IB Art HL (having a really hard time ...)

[Anya W]

hi everyone, i just wanted to make this topic to get some help. this is my second year of IB, and i'm having a really hard time as it is. on top of how hard all the subjects are, i have to worry about the teachers and how they teach us - my school is very small, and it doesn't care about education as much as its reputation, which frustrates me (if i said frustration i probably could have turned that into a rap ...) but anyway, i don't know if i'm going to make sense but i'll just start rambling -

ib art, hl: 16 projects, including your workbook. so far that is literally all i know. the i have a different teacher than i did in year one, and i was recently told that these 16 projects are supposed to be worked on over year 1 AND 2. is this true?! because last year we did not work on any projects at all, we worked on other things - and our teacher didn't even tell us to think for themes over the summer, and comes ib y2 BOOM new teacher: "ERRBODY CHOOSE A THEME. ya'll gotta work on 16 projects, they gotta look fabulous - oh and work in your workbook a lot. kbye." is pretty much all i got. this isn't very fair if people get two years to work on their projects and my class gets about 7 months (due in march). so i just googled for some help, and i was told you need a workbook, and you have to number all the pages and write a lot. i sound like a complete idiot, i have no idea what i'm doing, and i also read you don't have to choose a theme, all your projects just have to revolve around something, so that would be like a theme or a media. i don't know what the exams are like, is there even an exam for art? and also i heard that someone comes to your school and looks at all your projects (i think that's what happened last year). i'm just so mad that i have no idea what we're supposed to be doing, and on top of that we're three weeks into the second year. all the teacher does is socialise with me (we have 3 students in our art hl class) and i don't even have time to work on my projects! i can't even interrupt her ... can someone please help me?

[timtamboy63]

I don't know anything about art, but from what i've seen from your posts and your signature, if you intend to succeed in life, you HAVE to change your attitude. Start not giving a **** about what other people say, and aim to ace things, just to prove them wrong. I've got people wanting me to fail, and I'm the top of all my classes. Start thinking positively, and get your act together for this ONE year, if you try very hard this year, you've got the rest of your life in the bag.

Geez I sound like my parents ;P

[TOKlover]

Hey, I'm getting near to the end of Art SL.

Yes, for HL you need 15-18 major pieces. You are sort of disadvantaged only starting your major pieces this year -- it's good for the examiner to see how much you've progressed since your first piece! What you could do is select some of last year's work from your book as major pieces. Don't worry, not all pieces have to be amazing or anything, it's just important that you show a wide range of skills, using different mediums, different colour palettes, different subject matter etc.

As for themes, it's basically choosing an idea which links your pieces together. So something you're interested in, which motivates your artworks (sorry if that sounds pretty corny). You don't really 'choose' a theme, you sort of develop it, using your workbook as a way to show this. You probably want to look at different artists as well in your workbook, show how they influence your technique and relate to your theme.

I know it all sounds a bit vague and heavy but trust me, if you just experiment a bit and produce some pieces, the ideas will flow and the whole subject becomes a nice relax compared to the rest of IB.

Oh and no exam!

[Danika]

Actually you have to do between 12 - 18 projects (HL) and your calification isn't based on the numbers of pieces of art you present but on the quality. Make sure you use different techniques because this is something you are evaluated in.

You DO have to present a workbook where you are suppose to register the progress of all your projects and also investigate about different artists who works on the same theme or techniques as you (this are your influences) or you can write about a recen exhibit you went and analise the works of art you've seen. Make sure you make some research too.

Almost at the end of the second year, probably on april, one month before the exams, one pearson is going to visit your school (don't worry he/she will tell you the exact date) this is the examinator and he will check your finished projects. Before this you will have to make a portfolio which must include the photos of your projects and a number of photocpied pages from your workbook (depending on the option you are in). This portfolio is then photocopied and the original is send to the examinator (your workbook is also send to him) and the other copy is send to an international examinator (someone outside your country).

