Portfolio

[Frank the Ninja]

Hi guys. Any ways,

my school counselor met with me the other day and I told her that I was planning on art for my future. So she reminded me that I need to get together a portfolio.

I need to know exactly, what would be an amazing portfolio, like a mix of what types of art? I'm a junior now, so I have about 1 year to make it. I want to spend a lot of time getting better before I start.

1. What should I practice/study?
2. What are colleges looking for in an art student?
3. What should my portfolio consist of?

I have Bridgmans Complete Guide to Drawing From Life and I have been reading and copying it. But when I draw from life, can you guys give me some tips on how to create more successful pieces? Also, what should I be paying attention to the most from my studies? I have no experience with color either, should I start soon?

Thanks for your help!

[dusty imp]

Art colleges are expensive, and being an artist is hard.
Are you sure that that's what you want?
If the answer is still yes, then go and practice.
Devote at least a couple hours a day to sketching or drawing or painting.
For portfolio it dpends on which school you apply to, but they all look for well done basics, such as drawing demonstrating a good understanding of anatomy, light and perspective. If they are in color then color also, obviously.
Figure drawings from life, especially nudes, is always a good bet, but they can be hard. See what you can do, and if you don't think it's good enough then keep working until it gets there.
Peace. ;)

[N D Hill]

I can't speak for all schools but I here they require students to demonstrate a broad foundation before matriculation into the art department. This means that a portfolio would consist some strong life drawings, some 2-D design pieces, a couple personal submissions and (here anyway) some 8X10 stills of a couple 3-D pieces. Here (at USM) they required 12 pieces in all from me. This may not sound like much but most schools admit a certain amount of students into their art programs yearly so it's about making the cut. You really have to take care to present your best work. This includes selection and presentation of the portfolio itself. Some schools require that all submissions be matted while others may ask that you matte two or three while other don't require any matting. Don't save it till the last minute either. You'll be glad to have time to make sure everything’s the best that it can be.