East Side Center for the Arts, college technical information

adventures behind every easel!

structural images and thoughts
for a well rounded art student

In a very scientific poll - via Face Book - students attending top art colleges were asked what they wished they knew before entering. A few snippets:

• emphasis on actually drawing well • I wanted to creative, but I didn't develop many skills • drawing things accurately • projects involving the human form • site measuring, envelopes with figures • use oil paints and mix them correctly • working from observation • learning to work with mediums since all teachers expect me to know them • connection of the masters styles today • design elements • inks and a xacto knife • critiques
• a larger variety of macaroni colors

Guess which one became a Marine?

Shown by the college kids statements above, some of the basics involved with visual arts are often the ones that are missed while in high school.
The images on this page should illustrate some of the different elements of art that most students do not have the opportunity to use, or learn, while in high school.

• while most never use oils, they would likely not be able to differentiate between which easels are best for different media • Doubtfully they have been exposed to the different supports available and why some would be used over another • while they learn a basic color wheel, they are usually not introduced to other color theories and will not receive knowledge of mixing by doing color studies, nor the different ways pastels are made and how fixative can affect images • inks are not introduced in the wide range of ingredients available and which papers will work the best • mediums such as maroger are not taught because of cost and time, not to mention confusion and the media they are used to change • basic lighting and photography for shooting good reference and their artwork is usually too time consuming for art teachers to handle in a regular art class situation

Above are just parts of the syllabus that the focus will include, in this intensive class which will last for 10 weeks.

Just learning to draw should top the list, but to arrive at school with more knowledge in your pocket, and hopefully a scholarship in your bursars account, will make this tutoring time well worth the investment.