So there's this art school I really want to go to, but of course I have to put together a portfolio to get in... I was wondering if any of you knew or had ideas/suggestions for the variety of pieces I should include? How many different mediums/which mediums should I include? Methods? Etc... I want to major in Drawing and Painting, and minor in Photography if that helps. Your suggestions will be much appreciated
I've never really understood the idea of art school, I mean school's an institution isn't it? And aren't institutions set up basically to keep people in line. It's cool that you want to do something with art apples; I guess I should have posted this somewhere else, it just came to mind. ;-) I guess I've always felt that if even the medium is chosen for a person and then they're encouraged to be creative, it kind of spoils it. Maybe someone with art school experience could help me on this topic. Sorry for butting in Apples, hope you figure out how to put that protfolio together. Hey maybe you don't even need an answer from someone else for that, maybe you could just be creative putting it together. Peace, George
Just bring stuff you can tell something about, dont act, be pure and true to yourself! Not to much work off course, perhaps about 50 drawings, 20 painting and some photographs will do the job. Ive done the academy of Arts over here in Amsterdam, and I dont believe that they learn you to keep in-line. But maybe the spirit in Amsterdam is more free than in the States. So much I learned there, keeping my concepts in control, how to present your work, analyse yourself and yer fellow students, talking about your work and so much more. Its 5 years of your life, but those years are great and you learn really a lot if your open to it! So be you, let it be a vision, cheers, Skhip
I went to Art School to study general art and design. I did it to give me a better chance to be accepted onto the Graphic Design course I always wanted to do. It helps if you get a proper portfolio around the A2 size, the ones with snap apart ring binders that holds see-thru plastic sleeves where you place your work inside. Always on the first page start with something good and about half way through you portfolio another good piece but the final page have reserved for your best piece of work and between the rest fill with anything else. Also, apart from your portfolio, it helps to have a sketch book or brain-storming idea scrap-book that you can also show. This really helps, btw, as if your interviewed by 2 or more people one will be busy with your folio while the other person is pre-occupied with your sketch book which helps to take the pressure off the interview. At my college it was the done thing to mount photographs onto very think card, and ring binded with no more than 8 pages to a book, completely separate to your main port-folio. But your main port-folio should have no more than 20 pages of A2 in size, anymore then it all becomes less professional, just choose some of your best select pieces and mount all your work onto black paper making sure every page has the same black background and theme running through it. Apart from all that, be prepared with some of the questions they may throw at you, things like, who's your favourite artist/designer and why, favourite genre, medium, etc. all the best Oh, one more thing, if you ever get the chance to study art abroad, there's no better place than Europe to do it, it's full of history and famous artists and museums. I highly recommend taking a year out to travel it if you can. It's one hell of an eye opener.
haha thanks, but I'm thinking I might want to be an art teacher, so I sort of need a degree for that But, other than that, I do agree with you quite a bit. And it's not just that, I also am excited to learn new methods, techniques, and skills
I go to art school right now, and generally what they are looking for is a body of work that summarizes who you are and relates to some kind of issue. most schools don't basically judge the art for realistic or perfect renditions, but more look at what you are doing with it and your line quality for drawing. I agree with skhippie in getting probably 40-50 drawings , 20 or so paintings together, and some photgraphs. Photography is going to be your hardest area, but the main thing is to get into the school and then work your way to that concentration. If you don't have that many works, then just take the majority of your best works, compositionally I mean, and use that. Any size works are fine, but it is actually easier for a school to view the portfolio if you make a slideshow presentation on a disc to send to the school. Good luck.
Apples & Oranges, You are best to do a Bachelor of Fine Art (fine art). It's a 4 year program that centres on studio but also includes art history,criticism, design and the philosophy of art. After that, teacher training depends on your state or province. NY requires a masters but their MST (master of the science of teaching) is about the same as a Bach. of Education in other places. Portfolios? Depends on the school. Each has preferences. To teach you are better to find a traditional school to get the basics. These have made a tremendous comeback in the USA. Here in Canada most art schools are still living in the NYC of 20 years ago. Many go right into the experimental stuff and never give you the traditional training. This is important as much of what we imagine can be traced back to the media and the process we use. Many modern artists who were great innovators paid their dues in traditional studios first. ie. Dali, Matisse, etc.
I'm thinking on trying for art school if I don't get into any of the liberal arts schools I've applied to. But my portfolio's coming along slowly.
Wow, thank you that was really detailed!!! It's GREATLY appreciated!!!!! Luckily I just this awesome catalogue in the mail that has like 80 different portfolios to choose from [well not, 80...]
Thanks, I will keep that in mind. I have a school in mind, however it's not my ultimate option...I'm still looking around and learning more about what I exactly want to do with it. I know I want a career in art but I'm still not ENTIRELY decided on exactly what I want to do with it.
I know how that is, I'm really meticulous [sp?] when it comes to my work, so things often take a really long time to do....so my portfolio is going to take a bit to put together as well. But, don't give up on the idea, liz If it's something you're passionate about, don't let anything or anyone stand in your way. I'm trying to do the same; I've gotten some criticism for choosing art over my other idea, psychology, because "art careers are hard to succeed in, and make a lot of money" The money isn't important to me, though. If I have to hold two jobs to make it work, I will.... I just know that I need art, in my life, everyday, and I want to share it with everyone...and not just my art, but like I said before, teaching it.
I'm a fucking idiot. I browsed the website for this school for like 2 hours last night, and totally missed the "Portfolio Requirements" section. It suggests more work from direct observation... 80% of my work is abstract........ any thoughts?
That's what I was trying to say. Sorry I didn't come across well. All you have to do is set up still lifes and draw them in different styles and techniques. How long do you have until you go to College? you probably have enough time if you do 2 to 3 drawings a week. You could do some landscapes as well. And if 20 per cent of your work is not abstract, you could use what you have from that as well.
Yeah definitely.... I discovered that, they have open figure drawing on Tuesday nights, that anybody can go to. So, I will definitely do that.... I have tons of still life, but they also want lots of landscapes and such. I have been out of school so long, I think I'm going to have to do a little research on the styles & techniques that I learned in school just to refresh my memory. I remember most of it, but I'm drawing a blank with some... :&
Apples +Oranjes, If you can't find a school that does the trick. try a foreign school. I'd suggest.... wwww.florenceacademyofarts.com there are American schools that are close...and will give you a BFA but...wanna be a highschool teacher ? emai./ msg me. / I've been doing this since 1976.
Ok will do, I'm going to look around a little too. And I'd LOVE to go to a foreign school, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to afford that.
Im not sure about this traditional education. but perhaps if you come from abstract art its good to do. I started realistic paintings and making my own oil paint and mediums when I was a young boy, so the experimental ideas of a art school where a good way to break my mind open. So its just depends on what you want to learn. This florenceacademyofarts is indeed a good program if your willing to learn traditions.
There is no way you need 50 pieces. No one is going to look at that many. 20 is tops. It would be fine to have even only 12-15 strong pieces. Just pick your best pieces from the mediums you use.
Most MFA programs want 20 slides of recent work. Florennce Academy of Art just asks for 5 but they have to be from life.
