Ace Your Art High School Portfolio: Fantastical Sandwich Drawing Tips
The Fantastical Sandwich prompt for Art High School admissions is a tricky one — it’s designed to test just how creative you can be within a limited idea.
The prompt reads:
‘Using pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH! Use your imagination and creativity – depict your wildest ideas of what a Fantastical Sandwich looks like to you. Consider for the drawing: What bizarre, unusual, or creative toppings does your sandwich have? Who made it? Who is it for? When creating your Fantastical Sandwich, be sure to include a background and fill the whole page. Feel free to use colored pencils if you wish. And, most importantly, have fun with it!’
So how do you tackle this imaginative challenge? Let’s dive in!
🎨 Fantastical Sandwich Tip #1: Start with Strong Ideas
A clear concept leads to a strong final piece. Begin by brainstorming and creating small thumbnail sketches — quick, tiny drawings that help you explore different ideas. Ask yourself:
- What makes your sandwich fantastical?
- Is it magical? Delicious? Disgusting? Maybe it holds a tiny world inside it?
- Who made this sandwich? A wizard? An alien? A talking octopus?
- Who is it for? A giant? A robot? Or maybe a king?
Once you have a few ideas sketched out, pick the one that excites you most — the one that sparks your imagination.
🔥 Fantastical Sandwich Tip #2: Develop Your Favorite Idea
Take your chosen thumbnail and expand on it. Push your creativity! Think about:
- Composition: How will the sandwich sit on the page? Will you draw it from the top, side, or even a dramatic angle?
- Details: What toppings are in it? Is there gooey cheese stretching? Tiny dragons roasting marshmallows on the bread?
- Background: Where is this sandwich? A magical bakery or maybe a monster’s lunchbox?
The more thought you put into your composition, the more dynamic and interesting your drawing will be.
🔍 Fantastical Sandwich Tip #3: Draw from life!
Even the most skilled artists rely on real-life references — it’s essential! To create your fantastical sandwich, start by observing objects around you that match your vision. Drawing from life adds depth and realism to your artwork while relying solely on photo references can make your work look flat. Bring your imagination to life with a strong foundation in what you see!
✨ Fantastical Sandwich Tip #4: Refine Your Drawing
Now that you’ve transferred your refined sketch to the final paper, it’s time to clean up and enhance your drawing. Focus on the foundational principles:
- Composition — Make sure everything fits together nicely on the page.
- Proportion & Perspective — Ensure objects and sandwich parts look balanced and believable.
- Shading & Lighting — Add depth by making shadows darker and highlights brighter.
↓ Explore the impressive Fantastical Sandwich artworks crafted by students who got ACCEPTED into Art High School from our studio! ↓
🔧 Fantastical Sandwich Tip #5: Polish and Perfect
When you think you’re done, look again! A drawing isn’t finished just because everything is filled in. Check for areas to improve:
- Contrast: Make darks darker and lights lighter to add dimension.
- Proportions: Are any parts slightly off? Don’t be afraid to erase and fix small sections.
- Details: Add little textures — maybe sesame seeds on the bun or steam rising from the sandwich.
Remember: drawing is a process of building, refining, and adjusting. Don’t be afraid to make changes — even professionals redraw sections until they’re satisfied.
↓ Explore the impressive Fantastical Sandwich artworks crafted by students who got ACCEPTED into Art High School from our studio! ↓
🥪 Final Thoughts
By following these steps, you’re on your way to creating an incredible Fantastical Sandwich drawing! Whether you choose graphite or colored pencils is entirely up to you — go with the medium you’re most comfortable with to let your skills shine. If you opt for color, remember that it takes more time and benefits from a basic understanding of color theory to make your artwork truly stand out.
Good luck with your Fantastical Sandwich, and most importantly — have fun with it!
Learn more about our Portfolio Programs:
- Art High School Portfolio Prep – Tailored guidance for students applying to specialized art high schools.
- College Portfolio Program – Comprehensive preparation for students applying to top art and design colleges.
- Summer Intensive Program – A focused program designed to help students build a strong, competitive portfolio.
- Private Portfolio Program – One-on-one customized coaching for students seeking personalized portfolio development.
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