Portfolio Consulting for Teens

Portfolio consulting is an excellent way to ensure your child’s art portfolio not only stands out but also significantly enhances their chances of being accepted into their desired university or college art program. Through personalized guidance, portfolio consulting helps your child showcase their unique strengths and creativity in a way that aligns with the specific requirements of their chosen schools. There are numerous benefits to investing in art portfolio consulting—allow me to elaborate on why this can be a game-changer for your child's future in the arts! Learn more about portfolio consulting below!



Portfolio Consulting- What is it?

Art portfolio consulting sessions are conducted online via Zoom or Google Meet, where we meet one-on-one to review your child’s art portfolio and discuss their preferred schools and programs. Since 2020, I have been assisting teens in preparing their art portfolio applications, drawing from my experience as a certified high school art teacher. I also have extensive experience working with students with Autism, ADHD, and other learning disabilities, ensuring they receive tailored support. I’ve successfully guided numerous teens toward acceptance into their dream art programs.



In art portfolio consulting here are some topics I can help with: 

  • Planning the portfolio

  • What art pieces to include and in what order

  • How to title artwork 

  • How to write descriptions or essay writing 

  • How to take photos of art and edit them 

  • Help with planning your child’s schedule so they can balance -schoolwork, a part time job, a social life and making their art portfolio plus any other commitments they might have. 

  • And so much more!

How Does Portfolio Consulting Work?


Click the button below to sign up for a spot choose a date and time that suits your schedule and book the session. Then you will be sent a meeting link. If you have any questions or need help booking or would like different availability then what is listed -fill out the contact form below to get in touch with me. 



What are the Benefits of Portfolio Consulting?


Getting Into a Competitive Art Program


Competitive art programs tend to only accept 20% or less of the total applicants. 



If your child wants to go to a competitive or popular art school portfolio consulting will help them get in. 




You can see a list of popular art schools in Canada and the U.S. here. 




Homeschooled Art Students 

If your child is or has been homeschooled, they may lack the formal visual arts education typically provided by a structured curriculum and might not be familiar with the key terminology that college or university review panels expect.


Homeschooled students often find themselves with fewer completed artworks ready for submission in their art portfolios and may need to create additional pieces. I can assist with this by guiding your child in creating new artworks and refining existing ones to ensure they meet the submission standards.

portfolio consulting

Teens That Don’t Have A lot of Artwork

I can work with your teen to develop a detailed plan and schedule, helping them determine how many pieces of art they need to create and setting deadlines to keep them on track. With my guidance, they’ll have the accountability and structure needed to stay organized and manage this significant task effectively. Some schools require as many as 20 pieces of art in an application, so having a clear plan is crucial.


I also have lots of ideas to share so your child can create phenomenal pieces in less time. 


Who Should Do Portfolio Consulting?

Grade 11 or Grade 12 teens who want to pursue an art career or arts-related career. To learn more about arts-related careers -click here. 



Some arts related careers like architecture require an art portfolio depending on the school. 


Do some research ahead of time to determine where your child wants to go to art school and for what art program. 




You can look under the admissions section of the school or contact someone from the school’s admissions office to ask if your child needs to submit an art portfolio application. 




For tips to make your child’s art portfolio stand out click the button below for your FREE guide! 



Book a coaching session with me by clicking on the button below! You can choose a 30 minute or hour session. 

What is in the Art Portfolio Course?



I have created an art portfolio course to help high school students with preparing their art portfolio applications for art school or an arts-related program like fashion design, video game design, architecture and more! Learn more about what is in the art portfolio course and when it is available by reading more below! 



Art Portfolio Course - Get Into Art School 

When is the art portfolio course available?

The Art Portfolio Course is only available during May and September - you cannot purchase it other times during the year. 

To get on the waitlist and hear about when the course is available -make sure you are on my mailing list - you can click on the button below and I will send you a copy of 10 Tips to Make Your Art Portfolio Stand Out - for FREE! 


Click the button below to join the waitlist! 


If you have questions about the portfolio application process or would like feedback on your work and the course is not open for registration - check out my art portfolio coaching by clicking on the button below. We meet online and you can choose to book 1 hour or 30 minutes. 




Who is the Art Portfolio Course for?

This course is designed for high school students who know they want to pursue a creative career. Most creative careers like graphic design, illustration, fashion design, video game design, animation, fine arts etc. need an art portfolio submitted for students to apply to that program/school. 



While this course is great for grade 12 students/high school seniors -this course is great for students who love art and are in any grade of high school.




It is better for students to start preparing for their portfolio early and to begin thinking/planning for the process instead of leaving it to the last minute and having to balance:

  • Part time jobs

  • Significant others

  • Friends 

  • Exams/school projects 

  • Family time/vacations etc. 




