art that interweaves materials, ideas, experiences and histories

  • Perspective Coursework Guide

    From vanishing points to points of view, explore perspective in art

  • Spaces Coursework Guide

    Busy crowded streets, eerie empty rooms, explore spaces in art

  • Habitats Coursework Guide

    From art about home life to art that highlights the impact of climate change and pollution on natural habitats

  • Texture Coursework Guide

    Explore textures in art from woven textures and textured fabrics and materials to gestural marks and patterns

  • Toys Coursework Research

    From pop art to gender politics, see toys in a new light and get some inspiration for your coursework

  • Myths and Legends Coursework Guide

    Be inspired by myths and legends – or create your own!

  • Changed Identity Coursework Guide

    From changing their own identities to changing the identity of objects, how have artists explored the theme of changed identity?

  • Space Coursework Guide

    From the space race to heavenly bodies, find some coursework inspiration

  • Plastics Coursework Guide

    Explore plastic in art for some research inspiration

  • Old and New Coursework Guide

    Uncover ways of thinking of Old and New in art

  • Circus Coursework Guide

    Uncover ways of exploring the theme of Circus for coursework inspiration

  • Rhythm Coursework Guide

    Explore artworks with rhythm for some coursework inspiration

  • Geometric Coursework Guide

    Maths meets art to inspire your coursework

  • Moments in Time Coursework Guide

    See how artists respond to moments in time to inspire your coursework

  • Crowded Coursework Guide

    Pack in tightly for some inspiration for your coursework

We Recommend

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  • Student Resources

    Discover more for students from Tate

  • photograph of a pastel weaved piece of material with reels of threads and scissors

    Create Like an Artist

    How to make art inspired by artists like Rachel Whiteread, Andy Warhol and Frank Bowling

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