RISD - Observational art in portfolio

<p>Aside from the three required pieces (which can be observational or not) does anyone have a rough idea how many observational pieces you should include in your RISD portfolio? I know they are very big on observational work, but would love some ball park ideas or specific experience on this. Thanks.</p>

<p>Did you go to National Portfolio day? I stood in line for the D on RISD. I kept hearing over and over include something with perspective even if its just a chair. They just want some of skills and some of your own unlessoned art work in your portfolio from what I could gather. i could not see the portfolio they commented on but could hear quite well with the basement ceilings. You know about the Bicycle and the interior scene and the third drawing which can be oservational or abstract. My D was born in a bicycle shop and I cant wait to see what she comes up with.</p>

<p>TheresaCPA,</p>

<p>SHe went to NPD and she got feedback from RISD that she needed more observational, but didn't ask roughly how much. I'm hearing at least half the portfolio for more observation-oriented schools. She has a good selection of her other work, her bicycle is great, she hasn't started her other two "home test" drawings yet.</p>

<p>I'm thinking of calling and seeing what I can find out from admissions. I suspect they get many such calls and have an answer that may help. If I get anything, I'll post it here.</p>

<p>Heron, I think Theresa's comment are helpful. RISD's preferences aren't much different from those of other colleges. They are looking for skills, a basic one of which is can you draw what you see from life? (Not from pictures and not from imagination.) This wouldn't necessarily speak against abstraction but it's easier to show what you can do if a significant part of your portfolio is representational, whether it's figure drawing or drawing of objects. The artist's sense of perspective and 3-D perception (which could be sculpture or some kinds of design work) are among the skills that they might also look for, along with a sense of color. </p>

<p>Beyond this, if you can you want to show work in a variety of media. I recall that my daughter's RISD portfolio (beyond the 3 requisite pencil-on-paper drawings) included some self-portraits (pastels), some sculpture (a head and torso--not abstract--done in a precollege program), some still life paintings, & some landscape paintings. No graphic work, no photography. A majority of her work was of figures (2-D and 3-D). The same portfolio worked well at all the places she applied to.</p>

<p>There is no formula, 3 this 2 that, 4 of some other. But scope and diversity is better than one media type, style, or technique.</p>

<p>Drawing </p>

<ul>
<li>contour line drawing (still life and environment)</li>
<li>perspective</li>
<li>chiaroscuro still life (try white conte crayon on black paper)</li>
<li>charcoal still life (avoid use of contour line, use contrast to define edges)</li>
<li>still life and/or perspective study (color)</li>
<li>landscape</li>
<li>figure (draw from life: hands, feet and body)</li>
<li>gestural drawings (use charcoal line quality to quickly capture dynamic energy embedded within a pose)</li>
<li>self portrait (your choice of media)</li>
</ul>

<p>i went to NPD and RISD officials absolutely raved over my artwork.. He said it was one of the most unique and comprehensive portfolios that he had seen that day</p>

<p>Nearly all of my artwork was drawn from life/observation, but what he said was unique about my works is that i put an abstract touch to my observational drawings. For example, I drew a painting of my dog from observation and then i painted over certain parts of his body very faintly with skeleton and bones that i looked up in my physiology textbook</p>

<p>it was unique, yet showed my technical skills and my strength in the foundations</p>

<p>I had no contour drawing, no chiaroscuro, landscapes in mine and the RISD people were fine with it</p>

<p>i think raining is trying to be safe and cover ALL elements, but i dont think thats quite necessary</p>

<p>just compile a portfolio that truly expresses who you are</p>

<p>My son's portfolio was very diverse. In addition to the required drawings, he included quite a few of his ceramics pieces and abstract paintings. He specifically added observational work to complete his portfolio, but that was not his focus. He was told by several people in admissions to fully demonstrate his area(s) of strength, even if the work was not related to his intended major. He is currently a freshman, graphic design major - - and loving it!</p>

<p>My daughter is all about photography and graphic design - is it alright if there is't anythimg else in the portfolio?</p>

<p>//My daughter is all about photography and graphic design - is it alright if there is't anythimg else in the portfolio?//</p>