This course is also great for high school art teachers looking to learn more about the portfolio process and better assist their high school students while saving time with the done for you resources, worksheets and planning pages! 




What’s Included in the Art Portfolio Course?


Video lessons that you can watch anytime. You have lifetime access to the course. You don’t need to finish the course by a certain date or in a certain amount of time. 




You can watch the video lessons as many times as you want to help you learn or review the material. 




You will also gain access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your work and find other people who are applying to art programs to hold yourself accountable.


This course will cover the following topics in depth through video lessons and PDF resources, checklists, templates, worksheets all to help you learn and save time and headaches:



  • How to plan your portfolio - what to include/not, how to prepare, how to fix artwork, how schedule and manage your time, what to consider when applying to schools, how to make your pieces stand out etc. 

  • How to create key pieces, where to find inspiration, how to improve your artist mindset, 

  • Time management tips, how to avoid plagiarism, how to show the creative process

  • How to critique and improve your work, how to ask for feedback

  • How to choose titles, details in your portfolio to pay attention to, how to write and speak about your work

  • How to photograph your work and edit photos, how to plan your shots and what shots to include 

  • And so much more! 


In addition there are some bonuses:

-How to prepare for an art interview 

-How to write an artist statement and bio

-Art 101 course - colour mixing, learn about/review the elements and principles of design, composition, how to create a focal point, figure drawing, portrait drawing, drawing from observation and more! 




  • Quick action bonus - of if there is limited time -ideas and examples of artwork you can make to add into your portfolio. 




VIP option


I have 30 spots available for VIP. In VIP you will get access to the course above, the bonuses, the private Facebook group you will also receive a portfolio review where you will submit 20 images to me of completed work and I will give you written feedback of what to fix, what is great, tips to rephotograph the work etc. You will receive a 30 min coaching call one on one with me where you can ask questions, get feedback, ask what pieces to include etc. We will coordinate a time throughout your process to choose a time that works best for you. You will also receive a discount of purchase 30 min. Get 30 min. Free for one on one coaching to be used at any time. 



There are only 30 spots available as the VIP coaching. 



If you don’t get a spot or you would prefer to pay for the one on one coaching - you can pay for that here.


Click the button below to get on the waitlist for the course and VIP course option! 

Have Questions About the Course? Contact me Below!

How to use layers in a sketchbook

Learn how to use layers in a sketchbook by having the permission to make art in the sketchbook. Adding layers in a sketchbook is a great way to add texture and have fun testing and experimenting with new materials and techniques.  I have three ways for how to use layers in a sketchbook. Read more to discover how to use layers in a sketchbook. 


how to use layers in a sketchbook


Layer in Materials 

Start by pushing yourself to add layers of different media in your sketchbook. You can start with pencil then add pen, then marker, then water colour paint, then acrylic paint, then sharpie etc. Each layer you can challenge yourself to add a new medium.

pile of sketchbooks on the floor with layers in them

Layer in Textures

Begin to play and experiment with your sketchbook through the layers. You can add collage elements to bring in different textures. Here are some great collage elements to try:

  • Magazines

  • Fabric

  • Scrap paper 

  • Paper with writing or text like book pages or handwritten letters

  • Tissue paper 

  • Ribbon

  • Scrapbooking materials 

  • Stickers 

  • Buttons 

  • Anything that interests or speaks to you


Adjust your mindset 

Sketchbooks can have multiple purposes. You can plan out artwork and do a rough sketch, you can create a full artwork or a finished piece. Or you can use your sketchbook to create layers and to test and experiment with new supplies or techniques. You can give yourself permission to let go and to just have fun and play since a sketchbook is usually cheaper than watercolour paper or canvas. 

stack of sketchbooks



Tips for using your sketchbook more

  • Have it readily available in a place you see daily

  • Give yourself time in your schedule to sketch, doodle (make it part of your morning or evening routine)

  • Create a challenge where you are going to make a small artwork in your sketchbook either daily or weekly



Benefits of keeping a sketchbook

A sketchbook is a great place to test out new materials and techniques. It is a great tool to record ideas, inspiration and research. It can be used as a log to record what worked and what didn’t. Lastly, a sketchbook can be used as a test to create a mock up or mini work before committing to a larger or final piece. 



If you have enjoyed how to use layers in a sketchbook feel free to try any painting tutorials on YouTube or learn about some of my art resources on Teachers Pay Teachers.


Check out my drawing prompts for high school students. I have over 30 pages of drawing prompts, ideas, checklists and drawing practice pages that use the elements of design!

Click here to shop!

How to Create an Art Portfolio: 7 Tips!


