Art School Portfolio Critique by a RISD Art Professor

[@artprof]

We have 1 on 1 services: portfolio critiques, artist calls, statement editing: artprof.org/services/

[@renjiai]

Art schools are funny. They want students to have it all figured out even before they even get to school to do the learning.

[@artprof]

I think it can sometimes come across that way, but I think even high school artists who have very accomplished technical skills often have a very long way to go in terms of engaging with their subject matter on a deeper level. There's more than enough to sink your teeth into to improve when you get to art school, and even beyond that! I have been working professionally as an artist for over 20 years, and I am still learning all the time. -Prof Lieu

[@npip99]

There's no such thing as expectations, only competition. The art schools just offer seats. How difficult it is to get into those seats / what the expectations are necessary for those seats, comes down to how much those art students have figured out. They end up having to figure out a lot in order to get into the prestigious ones because a lot of people love art and are willing to put their all into it before ever getting into an art school.

[@theocreswell6465]

@@artprof if the student has very accomplished technical skills and only need to develop their artistic expression, then there is no need to pay for art school. Developing artistic expression can be done anywhere

[@artprof]

@@npip99 I do think college admissions is inherently flawed, I've had brilliant students I've taught alongside students who really lack motivation at the exact same college. It's hard because the way a person comes across on paper is so different than they are in person. I've had students who I'm sure on paper looked stellar, but who in class were convinced they had everything figured out and didn't want to absorb anything new. -Prof Lieu

[@artprof]

@@theocreswell6465 I think whether you attend art school or not is a personal choice. Art school is great for some people, for other people it's not, and for a lot of people it's just not an option because of the cost. However, since I have taught at colleges in the US for so long, I do see many advantages of art school: the artistic community you get to be a part of, and I know in my experience that community played a major role in terms of my developing my own artistic expression. This videos we have an artist communities explains this more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIjNqXmXmZJlm5o -Prof Lieu

[@affibaamichia4466]

Interessting. In germany art schools arent really looking for someone with finished works because they think that there is nothing left to teach if someone is already complete.

[@owowhatsthis6768]

Affiba Amichia the purpose is often simply because the young artists NEED to get certain degrees from those colleges to be accepted into certain artists jobs. they might have the skill down already but they still need the paperwork.

[@gloriadiaz5752]

@@owowhatsthis6768 nope but ok

[@artprof]

@@owowhatsthis6768 Good point, although it really does depend on the specific field you are in; if you are a freelance illustrator, most art directors who hire could care less about whether you have a degree, the work is what matters. If you want to teach art at the college level, the degree is required to qualify. -Prof Lieu

[@kristinaanikonovaa]

Yes I agree, I am in an art school for fashion design and when I see a portfolio like that I wonder how I was accepted here in Germany 😅 but I'm glad I am! Haha

[@artprof]

That's great you got in! I think that this portfolio impresses people for the artist's realistic drawing skills, but IMO there is plenty they can continue to improve upon in terms of developing their own voice. -Prof Lieu

[@madmadi0311]

I really can't wrap my head around how a portfolio from a *high school student* is looking as good if not better than the average adult artist. I'm an a drawing and painting AP class in high school and none of our work could even compare to this level of precise perfection this portfolio has...

[@artprof]

Keep in mind that technical skills are not everything! Subject matter and communication of a specific idea, opinion, or point of view are just as important, if not more important to being an artist. And personally I don't see "perfection" as being an inherently impressive quality, sometimes "perfection" can come across as really uptight and boring. So yes, there are impressive aspects to this portfolio, but there is plenty to work on here, especially in terms of content.

[@marcelineevevo]

Probably the person did some art course or has art in school since childhood. No one learn this skills alone, I think .... In my country we do not have art in school (unfortunately here art is not valued) and I have never taken any courses. So my drawings do not compare to that, and I'm trying to move to an arts college, but it's very difficult ...

[@mslightbulb]

A- Chan that’s so sad, art class is really enjoyable. It’s sad when people ignore art as something arbitrary instead of looking at it as feedback and visual aid in the case of design.

[@doordep]

seriously, their is just not enough time when taking AP to even add that amount of detail even if you are able to

[@Yararar]

Art Prof: Create & Critique yes I produced photorealistic work when I was in high school, I thought that was the point of art and always looked down on other styles as lesser. I then got rejected by CSM :’) and started questioning my whole existence haha ive come a long way since then..going to apply for a masters at RCA soon

[@18mitalp]

lol im not getting into college

[@artprof]

Remember that every portfolio is different, and there are so many different types of schools out there!!! Not every portfolio is the same, and every person has different strengths.

[@friedpee9772]

Pramital♡ If that isn’t a mood

[@Diaco3]

Pramital♡ me too

[@MilfLvr420]

Mood

[@jacobgong691]

Mood

[@xenaorato4914]

I saw the thumbnail and thought: "wow, this is gonna destroy me"

[@artprof]

I know the feeling, I've worked with a lot of art school students who have expressed similar thoughts for sure. While I do think looking at other people's art can be an inspiration, it can also be very discouraging at times, especially for younger artists. So I would say choose times to block out where you don't let yourself look at other artists and you just focus on yourself and your artwork. -Prof Lieu

[@waqik9716]

And we all still watched it anyways

[@Divaliciousbeauty123]

Same

[@davidjohn5770]

I love the oranges painting

[@artprof]

Yes, it's a beautiful piece!

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

David John - I just needed to have one blue orange ... just one ha ha ha

[@artprof]

@@1Ma9iN8tive omg I would LOVE it if there was 1 blue orange in there -Prof Lieu

[@angelam8719]

it makes me so sadly happy, nostalgic, for some reason

[@mollysmith428]

the criticism was helpful but this is one of the best portfolios I have seen

[@artprof]

Yes, his work is very strong!

[@molliepoppyseed4027]

Omggg we have the same name ha! But yeah I agree its way better than I could do

[@lavieestbelle6530]

art teacher: you can’t rush art! also art teacher: paint the mona lisa in 30 minutes or you will fail.

