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Short course

Portfolio Preparation Short Course

Portfolio Preparation Short Course | On Campus
Build a body of work, develop your artwork, and refine your practice for further education. For over 18s, offered online or on campus.

Next start months
August 2025
August 2025
December 2025
Tutor(s)
Seán Myers
Price
From £680.00

Course description

Course overview

This short course helps you develop a body of artwork for an art college portfolio using research, sketchbook development, and practical skills.

The tutor will give you advice on how to present your portfolio as well as on interview techniques, your personal statement and references required. These are all important components to your university application for full-time courses and beyond.

This course is available both on campus or online.

Who this course is for

This portfolio preparation course enables students with a range of abilities to construct appropriate work to form part of a portfolio for their next step into Further and Higher Education. It is ideal for anyone interested in applying for a foundation or BA course, or wanting to add to their portfolio.

Key information

Topics covered

  • Research methods
  • Gathering and extending research
  • Use of sketchbooks
  • Idea development
  • Explore and experiment with the process of making

Learning outcomes

  • Produce substantial work that will enhance your portfolio
  • Be able to talk about your work with confidence
  • Improve your technical skills in a variety of areas
  • Be able to generate ideas for new work and new ways of working
  • Digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

On campus
Please bring the following materials with you on the first day:

  • A3 sketchbook
  • Set of pencils (HB, 2B,4B,6B)
  • Willow charcoal
  • Sharpener
  • Eraser
  • Scissors
  • Cutting knife
  • Roll of masking tape
  • Acrylic paint - basic set of primary colours, black and white tubes
  • A selection of other colour materials: Quink, drawing ink, wax crayons (primary colours), wax candle, oil pastel
  • Painting Brushes for acrylic paint - small, medium, large
  • UHU glue and PVA glue
  • Paint palette or paper plate for mixing colours. Containers for water
  • Magazines for inspiration (not fashion magazines please)
  • Cartridge paper - A2
  • Acrylic paper pad - heavyweight, 360gsm
  • Cardboard boxes for 3D project

Non-essential materials which you may find useful depending on your personal needs/individual practice:

  • Glue gun, glue sticks
  • Fabric samples
  • White matt emulsion and household paint - 1l
  • White acrylic gesso - 500ml
  • Gelli gel printing plate (set with print roller)
  • Block print ink
  • Water-based indoor spray paints
  • Specialist paints
  • Mod-roc

Online

If you are taking this course online, please see our Guide to taking online short courses.

Tutor

Seán Myers

Seán Myers works with Foundation, BA and MA students at Central Saint Martins. He is an artist and lecturer and also runs a silkscreen printing studio in North London. 

To see images of Seán's work visit Seán's website.

Book a course

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