How to create an art portfolio with 7 tips from artist Jackie Partridge. I have been exhibiting my artwork since 2012. I have received artist grants and awards and I have attended artist residencies. With this experience I have done my share in submitting my portfolio for numerous applications. As a teacher, I have worked with grade 12 students to help them with their art portfolio applications. See my 7 tips for your college/university art portfolio application below!

After receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Lakehead University I also completed teacher’s college. I graduated being able to teach grades 4-12 in Ontario before taking my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University.


During my time in teacher’s college part of my placement included teaching art to grade 12 students. In the first term I helped students with their portfolios as they were in the midst of applying for university and college arts programs. I volunteered my time to help these students during my lunch break by giving them tips and ways to improve what they had selected to be in their portfolios.


I have worked as an art instructor for a private boarding school where I helped international high school students with their portfolio applications in art, graphic design, illustration and architecture programs.


If you need ideas for what to put into your art portfolio application you can click here!

blue paint brush with paint on it. Start making art for your portfolio

7 Tips to Make Your University/College Portfolio Stand Out

Tip #1

READ THE REQUIREMENTS -AND FOLLOW THEM

You need to know what they want and usually they tell you specifics!

Every university and college or even programs within the same school have different application requirements when it comes to their portfolios. Some schools are very specific asking for a certain number of pieces, certain media used or certain sizes of work. Some schools want original work, some/most don't-- they want photographs uploaded on programs like SlideRoom.  Some schools even have specific themes like "Make a work that is finished yet unfinished." This can make the process more difficult and leave students feeling overwhelmed and unsure -often overthinking their decisions and ideas.

Want to go to art school but unsure how to create an art portfolio that stands out and gets accepted? Click on the button below to get on the waitlist for my art portfolio course!

Tip #2

Show Your Creative Process

Most schools want to see your process work - they want to see how you think about your art and why you made the choices you did.


Tip #3

Show Your Personality

The purpose of the portfolio is an introduction and a chance for your chosen school to get to know you and see if you would be a good fit there.  You want to show your interests and possibilities you might want to continue to explore while in post-secondary education. You should include materials you like working with and show your artistic style that is unique to you!

How to make a strong portfolio for school -tips by Jackie Partridge

Tip #4

Show Variety

You want the professors reviewing your portfolio to be impressed by your skills and see you as an artist who is versatile. Therefore, it is important to show that you can do more.

By showing variety you are showing that you aren't afraid to try new things and experiment with your artwork. It shows that you are open to growing and learning which is the whole point of college and university programs. Check out my YouTube channel for tips to make your acrylic paintings stronger! You can also improve your painting with FREE12 page Guide!

Tip #5

Show Program Specific Techniques 

If you are applying to specific programs like architecture or illustration you want to think about possible projects that might be studied in those programs. Once you have thought of those ideas you could try to include relevant pieces in your portfolio.

If you are applying to a non-specific program like a Bachelor of Fine Arts for example- then again you want to show variety. You need to show your range, talents and abilities.

How to make a strong portfolio - show your diversity of skills like ceramics

How to make a strong portfolio - show your diversity of skills like ceramics

Tip #6

Details are Important 

You need to remember that review panels are looking at portfolio after portfolio for hours on end. You need to stand out and be memorable. Make sure you consider details to set you apart.

Edit your photos, think about your layout, come up with clever titles for your work. All these details are important!


Tip #7

Show Your Thinking, Your Writing and Research

Usually you will be asked to submit written descriptions about your work- make sure they are detailed and informative.

List your inspiration- if you did a drawing based off a building or place -state that research. You want to show your intelligence and critical thinking abilities in these descriptions.

Make sure you edit your writing, stick to the word count and choose a consistent and legible font.

Take time to plan your written descriptions and do not leave them to the last minute!


I wish you good luck with your portfolio applications and the BIGGEST tip I can give you is to start early and trust your gut!

What People are Saying

I was excited for the opportunity to work with Jackie!

The presentation from Jackie was very specific relevant information to prepare my students for applying to art schools. It gave us a checklist to follow and ideas we had not yet considered.

 

This presentation is a MUST for anyone needing information to better prepare students to apply to art schools. Not having gone that route myself, it was invaluable!

 

Jackie was not only knowledgeable, but easy to work with and super accommodating. I would highly recommend her!!

 

Britt, High School Art Teacher, California, U.S.



Here are my art portfolio ideas. These ideas are great if you are struggling with what to include in your art portfolio.

Click here to purchase!



To purchase the art portfolio coaching please click the button below


Want Some Help With Your Art Portfolio? I Would Love to Work With You - Send me an Email!

I offer Portfolio Review and Portfolio Development Consultations. I can help you decide what to create, what to include in your art portfolio, answer any questions, prepare for interviews, and more!

All the best with your art portfolio applications- You got this!

All the best with your art portfolio applications- You got this!