Art School Audition?

Okay, so I am going to be auditioning for an art highschool in January for the next school year (my sophmore year), and I am kind of freaking out. I just recently started drawing, mostly within the past year, but I have always been interested in art.


On the audition information, they say to bring a portfolio of your best pieces, there will be a written critique based on a given work of art, the student will need to draw something from direct observation, and there will be a personal interview with the visual arts department.





Does anyone have any advice? I am very nervous since they say to bring in any awards/achievements that you have earned, and i haven't got any of these. However, I am very determined to persue this as a career in the future.

Art School Audition?
First, RELAX. The point of attending this school is to improve your skills. If you were already spectacular, there would be no point in attending. They're not expecting you to draw like da Vinci- especially at a pre-college level. Keep that in mind.





Secondly, organize what you have for your portfolio. Take your favorite works and those that you know are our best. Ask the opinions of others (even those who claim not to know anything about art- they can still recognize something they like.) If you don't have enough pieces to meet what's required (if they didn't give a number, and you can't find out by calling, keep in mind most colleges look for 10-20 in an undergraduate admissions portfolio.), start to beef it up. Do studies, things like still lifes and figure drawing. Don't worry about doing imaginative pieces just yet, focus on drawing what you see. Do as many as you have time for, and tweak your portfolio accordingly.





Third, when it comes to writing your critique, take it seriously. Do your research, and not in Wikipedia. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that although you need to research it thoroughly, they're not looking for a biography on the artist or a summary of the work. They want your opinion on what works, why, and what could make it more successful.





If you are as serious about this as you sound, you should be fine- awards and acheivements or not- especially as you have a personal interview.





For further info, especially on how to set up a portfolio, check out the websites of a few art schools (links can be found on the National Portfolio Day Association's website).





And just remember: Relax, and have fun with it! Good luck!
Reply:I would draw a series of still lifes over the next few weeks...





1. an egg on a white cloth surface


2. a single piece of fruit... sitting on a window ledge


3. a bowl of fruit [doesn't have to be more than 2 or 3 pieces]


4. a corner of a room


5. a piece of meat or a fish.





If you do those you should be prepared for whatever they give you to do.





Keep it simple.... simplify the composition... above all train your eye to LOOK.