[@nataliakobliska1472]

Nobody said that

[@somedude3819]

Natalia Kobliska umm do you have a sense of humor or like can you just like not understand a joke

[@cainsaint]

ceo of taking a joke seriously 😍😍

[@erincaffrey7106]

my art exam is all throughout the year, but we're not allowed to work on it at home. it's to make it more fair because some people (me) would spend 4+ hours on their work while others wouldn't do stuff at home. I think it's ridiculous because people get sick and miss whole portions of the exam

[@mothman4672]

erin caffrey that really is ridiculous. that’s just teaching students that caring about your subject so much that you want to spend more time on it is bad. kind of silly to say “well, because other students want to do poorly, i think it’s only fair that everyone else should do poorly too.”

[@irmamag8459]

3 seconds in: “comprehensively finished” Me looking down at my 37 best pieces of unfinished work: “well time to start #38 and actually finish it”

[@artprof]

I honestly think that bringing an artwork to full completion is one of the most challenging thing that all artists struggle with, including myself. Many people hesitate to keep going because they are worried they will ruin the artwork, but then by doing so, you can miss out on opportunities to improve the artwork. You might like this video we have on how to figure out when to stop working on an artwork: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmjEemWlmMqHeqM -Prof Lieu

[@NegativeAccelerate]

Lol same I have like 2 finished pieces

[@silscr]

@@artprof I agree. I tend to not finish an artwork once I take a break from it, so.. yeah, I have a lot of unfinished works. But when I do finish a work, it feels much more fulfilling. 😊

[@itzplant3196]

@@artprof im not as good as everyone else but when I did draw I did feel that way were " its look good right now what if I mess it up" So Im guess this is something everyone struggles with in art.

[@jrocreates8346]

Sometimes I feel like art is always unfinished and if we wanted we could continue to add and twerk forever

[@taylorhall2018]

"Art Professor explains why you're never getting into art school in 37 minutes"

[@solarcowgirl]

FELT THIS

[@lovelyana9915]

@@solarcowgirl I’m literally about to cry and go find something new to draw😭

[@undrincross]

Lol the channel liked this 😅

[@imamaleunicorn9877]

LOL

[@seefuchs1006]

Well, guess it´s poltics then

[@shhhquietplease6264]

while she was giving her criticism for each art piece i was just sitting here dumbfounded by how incredibly talented this 16-18 year old is. i literally am left speechless. i am trying to get back into art as an adult and only had a beginners art course in highschool (personal issues made my school life nothing like what i wanted it to be) so i am very envious of the opportunities and lessons that helped this boy (im assuming) excel so much. although i can guarantee that even if i had the same classes as him i could only dream of being a fraction as skilled.

[@beth-ug6ti]

Idk art/drawing is one of thoes things that anyone can get really good at just from practicing. I used to think it was hopless and I could never quite get my drawings to the level I wanted them. When I started drawing once a week they kinda just started looking put together all at once. It was easier after that cause I actualy liked my drawings and did not feel constantly disapointed. Just practice, anyone can get good at drawing with regular practice.

[@Chalup4]

Some people are naturally analytical and have the ability to convey picture-like quality to their work. She does an excellent job of not being overwhelmed by the level of detail and makes great points on attuning a needed "voice" to the work. I think art should reflect who you are as a person, working from life is so much more important than transferring a picture to a canvas. Keep at it!

[@timssan]

If you want to learn and master something quickly you need to take your Time, give your artistry time and dedication without pushing yourself to hard. That and add a bit of talent and you’ll be a great artist, you just have to believe that time is your friend.

[@benja778820]

Lol this portfolio its just perfect. This person have some T A L E N T

[@artprof]

You can read more about this artist and their portfolio here: artprof.org/critiques/andy-wei/

[@anonumosGirl]

thats what i thought at the beginning, but there can still be more growth

[@Marnige]

It's technical skills are perfect, but i feel it's really just good wallpaper pieces, especially the wheelbarrow and orange pieces.

[@isabellaw1070]

I’m not an art student. I can’t believe I just watched this whole thing

[@artprof]

Awesome!!

[@ingachikuni]

Me too Isabella, me too

[@afafzabaneh3916]

Interesting comments prof. Thanks.....

[@lovelyana9915]

I am now I’m about to go cry😜

[@giorgisherazadishvili3235]

gurl, same

[@felixthelemon978]

Sometimes it's kind of nerve wracking seeing art critiques like this for artists who have art that already appeals to my senses. I like having the feeling of there being a finish line and I just couldn't pursue a job in the arts since there isn't one

[@artprof]

Keep in mind there there is no finish line in visual arts! And we ALL compare ourselves to other artists, myself included, and I've been working professionally for over 20 years. We all get to carve our own place. You might find this video on comparing yourself to other artists useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX7Tp4GNnNGfmpI -Prof Lieu

[@desireesmith862]

Yeah. I’m in Highschool and I feel behind. “It’s like will I make it? Will I make it? Will I make it?” Going on in my head.

[@sin3358]

Tattoo artists love those too. Perhaps you should look into that lol

[@user-jy9rq8nj7q]

Incredibly upset at how bad my high schools art classes are. To the point it made me hate art- there is no freedom in our curriculum to pass. There is no opportunity for AP art, there isn't any art schools. It's awful

[@artprof]

I'm really sorry to hear that, that's unfortunately a common experience for a lot of students. (However, I do sympathize with the art teachers who are probably teaching 6 classes a day with 20 students in each class on a meager income) I had an awful teacher in high school who made my life miserable, so almost everything I did for art in high school was totally on my own. Hope you'll check out our tutorials and other resources here on our channel and move forward on your own! -Prof Lieu

[@user-jy9rq8nj7q]

@@artprof thank you

[@jamesflowers874]

If your school doesn’t have the means to make you the artist that you want to be, you can teach yourself to be the artist you want to be. Information and inspiration is all around you.

[@artprof]

@@jamesflowers874 Unfortunately that is the case at a lot of high schools, it's common (at least in the US) for high school art programs to be very under funded (if they exist at all) and the art teachers are often overwhelmed with too many classes with meager resources. I grew up without the Internet so it blows my mind the amount of resources that are out there! What I find hard is weeding through a lot of stuff to find what you're looking for. -Prof Lieu

[@eclectic505]

I dont even have art in highschool :(

[@Morgan-oq7uj]

18:38 I disagree, I think the stark contrast of the busy sityscape and the blank upper half works really well. All the attention goes directly to the figure. The emptiness gives the piece a very specific mood, it makes the mans loneliness feel real. Adding more detail would take that away.

