Pre-College

Painting and Drawing

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Date
July 6, 2025
Duration
2 Weeks
Location
New York
Grades
Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors
Program
Pre-College
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
Day Program
$5,660
Residential Program
$6,990
Tuition Information
Language
English
Topic
Art Business
Contact Admissions

+1 646-665-1861 precollege@sia.edu

Learn essential painting and drawing techniques in an exciting studio environment designed to inspire creativity and teach you how to express yourself through artistic practices.

In this course, students will learn and refine the fundamental practice of painting and drawing through an interactive, multifaceted approach that motivates them to learn new skills and methods, while expanding their knowledge of visual communication. The course encourages mastery of the basics and builds upon skills gained throughout the two weeks, culminating in an exciting final project. Taught by practicing artists and leaders in the contemporary art world, this course will provide students with guidance, techniques, and support to encourage them to develop their own creative vision, as well as insight into the realities of being a working artist today. Students will balance a variety of expert-led sessions, site visits, and lectures with guided practice to build and further develop artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive, and inspiring setting that allows for dialogue and trial-and-error.

This program is geared towards students eager to discover their artistic passions, try something new, and prepare for college. Through a compelling program of site visits, guest speakers, and a variety of hands-on activities, the program is curated to give students a newfound sense of direction for their future studies. While no studio art experience is required or assumed for this course, students who are preparing to take AP Studio Art or apply for college can benefit from the course’s focus on the fundamentals, as well as the opportunity to develop new pieces for their portfolios.

Highlights

Sharpen Your Skills in the Studio

Advance your drawing skills and receive individualized feedback to take your creations to the next level, both technically and conceptually.

Explore Water-Based Media and Studio Practices

Work with water-based media to further understand the principles of painting, including approaches to color, line, value, composition, and scale. In-studio exercises will allow you time to develop your approaches to expression using the techniques studied in class.

Create Portfolio-Ready Work with Studio Mentors

Under the guidance of studio art faculty, you will develop new areas of artistic practice and create examples of finished work to add to your portfolio.

Terms

All courses are open to rising 10th – 12th graders and graduating seniors. Explore the full summer schedule.

View Schedule

Term Two

Dates
July 20 – August 1, 2025
Grades
Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors
Status
Closed

Next Steps

Details

Site Visits

Visits will include a combination of trips to major New York City art museums, artists’ studios, galleries, and other places related to painting and drawing.

In the past, site visits have included:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • The Museum of Modern Art
  • The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
  • Top New York galleries, such as David Zwirner and Hauser & Wirth
    Artists’ studios

Please note: This information is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Sotheby’s Institute of Art

Guest Speakers

Students will hear firsthand from contemporary artists, curators, and gallerists about the topics that shape our understanding of artistic practice in a variety of settings.

In the past, guest speakers have included:

  • Contemporary artists
  • Gallerists
  • Independent curators
  • Art critics

Please note: This information is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Sotheby’s Institute of Art

Activities and Projects

Activities and projects may include:

  • Practicing a variety of drawing techniques under guided studio time catered to the level of the student, followed by individualized feedback given by the instructor on the student’s work.
  • Studying the history of stenciling and the use of the multiple in art history to create stencil projects in anticipation of the final project.
  • Developing an artist statement to describe their work, collaborating via peer and instructor review sessions.
  • Learning about portraiture and narrative as practiced by contemporary artists, leading to creating an expressive self-portrait series using a variety of media.

Please note: This information is subject to change at any time at the discretion of Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Summer Institute Faculty

Our instructors are award-winning Sotheby’s Institute faculty, recognized thought leaders and professional experts in the art world. Each faculty member structures their course around real-time conversations defining their professions and helps students master the unique forces at play in the art world.

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