what makes a good visual journal

1. What Makes
a Good
Visual Journal
Assessment examples and feedback for students.
?

2. ...draw on every page.
...attempt various drawing techniques that were used in class.
...consider and experiment with layout.
...title every page.
...use a dark pen or marker for lettering/handwriting.
...utilise colour.
...experiment with fonts and lettering and often mix and match them.
...will gather found objects and use them as layers or build
them into the composition.
...experiment and merge techniques and mediums on some pages.
...attempt to match text and drawing in most cases.
...show how the artist attempted to improve.
...reflect on experiences.
...add decorative techniques to enhance the appearance of the page.
A successful
journal will...

3. ...only do simple drawings in their book.
...resort to an elementary style of drawing, usually only with side
profiles of objects.
...use only pencil.
...only use normal handwriting.
...rely only on photography.
...simply recount or summarise events to fill space.
...worry too much about what to draw.
(Putting the time and effort in to draw well will show to the viewer)
An unsuccessful
journal will...

4. What level would you
give the students on the
rubric (TSC) and why?
Where were the students
successful/unsuccessful?
View the following
journal page
examples.

5. (photo purposefully blurred
for online presentation
purposes)

6. recycled papers used
drawing
collage
exploring with fonts
and lettering
Several techniques
used. Orientation
of elements also
experimented with
and page appears
well balanced.

8. Interesting layout and
composition created
with layering also
included.

10. Excellent layout and
composition created
with planned colour
choice, lettering, paper
and line drawing. Is
additional text required?

12. Good attempt at
drawing with text
alongside. Further
experimental
lettering could have
been used for titling
etc. Marker could
also have been used
over the painting.

14. Interesting drawing
technique even
though some
elements are out of
perspective. Further
work could be done
with decorative
lettering in the title.
Found paper objects
could also have
been included such
as ticket stubs
bringing it to a
higher level.

16. Some interesting elements but
further text and decorative
techniques could be added.

18. More careful
colouring, outlining
and decorative
lettering required.

20. Not enough drawing
or decorative
techniques included.

22. Some basic drawing
attempts made, but
the lack of colour
and lettering really
stand out.

24. There is limited
layout, lettering,
drawing skill,
composition and
decorative
techniques.

26. There is very
limited layout,
drawing skill,
composition,
decorative
techniques and
text.

27. •drawings
•collage
•recycled papers
•colour
•decorative elements
•text etc.
Remember,
Visual Journals have:

28. Take the time to do
good work and it
will show.
Apply the techniques
learnt in class.

29. Good Luck!

30. *for educational purposes*
Frank Curkovic