V.T303

Realistic and Abstract Works of Art

Students will each create two pieces of art, one that explores the idea of realism and one that explores the idea of abstraction, reshaping something in the natural world for expressive purpose. Students will use the subject matter of portraits, still lifes, or landscapes in their work, and 2-D materials of their choice to complete them.

This item has been voluntarily field-tested by Michigan teachers with a non-representative sample of students.


This is an analytic rubric. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

TEACHER SCORING RUBRIC

  • Dimension
  • Realistic representation of subject matter

  • Abstract representation of subject matter

  • Use of materials to express intended meaning

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Student is off topic, unclear, or incomplete in his or her work.

    N/A at this time.
  • Student creates a somewhat realistic portrait, still life, or landscape through the use of observation and representation of what is seen through the use of value, shape, or proportion on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student creates a realistic portrait, still life, or landscape through the use of close observation and representation of what is seen through the use of value, shape, or proportion on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student clearly creates a realistic portrait, still life, or landscape through the use of close observation and representation of what is seen through the use of value, shape, and proportion on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student is off topic, unclear, or incomplete in his or her work.

    N/A at this time.
  • Student creates a somewhat abstract portrait, still life, or landscape through simplifying, distorting, or exaggerating the subject on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student creates an abstract portrait, still life, or landscape through simplifying, distorting, or exaggerating the subject on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student clearly creates an abstract portrait, still life, or landscape through simplifying, distorting, or exaggerating the subject on one of the 9" x 12" sheets of paper.

    View Exemplar
  • Student demonstrates little or no understanding of skill with the use of materials.

    N/A at this time.
  • Student generally demonstrates an understanding of skill with the use of materials.

    View Exemplar
  • Student demonstrates an understanding of skill with the use of materials.

    View Exemplar
  • Student clearly demonstrates both knowledge and skill with the use of materials.

    View Exemplar
Having trouble viewing videos?

Leave Feedback for this Assessment


What did you like? Did you need to revise anything? How could we make this assessment better?
Our Assessments are written by teachers for you, so your feedback is important to us!

Comments about items may be moderated and/or reposted in the blogs to aid item improvement and teacher learning. By leaving a comment, you agree that we can use your comment without attributing it to you.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with all of our assessments.

Sign Up Now!