Specialized art high schools are something to consider for students who are interested in art and who would like to develop art skills in a more specialized way. Because specialized art schools offer high-quality art programs and specific curricula with a focus on art, they often require specific admission processes. At New York Art Studio, we offer Specialized Art High School Portfolio Prep. to help students with the admission requirements, including a portfolio, home test, and/or audition.
New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work
Art and Design High School (02M630): Commercial Art: Cartooning, Illustration, Fashion Design (M60P)
Bayside High School (26Q495): Digital Art & Design program (Q12A)
Brooklyn High School of the Arts (15K656): Visual Arts program (K47J)
Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts (13K265):Visual Arts program (K42A)
Edward R. Murrow High School (21K525): Fine and Visual Arts (K57K)
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts (03M485): Fine Arts program (M80J)
Fordham High School for the Arts (10X437): General program (X51A)
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School (30Q501): Fine Arts program (Q40J)
Gramercy Arts High School (02M374): Visual Arts program (M66A)
High School of Fashion Industries (02M600): Art, Photography, and Graphic Design program (M68J)
Hillcrest High School (28Q505): Academy of Performing and Visual Arts program (Q24L)
Newtown High School (24Q455): Major Art program (Q34K)
Queens Technical High School (24Q600): Graphic Arts program (Q68B)
Susan E. Wagner High School (31R460): Visual Arts program (R17H)
Theatre Arts Production Company School (TAPCo) (10X225): Visual Arts program (X20T)
Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts (03M415): Visual Arts (M26J)
Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original artwork that include the following
(for additional support with this portfolio, you may view these visual arts portfolio resources(Open external link)
Piece 1: A self-portrait with a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation.
(Observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror)
: Here are some good examples of self-portraiture done by our students in the Specialized Art High School Prep Course. These two drawings show good foundational skills, including value shift, contrast, markmaking, and/or perspective. What creates a specific mood or atmosphere always comes down to how well these skills are executed. The drawing on the left has a more smooth and soft feel to it with thinner marks and rendering. In contrast, the one on the right shows rougher markmaking with more texture. There is good foreground-background contrast with a focus on the self in a more dynamic pose.
Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation.
(Observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you)
New York Art Studio Specialize Art High School Prep student work
This still-life drawing has a nice triangular composition that flows from the top left to the middle right to the bottom left with materials with varying textures. When working on a still life, it is important to think about markmaking and how you would portray different materials. Focus on how reflection works and light/shadow hits depending on the texture.
Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation. (From observation means you draw a live person). If you do not have access to a friend or family member, see the tutorial on figure drawing on this visual arts portfolio resources.
New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work
: Another good example of an observational figure drawing! Human complexions and bodies are very different from objects, with a lot of curves and organic shapes that are very different from objects we encounter in daily life. This drawing shows a figure in a contained space with their back against the locker that showing the difference between the metal and skin in their texture and shades. The jean texture is also added very nicely with creases and wrinkles and good value shifts throughout the figure vs. the background.
Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work
: Charcoal is a great medium to create moods very quickly and effectively depending on the method of application. You could render, show the rough texture of it as is with marks, or use chamois to create ghost-like erasure. Therefore, it is also a great medium to play with to learn about positive/negative space, for that matter, as it is easy to add or subtract value. The drawing portrays a mundane scene with conscious, expressive gestures, with the blurry background in contrast to the foreground which is in much darker shades. In conclusion, Experiment with different grades of charcoal to play with softness, roughness, blending, and markmaking.
Piece 8: If you are applying to Art and Design High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art, and/or Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, submit this creative drawing. (This piece is optional for students applying to other programs.)
Using pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH! Use your imagination and creativity – we want to see 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, have fun with it!
New York Art Studio Specialize Art HS Prep student work
: In response to the theme, a Fantastic Sandwich, this student made a lenticular drawing that contains two different drawings at two different angles. Note how the student utilized form to play with the idea of the bizarre, unusual, and creative, adding more dynamic dimensions to the drawing. While foundations do come in important, also have fun and experiment with your idea, no matter how wild it may sound! New York Art Studio’s Specialized Art High School Prep Course will help you how to carry out your vision into concrete form with our one-to-one instruction.
Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included). Then, upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. However, If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable)
Students in our Specialized Art High School program have prepared for their admission through portfolio development, as well as audition preparation through mock-up tests in the program. Since admission for art schools like LaGuardia High School could get competitive, it is important to get specialized instruction that targets specifically what school admission is looking for. Talk to our consultant further to see what options could work for you!
Please CLICK HERE to check our Specialized Art High School page to learn more.
Contact New York Art Studio at info@nyartstudio.com or (212) 279 1622 for more information
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