[@artprof]

Thanks for contributing another point of view, I think it's important for people to see how differently their art can come across to another person. -Prof Lieu

[@Jijis.DeliveryService]

Fr, I thought it was empty also, but then if they added anything it will hide the figure.

[@theartist_harlivi]

Those “oranges” really look like mandarins which can be a very different tone of orange and a much deeper colour. For me it helps with their colour choices.

[@artprof]

Interesting!

[@TheMackhimself]

That was my thought exactly.. klementines/tangerines/mandarines ..depending on country and species.

[@jimpanse5375]

KZbin: Heres an art portfolio critique video Me: Im not even an artist but damn I feel under pressure creating a good portfolio

[@iank9325]

Hey everyone! I'm an artist that's finishing my BFA soon and lemme tell ya, your high school art portfolio doesnt have to look like this. What's actually important is that you have the determination, passion, and slight obsession to become a creative professional. It's in college where you'll start to actually solidify your fundamentals and honing in on certain mediums. Be resilient, and apply everywhere.

[@artprof]

I really appreciate you sharing your point of view, it's super helpful for other artists to hear this! -Prof Lieu

[@frankie3933]

thank u T_T

[@toastedclosure2770]

this review just goes to show that even when you think you've reached the top, there's still so much more to learn.. that no matter what, you are always able to progress further with your drawings

[@artprof]

IMO, a great artist never stops learning! No matter your experience or your age, there's always more to gain by looking to see where you can improve. -Prof Lieu

[@claireemily2128]

Ive seen so many portfolio videos and have thought to myself, like wow these arent to the tentacle level in which i was expecting thinking 'ive got this' and now i watch this video and i am now very scared

[@artprof]

There is definitely a HUGE range of portfolios, and I know it can be discouraging when you see a portfolio that is highly accomplished! For more help on your portfolio, check out our free art school portfolios course: artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/

[@milescurtisnorwood9957]

Pretty much what I was hearing from the critique was the artist was overly detailed in most of the pieces and should really present a style that should be loose or exaggerated some parts of the drawings.

[@artprof]

@@milescurtisnorwood9957 In my opinion, it's not that being detailed or being loose is inherently better; I think it's matter of making deliberate decisions about when you choose a specific means of drawing that is purposeful, rather than making something detailed just because you can.

[@Chalup4]

I knew someone in high school who was at a very similar grade to the student featured in this video. Constantly he'd produce incredibly detailed work in a large range of styles (he still does). However, and she emphasizes this a lot in the video, all of his work never really had a "voice" to it. If you pour more of who you are into your work and less of what you think people will want to see, that will eventually take flight with months (if not years) of completed works.

[@artprof]

UPDATE: We did a live stream in reaction to all of the comments on this critique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIeknJedh8prh6c I know that for a lot of you watching this portfolio critique, the technical skill seen in this portfolio can be really intimidating because of how realistic and detailed it is. I will tell you that technical skill is not all there is to being an artist. In fact, the student artworks I see (in portfolio critiques and in my classroom) that I get the most excited about are the ones that are doing something really distinctive stylistically (which is generally not photorealistic) and also engaging with their subject on a deeper conceptual level. We have a gesture drawing video [kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3irmKaIhJt-qNE] where we explain why photo realism is not all there is to drawing. We also have these 2 videos where I explain developing your artistic style [kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYiYi6Cwo56Hj7s ] and also 5 ways to stop comparing yourself to other artists [kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX7Tp4GNnNGfmpI ] that I think many of you might find helpful. Being an artist is not a race, and it is not a competition, and there is no definitive finish line where you suddenly have it all figured out. There is no gold medal you can win like there is in athletics. If there are 500,000 amazing artists in the world, there can be 500,001 amazing artists too! For those of you who want to understand what is involved and the purpose of an art critique, our "How to Critique Art" video has tons of stories and tips from both art students and teacher that I think help contextualize my critique in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIWYqIekh9-SrJY I know that a lot of people are quickly impressed by how photo realistic and how detailed a drawing or painting is. You hear people exclaim all the time "that drawing looks just like a photo!" I can tell you that if someone said that to me about one of my drawings, it would be an indication that I have a lot of work to do. While yes, it requires a certain degree of a certain specific set of skills to create a photo realistic drawing or painting, if you think about it, there isn't much going on in terms of the creative decisions. The process I think is a lot more about copying what you see, as opposed to interpreting what you see. It's the paintings that you look at that clearly are not photo realistic, but feel more real and more intense than real life itself. Now that THAT is incredible, and that is creativity and art at its best. The difference is that when you copy, it's a mechanical process that is largely very straightforward and easy to understand: look at this object, and make your drawing look exactly like that object. When you interpret, there's all kinds of decisions you make as an artist. You choose to change the color to make it more saturated than it is IRL, you choose to distort the proportions of the face to express a specific emotion. The process of interpreting your subject IMO is not straightforward at all, and that's what makes it so much more challenging, but ultimately much, much more exciting. Here is an article in our Complete Art School Portfolios guide that explains this in greater depth with visual examples: artprof.org/art-school-portfolio-drawing-from-life-photos/ Another thought: there are a lot of comments here of people saying that this artist doesn't need to go to art school and that they ready to start working professionally, and they have nothing left to learn. The artists who I respect the most are my artist friends who are always learning new things, and who have a lifelong drive and initiative to improve their work and learn to use unfamiliar art media and experiment with different approaches. IMO you are missing out on a lot of artistic opportunities if you decide you are done learning and have reached "the top." (what is "the top" in art anyway? It doesn't exist. Art is so subjective, and I think ranking artists and artworks is not productive or necessary) I have over 20 years of experience as a college professor and professional artist, and I'm always looking for ways I can improve, this video goes into this in greater depth: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS0fGh3iM6crZI The topic of whether going to art school is worth it to not is a whole other discussion, but I can tell you that yes, there is A LOT the student in this portfolio would gain from art school. This portfolio barely scratches the surface in terms of what is possible for an artist. Interactions at art school such as engaging with other artists, being a part of an artistic community, using professional facilities that the average person wouldn't normally have access to, forming lifelong relationships with faculty who as seasoned professional artists, and more. This video talks about the importance of community among artists: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIjNqXmXmZJlm5o From a professional standpoint, I can also say that this portfolio would not hold up in the professional art world. So much of how artwork is viewed is dependent on the context of where and how and why it's be evaluated. This portfolio is being viewed in the very specific context of a college art school portfolio application. That's one place, and there are millions of others out there which could not be more different. Lmk in the comments below if there are other resources I can point you to, if there is a topic for a video you'd like us to address in a future video, or if you have further questions. Thank you for watching this video and for sharing your thoughts here, lovely to have you all be a part of the Art Prof family. -Prof Lieu

