Students must pass a portfolio review prior taking 300-level and above courses. The review is given at the beginning of each semester.
An informational Portfolio Workshop will be held prior to portfolio submission.
Beginning Fall 2009, transfer students will be able participate in the portfolio review. Please call the Art Office for details: 860-832-2620.
Who
Current Central undergraduate ART students
Current Community College students who have applied to Central and have paid related fees
Dates
Portfolio submission for the FALL semester is due the Third Monday in October
Portfolio submission for the SPRING semester is due the First Monday in March
Please contact the Art Department for details: 860-832-2620
Media
Work submitted should show a variety of media, such as pencil, pen, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, clay, wood, fiber, original photographs, digital images, video, etc. You need not use every medium but should include the media that best meets the specifications below.
The following four items are the main criteria for judging portfolios, which must include a minimum of 10 pieces and a maximum of 12 pieces:
- Drawings and/or Paintings: Students must submit at least two still-lifes, one landscape, and one architecture (indoor or outdoor) drawings and/or paintings that accurately create the illusion of 3D space on a 2D picture plane via: relative scale, relative position, overlapping, diagonals, foreshortening, foreground-middle-ground-background, and atmospheric perspective.
- Elements and Principles of Design: Students must submit at least four (4) works of art (2D and/or 3D) that illustrate convincing knowledge and translation of the elements (line, texture, color, shape, form, value, space) and principles (balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, repetition, rhythm, variety, and unity) of design.
- Tonal drawings: Students must submit at least two (2) tonal drawings in pencil, charcoal, and/or ink. These drawings must be executed from life and depict figure, landscape, or still life, as well as successfully describe the illusion of light defining 3D volume. Rendering of tonal drawing in pencil, ink, or charcoal [required] or color works of art [optional] clearly illustrating:
- a range of gradation from black to white or in a single color from the darkest shade to lightest tint
- use of light (highlight, light tone, half tone, base tone, reflected light, and cast shadow and direction of light).
- Craftsmanship: Students’ work must demonstrate foundation level craftsmanship and skill in the chosen media and processes with regards to: technical skills, competent control, awareness of material capabilities and/or limits quality of the finished work (neat, clean, attentive details, well crafted)
All work should be created from direct observation rather than copied from photos or other sources. Work should exhibit an effective understanding of the material presented in foundation or do we want to say 100 and 200 level? courses (Drawing 1, Design 1, etc.).
Students whose portfolios do not meet standards may be required to take supplemental courses. No student will be allowed to proceed on to a 300-level Art course without a successful portfolio review.
Format
2-D pieces must be unframed, ORIGINAL WORK. Original 3-D work that is portable, such as ceramic pots, can also be included in the portfolio. Large 2-D work (too big for portfolio) and large 3-D work (too big to transport) must be submitted as hard copies color photocopies or photographic prints. ONLY work created to be viewed digitally (digital video art or digital photos) should be submitted on a CD or DVD. 35mm slides will NOT be reviewed.
Presentation
All of your 2-D work must be in a suitable folder such as an art portfolio (make sure 2-D work fits completely into the portfolio/folder). Your 3-D work should be unpacked and placed with your portfolio. Be sure everything is clearly identified. Further identification procedures will be explained to you when you drop off your work. Identify on your portfolio which area of specialization you wish to pursue, if known.