Pre-College

Painting and Drawing: Creative Practice and Building an Artistic Portfolio

Date
July 4, 2027
View All Dates
Duration
2 Weeks
Location
New York
Grades
Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors
Program
Pre-College
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Price
Residential Program
$7,865
Day Program
$6,215
Language
English
Topic
Specializations & Skills
Contact Admissions

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

Refine your artistic practice and explore new skills and methods while expanding your knowledge of visual communication.

Through guided studio practice, demonstrations, discussions, and expert-led sessions, this course introduces the foundational principles of drawing and painting, including composition, color, form, line, proportion, and perspective. You will develop technical skills while experimenting with a range of techniques, materials, and creative processes.

Develop your own artistic style through a supportive and collaborative studio environment that values curiosity, dialogue, and experimentation. As you work through a variety of exercises and projects, you will learn how to make creative decisions, respond to feedback, and develop ideas from initial concepts into finished works.

Taught by practicing artists and leaders in the contemporary art world, the course combines technical instruction with insight into contemporary artistic practice. Through studio work, lectures, and discussions, you will gain a deeper understanding of how artists communicate ideas, develop creative projects, and navigate the wider cultural landscape.

While no studio art experience is required 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.

Designed for students who are eager to explore their creativity, develop practical skills, and prepare for future study, this course offers a welcoming environment for both beginners and students with previous studio experience. Whether you are considering a future in the arts or simply looking to strengthen your creative practice, you will leave with new skills, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of your creative potential.

Highlights

Develop Your Artistic Voice Through Studio Practice

Build confidence in drawing and painting while exploring composition, color, form, perspective, and material experimentation. Through hands-on projects, critiques, and guided exercises, you'll develop your own creative approach and visual language.

Create New Work for Your Portfolio

Progress from initial ideas to finished pieces while learning how to refine concepts, respond to feedback, and present your work. The course culminates in a final project that can contribute to your artistic portfolio.

Explore New York City's Art Scene

Extend your learning beyond the studio through site visits to museums, galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces across New York City. Discover how artists develop, exhibit, and contextualize their work within today's art world.

Discover Creative Pathways and Prepare for College

Learn from practicing artists and gain insight into the realities of creative careers. Explore how studio practice connects to college majors and future pathways in fine art, illustration, design, architecture, and related disciplines.

Terms

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

View Schedule

Term One

Dates
July 4 – 16, 2027
Grades
Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors
Status
Coming Soon

Term Two

Dates
July 18 – 30, 2027
Grades
Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors
Status
Coming Soon

Sample Schedule

Day One: Introduction to Painting and Drawing

Meet your instructors and classmates, explore the course structure and studio expectations, and begin investigating the relationship between abstraction and representation. Through hands-on exercises in line, tone, and color, you'll develop foundational drawing skills while collaborating with peers on your first creative projects.

Day Two: Metropolitan Museum of Art & Drawing Fundamentals

Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art for a guided exploration of its collections, using artworks as inspiration for observational drawing exercises. Back in the studio, experiment with line quality and mark-making techniques while creating both abstract and representational drawings and participating in group critiques.

Day Three: Collage, Assemblage, and Multimedia

Discover how artists combine materials, images, and objects to create new meanings through collage and assemblage. Following a discussion with a guest artist, you'll explore a range of multimedia techniques through collaborative activities, studio demonstrations, critiques, and independent creative work.

Day Four: Guggenheim Museum & Introduction to Painting

Explore the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and its collection of modern and contemporary art through a guided tour and independent exploration. Back in the studio, learn foundational painting techniques and begin developing your own abstract and representational works while receiving feedback from instructors and peers.

Day Five: Museum of Modern Art & Pattern and Repetition

Investigate how artists use pattern and repetition to create visual impact during a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. Returning to the studio, you'll begin developing your final project, learn how to write an artist statement, and apply new techniques through demonstrations, critiques, and independent creative practice.

Please note: This is a sample schedule and is subject to change. Activities, speakers, and site visits may vary.

Next Steps

Details

Site Visits

Site visits will include trips to New York City’s museums, artist studios, galleries, and other creative spaces, giving students opportunities to explore artistic practices, discover inspiration, and gain insight into the professional art world.

Site visits have previously included:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Sotheby’s auction house
  • Artist studios
  • Contemporary art galleries
  • Additional museums, exhibitions, and creative spaces across New York City

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 practicing contemporary artists about their creative processes, artistic practices, and experiences working in the contemporary art world. Guest speakers will offer insight into developing a creative vision, experimenting with different approaches, and navigating life as a working artist.

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

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.

Tuition and Fees

Residential Program

Students live in dorm-like facilities in Lower Manhattan. 

Tuition, Room and Board  $7,600 
Materials Fee *  $265 
Total Cost of Attendance       $7,865

Day Program

Students commute to campus and do not receive room and board. 

Tuition and Daily Lunch on Class Days   $5,950
Materials Fee *  $265 
Total Cost of Attendance       $6,215

A non-refundable initial payment of $1,500 is due within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter in order to register for the program.

Students who enroll in multiple terms are eligible for a $500 discount on each term.

Refer a friend and you’ll both receive $250 off tuition. Both students must enroll and contact admissions at precollege@sia.edu for the discount to be applied.

Flexible payment plans are available to all families.

*Materials Fees cover activities, equipment, and other instructional materials. Program fees do not include health insurance. All students are required to have their own health insurance coverage.

Admissions

Summer Institute is open to high school students (grades 10-12 and Graduating Seniors based on the grade the student is entering in the fall 2027 school year). Students must be 15 years old by the first day of the program. All students applying to Summer Institute for the first time are required to complete an online application. Returning students do not need to reapply. Our online application can be completed in a few basic steps. As students work through their application, they may save their progress and return to the application before final submission.

Learn more about the Summer Institute application, tuition, and scholarships on the Summer Institute Admissions Page.

Related Courses

Thank You!

We'll be in touch soon.
For immediate assistance email us.