[@mariacardozoyouarehiredyah]

Great, you are so commited and the reviews and comments have been very insightful. Thanks a lot.

[@artprof]

@@mariacardozoyouarehiredyah Thank you! When I reply to comments it's a way to us to expand the conversation and hear more points of view. That's so important when studying art. -Prof Lieu

[@neilagangitlog]

Woah this is so long that i didn't even bother to read everything 😅. It's so amazing how you respond to these people who feel bad about themselves. I've seen lots of comments like these on other art youtube channels, and the youtuber don't even bother to reply. This just shows that you are really dedicated on how your content helps the community, not just fishing for views. Really awesome

[@artprof]

I think it's an important, one comment can go a long way! -Prof Lieu

[@alittlesliceoflife]

Art Prof: Create & Critique this I really enjoyed this video, and I agree that art school, or even art classes, can help even a very skilled and talented artist improve- technically, creatively, and in expression. In the few art classes I’ve taken as an adult, having a professor push me and critique my work, pointing out areas of improvement and making me stretch in creativity and technique, I’ve made huge strides in my artwork.

[@modge472]

Some of y'all are getting real depressing down here. The prof reiterate many many times that what makes their porfolio good isn't JUST that they're beautiful pieces but also the diversity in medium, the suggestion of narrative, and the potential really being pushed to the max. It shows that this individual is willing to experiment and creates their works with a purpose in mind. This can be visualized in so many different ways and it depends on the artist, and not everyone sees it as beautifully rendered works so it's just unfair to compare your works to this if your style is completely different.

[@Chascoso]

I think everyone should remember that everyone is finding their artistic voice. What makes them them. And art schools look for that. Not everybody finds that quick. I'm still figuring out what exactly says me. It's like with anything - experiment, learn and have fun most of all. And remember that the creative arts are subjective. There's not one overall "best artist" ever. Where someone might love van Gogh, someone might not. Don't pressure yourselves or compare yourselves. Find the beauty in the mistakes and take criticism as advice. Good luck to everybody!!

[@artprof]

Thank you for your lovely comment, this is exactly what a young artists need to hear! There is no finish line, no gold medal to win in the visual arts. Comparing yourself to other artists too much can get really toxic (trust me, I know from experience) and ultimately sometimes you have to shut all of that out and really buckle down and focus on yourself. -Prof Lieu

[@Roozyj]

For all people out there who get insecure from looking at this AMAZING portfolio: I got admitted to art school too (in the Netherlands) and my drawings were absolutely crap. I showed interest in different topics, had experimented with various materials and I told the admission committee that I was very eager to learn more about art and about myself. I think that got me through. It's not all about being an amazing painter.

[@rust44]

The tough part is that every professor/ instructor has a different preference. Once you get in it’s hard to please everyone.

[@artprof]

I tell my students that they shouldn't try to please me, that's fruitless, and same thing goes with any other teacher they have. You have to make what will please yourself! That's what matters. -Prof Lieu

[@TridKP]

Two point summary: 1. Copy Cautiously 2. Present well

[@artprof]

I think it's more involved than that; I personally don't really like using the word "copy," in that it infers that the process is mechanical and straightforward, which IMO it is not. Presentation matters, but no amount of professional presentation can save an artwork if it's not engaging us. -Prof Lieu

[@TheMihig]

why these people even applying to art school when they're already insane at 18/19 years old.

[@artprof]

While many of these portfolios are very accomplished, there is plenty more to learn at art school!

[@gustavohernandez57]

There is so much to know and to share in the world to ignore social aspect of art school.

[@artprof]

@@gustavohernandez57 Yes, the creative community you get to be a part of in art school is so valuable!

[@lingyuli7327]

It's the connections that matter more than the actual skill for these 18/19 year olds. Connections gets you into jobs, skill lets you keep it. If you're just out of college, unless you're super talented, you're not gonna have Disney scouting you or anything like that, but if you have a friend whose parents work for Disney and are pretty high up, they can pass a good word for you do get into Disney

[@wraith1892]

For the piece of paper that actually gets you jobs

[@anthonycarter1528]

This is VERY impressive for a High Schooler. I can tell that he/she had a lot of support from trainers and tutors prior to coming to RISD. This sort of talent definitely doesn't grow in a vacuum.

[@artprof]

I agree, when I first watched this I was BLOWN AWAY - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@heyitsmichael8923]

This is the best art portfolio video I have seen so far. I'm totally loving a lot of the tips. It's interesting to see how you all are looking for more expression and personalization than technical skills. It's very unusual how everyone in their portfolio's wants to have the best technical skills in each piece. But, I totally understand that. You guys are here to teach the technical and provide the information to succeed and want to see a foundation for creativity. Very good video. Extraordinarily helpful

[@artprof]

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comment. Great observations too, it's really terrific that you're really thinking about the relationship between technique and expression! I recommend you check out our free art school portfolios course, there's tons more content there! artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/

[@ccynic9156]

*my sketchbook: floating anime heads*

[@subscriber6697]

wow your criticisms are super helpful! I'm actually understanding every single point you're making. thanks

[@artprof]

That's great to hear! We have many more free video critiques on our main site: artprof.org/critiques/

[@slash00lps1]

me: never painted before her: those scribbles feel like scribbles to me me: yes, agreed. that's what i feel too.

