What impresses art schools in a sketchbook?
I am currently working on my latest sketchbook, filling it up etc. I’m a Sophmore in a technical high school for Commercial Art and I’m starting to think about art college etc. I already have a portfolio started, but my technical teacher mentioned something about sketchbooks. What really impresses art colleges in a sketchbook? What sort of drawings really impress?
I’m looking for actual input. Themes, mediums, etc. I realize that art schools are looking for talent and creativity.
I’m looking for actual input. Themes, mediums, etc. I realize that art schools are looking for talent and creativity.
By: Day
About the Author:
Filed under Drawing & Illustration by on Dec 21st, 2009. 
Comments on What impresses art schools in a sketchbook?
Marketing Strategies
Good drawings, with creative touch, you also have a style in drawing right? Show your style!
Marketing Strategies
It really depends on the specific art school. Schools that stress “fine art” (like Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, where my sister went) want to see that you can handle a variety of media: watercolor, pencil, marker, etc. and can take advantage of what those media can do in order to create a specific effect. Typically they also want to know you have the power of observation and can translate your observations to the sketchbook (specifically, the human body–hands, faces, etc). Schools that stress more commercial art–illustration, graphic design, etc.–want to see that you can follow instructions and produce something clean that communicates clearly.
Marketing Strategies
What they really look for is variety. Variety of mediums, styles, subject matter. Color work, perspective, portraiture. Try to include a little of everything to get noticed.