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whats the best way and how do i create a art portfolion within the next 4 years to get accepted in a uni? Also, what can i put in my portfolio? can i do stuff like my blender creations even though its not 2d art related?

i don't have any experience in this and i need help fast if i want to get into art school

career college art help design artist graphic-design career-development arts interior-design experience software-development game-design fine-art drawing helping-others designers drawing-and-painting drawing-skills
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Himma Indras’s Answer

Hi Mason! 🎨

I love that you’re thinking ahead—seriously, that mindset will take you far in the art world. Don’t worry if you don’t have experience yet—four years is plenty of time to build a strong portfolio for art school. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help you get started:

🛠️ Step 1: Start Drawing and Creating—Now
You don’t need fancy tools to begin—just grab a sketchbook or open a drawing app and start creating. Try:

Drawing from real life (people, objects, landscapes)

Practicing shading, composition, color

Experimenting with styles (cartoon, realism, abstract, digital art, etc.)

🖼️ Step 2: Learn the Basics
Take free or low-cost classes on platforms like:

YouTube (search for beginner drawing or design tutorials)

Khan Academy – Art History & Basics

Coursera, Skillshare, or Udemy

If your school offers art classes, definitely take them!

🗂️ Step 3: Build a Diverse Portfolio
Art schools want to see range and creativity. Include:

Observational drawings (still life, figures, nature)

Personal or creative pieces that show your unique style

Sketches and idea development (not just polished pieces)

Digital work (optional but useful—especially for design-focused schools)

Aim to include 10–15 strong, varied pieces by the time you apply.

📸 Step 4: Photograph or Scan Your Work
Keep high-quality digital copies of your best work. If it’s on paper, photograph it in good lighting (or scan it). Organize everything in a folder labeled by date and type.

đź’» Step 5: Create an Online Portfolio
Once you’ve built up your collection, create a free online portfolio using:

Behance

[Adobe Portfolio](free with Adobe subscription)

[ArtStation](great for character and concept artists)

Wix or Squarespace (more customizable)

Make sure to include your name, short bio, and contact info.

đź’ˇ Extra Tips:
Follow artists you admire online and see how they present their work.

If you can, visit local museums or art shows for inspiration.

Don’t wait for everything to be “perfect”—your portfolio should show your growth and passion.

You’ve got time, Mason, and starting now puts you on the right track. Keep practicing, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Art school is totally within your reach. You've got this! 👏

Let me know if you want help reviewing your work later on—I’d be happy to give tips!
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Christina’s Answer

A couple of ways I know that others have used successfully:
1) Take an AP Art course in high school and work with the art teacher on the portfolio
2) Go to a pre-college art program the summer of junior year. RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) has a great one and you'll come out of that summer with a great portfolio. There are many other colleges also that offer pre-college programs in art where you can go that was just one example.
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Kim’s Answer

Hi Mason,

I'd definitely assemble a digital portfolio as well as an analog one; you'll update it throughout your career, so you might as well start now and develop good documentation habits. Check out others' online portfolios and see what they look like. Also, I bet schools offer specific guidance on what they want to see in an application portfolio (types of assignments, media, etc.) and the submission requirements, so you could start by checking out admissions requirements for schools. Be sure to follow directions carefully and deliver exactly what each school is asking for.
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Shreya’s Answer

If you want to create an art portfolio for university admission and you’re starting with no experience, the best approach is to begin by exploring different art forms and mediums—such as drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture, or photography—to discover what interests you most.

Take introductory art classes at school or in your community, or use online resources and tutorials to build foundational skills. As you practice, keep all your work, even early pieces, so you can track your progress.

Over time, focus on developing both technical skills and your own creative ideas; universities value originality and personal expression as much as technical ability. Set aside time each week to create art, experiment, and challenge yourself with new subjects or techniques.

Seek feedback from teachers, online communities, or local artists to improve your work. As you advance, start curating your best pieces, aiming for a portfolio that shows a range of skills, creativity, and growth. Document your work with high-quality photos or scans, and keep notes about your process and inspiration for each piece, as many universities ask for written statements.

By steadily building your skills, seeking feedback, and thoughtfully selecting your strongest work, you’ll be well-prepared to assemble a compelling portfolio for art school applications in four years.
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Ken’s Answer

Hi Mason,

There are some great suggestions here: start drawing, explore schools, build an online portfolio, and attend pre-college courses. These are all fantastic steps. I also recommend diving into different types of art to discover what excites you. Art is a broad field and means different things to everyone. Explore various areas like fine art, illustration, photography, 3D art, sculpture, film, design, web, and industrial design. For instance, I initially thought design was just about fashion, but after taking classes, I found my passion in graphics.

Explore your interests, and use the advice above to guide you. Good luck!
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Brian’s Answer

The best way to make art is by making it:

- Practice your craft regularly -- daily if you can -- and document the products of your practice
- Identify someone you trust to review your work and identify the pieces that you should showcase/refine for showcase
- Compile them into a portfolio

That's about it! Make stuff, show it to people for feedback, fix it, then put it in a folder. There's plenty of resources online about who to reach out to and how, as well as how to put together the portfolio itself. But the important part is you MAKE stuff!!!
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Andria’s Answer

I recommend taking some online art courses which can be found easily on the internet. There are even some free ones you can find on YouTube. Then after finishing your lessons, I'd suggest creating some personal projects based on your preferred major. If you want to do painting, create some prints. If you want to do animation, maybe try to create a short film. Those will be great for your portfolio and show your skill set.
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RHONDA R’s Answer

They say to take professional 8x10 inch pics and put in a hard back binder notebook. Make your resume , diploma and any other awards included.
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Reuel’s Answer

I think the best is to ask and seek the enrollment qualification at the University you want to apply...they will give guidance and advise you the steps to take inorder for them to enroll you
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