[@artprof]

I can definitely relate to that lol! Although I’ve found that after immersing yourself in something like art for awhile you tend to learn more than you realize. You can watch our other art school portfolio critiques in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLvt8_pMl6ywliWpmLTuUUT77wfQnYu_MP -Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@esincupcake]

I think the empty space above the city view is on purpose it's like a welcome contrast

[@artprof]

We appreciate hearing your point of view!

[@tony931]

Completely agree. The emptiness of the top panel portrayed a sense of serenity but also of isolation. I think it is important for artists to be able to clearly represent difficult concepts. I also feel these critiques were too harsh with regard to disparaging the use of detail, the artist was still effective in drawing focus just did so using contrast and light.

[@thayse_thay]

@@tony931 I felt the same way

[@michcookies]

I loved art in high school, but I don’t really remember being shown how to handle the materials properly, it was more a case of drawing what was in front of us. It used to drive me nuts that I couldn’t get what was in front of me exactly the same on paper, and my teacher gave me the best piece of advice: if you wanted it to look exactly as real life, you’d take a photo. This changed how I approach my work and it’s what I tell people when they say they can’t draw (‘you can draw, just draw your own interpretation of it) Anyway, none of that has to do much with a portfolio...

[@artprof]

You had a great teacher! Drawing isn't about accuracy, we've got all the technology in the world that reproduces that with one tap of the finger. IMO, I find art that is all about being precise and accurate quite boring, that's just replicating what you see. Now interpreting what you see, that's when things get exciting artistically. -Prof Lieu

[@commentbot9510]

My teacher said the same thing!

[@gorbachevspizzahut]

Problem is that highschool students hate being taught how to use different materials and so teachers would rather students just do whatever and focus on particular students from my experience

[@justadragonryu]

The issue with high school is that my teacher wouldn’t have let me do anything like these images.

[@artprof]

That's a bummer, make those images on your own time outside of school! -Prof Lieu

[@justadragonryu]

Art Prof: Create & Critique thanks! Don’t worry I’m in art college now and making what I always wanted to. ❤️

[@artprof]

That's great to hear, keep going!! -Prof Lieu

[@suides4810]

Dont art schools call for non school work specifically? Don you draw outside of school?

[@artprof]

@@suides4810 Art schools don't specific that specific artworks have to be made outside of school, however, in my experience it is extremely rare for a student to be able to rely entirely on their school's art curriculum to create a portfolio that has enough breadth. For most students, artwork made outside of school can give them a chance to be more free to push their own vision, although it does depend on your school's art curriculum. -Prof Lieu

[@Mari-vk8mx]

her critique was so amazing wow i thought the art was already very very well done and then the professor would point out ways to make it even more better and it just opened my eyes this video is so important to watch even if you dont have this level of talent because it really opens your eyes to how to better your art in all cases

[@sirens5540]

This is quality content, and it really is helping me with my portfolio.

[@artprof]

Thanks! I recommend checking our our Art School Portfolios course on Artprof.org! artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/ Also if you register (for free) on Artprof.org, you can ask our staff questions in our ASK section: artprof.org/ask/

[@a0ife_maria]

These is such helpful criticism! At first seeing these pieces I think “wow, I have no idea what this student has to improve on”, but the more you talk about the it, the more I’m able to see how each piece can be drastically improved by just the smallest changes. I’m currently doing GCSE art and although that isn’t quite the same level this student is on, I will definitely try to take on board all these tips into my own artwork 🤩

[@artprof]

There's always room for improvement, you just have to be open to hearing it! You might like this video we have on how to improve as an artist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS0fGh3iM6crZI -Prof Lieu

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

I hope you did well! Since you guys have got your grades already? My sister is/was doing her GCSE's this year, but with the whole virus thing - she doesn't have to do any exams!

[@lalalandemo12]

I love that the wood burned piece has the boy on his own panel and very “plain” it’s like he escaped the busy city to be alone

[@artprof]

Good thinking! Although I know that I’d be terrified to be that high above the city haha. We have other art school portfolio critiques in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLvt8_pMl6ywliWpmLTuUUT77wfQnYu_MP -Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@tthomas184]

Wow, tough love. Every criticism was so on point, esp. about the focus on copying to the exclusion of voice. It's something that is so lacking on youtube videos, so it's refreshing to see it here. My only quibble was on the sculpture having a base. Bases are kinda frowned upon these days, but I thought his worked.... that's my own subjective opinion, of course, not saying you're wrong. Everything you said was really perceptive.

[@artprof]

Thanks for your comments! We have many more video critiques on our main site: artprof.org/critiques/

[@cmc1106]

I agree with the art prof on this. The base makes the sculpture look and feel like a prefabricated piece as if from a mass production, imagine a Rodin sculpture put on a base like that, it really distracts.

[@roggelini]

I got into art school with realistic A3 charcoal drawings, acryl paintings with cheap ass paint, and pictures that I made with my phone. Got called the next day that I was accepted. Now I'm painting with oil paints, and am slowly starting to sell things.

[@blue_._.3_]

Hey can you tell me how ou make money with art cuz im in highschool an i want to draw

[@mayadagenais492]

@@blue_._.3_ do pet portraits, draw peoples dogsand cats etc and try to get into your local vendor and community scene to make sure your work is available to see and you can be contacted. If you enjoy more toony and character art, try to build a following online and get into online art communities to take commissions on peoples characters, fursonas etc. best of luck to you!!!

[@magpie16]

wow this shows how different American art education is from here in the UK, a lot of what she’s listing as strengths would be considered a weakness over here

[@goldfish4181]

Wish I saw this sophomore, junior year. It's too late now that I'm a senior bc risd is too competitive and there I don't have many pieces of good art. It's rly good advice, will apply to my future drawings.

[@artprof]

Yes, advice you get at any point in your life is always applicable,. As artists we are constantly learning, that's what I love about being an artist!

[@pineapplehomie]

I think even though it might be too late for you to apply to RISD right after high school it should be an open option for you later on in life if you choose to go there. There are a lot of people I personally know who started art schools in their later years simply because life became too busy for them. Nowadays there's actually a lot of really good resources like NMA (New Masters Academy) and other course services that can teach you a lot of what colleges could teach you and all you gotta do is have the motivation and resilience to keep going and learn from them. I wish you good luck with your studies!

