Introduction
The process portfolio is one of the three assessed components in IB Visual Arts, and it makes up 40% of your final grade. Unlike the exhibition, which focuses on final works, the portfolio is about your journey as an artist. Examiners want to see experimentation, risk-taking, and critical reflection. Understanding what examiners expect can help you create a portfolio that earns top marks.
This guide will break down exactly what examiners look for in the IB Visual Arts process portfolio.
Core Examiner Expectations
1. Variety of Media and Techniques
Examiners want to see exploration beyond your comfort zone.
- Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital media, printmaking.
- Risk-taking experiments, even if not polished.
2. Evidence of Experimentation
Your portfolio should show that you tested, failed, and improved.
- Works-in-progress, messy sketches, and trial pieces are just as valuable as final outcomes.
3. Artist Research and Connections
Examiners expect you to study and respond to artists.
- Analyze both contemporary and historical influences.
- Show cultural awareness by looking at artists from different backgrounds.
4. Reflection and Critical Thinking
Reflection is key to examiner understanding.
- Why did you choose certain media or techniques?
- What worked and what didn’t?
- How will you improve next time?
5. Thematic Development
Your experiments should connect to a broader theme (identity, memory, environment, etc.).
- Examiners value coherence across your screens.
6. Growth and Progress
The portfolio should demonstrate how your skills and ideas evolved over time.
How Examiners Judge the Portfolio
They grade holistically, looking at:
- Range (how many different media/techniques you tried).
- Depth (how thoroughly you explored those techniques).
- Connections (how experiments link to artists and your own work).
- Reflection (whether you thought critically about your choices).
Tips to Meet Examiner Expectations
- Show both successful and failed experiments.
- Document step-by-step progress with photos and annotations.
- Include side-by-side comparisons of how artists influenced your experiments.
- Write honest reflections — examiners value risk-taking, not perfection.
- Organize your portfolio clearly so examiners can follow your journey.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Submitting only polished, finished pieces with no experimentation.
- Writing vague notes like “I liked this” instead of analysis.
- Ignoring cultural context or artist research.
- Overcrowding screens with too much text or random images.
- Forgetting to connect portfolio work to final exhibition pieces.
FAQs on Examiner Expectations
Q1: Do examiners expect every experiment to be successful?
No — they value experimentation and learning, even if results are imperfect.
Q2: Should I include digital work in my portfolio?
Yes, digital and traditional media should both be explored where possible.
Q3: Do I need to analyze artists in every screen?
Not every screen, but consistent artist research strengthens your portfolio.
Q4: Is neatness more important than experimentation?
No — examiners prioritize growth and reflection over “pretty” pages.
Q5: Can I score well if I focus on one medium?
Yes, but you must show variety within that medium (different techniques, scales, and approaches).
Conclusion
Examiners in IB Visual Arts want process portfolios that show variety, experimentation, artist connections, reflection, and growth. Your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect — it needs to demonstrate risk-taking and critical thinking. By balancing experimentation with reflection, you’ll create a portfolio that not only meets IB criteria but also represents your personal journey as an artist.
