Portfolio Prep: Drawing for Art School Applications (Afternoon Session) (in person)

Course description

The portfolio is an important component of an art school application. Most colleges require that portfolios include observational drawings, or drawings made from what we see, rather than from our imagination or a photograph. Work with still life and figurative subject matter and the fundamentals of a drawing: composition, line, structure, value, and expression. Instruction in drawing techniques will be supplemented by art history discussions, feedback, short writing exercises, an MCAD Admissions staff presentation, requirements for art and design school portfolios, and regular homework assignments. Assignments and feedback encourage and enable students to create individual work that aligns with requirements for portfolio submissions within their own interests and experience. Students may choose to work digitally for some assignments and, if so, must provide their own device and knowledge of software. / Professional nude models may be used in this class. / The Afternoon and Evening sessions of this course are the same curriculum, choose the sessions that best fits your schedule. / Materials fee of $8 included in course tuition for live models. / This class meets Mondays and Wednesdays for two weeks, a total of 4 sessions.

Open to students ages 15–18. Students must meet the age requirement by August 1, 2025. Please review our complete Teen Policies as well as our General Policies prior to completing your registration.

Prerequisites

Previous drawing experience is helpful, but not required.

Required materials

Supplies for the first day

• 18 x 24” newsprint, drawing pad
• 18 x 24" drawing paper pad (good quality 80 lb. or heavier)
• 3 drawing pencils (HB 2B 2B)
• 2–4 sticks vine/willow charcoal soft or medium
• 2 square blocks of soft compressed charcoal - erasers: kneaded and Staedtler
• white artists or masking tape
• portfolio to transport work (portfolio can be made out of 2 pieces of foam board secured with binder clips)

Students should anticipate an additional cost of roughly $75 in total for materials (not included in tuition).

What to wear
Clothes appropriate for messy creativity. Comfortable shoes for standing.

Questions?

Contact MCAD Continuing Education at continuing_education@mcad.edu or call 612.874.3765.