Art Prof
This video explains the ways that Instagram can have a harmful effect on artists. It’s easy to compare yourself to other artists you see on Instagram, see all of their success, their “perfect” artworks and feel like you are the only artist in the world who struggles. We all do! Solutions for how to combat […]
The process of preparing a portfolio for an MFA studio art requires a level of maturity and engagement with critical thinking. At the MFA level, the concerns shift from technical skills to developing a unique artistic vision. This video explores the challenges and strategies that come with preparing an MFA portfolio. Discussion led by Art […]
What is it like being an art major at a university vs. attending art school? This video weighs the pros and cons of being at an art major at a university, how it affects how to approach the college admissions process, how to figure out whether studying art at a college is a better fit […]
Cold Calling as an artist can be an effective way to create professional opportunities for yourself. This video explains how to research specific people to contact, the logistics of how to write an introductory email that is professional and succinct, and then how to follow up in a manner that is not intrusive or demanding. […]
How do you promote yourself as an artist without being too pushy? This video explains what practices to avoid when promoting your artwork online. Factors such as appropriate online etiquette, fostering a professional relationship first before asking for help, will let you avoid the risk of coming across as pushy and self absorbed. Discussion led […]
The complete Painting Curriculum for Self-taught Artists is a series of 2 videos. The Curriculum’s document is a complementary resource for both videos. Painting 1: Types of Paint Painting 2: Painting Prompts Painting 3: Painting Tools
Color is one of the Elements of Art that is essential to a work of art. Here is an overview of the various components of color to be considered: saturation, value, contrast, complementary color pairs, warm & cool colors, and more. This video provide examples of contemporary art and images from art history where texture […]
Lighting plays a huge role for artists and can dramatically effect the mood of an artwork. This video explains the differences between artificial light and natural light in illustrations, paintings, comics, films, animation and more. Examples in art show how natural lighting and artificial lighting create different visual affects, and how that can impact the […]
Part 2 of this painting curriculum provides painting prompts that will stimulate all areas of painting, and that can be done in any paint media. Including: color, brushwork, thumbnails, composition, and more in order to gain a well rounded skill set in painting. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe. […]
This video explains the various types of paint: oil, acrylic, flashe acrylic, encaustic, casein, mixed media, fresco, outdoor paints, egg tempera, air brush, ink, enamel, oil bars, gouache, acryl gouache, and watercolor. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch, who outline part 1 of our painting curriculum for self-taught artists. […]
New England Massachusetts College of Art & DesignSummer Studios Application Deadline: AprilDuration: 3 weeksDates: July-AugustEligibility: entering grades 11, 12 Boston UniversityVisual Arts Summer Institute Application Deadline: MarchDuration: 4 weeksDates: JulyEligibility: ages 15-18 Suffolk UniversityPre-College Program Duration: 5 weeksDates: July- AugustEligibility: ages Champlain CollegeArt & Design Portfolio Building Course Application Deadline: MayDuration: 2 weeksDates: JulyEligibility: rising high school juniors & seniors Lesley University College of Art & DesignPre-College Program Duration: 2 weeks, […]
Submissions are closed. Art Dare Prompt Pick 1 tool + 1 surface + 1 shape and create abstract artworks from your own visual “menu”. You can only use 1 tool in 1 artwork. Inspiration The following artists are also a good source of inspiration for this prompt: Torkwase Dyson Dorothea Rockburne Elliott Hundley Tauba Auerbach […]
This video shows the results of the 2021 April Art Dare: “Selfie Self-Portraits,” where participants were asked create artwork in any medium based on a selfie! The art dare challenged people to play with distortion, exaggeration, point of view, foreshortening, and more in their self-portraits. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist […]
A complete guide Artist statements often feel like a contradiction for many artists, and it’s a process that most us dread as artists. Asking someone who is used to expressing themselves visually to write a statement feels unfair, if we were good at writing we would have been writers! However, artist statements are an important […]
Most artists are not prepared for how dicey commissions can be. This page is a complete guide to every facet of doing commissions so you can see the entire process from beginning to end. Commissioned artwork can be anything: a portrait, a wedding gift, artwork for a hotel, etc. Unfortunately, there are no universal rules […]
By: Monika Hedman I often get asked why I use unconventional materials in my artwork. I paint with instant coffee grounds and sand, and I sculpt with recycled pallets and plastic shopping bags. Seventeen years ago, Heinz released a line of brightly colored ketchup called “EZ Squirt.” As much as I loved drawing on paper, I loved […]
