Portfolio Development and the Importance of Observational Drawing

By Char Norman, Associate Provost, Columbus College of Art & Design

Admission to most colleges of art and design is based primarily on the submission of a portfolio. Columbus College of Art & Design is certainly no exception. Student portfolios are carefully evaluated with test scores, grade point averages, and letters of recommendation augmenting the application. As the portfolio takes primary seat in the admissions process, drawing, and more specifically observational drawing is the backbone of the portfolio. Drawing is the most fundamental means of communication for the visual artist. Indeed drawing is both the foundation and underlying structure of almost every other form of visual art, as well as a valuable art media in and of itself. The ability to observe carefully and communicate those observations to both visual and nonvisual people is often crucial in the educational process as well as in the work place. Visual representation of ideas can be the key to successful comprehension and implementation of plans and certainly supplement oral and written communication. Expressions in almost all visual forms are predicated on the ability to observe and communicate one’s observations through drawing.

Careful evaluation of student drawings is an excellent means of accessing a student’s potential in the visual arts. Observational drawing goes beyond talent or technique and demonstrates the student’s ability to observe, communicate, and focus on a task for an extended period of time; all necessary skills to succeed in a rigorous art and design program and later in a career. While realistic drawing lays the groundwork and gives the student the tools and observational skills to develop in other ways, it may be a stage to pass through and does not necessarily mean this should be the end product. Observational drawing, a measure of eye-hand coordination helps the student to develop the skills to look, translate, and express one’s observations through representational work, abstraction, or other styles and techniques. The work ethic, concentration, and focus developed through sustained observational drawings will serve a student well in almost every other area of study and carry through to later jobs and careers.

Potential art students need to have a good grasp of what the portfolio entails and the best strategy for assuring acceptance to the desired college. Ten to 15 pieces of artwork should be included with drawings comprising at least 50 percent of the portfolio. Observational drawing is clearly the most important part of the portfolio and should reflect some diversity in subject and media. Still lifes, interior and exterior architecture, figures, and a self-portrait executed in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, or pastels may be included. Paintings, prints, and mixed media may be included. Sculpture and other three-dimensional work is usually represented by slides. Drawings should be carefully matted or mounted on neutral colors with hinged cover sheets. Portfolios are not comprised entirely of finished pieces. Sketchbooks are a welcome addition to the portfolio and count as one submission. Students are encouraged to maintain a sketchbook / journal of ideas and processes. The sketchbook should demonstrate the progression of ideas from concept to developed piece, visual literacy, and the ability to think through visual problems. The sketchbook is a journal of ideas rather than finished pieces and may include writing and notations about the development of the artwork.

While drawing may be considered the best measure of student’s observational strengths, there are those talented and knowledgeable students who may excel in formats other than drawing. How then do we address the assessment of and admission requests of the ceramic, sculpture, or budding video student? While portfolios may be strong in these and other areas, we still require the demonstration of the underlying drawing skill. Students with strengths in areas other than drawing and without the desired portfolio pieces, are often advised to take advantage of one of the many courses created to provide the necessary training to develop strong observational drawings to include in the admissions portfolio.

Courses in portfolio development typically begin with an introduction by an admissions officer who will aquaint the beginning student with examples of strong and weak portfolios. This talk is then followed by a detailed discussion on just what should be included in a portfolio, the best way to display work, photograph work, and how to strategically place the work in the portfolio. Students spend a considerable amount of time learning the techniques of observational drawing and creating finished drawings. This instruction in drawing not only provides the opportunity to complete work for the portfolio but also helps the student develop focus, ability to observe, translate observations to a means of communication, and a work ethic which will serve that student well regardless of his eventual chosen media and career. Students are led through the process of photographing their work and producing slides, which not only show the work to best advantage but also clearly identifies the student’s ability to communicate in an effective manner. Portfolio courses end with the return of admissions officers to the classroom to review student portfolios and further advise them on the contents and readiness to begin the college admissions process.

Portfolio preparation and the emphasis on developing observational drawing skills can be accomplished at many stages of a student's life. Whether practiced throughout a student’s elementary and secondary career or begun later in life, this process provides the same benefits of effective communication skills through the translation of ideas to visual representation. In addition, the student gains an ability to observe, focus, and sustain a concentrated effort resulting in both an acceptable portfolio and valuable life skills.

This article appeared in the 2002 issue of Creative Outlook.