What is the size of an ideal Investigation Workbook?
Ideally you will need to get an A4 hardbound sketchbook with reasonably thick plain paper of about 120-gr to 150 gr. There will be approximately 150-200 pages in it. You will probably use 3 of these sketchbooks during the IB Visual Arts course.
How do I start?
Put your name and address (and-or school address) inside the front cover.
Also your home numbers and your cell numbers which are essential to reach you in case your workbook is lost.
Leave the first couple of pages blank, these can be used as a table of contents later. Number the rest of the pages in the bottom right-hand corner.
What do I put in it?
Who am I? What am I interested in?
To find some of the answers make a mind map starting from page 2, the first double spread that is numbered.
This will give you clues to two possible areas of research.
You will gain some idea of the subject matter you are personally interested in. These can be related to your personal heritage or community, or the way artists respond to their culture or the way art is used by a culture.
Select the one theme you found most interesting and explained why.
Write down your ideas, it does not matter how wild the ideas are, nor that you might have no idea how to make them real or where to start your research. The important thing is that you now have something to work on.
Good Working Practices
When you finish working in your IWB for the day, always put the date, including the year.
When you sketch an idea, or when you are out drawing in a café or park etc. always sign or write your initials on your sketch and date it.
When drawing from observation always write down where the subject is and why you are drawing it. A photograph of the subject can be very useful at a later stage if you are going to develop a sketch into a painting or sculpture. Always try to carry your camera with you.
If you are using pencil, colored pencil or soft paste to draw, always use a fixative or use a “firm hold” hair spray. Watercolors or acrylic paints do not need fixing.
If you are using oil pastels, glue a sheet of tracing paper or typing paper along the bound of the edge of the page to cover it in order to protect your artwork and the facing paper.
When you write in your IWB use black pen and write clearly. This is because we will need to be able to read it and we have to photocopy the pages to send to the IB Visual Arts examiner and moderator.
When visiting exhibitions and art galleries collect postcards and brochures and stick them in. This goes for field trips and any holiday travel as well.
If you are using the internet or a book to find information ALWAYS give the full reference. This is an IBO requirement. The format for this is the full web address and the date you accessed it, and for the book the writer, title, publisher, edition date and page numbers. For periodicals the name of the magazine, issue number, date, page number, the writer and the title of the article. The same goes for television programs and films. Sources of information must always be acknowledged.
Each page in your IWB must be numbered. This makes it easy to refer back to an idea or thought. Ideas will keep recurring and also developing. Sometimes such development can be stimulated by studio work or by something you have been researching.
On page 74 you might sketch an idea and remember you did something similar before and write:
“The idea-sketch on page 52 has possibilities for a painting, etc.
Also remember to cross-reference on pages 74 and 54.
Never cut or tear pages out from your IWB. The IWB has to show mistakes, good work and most importantly your development as an artist over a period of time.
Make comments on your feelings, how your work is progressing, what successes you have and also on any research and technical problems you might have encountered and how you have overcome them.
Make comments on attitudes about life, social, cultural and political concerns. These can be related to artwork you are researching and/or to artwork you are producing. Throughout your research you will find that artists often make such comments.
Have FUN!