By: Olivia Hunter Buying art supplies for my classes at Parsons School of Design can be quite an ordeal. All art and design students have to endure many trips to the nearest art supply store for their classes; it’s just a part of life at an art school. Whenever I take a trip to Blick, I’m usually pleasantly […]
This video shows multi-color linoleum block printing techniques from beginning to end, in order to create an editorial illustration. The process begins by brainstorming ideas from an article in the New York Times, and then transitions into drawing a mind map and into drawing thumbnail sketches. Techniques for carving into the linoleum are done, showing […]
Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch demonstrates techniques for creating a mixed media acrylic painting that is inspired by a taste of a texture. Inspired by her experience eating BBQ squid at a Japanese restaurant in New York City, Lauryn creates a thumbnail sketch using Copic sketch markers to plan for the acrylic painting. Lauryn explains different […]
Art Prof Clara Lieu presents a basic 3D design project using chipboard and glue guns to construct a sculpture which is an abstract representation of the artist’s personality, with Annelise Yee. Prof Lieu begins with a brainstorming activity as a starting point for generating shapes and designs that will visually show an artist’s personality. Cutting […]
There’s a lot around the house that students can experiment with and incorporate into art projects. Here are some of our favorites. Paint materials • Drawing tools • 3D • Collage Paint materials Flower PetalsMost colored flower petals can be rubbed into paper to make lovely patches of color. TurmericMix turmeric with a bit of water and […]
Essential equipment Blue Snowball iCE USB Mic Most people don’t realize that good audio quality is MORE important than good video quality. Poor audio can cause people to stop watching, whereas most people are willing to tolerate moderate quality video. Logitech C922x Pro Stream WebcamUse a rubber band to attach the webcam to the mic […]
OBS Studio is free software that can be used to create a customized layouts for an online, hands on art demo. This video explains how to organize and set up scenes in OBS in a manner that is streamlined and efficient. Topics covered include the variety of sources OBS provides, how to add multiple camera […]
With many schools teaching art remotely, Art Prof Clara Lieu explains how to do an art demo online. Prof Lieu explains the pros and cons of doing live demonstrations vs. pre-recorded demonstrations. This video provides detailed information about options for equipment to purchase and how to create a set up including light, a mic, a […]
Table of Contents We have compiled several art school portfolios here for you to see the broad range of ways you can approach your own portfolio! We know it can be intimidating at times to see other student’s portfolios and to get discouraged, know that ALL students applying to art school feel that way, you […]
Part 2 of this intro to oil painting tutorial walks you through every step of the process to paint a lobster in a still life. Watch Part 1. Prof Lieu talks about how to premix your colors with a palette knife, lighting & shadow, brush techniques, how to layer your oil paint, the differences between […]
In part 1 of this oil painting tutorial, essential techniques, materials, and approaches to oil painting are thoroughly covered. (Watch Part 2) Topics covered include all of the supplies: brushes, palette knives, oil paints, palettes, surfaces, and more. Safety hazards which include ventilation and disposal are explained in depth, as well as brush techniques, painting […]
Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe discuss all of the differences between oil and acrylic paint in great depth, as well as their similarities. It’s essential for any artist who paints to know what the technical differences are between oil and acrylic paint. The dry time varies tremendously, the solvents and mediums […]
Creating a portfolio should not be an effort that you have to do entirely on your own. Yet it’s very common that many students do not take the initiative to seek out feedback and help on their portfolios. Don’t get stuck in your own ways with your portfolio and shut out any outside opinions. Because […]
Table of Contents Make sure that you have both black and white artworks as well as artworks that display a full range of color. Black and white artworks are important so that you can demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of tones and value, and to explore contrast and lighting. The color artworks you show in an […]
Table of Contents Identify the clichés Take the initiative to create artworks that demonstrate your thinking process, that pushes beyond the most literal art cliché. In fact, the best way to combat the danger of a cliché is to eliminate that option immediately. When Prof Lieu does brainstorming exercises with her studio art classes, she asks the […]
You need to make sure that your portfolio represents a diverse range of art media. Showing many art media is a way to demonstrate that you have taken the initiative to learn and hone skills in contrasting art media. Step outside of what you see everyone else in high school doing, which is probably […]