<p>So, I'm a junior looking into different pre-colleges, especially one with a strong fine art program in painting and figure drawing.<br>
I already have a lot of experience in oil painting, and would really like to find a precollege where I can fine tune my painting skills.
So far I've looked at SMFA Boston, Carnegie Mellon, Lyme, and even RISD. I've heard good and bad about RISD's program, and even a rep from the school told me to shy away from the painting program because it's more contemporary.<br>
I really want a program that is extremely rigorous (6-10 weeks with emphasis on realistic figure drawing/painting) and teachers who can really help push my skill to the next level.
I've even considered ateliers such as LAAFA, even though there is no precollege or residency program.
Some of these precollege programs seem kind of wishy-washy though, and when I went to NPD, a few reps told me they don't even use oils (only acrylics) in some of the pre-college programs...<br>
Any suggestions on where to go? Experiences? I think I've read every post on this site about precollege, and yet I am still unsure of where to go...
[Edit] Also, I'm also interested in any programs that require portfolio's to get in, if anyone has suggestions.</p>
<p>Marie Walsh Sharpe
only 2 weeks but so very hard to get in
donno if they let you use oil but everything is free
ask poster named Jdaa, her son got in last summer.</p>
<p>No oils at Marie Walsh, well no oils for painting at least - we did use oil paint for a monotype assignment. Besides that only acrylic, which was annoying of course but beneficial in some ways (many painting 101 classes also work exclusively in acrylic). All of our paintings were from life though, and were supposed to be realistic - some were more committed to this than others. There were also drawing classes, which were centered on life as well - and both classes included one assignment in which we used a live model. It was a short two weeks but very rigorous, 3 hours a day of painting and drawing each, followed by another 2-3 hours of open studio time, which was almost always necessary to complete assignments on time. Would highly recommend applying to anyone interested (portfolio, artist statement and teacher recommendation required).</p>
<p>Do tell more!
Which session did you do? you mean depends on instructor, or the session you’d be placed with?
Which session is the best bet, if you know about all three?
How did you pick order? your school calendar or did you dig instructors?
What are you doing now where?
Did MWS under the belt helped you in anyway?
How 's other kids? My impression so far is Asian goody goody heavy because it is very technical.
Did you get to go to other part of Colorado college much, or had to stay in the art area?
How’s the food, there aren’t anything but 7-eleven and fancy restaurants near by.
People, there is NO drug store in walking distance within downtown Colorado springs.
They better had good first aid with ample supply of eye wash, band aid, rubbing alcohol and emergency ice cream and chips, red bulls for kids after hours.
Dah I am only a sorry parent but could not just give up yet.
I wish I coulda go.
You kids are sooo lucky.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you for the quick responses. The Marie Walsh program looks excellent, I just really wish they used oils (oils are my love). I used to paint a lot with acrylic before moving on to oils, and it’s just nowhere near as fun. I might apply anyways… I just want a program that has a stronger oil painting program (and a bit longer than 2 weeks). I have a job and been saving up for a while… so I’m trying not to think about cost until I have looked at all the available options.</p>
<p>Anyone know about the summer programs at Lyme?</p>
<p>Have you looked at MICA, SAIC, Boston university, Otis, or Kansas City? I think they are shorter but may be worth a look.</p>
<p>My DD did fiqure drawing at SAIC. It was very demanding and the class composite was very good so kids tried to best each other. Not really competitive but will bring an artist up to the next level. For HS students this was hard work and plenty of studio time. Models were good and they had plenty of variety in the volunteers. DD drew someone that had to be in her 70’s. Real challenge. SAIC has dorm rooms right downtown for summer students.</p>
<p>I was at RISD pre-college last year. I had friends that were painting majors, and they used ONLY oils. The painted mainly from life. I know they had a couple of sessions with the figure. </p>
<p>RISD pre-college is a six week program. Even though there’s really no selective process, I can tell you from experience/the work I saw that the school’s name attracted extremely serious, motivated, and talanted kids…but of course there were people who sucked their, too.</p>
<p>When my daughter did the pre-college program at MICA, she chose painting and it was all oils. You needed a portfolio to get in, and they gave some portfolio awards then (I believe this has been discontinued).</p>
<p>They’re program abroad is landscape painting in Tuscany, and I believe it is also all oils.</p>
<p>If you go to Baltimore, you could also check out the Schuler school of fine arts. They train students “in the methods and techniques of the Old Masters”. I don’t know anyone who has gone there, just people who wish they had or are planning to someday!</p>
<p>[Schuler</a> School of Fine Arts | Baltimore, Maryland](<a href=“http://www.schulerschool.com%5DSchuler”>http://www.schulerschool.com)</p>
<p>Tuscany was acrylic two years ago and had both merit/ need scholarships but I heard that did changed, donno this year. Check web for new info.
I should do that but MICA changed its web face (again!) and kinda job to navigate for something I don’t need anymore, sorry</p>
<p>ZincOxide you should take a look at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Some very fine work, teachers and programs to consider.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>My daughter was at SAIC ECP in painting and it was all oils; the school paid for the paints. As a result, the students could work on big canvases, as big as they wanted. Their instructors told them that oils were so expensive, they should take advantage of someone else paying for the paint and work big while they could! Daughter painted 2-3 pieces a day, from almost the first day. </p>
<p>I know it’s not the type of program you’d most like, but she did a lot of figure painting there-- all of her paintings were people – and tons of figure drawing.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help everyone. I’ve narrowed it down to MICA and SAIC and will probably apply to both to see if I could receive some type of finaid/merit. I will most likely also apply to Marie Walsh Sharpe. So, if there are anymore opinions on the painting programs at MICA vs. SAIC I’d love to hear. 
Thanks again!</p>
<p>MWS 2010 app is up!!! dung, instructors are still pretty much (fill in the blank)
do not get turn off by the photo that have not updated past 5 years nor the curlyQ logo nor the dorky graphics of PDF. It is not the design program.
All free if you can only get there, portfolioly first, physically next.
<a href=“http://sharpeartfdn.qwestoffice.net/summer1.htm[/url]”>http://sharpeartfdn.qwestoffice.net/summer1.htm</a></p>