[@artprof]

@@pineapplehomie I think it is NEVER too late to become an artist. An artist we profiled here, Judy Brown, had a decades long career as a physics professor. She retired and now is focuses entirely on her photography classes! Here is our video with Judy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKeTnoOLh7mYbNk And you're right, with the resources available online now, it's incredible what you can do without a degree. -Prof Lieu

[@OxygenTea]

"learning how to tame that skill" such a fantastic way to describe it. I struggle to support my stronger students sometimes because whilst for assessment purposes they need to execute confident works, they also need to show development as an artist. It's a hard balance to articulate to students but that's a great way to phrase it.

[@artprof]

Thanks for the support! While I’m not an art teacher, I can sympathize with how challenging that must be, and certainly with the difficulties of being a student that’s constantly pushing themselves. -Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@jackamedio4815]

This critique offers more than a solid semester's worth lessons. So many helpful ideas to think about from idea to rendering to presentation.

[@AndromedaCripps]

I'm not a visual artist but jeez how is this professor an adjunct??? This is such detailed and specific critique with examples and references to the literature (as it were) and this is what, in her free time?! Get 👏🏻her 👏🏻on 👏🏻tenure 👏🏻

[@laurynwelch2081]

@Texadon you're very kind! Academia in any field is a difficult environment to be in right now. It's much more common to see adjunct hires than tenure track positions. -Lauryn (Art Prof Teaching Artist)

[@EL-de7sk]

i feel like a lot of points brought up were contradictory to each other... but this portfolio is absolutely beautiful!!! so much talent

[@macchiatodimila7907]

Holy! This video was probably the most helpful one I've ever seen! It's not just criticism that is obvious; you actually give examples of artists that use the techniques the student wants to use. Thank you so much for being really helpful!

[@artprof]

That's great to hear. We are now doing a lot of live stream critiques, where we always reference artists from history and contemporary art in relation to the artwork being critiqued. You might like this playlist of recent critiques: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJvLmphjg72gatE -Prof Lieu

[@leeannelol6970]

that orange painting

[@artprof]

Yes, the colors are so sumptuous!

[@soflomanny]

So glad i found you. These vids are awesome. I'm beginning my art life and listening to you and seeing the visuals is sooooooo helpful. Great editing and you are very well spoken. Thanks for all the hard work!:)

[@artprof]

Terrific! Thank you for your kind comments, really appreciate it! We have tons more free critiques, tutorials, and and much more artprof.org/, check it out! If you register (for free) you get to ask us questions and interact too.

[@jilliantrujillo9173]

I remember when I looked into RISD and was just reading their website about the future students they were looking for, I remember it said something like they often didn't accept students that had perfect portfolios. Like they would see a portfolio with mastered fine art paintings and drawings and would turn them away because they were looking for people who were working on a different wavelength, outside of the box thinking... I thought that was cool.

[@pinkydinky5480]

I remember going to a portfolio review from art colleges around the country. Everyone said I had a strong understanding of color, but needed backgrounds and to finish my work.

[@artprof]

That's great, color can be so tricky for people. (I know it definitely was for me!) Yes, backgrounds and bringing your artwork to a full finish is challenging for most high school students. You might like this video we have on how to tell when you should stop working on an artwork: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmjEemWlmMqHeqM -Prof Lieu

[@mayataylor3042]

This is such a strong portfolio! I know it’s a lengthy critique but in reality this artist has very few things to work on!

[@artprof]

Yes, technique-wise they are very talented! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@Lunajourney]

They picked one of the perfect portfolios to critique.

[@aresdamnit2850]

This is so educational omg i learned more from this than from our art class lol

[@artprof]

Thanks! We also have many tutorial videos, you might enjoy those as a supplement to your art class. You can see all of our tutorials in this playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5DWhaZ-hKmUZs0 -Prof Lieu

[@mariacardozoyouarehiredyah]

I wouldn't know how this artist could improve... Congratulations for showing this high quality portfolio and also for the feedback, I've learnt a lot.

[@artprof]

I think if you look at this portfolio in terms of drawing/painting realistically and achieving a high level of detail it can feel like there isn't room for improvement. In all honesty, I tend to find very realistic, detailed artwork a lot less interesting than artworks that are more expressive or have a very distinctive style. Drawing realistically in some cases is just physically describing what something looks like. Once you can dig deeper into the meaning of what you are painting and why, and convey that in another way, that's when things start to get exciting artistically. IMO, this portfolio doesn't effectively engage with subject matter and has a long way to go in terms of thinking conceptually about the images they are choosing to represent. -Prof Lieu

[@TheGlowstickOverdose]

I need to work on that myself, finding my voice. I know what I like doing but that doesn't mean those things have meaning. I could do still life flowers for the rest of my life. Then when I do get a unique idea it tends to be to weird and without context to the point I am unlikely to be able to give it context.

[@artprof]

Finding your artistic voice is challenging for everyone, and it never stops! Even after many years of experience I find I am always evolving and changing, keeps things interesting at all times! You might enjoy this article on Artprof.org which talks about creating a series and finding your personal interests: artprof.org/professional-development/creating-a-series/

[@TheGlowstickOverdose]

I'd love to take a look.

[@thisispaulasart9738]

I am really struggling with doing more "creative" artworks because until now I have been drawing almost only super realistically.

[@artprof]

That's pretty much all I did when I was in high school, at the time I thought "the more realistic, the better the drawing." Which is so not what I think now! I think you might find our gesture drawing tutorial helpful, we talk a lot about the difference between an accurate, realistic drawing vs. a gesture drawing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3irmKaIhJt-qNE -Prof Lieu

[@Jasmin-jg9fy]

you are such a great teacher

[@artprof]

Thank you for the kind comments! We have tons more video critiques as well as free tutorials here: artprof.org/

[@nervengewitter]

How can a high school student be this good??? How crazy is it that to get into art school you already have to have taught yourself so much? That being said the critique is very comprehensive and respectful and really offers valuable insights!

