Introduction
The IB Visual Arts process portfolio is designed to showcase how you experiment, not just what you finish. Examiners want to see that you’ve taken risks, tested new media, and reflected on successes and failures. But many students struggle to make experimentation clear — they either hide mistakes or focus only on polished outcomes.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to effectively show experimentation in your process portfolio so that your creative risk-taking shines through.
Why Experimentation Matters
Experimentation is part of the IB Visual Arts assessment criteria. Examiners look for:
- Risk-taking — trying unfamiliar media or techniques.
- Variety — exploring different styles, scales, or approaches.
- Process over perfection — valuing your journey as much as the final artwork.
- Reflection — showing awareness of what worked and what didn’t.
Without experimentation, your portfolio risks looking flat or repetitive.
Best Ways to Show Experimentation
1. Document Failed Attempts
Don’t erase mistakes — include them. Show a painting where the color balance didn’t work, or a sculpture that collapsed, and annotate what you learned.
2. Compare Different Media
Experiment with multiple media on the same idea. For example:
- Sketch an object in pencil, then recreate it in ink, collage, or digital.
- Photograph a subject, then interpret it in painting or mixed media.
3. Play With Scale
Try large and small versions of the same idea. This shows curiosity about how scale affects meaning and impact.
4. Use Layered Pages
Fill one page with a mix of media: photos, paint samples, collages, and notes. The overlap itself communicates experimentation.
5. Annotate Clearly
Add short notes: “The ink bled too much — could use thicker paper next time.” Examiners want to see you reflect, not just display outcomes.
6. Explore Influences
Show how you’ve borrowed techniques from artists you researched. Try imitating their style, then annotate how you adapted it to your own voice.
7. Record the Process
Take photos of your work at different stages. A sequence of images shows progression better than a single polished result.
Reflection Tips for Experimentation
When annotating your experiments, consider:
- What worked?
- What failed?
- What could you do differently next time?
- How does this connect to your theme or final exhibition?
Short, honest reflections are more powerful than perfect-looking pages.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Only showing polished works: Examiners may think you didn’t experiment.
- Repeating the same medium: Variety is essential.
- Ignoring reflection: Without notes, examiners can’t see your thinking.
- Hiding failures: They actually prove risk-taking.
FAQs on Showing Experimentation
Q1: Do I need to show experiments for every artwork?
Not every piece, but enough to demonstrate consistent exploration and growth.
Q2: Should I label experiments as “failures”?
Not necessarily — frame them as learning steps. For example: “This didn’t work, but it inspired my next approach.”
Q3: Can digital art show experimentation?
Absolutely. Show screenshots of editing stages, different filters, or layered compositions.
Q4: How much text should I add to experiments?
Keep it short and clear. One or two sentences per experiment is usually enough.
Q5: Do experiments need to be connected to my exhibition theme?
Not always — early experiments may be broad. But over time, more of them should tie into your chosen theme.
Conclusion
Showing experimentation in your IB Visual Arts process portfolio is about embracing risk-taking and documenting your artistic journey. By including failures, comparing media, playing with scale, and reflecting honestly, you’ll prove to examiners that you are a curious, evolving, and thoughtful artist. Remember: the process is as valuable as the final product.
