1. Syllabus Content and Advices for IB Visual Arts
1.1 Syllabus
IB Visual Arts is not only for those who want to learn more about the subject, but also for those who would like to brush up their techniques and boost their confidence. Therefore, the subject provides a framework for understanding the contexts of visual arts through theoretical practice, art-making practice and curatorial practice.
In this course, you will be expected to:
- Make artwork that is influenced by personal and cultural contexts
- Become informed and critical observers and makers of visual culture and media
- Develop skills, techniques and processes in order to communicate concepts and ideas
The IB Visual Arts core areas are:
- Visual arts in context
- Visual arts methods
- Communicating visual arts
These three areas will be investigated through Theoretical Practice, Art-Making Practice, and Curatorial Practice.
1.2 Distinction Between SL and HL
There isn’t a huge difference between the SL and HL course so most schools provide lessons for both SL and HL Visual Arts students at the same time. However, the amount of artworks and pages required for the process portfolio for HL is a lot more than SL. Additionally, the grading for HL students will be stricter and students will be assessed on their level of art techniques (something that is not stated clearly in the criteria). Therefore, compared to the teaching time for the SL course which is 150 hours, the HL course requires 240 hours so that students can have enough time to foster their creativity.
1.3 Having Trouble Deciding Whether You Should Take Visual Arts?
SL considerations:
- You don’t need to have prior knowledge to this course. As long as you love the subject, you will be fine!
- Art could be stress relieving especially if you are taking other tougher subjects.
- Your experimental processes for this course will also be graded so make sure you keep a record of everything you do.
HL considerations:
- Visual arts can be very time consuming so be sure that you are really passionate about the subject.
- You will have to create artworks that have certain hidden messages or meanings behind them.
- If you like to express your thoughts and feelings through visual arts, this is the perfect subject for you!
2. Assessment Model for IB Visual Arts
The visual art course requires dedication and it is time consuming. Make sure you understand the criteria for this subject and ask for help whenever you are struggling!
| Visual Arts HL (Higher Level) | ||
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External Assessment |
Task 1: Comparative Study |
Submit 10-15 screens which examine and compare at least three artworks. Submit 3-5 screens which analyse the extent to which the work and practices have been influenced by the art and artists examined. Submit a list of sources used. |
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Task 2: Process Portfolio |
Submit 13-25 screens which evidence which provides evidence for sustained experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of art-making activities. Must be created in at least 3 art-making forms, selected from a minimum of two columns of the art-making forms table. |
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Internal Assessment |
Task 3: Exhibition |
Submit a curatorial rationale that does not exceed 700 words. Submit 8-11 artworks and submit exhibition text for each selected artwork. |
| Visual Arts SL (Standard Level) | ||
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External Assessment |
Task 1: Comparative Study |
Submit 10-15 screens which examine and compare at least three artworks. Submit a list of sources used. |
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Task 2: Process Portfolio |
Submit 9-18 screens which evidence which provides evidence for sustained experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of art-making activities. Must be created in at least 2 art-making forms, each from separate columns of the art-making forms table. |
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Internal Assessment |
Task 3: Exhibition |
Submit a curatorial rationale that does not exceed 400 words. Submit 4-7 artworks and submit exhibition text for each selected artwork. |
| Art-Making Forms | ||
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Two-Dimensional Forms |
Three-Dimensional Forms | Lens-Based, Electronic and Screen-Based Forms |
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3. Advices and Tips for Improving Your Score
3.1 Advices and Study Tips for Visual Arts
1.Pick a theme and base your artworks around it!
Having several artworks related to one theme shows that you have the ability to express a certain idea in various ways. Perhaps linking all your artworks together to create a continuous work is also a great idea.
2.Experiment with different medium!
Be proactive and try everything! You could use chalk, pen, acrylic, oil, etc to create your artworks. Even if you are trying to draw the same object, use a variety of medium to draw or create different versions of it. You might be able to explore a new world that you have never experienced in!
3.Always jot down your processes onto your visual arts journal
Don’t forget to write down the details of your ideas. It is important to ask yourself these following questions:
- How did you approach this artwork?
- What did you think about when you were creating the piece?
- Why did you use that specific technique?
- What was your intention?
- What did you do to overcome your mistakes and what did you learn from them?
Always reflect on your experimentations, decision making, and intentions as they are the key components to this subject. The visual arts journal is essentially the proof that you are the artist behind that piece of artwork.
4.Brainstorm for ideas whenever you are stuck!
When you’re not sure where to start and don’t know what to draw, use a big sheet of paper to brainstorm your ideas. Bring your theme to the centre of the paper and branch out different words or phrases from there. As you continue this process, you will probably find the answer to your piece of artwork so don’t worry!
5.Use your free time to do your work!
Most schools will probably have free periods so use this time wisely. Even if you don’t have any free periods, you can always use your recess and lunch time to complete small tasks for your art portfolio. Sometimes, it might be hard for you to bring your big canvases back home so try to do as much work as possible in school to save time!
4. IB Visual Arts External Assessment
4.1 Task 1: Comparative Study
For comparative study, you will have to analyse and compare different artworks by different artists. This independent, critical, and contextual investigation explores artworks, objects from differing cultural contexts. You will have to investigate at least three or more artworks (within those three, at least two should be from different artists) and compare them. Perhaps visiting an art museum would be a good opportunity for you to gain ideas. Choose your sources carefully and use credible sources to back up your analysis. Don’t forget to cite these sources once you are done!
4.2 Task 2: Process Portfolio
You should create a portfolio that evidence your experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two-year course. This could include diaries, sketchbooks, and notebooks that show the reasons why you have chosen to use a certain media, composition, or style.
4.3 Advice
- Take pictures of your processes using your smartphones as it could help you write your visual arts journal at a later date.
- It is important to write down your thought processes, experimentation processes and everything that you have done in order to create the artwork itself.
- Make sure your writings are clear enough and readable for the examiner.
5. Visual Arts IA (Internal Assessment)
5.1 Task 3: Exhibition
Your exhibition should show:
- Evidence of your technical accomplishment during the visual arts course.
- An understanding of the use of material, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication.
In the case of collective works (two-part work, three-part work, a series), it is necessary to specify in parentheses such as “work title (two-part work).”
5.2 Advice
- Think about how you would present your work, such as what kind of background you are going to use.
- If you were inspired by a certain artist, make sure you mention the original piece in your caption.
- Ask your teachers for advice. Your teacher can not make direct changes to your artworks, however, they can give verbal advice for you to improve your work.
6. Visual Arts EE (Extended Essay)
For the EE, you will be expected to write an essay about a topic of your choice in 4000 words. You are encouraged to criticise artistic movement and analyse specific artworks by an artist whilst answering the focused question. The EE allows you conduct research and investigate on a topic that you are interested in. In addition, the EE is a great opportunity for you to develop your research and written skills, which will be essential for your future university studies.
6.1 Topic Examples
- A critical evaluation of the ways in which Wassily Kandisky used colour
- An analysis of the extent to which African influences are evident in the work of Henry Moorse (b.1898)
- An analysis of the term “apartment art” examined through the work of Xiao Lu
6.2 Considerations
- Use primary sources. Examples include direct interviews with artists.
- Choose a topic that is not too broad and not too narrow.
5. Curriculum and Criteria for IB Chemistry
Please click here (IBO homepage) for further information on the curriculum and criteria.