[@artprof]

The student in this portfolio certainly shows a lot of technical skill in terms of drawing and painting realistically, but there's still a lot to learn in terms of engaging with the subject matter of the artwork. I think what might help to contextualize this portfolio is to watch other art school portfolio critiques in this playlist, then you can see that there is indeed a broad range: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5bNY4Zrl9N9ac0 - Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@j0h4nn41]

Art school: we want all kinds of artists! All forms of creativity!! Me: *draws anything non realistic or semi realistic* Art school: No. Not that. Thats wrong-

[@artprof]

I haven’t seen your artwork, but I can tell you that lots of art schools don’t want just photo realistic artwork. When I review portfolios I try to get students to try other styles. Depends on the school too. -Prof Lieu

[@Will-ge7ri]

I feel like this is true of Atelier’s but not if at schools at all. If anything the focus has been heavily abstract for the past 75 years.

[@letterpage7640]

😂

[@mlemsmr7551]

13:30 I think the painting has its own charm because the colors feel like they are out of the tube. I find that quite charming and unique

[@artprof]

That's really nice!! I can see what you mean - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@lizvlx]

well...i am a professor at an art school as well (germany) and all this finished stuff, all this drawing drawing and basic painting is not what we are looking for. rather stuff thats unfinished and daring and not something that is so predictable. and not just drawing. video. photography. some text. internet stuff. whatever but something young and fresh. I mean i can see that the person that did the works discussed here can draw - but i get to know nothing about his artistic abilities or interests.

[@cameokimbra]

Agreed.

[@amglet0264]

lizvlx well said

[@nam-namie]

As someone who just committed to an art school (I’m going to attend art school as of Fall 2023), this video is truly enlightening. It makes me even more eager for how art school will improve my art and my creativity. I also noticed how her critiques were not nitpicking small elements (ex. Proportions of the body). Her critiques focus more on execution, color, composition, and contrast of detail. The critiques inspire me to experiment with my art and style. I wish I watched this video sooner! Thank you so much for the informative video!

[@artprof]

Yes!!! People often think that drawing is all about accuracy, but it's in each artist's individual interpretation of a subject that matters the most imo. -Prof Lieu

[@sthefaniclaudino8462]

I'm currently at my 2nd year of highschool and just thinking about starting my portfolio terrifies me. So much to work on and to discover yet, I'm not ready for this at all, but I'm very glad I found your channel it'll definitely help me with the start

[@frshprncejf]

Take things one day at a time. The scariest part about anything new is just getting started. When I applied to art school a lot of things that I put in were sketches I literally did in history or math class. Here's a link to some of the stuff I applied to school with if you want to see. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKjIZnyqjpV7r6M - Jordan, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@artprof]

Go for it! Check out our Complete Art School Portfolios Guide on our main site, it has everything you need to know to prepare your portfolio, and the resources you need: artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/ -Prof Lieu

[@stupidtaurus6039]

Six days until my senior year of high school, and this video alone is absolutely perfect. I can not wait to put a lot of this information to use even if it has not been directed towards me. Incredible video.

[@artprof]

That's great to hear this video was helpful! Many of my students tell me that they learn just as much from listening to another student's critique, as they do to their own. We have many more portfolio critiques like this which you can see here: artprof.org/purchase-a-portfolio-critique, and also in the Critiques section of Artprof.org: artprof.org/critiques/

[@adenridesdragons1321]

I love this, and I want to pursue art in college, but it's quite intimidating. Seeing someone else's work that seems so superior, and hearing all the critique is a little disheartening, but incredibly valuable.

[@artprof]

I completely understand that, some days I go to museums and I think, "why am I still doing this when all of these amazing artists did it so much better than I ever will, hundreds of years ago?" Because I love it. That's as simple as it is sometimes. -Prof Lieu

[@seesamsaw]

the first two minutes felt so good. I think she really sees potential in me.

[@alexrader5822]

Obviously awesome portfolio. It’s kinda interesting though the disparity between what a university wants and what the art world wants. A school wants variety, a buyer wants branding and continuity

[@artprof]

Yes, completely different contexts and points in an artist's development. The context for the artwork is totally different, and what concerns a student is a completely different set of concerns than for an artist working professionally. -Prof Lieu

[@kyelaoxuda2207]

I think it’s really interesting to see the route andy wei has taken after this highschool period. Looked him up on instagram just now and his work seems completely unrecognizable based on what he submitted for college! Must’ve been quite the journey these couple of years

[@kevinyang9058]

good to see growth otherwis y make art at all

[@anonymousrage1]

She is amazing at critiquing. Honesty truly helps better myself as an artist.

[@artprof]

That's fantastic! We're so glad :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@valeriavagapova]

Such a great video!! I loved this in-depth critique. At first I was almost worried it would be too sugarcoated, but it turned out to be the perfect balance between pointing out strong and weak points, which is refreshing to see on KZbin. It's always a pleasure to listen to a true professional talk about their subject. Thank you for sharing! Will check out more of your videos for sure

[@artprof]

Nope, no sugar coating here! I know it can feel good to be told you're doing well, but honestly, the most inspiring critiques I remember having as a student weren't the ones where i was told my work was great. Rather, they were the critiques that make me wake up and notice aspects of my artwork I had been blind to during the process. -Prof Lieu

[@dgmojojojo]

This art prof is so meticulous and eloquent. She explain and dissect the art thoroughly AND still giving feedback in already good art so that EVERYONE (the artist and us the viewer) can improve to

[@artprof]

Thank you! Yes, there is always something to improve on, something g new to consider. This video explains how to keep improving: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHS0fGh3iM6crZI -Prof Lieu

[@JeskMelo]

That's why I keep giving up on getting to school. I feel like admissions can get pretty aggressive on the approach how you have to know it all, but the reason you are in there is that you want to learn how to be better. Lol

[@sophiachen5724]

I love how you gave technical feedbacks as well as encouraging creativity and personal styles! Back in my art school, my teachers hated if your art is "representational" in any way possible - they were offended if they can recognize the object they're looking at. I honestly don't think many of them could draw and paint that well, let alone understand how you could use personal choices to express ideas and emotions through observational drawing. Instead they just encourage you to be as weird as possible because they believe skills and creativity are mutually exclusive. This is why RISD is much better.

