High School Painting Class Rubric: Cubism Still Life Painting

This grading rubric will be used to assess your final Cubism still life painting. Your grade will be based on the quality of your value studies, the spatial organization and proportion of the still life objects, and the fragmentation of the objects to reflect the Cubist style. Below is a detailed breakdown of the criteria.

1. Value Studies (20 Points)

The use of value (light and dark) in your cubist painting is essential to creating depth and visual interest. This includes how well you incorporate a range of values to show form and texture.

• Excellent (17-20 points): Demonstrates a wide range of values (light, mid-tone, dark) with clear contrasts to show volume and depth. The values are applied thoughtfully, with attention to how they shape the objects in the composition.

• Good (13-16 points): Value range is present, though contrasts may be somewhat subtle. Values help define form but may lack full depth or clarity.

• Satisfactory (9-12 points): Limited use of values, with little contrast or depth in the work. Some areas may appear flat.

• Needs Improvement (0-8 points): Little to no attention given to value. The painting lacks depth, with most areas appearing flat or undefined.

2. Space & Proportion of Objects in the Still Life (30 Points)

The placement of objects, their size relationships, and the way they interact in the space should reflect a keen understanding of proportion, perspective, and visual balance in a Cubist style.

• Excellent (26-30 points): Objects are well-proportioned and effectively arranged within the composition. The relationships between space, size, and placement are strong, with clear attention to depth and balance.

• Good (20-25 points): Objects are generally well-proportioned, but some aspects of spatial relationships may feel awkward or unclear. The placement of objects shows good intent but lacks refinement.

• Satisfactory (14-19 points): Proportions or relationships between objects are inconsistent. Objects may feel crowded, misaligned, or incorrectly scaled.

• Needs Improvement (0-13 points): The spatial arrangement is confusing or poorly executed. Proportions are highly inaccurate, leading to a disjointed or unrealistic composition.

3. Fragmentation & Cubist Style (30 Points)

Cubism involves breaking objects into geometric shapes and rearranging them to present multiple perspectives. This criterion assesses how well you deconstruct and reassemble the still life objects in a fragmented, Cubist style.

• Excellent (26-30 points): Masterful fragmentation of the still life objects into angular shapes and planes. Clear effort to depict multiple viewpoints, overlapping perspectives, and abstraction in a manner that feels coherent and intentional.

• Good (20-25 points): Clear fragmentation with some use of multiple perspectives. Some areas feel well-executed, though others may lack full abstraction or may appear less cohesive.

• Satisfactory (14-19 points): Fragmentation is attempted but lacks consistency. Some objects may remain overly realistic or fail to achieve the degree of abstraction necessary for Cubism.

• Needs Improvement (0-13 points): Little to no fragmentation. The painting may appear more like a traditional still life without the cubist abstraction or geometric deconstruction.

4. Use of Color & Technique (10 Points)

This criterion assesses how well you apply color to complement the Cubist style and enhance the overall composition. Use of color should contribute to the mood and overall effectiveness of the piece.

• Excellent (9-10 points): Thoughtful and deliberate use of color that enhances the Cubist style. Colors are applied with strong technique and harmony, contributing to the overall composition.

• Good (7-8 points): Effective use of color, though some areas may feel underdeveloped or disconnected from the composition.

• Satisfactory (5-6 points): Color choices are basic or inconsistent with the Cubist style. Some areas may be overly monochromatic or lack harmony.

• Needs Improvement (0-4 points): Minimal or ineffective use of color. The palette may feel random, unfinished, or not in keeping with the Cubist aesthetic.

5. Effort, Presentation, and Neatness (10 Points)

The final appearance of the painting, including overall neatness and attention to detail, will also be assessed.

• Excellent (9-10 points): Painting is presented with care and attention to detail. The work is neat, well-executed, and free from smudges or visible mistakes.

• Good (7-8 points): Presentation is solid, but there may be minor areas of messiness or small imperfections that slightly distract from the overall quality.

• Satisfactory (5-6 points): The painting lacks refinement in areas, and there are noticeable flaws or inconsistencies in the execution.

• Needs Improvement (0-4 points): The painting is poorly presented, with visible mistakes, smudges, or carelessness affecting the overall quality.

Final Score Breakdown:

• Value Studies: ___ / 20

• Space & Proportion: ___ / 30

• Fragmentation & Cubist Style: ___ / 30

• Use of Color & Technique: ___ / 10

• Effort, Presentation, and Neatness: ___ / 10

Total Points: ___ / 100

Notes for Students:

• Ensure that your painting reflects a deep understanding of Cubism, not just in form but in your approach to color, shape, and spatial relationships.

• Be sure to complete a value study before starting your final painting to guide your use of light and shadow.

• Keep experimenting with angles, shapes, and perspectives to create the abstract fragmentation that defines Cubist art.