Our 90-minute weekly art portfolio class helps artists ages 12–18 build strong artistic skills while exploring various mediums and styles. Students will refine their creativity and develop a cohesive body of work, ideal for personal growth or preparing portfolios for schools, contests, or exhibitions. Artist-grade supplies are provided during class, with optional supply packs available for home use.

Class Syllabus

Week 1:  What is a Portfolio?

  • We will talk about what an art portfolio is and what makes a good portfolio. After going over this we can begin sketching some ideas of what the students would like to include in their portfolio. 

Week 2: Still Life

  • We will create a still life to do some life drawing. I will go over composition and how to create a good drawing/painting. For this first still life we will use graphite pencils and/or charcoal. 

Week 3: Still Life/Painting

  • We will go over different types of painting, using a new still life we will create small paintings in acrylic and watercolor. 

Week 4: Mixed Media

  • We will go over how to combine mediums to create new art, discuss non-representational art and collage as part of mixed media. 

Week 5: Self Portrait

  • Students will work on the proportions of faces and how to draw people. We will then use mirrors to create a self portrait, most likely this will not be finished in one session so we will continue the next class. Students can choose preferred medium. 

Week 6-7: Student Focus

  • For this week and next the students can choose what they would like to focus on most, medium and subject matter. If they would like to bring in any reference materials they can and I will be there to help them complete their work. 

Week 8: Putting Together Your Portfolio

  • We will photograph the work the students would like to put into their portfolio and teach them how to get good photos of their work. Write their artist statements and discuss how to present your portfolio (digitally or physically).