BFA Programs Archives · Art Prof https://artprof.org/library/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/ Create & Critique Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:18:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://artprof.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-AP_icon-32x32.png BFA Programs Archives · Art Prof https://artprof.org/library/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/ 32 32 45 Art School Portfolio Prompts https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/15-art-school-portfolio-prompts/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:36:29 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=21369 Here are the video tutorials for some creative prompts in the 3 videos below. Use these ideas to get going with your art school portfolio, or anything else! Approach these prompts as a starting point that you can develop so that it matches your personal interests and narratives. Have fun changing up the media, or […]

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]]> Art School Admissions Bundle https://artprof.org/art-school/art-school-admissions-bundle/ Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:49:25 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=20898 Find out fast if you’re on the right track! Stop feeling confused and overwhelmed and get the answers you haven’t been able to find. You’ll create your MFA or BFA portfolio with our years of expertise and guidance. What’s missing in your portfolio? Learn what you can add to distinguish yourself from thousands of other […]

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]]> BFA Art School Portfolio Critique https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/bfa-art-school-portfolio-critique-9/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:00:03 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=18595 Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Ritu, 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 Ritu […]

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]]> Art School Tours https://artprof.org/art-school/art-school-tours/ Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:01:14 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=16425 Photos & text by Vivian Cromwell California College of the Arts California College of the Arts is in a quiet part of San Francisco. Two years of campus dorms are guaranteed, and there is additional housing for juniors and seniors. About 900 out of 1500 students live on campus. The three most popular majors are […]

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]]> 6 Worst Mistakes When Starting Any Art Portfolio https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/6-worst-mistakes-when-starting-any-art-portfolio/ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:39:02 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=16064 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. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips In general, if you are doing something because you think you “should,” that’s usually not a great idea. People can really tell […]

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]]> Guide to BFA Art School Portfolios https://artprof.org/art-school/complete-guide-to-bfa-art-school-portfolios/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 23:59:35 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=15751 Should you go? Stand out Research Mistakes Student interviews 1 on 1 support Group support Non art schools Prompts Start Student advice Q&A National portfolio day Sketchbooks Subjects Media Accepted portfolios Statements Critiques Photographing art Opportunities Rejection Art school life Art school issues After art school

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]]> Statement Editing https://artprof.org/pro-development/artist-docs/ Mon, 05 Sep 2022 21:04:08 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=10683 Whether you are applying to a degree program, preparing an artist statement for an exhibition or residency, these statements are critical parts of your application that many artists underestimate. 2 Edit Option Purchase $499 1 editLimit 1000 words3 business days $699 2 edits Limit 1000 words3 business days Questions? Email Prof Lieu.

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]]> Mentoring https://artprof.org/pro-development/purchase-an-artist-call/ Thu, 14 Jul 2022 17:34:47 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=10258 Black Friday sale: 25% off! Mentoring creates a relaxed learning experience where you can feel confident that your every concern will be comprehensively addressed. Get fast answers that are just for you With mentoring, you can be selfish! You’ll get expedited answers that target your circumstances, and stop wasting time trying to do things that […]

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]]> Portfolio Critiques https://artprof.org/pro-development/critiques/purchase-a-portfolio-critique/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 17:39:06 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=10233 Black Friday sale: 25% off! Your best art portfolio happens when you add what’s missing, and weed out what’s bringing it down. Get trusted, accurate answers fast Our portfolio critiques are a fast way to identify those factors, and more. You’ll be confident that you really are creating your best portfolio. Be confident you’re on […]

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]]> How to Stand Out with Your Art School Portfolio https://artprof.org/art-school/how-to-stand-out-with-your-art-school-portfolio/ Wed, 06 Oct 2021 04:51:03 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=6413 Many students fall into the trap of creating generic, cliché artwork that tends to all look the same. 1 min video ~ 44 min video Here are specific actions you can take with your art school portfolio to get your work to jump out from the crowd and be more distinctive. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s […]

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]]> Should You Go to Art School? https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/should-you-go-to-art-school/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:45:39 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=5633 Whether to go to art school is a tough decision, there so many factors to be considered. This video discusses whether art school is the right fit for you, and what are the most important considerations. Explained are the primary advantages are of attending art school, as well as the many challenges that come with […]