I don't think it's a disadvantage to star your projects at the second year. I was in french in the first year but decided yo change to arts in the second year and I'm doing just as good at the ones who were in arts form year 1. This is mainly because you work on different techniques on Y1 and they kind of teach how to draw and that stuff (well that happens in my school all the years). You really have to think of a theme though, but if nothings comes to your mind or only random stuff the start creating and when you have a couple of works look at them and analise what they have in common... may be a feeling for something, and opinion perhaps? in that way you don't waste your time.

Hope this helps and good luck with it!

[bethwallal]

Did you get the help you needed? I teach it at the standard level and would be glad to share some files w you such as rubrics assessments and a survival handbook I made for my students.

[Nalu]

Did you get the help you needed? I teach it at the standard level and would be glad to share some files w you such as rubrics assessments and a survival handbook I made for my students.

i'm on my first year of visual arts.. and if it's not of any trouble I would REALLY appreciate if you share the survival handbook with me too. Thank you!

[elmar]

Did you get the help you needed? I teach it at the standard level and would be glad to share some files w you such as rubrics assessments and a survival handbook I made for my students.

If it is not too much trouble, I would appreciate those files as well!

[Sara Lodén]

Sorry to hear that the most creative (fun!) subject has become an agony. I know what your going through. I too, am one year behind in Visual Arts SL. Having had no teacher, in a recently started IB school I'm pretttyyy lost myself.

If it is not too much to ask, could I have a peak at that survival handbook as well?

I'm especially worried about the workbook.

What are the requirements? How many pages should you have for each project?

How do you do a good analyze of a technique or painting. Any tips?

All kinds of help is very appreciated

Edited October 19, 2010 by 2401 Tangents
No text speak please :)

[elmar]

How do you do a good analyze of a technique or painting. Any tips?

Oh, I know this! In the first paragraph, you have to describe the artwork. Talk about its colors, values, tones, details, subject(s), etc.

Then, use technical terms to describe it. This could be the description of how straight lines was used to construct a building or how shading was used to indicate space. It's similar to the first paragraph, but with more artsy-terms. You need to have terms such as these to indicate your learning process, otherwise you just sound like a kid who hasn't learned to appreciate art, which is exactly what IB frowns upon. I'm sure in the handbook bethwallal has will contain such terms, but just search for them on Google if you do not possess any in your lexicon.

After the hard work is done, it's time to interpret it. What does it mean? What is the author trying to say? How does it affect you and your life? This, much like the second paragraph, is important to your IB examiner. It is your job to relate the artwork and its message to other points in your life, ideally your culture. For example, if your analyzed artwork is from an Asian culture and you can interpret loneliness or depression in the artwork, you can indicate that loneliness or depression is a universal theme. Of course, as your class progresses, you are expected to go deeper than that.

And finally, state if you like it or not and why. Do not simply say "I don't like it." Mention why, such as the "overuse of the red tones" or "emphasize on the subject's eyes."

Overall, this should lead to a four-paragraph page, which can stretch to one full page, two pages, or even pages if you include other artwork by the same artist. It's even a great idea to compare the artwork you are analyzing with artwork of the same artist or another artist. Just remember to stretch out of your comfort zone!

[Tetris-Blocks-For-Brains]

Ive just started IB Visual Arts HL, and im finding it hard to juggle it in amongst all the other work. I've got a majorly perfectionistic side, and I don't know how much I should work into the workbook? Is it just for writing and rough sketches? Or should I really work into it with things like backgrounds? This is what I did at GCSE art, but it takes so much time, in doubt it's possible on the IB.

If it's not too much trouble, could I possibly have a look at that survival guide too?

Thanks : ) Really usefull thread.

Edited October 28, 2010 by Tetris-Blocks-For-Brains

[Agdsten]

Any chance of me seeing the handbook?

Good luck with the work Anya. I'm sure you'll do fine if you push yourself. Don't rely on your teacher, loads of people manage fine without them. It'll take a fair few late nights but my HL Art friends (I'm not starting IB till 2012) aren't finding things too hard despite having supply teachers most of last year.

[elmar]

Ive just started IB Visual Arts HL, and im finding it hard to juggle it in amongst all the other work. I've got a majorly perfectionistic side, and I don't know how much I should work into the workbook? Is it just for writing and rough sketches? Or should I really work into it with things like backgrounds? This is what I did at GCSE art, but it takes so much time, in doubt it's possible on the IB.