[@artprof]

That's so strange, you'd think they'd be excited by technically good artwork! I am still shocked at the vast differences between different art schools & teachings, there are so many approaches! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@atstat]

When they were talking about the picture with shoes, I didn't quite understood the part about the coloures. If I remember correctly, there is a style called pointillism, which is usually drawn with coloures from tubes and with short strokes. And I think that was the style the author of the portfolio was going for. If I am mistaken, please correct me. (And also sorry for grammar)

[@aniya4953]

I believe she Is communicating that it gets muddy in certain places because of the bold color and stippling they used. There is no contrast or "break" for the eyes, as everything is rendered virtually the same. But that's entirely subjective; it isn't inherently bad.

[@katywuste9054]

I love the fact that your critique was so well balanced. I also liked your references to famous artists. This student will have learned so much from watching this.

[@artprof]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! we try to critique as objectively as we can to provide useful ideas.. If you’d like to see more critiques, here’s a link to our art school portfolio critiques: kzbin.info/aero/PLvt8_pMl6ywliWpmLTuUUT77wfQnYu_MP -Marc Stier, Art Prof Staff

[@lauriieee]

With art analysis I sometimes question if it‘s based on „validation“, if there is a newer artist there is always something to read into as critique, whereas if it would have been made by a renowned artist it would be interpreted as an „innovative juxtaposition“. If new artists were to choose less detail it would be considered „sloppy“ or missing a „foundation for creating a context“ whereas when there‘s detail added the search is for something opposite to be critiqued.

[@miffyn1737]

I'm not major art student but my hobby is watercolor painting. I appreciate all artists either professional or not because they determine and dedicate to express their inner emotion. This video can help me to improve my art.

[@TheDuctTapper1]

These videos have been so helpful for me. I feel like everything you said in this critique are the exact things that I have problems with in my own art. Thank you so much for these!

[@artprof]

That's great to hear! We have tons more critique videos on our main site: artprof.org/critiques/

[@mermaidtingzzz]

I gotta say I thoroughly appreciate you giving this clearly highly skilled young artist real critiques! A lot of the time ppl, especially students, are solely impressed by blatant displays of skills, and won't think to look for improvenents. They're like "it's already realistic, it's perfect!" But NOTHING is perfect. I took notes on what you said he did excellently, but especially on where he could improve cause that's where growth really comes from! I can only imagine what this kid will do once he loosens up! To me he's already conquered the hard parts, now's time to edit down and soften up, best of luck to him!

[@artprof]

We totally agree with you, realism is not the only important aspect of art people are just able to relate to it more. Glad it was helpful, thanks for the support! - Hema Somaya, Art Prof Staff

[@andreeaistrate2222]

In art school I always had professors that were forcing their style into us and whatever else I was experiencing or loving to create was automatically dismissed ... that really had an impact in such a way that I refused to go further and apply for Master

[@felixhenson9926]

Oh my god the first student is SO talented I would totally follow and try to learn from them

[@heidi-mariadegruchy7641]

I am sad that so many people look down on photo realistic art as of t is some how inferior because it apparently doesn't 'say' something! It is possible to do both! Energy and story-telling can still be found in some amazing photo realistic work. Remember, if this person is high school age, they haven't lived long enough to have yet found what they wish to fully convey through their work, only life's experiences can teach you that, which of course has to be lived year by year!!

[@blooj3663]

Its like the professor said, its rare for an artist to have that much patience, attention to detail and commitment to produce such realistic art work

[@Gertyprunes69]

She is very good at wording things and communicating her ideas across

[@artprof]

Thank you, appreciate it! -Prof Lieu

[@wallejesus]

As I was watching: there were few things I disagreed with, but overall this critique was very well said. The number one thing that I agreed with over and over again was the artists lack of voice in the artwork itself. The technique can always be improved on, but voice is something we all have. Lots of artists don’t take the time to think of how to put themselves in the artwork. The wagon artwork was a great callout on this example: great technique, but no personal presence.

[@silentc1own958]

I love how you’re still replying/reacting to the comments on this video even after 3 years

[@cynthiazhou2879]

THIS IS SO GOOD AND HELPFUL

[@artprof]

Cool! Check out our Art School Portfolios course on Artprof.org! artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/ Also if you register (for free) on Artprof.org, you can ask our staff questions in our ASK section: artprof.org/ask/

[@wcstrawberryfields8011]

Prof Lieu, your encouraging replies to intimidated commenters are uplifting! Enjoyed your critique.

[@artprof]

That's great, thanks! -Prof Lieu

[@stayalivesweetheart]

Your channel is fabulous and has so much info! Thank you ! I’m an adult student that has returned to school to pursue a BFA. Subscribed !

[@artprof]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear you found us! 😄

[@Victoria-jh1qe]

These critiques are very helpful. Thank you to the professor for sharing your insight and knowledge.

[@artprof]

You're very welcome!

[@maryoary3195]

This taught me so incredibly much! Thank you!

[@jaetok]

Wow, I hope this artist has not stopped. It's amazing.

[@karenbarros7012]

Uhm... Guess I'm not getting accepted 😅

[@artprof]

Don't make any assumptions!! Remember every artist and portfolio is different. If you need help preparing your portfolio, we have this free Art School Portfolios tutorial with tons of information: artprof.org/courses/art-school-portfolio/

[@whoopsydaizy]

21:04 This one is one of my favourites, and it makes me feel like they're the type of person to look at the things around them, but never up.

[@artprof]

Thanks for sharing! -Prof Lieu

[@tomatosoup2000]

it was my dream all my life to get into art school but it honestly just seems like a scam as I’ve gotten older. they want people to pay thousands of dollars to learn shit they already know because they only want the best artists. and most middle class/lower class high schools don’t have great art classes at all, the most you learn is how to paint in water color.

[@artprof]

I think it really depends on each person's financial situation and the school they go to. Each schol is SO different, and even programs within the same school can be totally on the opposite ends of the spectrum. -Prof Lieu

[@saralen7095]

I want a teacher like her, respect.

[@pillow3209]

They seriously did a sculpture for their portfolio?? This looks so good wtf