<p>Many successful designers do not have well developed skills in traditional media, but I would recommend a little more diversity if possible. Maybe a little mixed media? Art is about having fun. It doesn't need to be highbrow all the time.</p>

<p>Arts & Crafts: Altered Books</p>

<p>Cutout
<a href="http://www.haydeerovirosa.com/mediafiles/17/The-Physiological-BasisAngl_398.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.haydeerovirosa.com/mediafiles/17/The-Physiological-BasisAngl_398.jpg&lt;/a>
Sculpture
<a href="http://www.meca.edu/meca_galleries/Altered_Book/Susan.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.meca.edu/meca_galleries/Altered_Book/Susan.jpg&lt;/a>
Handmade
<a href="http://www.lisakokin.com/mmbooks/12%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lisakokin.com/mmbooks/12&lt;/a>
Book purse
<a href="http://static.flickr.com/29/53806078_76ba162e68.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://static.flickr.com/29/53806078_76ba162e68.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Might be a nice change of pace if your daughter's portfolio is primarily digital. BTW, there are lots of books and resources online. There are a lot of BAD examples as well - as it seems many scrapbookers have moved into book alteration. Much of it is heavy handed.</p>

<p>Matts mom - I had nothing in my portfolio but photographs, and brought two drawings with me (Not at all good - think 2 hours in charcoal on newsprint) and they were totally cool with it.</p>

<p>For what its worth, RISD is running out of money and is accepting more students (last year they admitted a record nbumber of freshman), and basically lowering their standards somewhat. So I wouldn't worry too much about what you submit. Although they claim to have initiated a new scholarship drive, they are still, and will be for at least a few years, giving out far less than any Art institution so are using the new student tuition money to fund new buildings, expansion, etc. rather than giving to the students.
Bottom line - its a good time to go there (get in) if you can afford 40k+ a year. I believe the school and their reputation is suffering as will probably be noted in the newer US News Report Best Colleges ranking, their current ranking although it says 2008, is based on the 2003 surveys conducted in 2002. Their current president has just resigned and their much student unrest about the cost/value of their current curriculm.</p>

<p>RISD is not running out of money. Their construction projects are funded from their sizable endowment and gifts, not from tuition. There is no evidence they are lowering standards for admission. I seem to recall you posted an alarmist item about finances some months ago. Do you have any new information to bring up for discussion? Regarding crime (you also posted on this today), RISD is not crime ridden. However both RISD and Brown (which is right next door) are not as secure from crime as some students might suppose since this is an urban environment (my daughter was mugged there some 7 years ago).</p>

<p>I posted about Arnie Yasinski, executive vice president for Finance and Administration getting an interest free loan while the RISD faculty was strike for fair wages. I wouldn't call that alarmist, more like factual and relevant to an institution that charges 40k+ in tuition and gives our far less aid than other schools.</p>

<p>In regards to money, "Despite efforts to increase external support, however, RISD still relies heavily on tuition income to fund its operating budget.. When a business needs to increase revenue, it usually tries to boost its volume and/or raise prices", says Yasinski.</p>

<p>"RISD's rate of 16% continues to be among the lowest in our peer group, despite ongoing efforts to raise additional funding for financial aid".</p>

<p>These quotes, if you'd like to read more, are from RISD's own paper, RISD VIEWS, Fall 2007 issue.</p>

<p>Risd "crime ridden"? Where was that in my post? You sound very defensive. I think it's worth noting to anyone who is planning to attend RISD that it is not crime free, even on its campus doorsteps, and especially helpful here since other schools like MICA seem to get multiple posts about crime problems.</p>

<p>Thanks RA and patois. Those book cutouts are insanely good - what a great idea to play around with. Funny you should suggest her portfolio be mainly digital - it is. And patois, I'm glad to hear yours was almost completely phtographs, and that it went over well. Which school are you in?</p>

<p>BOG: every college and university in the country relies on tuition to pay its annual operating budget (salaries, wages, services, utilities, maintenance, etc.). RISD is no different.</p>

<p>MattsMomFL - I'm at MICA now, and loving every moment of it :)</p>