If it's not too much trouble, could I possibly have a look at that survival guide too?

Thanks : ) Really usefull thread.

It's nice to have color in there, instead of just words written across every page with some pictures thrown in. A complete stranger is going to have to look at this and the more aesthetic-pleasing it is, I suppose the better. I don't do every page with an amazing background, otherwise I'm sure it would be distracting. Just border some pages, add in some color. It doesn't have to a work of art itself, but making some connections and drawings really does add to the value of your IWB.

[katerinak]

Did you get the help you needed? I teach it at the standard level and would be glad to share some files w you such as rubrics assessments and a survival handbook I made for my students.

Art used to be my favourite subject but I'm struggling now with a TERRIBLE teacher :|

I would be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL if I could have a look at these too!

[BaylonA]

hi everyone, i just wanted to make this topic to get some help. this is my second year of IB, and i'm having a really hard time as it is. on top of how hard all the subjects are, i have to worry about the teachers and how they teach us - my school is very small, and it doesn't care about education as much as its reputation, which frustrates me (if i said frustration i probably could have turned that into a rap ...) but anyway, i don't know if i'm going to make sense but i'll just start rambling -

ib art, hl: 16 projects, including your workbook. so far that is literally all i know. the i have a different teacher than i did in year one, and i was recently told that these 16 projects are supposed to be worked on over year 1 AND 2. is this true?! because last year we did not work on any projects at all, we worked on other things - and our teacher didn't even tell us to think for themes over the summer, and comes ib y2 BOOM new teacher: "ERRBODY CHOOSE A THEME. ya'll gotta work on 16 projects, they gotta look fabulous - oh and work in your workbook a lot. kbye." is pretty much all i got. this isn't very fair if people get two years to work on their projects and my class gets about 7 months (due in march). so i just googled for some help, and i was told you need a workbook, and you have to number all the pages and write a lot. i sound like a complete idiot, i have no idea what i'm doing, and i also read you don't have to choose a theme, all your projects just have to revolve around something, so that would be like a theme or a media. i don't know what the exams are like, is there even an exam for art? and also i heard that someone comes to your school and looks at all your projects (i think that's what happened last year). i'm just so mad that i have no idea what we're supposed to be doing, and on top of that we're three weeks into the second year. all the teacher does is socialise with me (we have 3 students in our art hl class) and i don't even have time to work on my projects! i can't even interrupt her ... can someone please help me?

Hi Anya, how are your pieces coming along?

I know how you feel, I lost a year in Art too because of my teacher (she's gone now). She tried to give us the basics but she never explained what we REALLY had to do.

I barely started my art pieces last year when school started. It sucks because of all the pressure the rest of the teachers are putting on us. But like someone previously said, don't rely on your teacher. you can do it. I have 9 pieces started, need at least 3 more and I still have to go back and refine them but i am almost there. Oh yeah and you have to have the research workbook done. IB prefers you have more than 1, so they can see how you progressed.

Oh what's your theme?

I am doing portraits of my mother using many artists medium. Its pretty cool.

Yeah, no exam. Just someone will go visit your school and see your art and you will explain to them your pieces. Have fun:). Dont stress

[chobap]

Sorry to hear that the most creative (fun!) subject has become an agony. I know what your going through. I too, am one year behind in Visual Arts SL. Having had no teacher, in a recently started IB school I'm pretttyyy lost myself.

If it is not too much to ask, could I have a peak at that survival handbook as well?

I'm especially worried about the workbook.

What are the requirements? How many pages should you have for each project?

How do you do a good analyze of a technique or painting. Any tips?

All kinds of help is very appreciated

At my school, we usually require 8-16 pages in your workbook per project. Start off with your plans and ideas of what you want to do, then research into various artists/influences/times/cultures, then process and documentation (take lots of pictures of your work-in-progress if possible), and finally reflection and last ideas. make sure to include mention of how the artists/cultures influenced your piece. Also include art terms and discussion of various elements of design, etc.