Visual Art Journal & Inquiry Introduction

Traditional sketchbooks remain a fundamental tool. These are ideal for sketches, the development of initial concepts, and for ongoing experiments, explorations and note-taking. There is no requirement for fully curated sketchbooks, therefore you are encouraged to use the sketchbook freely, as a personal tool for their inquiries, without any worry about embellishing or fully designing its pages.

Additional notebooks can be used for research notes, reflections and annotations. These allow for deeper exploration of ideas and critical reflection, providing a more organized platform for written documentation.

Working on exploratory studies; possibly using different sizes of paper or other materials, can offer fresh perspectives. These studies help you break free from the constraints of a single sketchbook when fitting

Software tools can also be used, for example, to document three-dimensional modelling processes, for mood boards, and to curate digital files of investigative photography. It is important that you document the development of your digital creative processes and that they store evidence of exploration and experimentation through screenshots or different versions of their digital artwork.

That's where your Digital Art Journal - Digital Portfolio (whatever you would like to call it) comes into play!

Let's explore more of the IB DP Visual Art Website, Ms. Shamburek's Site:

What is Inquiry?

In the new IB Visual Arts course, your inquiry is the ongoing creative and critical process of developing, making, revising, and exploring ideas. It is guided by your personal interests and shaped through research, experimentation, and reflection.

What is a Guiding Question or Statement?

Your guiding question (or generative statement) is a central idea that you will explore, expand, and refine throughout your Visual Arts Project(s).

• It does not have to be written as a question, but thinking of it that way can help

• The works you produce should be seen as visual answers to your guiding question

• A strong guiding question is broad enough to allow deep exploration but focused enough to give direction

• Think of it like a thesis statement for your art. When someone reads it, they should have a sense of what they will see in the rest of your work
  
  

How Do I Choose My Guiding Question?

Start by considering:

• What you care about

• Strong opinions or values you hold

• Topics you want to learn more about

• Things that inspire or fascinate you
  
  

Pro Tip:

• Write down your ideas and aim for up to ten possibilities

• Avoid going with your first thought. It is often “low-hanging fruit,” meaning obvious ideas that many others might also choose

• Select something you will stay interested in for months and that has enough breadth for meaningful exploration
  
  

What to Avoid

Some ideas are difficult to show visually, especially if they are entirely internal or based only on personal emotions. For example:

• “What do I think about when I listen to music?” – The audience cannot experience your thoughts or the exact music you hear

• “What does family mean to me?” – While meaningful to you, this is hard to show without more specific, visual entry points

Instead, make your question more visually accessible:

• Instead of “What does family mean to me?” try “What traditions bring my family closer?” or “How do shared activities strengthen my family bonds?”

• This gives the viewer something they can see, such as actions, objects, or scenes that convey meaning
  
  

IB Context

In IB Visual Arts 2027, your inquiry will develop through:

• Art-making: experimenting with materials, techniques, and forms

• Connections: linking your work to cultural, historical, or personal contexts

• Critical reflection: evaluating how effectively your work communicates your ideas

• Curating evidence: selecting the most relevant work for your Arts Inquiry Project (AIP) and Studio Work submissions

Your guiding question may evolve as your work develops, and this is expected. Document these changes in your Visual Arts Journal and show how your inquiry grows over time.