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]]> National Portfolio Day Tips https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/national-portfolio-day/ Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:46:06 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=4791 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, […]

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]]> Art Major in College vs. Art School https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-major-in-college-vs-art-school/ Fri, 14 May 2021 11:52:39 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=2685 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 […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio Examples https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-examples/ Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:37:33 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1276 Art Prof is a leading expert on art school portfolios We’ve helped thousands of applicants create competitive portfolios with our years of teaching at some of the best art schools in the US. Be confident that you aren’t wasting time with things that don’t matter with our mentoring, portfolio critiques, statement editing, and resources. Lauryn Welch RISD 2010-2012, Purchase […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Feedback https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-feedback/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:31:43 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1667 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 […]

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]]> Art School Portfolios: Color https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-color/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:24:19 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1648 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 […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Brainstorming https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-brainstorming/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:04:53 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1636 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 […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Art Media https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-media/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:32:04 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1625 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.    If you have only few media in your portfolio, even if they are your strongest, you are sending […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Drawings https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-drawings/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:14:09 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1615 Drawings are the core of a portfolio You might have 15 digital paintings with an impressive amount of technical skill, but none of that will matter if you have poor drawings. In terms of drawing media, the vast majority of high school students are creating tight, conservative, photo realistic pencil drawings drawn from photographs. Drawing is not about just […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Presentation https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-presentation/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:49:50 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1284 Presentation matters Be sure that everything in your portfolio is neatly presented.   This means no white backgrounds, no dirty fingerprints, no random sketchbook drawings, no ripped edges, no half finished figures, etc.  It takes very little time (sometimes just a few minutes!)  to clean up your presentation.  The same drawing presented in a neat way […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Drawing from Life & Photos https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/drawing-from-life-photos/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:33:09 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1283 Drawing from life is rare nowadays Drawing from life is hands down the number one, absolutely essential thing to do that almost all high school students fail to do. This problem is so prominent, that drawing from direct observation is now the rare exception among high school art students. Following this one directive will distinguish your work from […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Subject Matter https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-subject-matter/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:12:45 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1582 Table of Contents Show you are open many subjects Depicting a wide range of subject matter throughout your entire art school portfolio demonstrates your willingness and interest to work in many contrasting ways. There is an endless range of possibilities when it comes to subject matter in a portfolio. Admissions officers don’t want to see […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Sketchbooks https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-sketchbooks/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 07:58:33 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1576 Your sketchbook shows your thought process An art school portfolio benefits a lot from having a slide to show an image or two of a sketchbook spread. The advantage of showing a sketchbook spread is that it’s an opportunity for you to demonstrate your thinking, sketching, and brainstorming process in it’s raw, unedited form. A […]

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]]> Before You Start Your Portfolio https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/preparing-an-art-school-portfolio/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 07:40:23 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1262 Table of contents What do I need to know first? Preparing an art school portfolio for college admission is not a casual undertaking, it’s very common for high school students to underestimate how much time and labor is involved.  Creating the artworks for an art school portfolio is not simply the amount of time it […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio: Getting Ideas https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolios-prompts/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:53:37 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1281 Table of Contents How do think conceptually? Unfortunately, many art students are taught to learn technique and content separately. They are instructed to first focus exclusively on mastering technique because they are told that they are “not ready” to address the subject matter of their artwork. The consequence is that students develop technical proficiency, but […]

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]]> Art School Portfolio Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid https://artprof.org/art-school/bfa-programs-art-school/art-school-portfolio-mistakes-to-avoid/ Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:07:28 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1267 Table of Contents Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Lauryn Welch and Jordan McCracken-Foster discuss mistakes you can avoid when preparing an art portfolio for art school. Types of artwork such as fan art, anime, celebrity portraits are generally not what admissions officers at art school art looking for, in addition to cliche images, […]

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]]> How To Photograph Your 2D & 3D Art https://artprof.org/learn/fundamentals/photography/how-to-photograph-your-2d-3d-art/ Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:34:12 +0000 https://artprof.org/?p=1226 This video provides a comprehensive look at how to photograph your 2D & 3D artwork, showing common problems and with practical techniques to achieve photos that will accurately represent your artwork. Having high quality photos of your artwork is more important today than ever: you need photos of your artwork for your website, social media, […]

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