Worst MFA Portfolio Mistakes

Don’t waste your time with these mistakes most MFA applicants make in their portfolios! Getting the right information for your MFA is important so you aren’t headed in the wrong direction. There is unfortunately a ton of misinformation online about preparing an MFA portfolio, this video provides trusted, accurate information. Discussion with Art Prof Clara […]

6 Worst Mistakes When Starting Any Art Portfolio

Here are 6 critical mistakes that are common when starting a portfolio for any professional context: applying for a degree program, a teaching job, freelance illustration, and more. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artisst Jordan McCracken-Foster and Mia Rozear. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips In general, if you are doing something […]

Art School Portfolios Group Voice Session Schedule

Voice session RSVP Updates Voice Sessions Schedule Nov 2024 Fri Nov 8 @ 12pm EST Prof Lieu Tues Nov 12 @ 10pm EST Prof Lieu Mon Nov 18 @ 10pm EST Prof Lieu Fri Nov 22 @ 12pm EST Prof Lieu*extra session for Thanksgiving Dec 2024 Mon Dec 2 @ 10pm EST Prof Lieu Wed […]

2025 Guide to MFA Art School Portfolios

research Programs portfolio: Start here portfolio content artist statement Letters of rec 1 on 1 SUPPORT group support photographing artwork interviews statement & resume CRITIQUES Prof lieu Q&A After art school art school issues attending art school

2025 Art School Portfolios Groups

Our Art School Portfolio Group provides ongoing support and feedback for students applying/transferring to a BFA, MFA, or post-baccalaureate program. To participate, you’ll need to join our Discord server. Table of Contents The real time feedback and validation were valuable. I was debating on experimenting with a completely new medium and art prof gave me […]

2025 Guide to BFA Art School Portfolios

should you go? research art student interviews sketchbooks 1 on 1 SUPPORT group support Studying art at a non art college art student advice portfolio: Start here Prompts prof lieu Q&A national portfolio day portfolio: subjects portfolio: media accepted portfolios statement & resume photographing artwork CRITIQUES opportunities REJECTION attending art school art school issues After […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Natalia Alvarez, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist […]

MFA Application & Portfolio Advice

RISD Graduate Printmaking Professor Andrew Raftery speaks to Art Prof Clara Lieu, providing advice on how to prepare an MFA application. They discuss the portfolio, writing the artist statement, getting letters of recommendation, when to attend, and more. Raftery regularly reviews MFA applications for the RISD MFA Printmaking program and shares insights based on those […]

Children’s Book Illustration Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of a children’s book illustration portfolio by Mary Ryazantseva, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are identified, and recommendations for concrete strategies for how to make progress are made. Critique led by Teaching Artist […]

Purchase a Portfolio Critique

A portfolio critique is a terrific opportunity to get a comprehensive look into your studio practice, artistic goals, and development. For many artists, getting an insightful critique and support is hard to find. Our staff provide a professional opinion that is aligned with their related industries in the art world. Who are portfolio critiques for? […]

Photography Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of a photography portfolio by Brett Shelby, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are identified, and recommendations for concrete strategies for how to make progress are made. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu. […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Sakina Ibrahim, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist […]

MFA Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of an MFA art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and if artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, […]

MFA Portfolios TRACK: Lesson 4, MFA Interviews

MFA interviews Getting an interview is great news! This means the school is interested in your candidacy and they want to know more about you as an artist. That said, interviews are always nerve-wracking! Practicing what to say out loud, and how to say it is a great way to prepare. practice questions Practice MFA […]

MFA Portfolios TRACK: Lesson 3, Curriculum Vitae

Artist Curriculum Vitae Write your curriculum vitae, which is a comprehensive list of your work experience, exhibition history, awards, residencies, publications, and more. curriculum vitae tips letters of recommendation Write a list of 4-6 people who you can approach to write you a letter of recommendation. The people do not necessarily have to be former […]

MFA Sculpture Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of an MFA art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and if artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Catherine Chung, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist […]

MFA Textiles & Ceramics Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of an MFA art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, portfolio […]

MFA Portfolios TRACK: Lesson 2, MFA Statements

Prompt Write 3 artist statements of varying lengths, that provide insight into your art practice and materials. You can write the statements so they encompass your overall practice, or statements that are focused on one specific project. 1 sentence statement This is your elevator pitch: what if you have 2 min. with someone at an […]

MFA Portfolios TRACK: Lesson 1, Portfolio Self-Critique

Prompt Self-critique the current state of your portfolio and create a plan of action for how you will develop your portfolio. Weed out class assignments Any artworks that are obviously assignments from a class should be removed: sketches of a nude model posing in class, color exercises, a still life that an instructor set up […]

MFA Portfolios Track

The MFA Portfolios Track will lay out all the materials you’ll need to provide to apply to an MFA program in studio art. An MFA portfolio requires a level of maturity and engagement with critical thinking. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3 • Lesson 4 A sampling of homework assignments from your undergraduate degree isn’t going to […]

How to Stand Out with Your Art School Portfolio

Here are topics & art media that will make your art school portfolio stand out from the thousands of applications art schools receive. Many students fall into the trap of creating generic, cliché artwork that tends to all look the same. Here are specific actions you can take with your art school portfolio to get […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster critique an art school portfolio by high school student Julie Chung, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch critique an art school portfolio by Maria Leamae Patagnan, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu and Lauryn highlight what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Cat Huang critique an art school portfolio by Mari Ebisu, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu and Cat highlight what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to […]

Illustration Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe critique an illustration portfolio by Julie Kitzes. They provide a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu and Alex highlight what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommend concrete strategies for how to […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

This video features an art school portfolio by a Louise MacArthur. In it we provide a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. The critique highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

This video features an art school portfolio by Ewan McKinney. In it we provide a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. The critique highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and which artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique by Art […]

MFA Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of an MFA portfolio by Michelle Eisen. A detailed critique is provided of the overall portfolio, explaining overall strategies that are recommended to the artist. This is followed by critiques for each individual artwork in the portfolio, considering the factors many MFA programs are looking for in potential candidates. Critique […]

MFA Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of an MFA portfolio by Zainab Zulfiqar. A detailed critique is provided of the overall portfolio, explaining overall strategies that are recommended to the artist. This is followed by critiques for each individual artwork in the portfolio, considering the factors that many MFA programs are looking for in potential candidates. […]

National Portfolio Day Tips

Table of Contents The real test of the strength of your portfolio is attending a local National Portfolio Day event, where representatives from art schools and colleges with art programs across the United States are available to critique your portfolio in person.   If you’re really serious about being accepted into a high caliber undergraduate art program, […]

Animation Portfolio Critique

This video provides an overview of an animation portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual animated piece. Fundamental concepts in animation, such as timing, sequence, pacing, and more are explained to critique the animation in this portfolio Critique led by Teaching Artist Deepti Menon, animation portfolio by Hadas Rosen. Featured Artist Hadas Rosen “I’ve always […]