Portfolio Preparation Programs in New York City

Ashcan Studio of Art, New York City:
Ashcan Art Studio is a creative space for future professional artists, designers, illustrators, sculptors and those applying for art schools. With two locations in New York City (in Manhattan and Queens), Ashcan specializes in college portfolio preparation. Our main objective is to assist you, whether you are a high school student or a transfer student, gain entrance into the university art program or the private art school of your choice. We offer individualized classes for students to develop their visual arts portfolio to the highest standards. We conveniently offer day and evening classes, seven days a week, all year long.

Portfolio preparation programs are offered in the following areas:

Painting:
- Learn the basic principles, techniques and method of various print media
- Oil, acrylic, watercolor and color pencil

Drawing:
- Learn to draw from life
- Portrait, self-portrait, figure, landscape, architectural, interior, fashion

Creative Artwork:
- Develop creative thinking and endow individual's artistic style and creativity

Multi-media Drawing:
- Create art using a wide variety of media (video, photography, newspaper, music, dance etc)

Illustration:
- Computer illustration, traditional illustration, animation

Fashion Design:
- Garment construction and fashion illustration

Figure Drawing:
- Learn to draw from live model, anotomical drawing

Design:
- Accessory and jewelry design, graphic, product design, industrial design and design principles

Interior & Architecture:
- for interior design and architecture students

Lighting Design:
- For Parson's Lighting Design Graduate School admissions

Beginner to Advanced Level Portfolio Preparation Programs:

Undergraduate:
For applicants for undergraduate programs, a portfolio should be composed of works that demonstrate basic skills, as well as an individual's creativity. A good portion of a portfolio should consist of works that exhibit fundamental skills such as life drawings, self portraits, still lifes and landscapes. Applicants who are interested in graphic design and architecture (i.e. non fine arts) are also expected to show these basic skills in visual arts (painting and drawing) rather than show works in the specialized area. There are a few exceptions to this general rule, i.e. F.I.T requires a specialized portfolio.

Transfer Student (Undergraduate):
For transfer students, a portfolio should include works that demonstrate proficiency in the area of speciality. These works should show fundamental skills in the area of interest, as well as basic skills (drawing and painting) in fine arts. Works should show basic skills in both areas, rather than highly specialized works.

Graduate School:
Portfolio for graduate study should focus on the process of art making, from it's conception to it's construction. It's important to show a cohesive and thematic body of work.

Summer / Winter Break Program:
This intensive 6 week course for high school and college transfer students utilizes the period during the summer / winter break to accomplish 10 - 15 portfolio pieces.

Condensed Period Portfolio Preparation:
An intensive program to effeciently prepare college portfolio in a condensed period of time. Ashcan Studio specializes in this intensive program. The curriculum is designed to complete your portfolio in a short time period. In a 12 - 24 week period, 20 to 30 portfolio pieces are completed. Students are provided with individual work spaces and consultation determines the duration and intensity of course work.