UK Illustration courses

**TangeAl** · March 19th, 2008, 08:43 PM

Hmmmm, it seems I need a portfolio biased towards the drawing side of things for an Illustration interview. Aside from the standard portfolio stuff of life class drawings what do we think they are looking for? I have a few weeks, so I have time to add to it, but, I dunno what to add...

Lots of detailed first hand studies, rough but energetic ones or just spur of the moment, plucked out of thin-air stuff? Does ink and etching count, as the same marks are used? *Worried and indecisive*

Any ideas guys?

**Quicksilver** · March 19th, 2008, 10:45 PM

TangeAl, do you have an interview for Bournemouth? If so, when? I study Illustration there

As for portfolio work, it's pretty much already been mentioned: compile 10-15 pieces of your best work and bring a couple (I say 3 maximum, but that's just me. Keep in mind that the interviewers only have a set amount of time to look at your work) of sketchbooks. I think a personal sketchbook would be a bonus, since it shows that you actually enjoy drawing 'outside school'.

Good luck, everyone

**TangeAl** · March 20th, 2008, 09:37 AM

I'v applied to Bournemouth, not heard back yet though, maybe I will see you there?

I was just thinking that my portfolio might be lacking in drawings, I have about 5 good big life class ones, while the rest is paintings and 3D stuff from other projects. My 3 sketchbooks I'm bringing are very drawingy, as is the personal one I'm bringing along, but UWE barely looked at them, so I wonder if I should bulk out my actual portfolio with some more...

Also, this site is the best for advice! ^^

**KarmaTwisted** · March 22nd, 2008, 02:42 PM

I've got a place for illustration at Falmouth and bournemouth and trying to decide where to go as I live in Corwnwall atm and have done my whole life (the same county as Falmouth), so If anyone has any questions about the illustration course in falmouth ask me.

Anyone got a route B interview for Falmouth btw? or have had a route A one?

**aph** · March 24th, 2008, 01:25 PM

TangeAl: Just try and keep your actual seperate 'portfolio' as consistent as possible, thats basically what Quicksilver is saying. Keep the quality high, show your best stuff.

If they are really interested they will probably look at everything, and personal sketchbooks are great to have just like.. hold it in your hand.. "What you got in your hand? Oh.. a personal sketchbook.. cool lets see.."

Well.. anyways, Quicksilver knows best haha, definately more qualified to help you with what they are looking for!

**Smarty** · March 28th, 2008, 07:54 AM

Ha, I finally got my application through for UWE, looks like Ill be there on the 4th of April as well. Nothing like a last minute project to scrabble together!

**Shantih** · March 28th, 2008, 01:00 PM

Same, luckily I finally had a bright idea about it the other day

**TangeAl** · March 28th, 2008, 08:59 PM

Falmouth interview day aproaches, as does the start of the final year project. *sigh* Whatever happened to doing art just for fun?

**lefran** · March 29th, 2008, 07:59 AM

Same- i have UWE on the 4th at 9am so i have this week to do the influence project.
See you guys there!

**Maxine Schacker** · March 29th, 2008, 09:40 AM

Good luck to all of you!

**EddTQ** · March 31st, 2008, 12:40 PM

I've been given an interview for the 4th but i'm deffinately not going..
I honestly can't believe they'd send me the interview pack on the monday for an interview on the friday? - that's really harsh, especially as they ask for a project to be done!
That's not the reason i'm not going though, i've just lost my motivation for it now and tbh i'm very happy with plymouth uni!
also i have my plymouth interview the week after and i want to spend my time getting my portfolio ready for that and not rushing!

Good luck to you guys for friday! - in my route A interview the guy asked about observational drawing and mentioned "drawing on the bus, or on the way too school? etc" - so i think you should deffinately include some of that! (i didn't have much)

**Quicksilver** · March 31st, 2008, 03:01 PM

EddTQ: You sure? You have an extra opportunity, why not grab it anyway?

Good luck, everyone!!

**TangeAl** · March 31st, 2008, 03:09 PM

Gah, interview at Bournmouth 2 days after Falmouth, W00t for being far enough away to merit staying the day inbetween! Holiday!

Good luck, you all best win at interviews! ^^

**Shantih** · April 1st, 2008, 03:52 PM

My interview's at 1:30

Just to be the daft one who doesn't get the brief - are you going to just do three paintings/whatever and leave it at that, or write a little something about each influence?

**aph** · April 1st, 2008, 05:34 PM

EddTQ: If you explained it to them they would understand, and if you did much at all on the project they would then be pretty damn impressed.
Stuff like that happens with uni's heh..
I would try look at it as an opportunity like Quicksilver says.

I got a letter telling me I had to be at the uni for an interview the same day once haha, although that turned out to be a mistake lol

Good luck to you others! That extra effort is worth it!

**Atastrophea** · April 2nd, 2008, 05:32 PM

I'm With the others EddTQ, At least if you go to that interview and get in you'll know that you CHOSE not to go there, not have regrets later or whatever? And turning around a quick project shows you and them that you can deal with high pressure/short notice commissions (just make sure you TELL them that you had such short notice...)

um yeah and all you interviewees can meet up after and have a little CA outing and surely you can ALL MAKE Badger buy you a drink whilst you're there too so its all good right.........?

lol

~^-^~

**Bad_Ballistics** · April 2nd, 2008, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Atastrophea

um yeah and all you interviewees can meet up after and have a little CA outing and surely you can ALL MAKE Badger buy you a drink whilst you're there too so its all good right.........?

lol

im all for THAT....badger...ready your wallet..cause theres quite alot of us!

oceana??

**Shantih** · April 2nd, 2008, 05:43 PM

Ha, I'm making my stepdad drive me so I'd have to send him away for a while

Actually, I was going to do that anyway, embarrassing man that he is.

**Bad_Ballistics** · April 2nd, 2008, 05:47 PM

same here...guna scoot my mum off....i hate panicing infront of her....cause lets be honest....im guna be crapping myself!

can i just ask..has anyone posted anything portfolio wise in the SB or something!? some final benchmarking may be in order lol

**Shantih** · April 2nd, 2008, 05:55 PM

Nah, I haven't photographed any of my college stuff. A lot of the drawings I've posted recently are in one of the sketchbooks I'm planning on handing in though.

**lefran** · April 2nd, 2008, 07:23 PM

Well i sort of have a vague portfolio put up on here, but theres a lot missing from it
http://lefranart.blogspot.com/

Also I'll be badger's bodyguard! not paying for everone's beers!

**Badger** · April 2nd, 2008, 07:42 PM

bloody! this place got busy, hello everyone! my computer died long ago, i've just built a new dual core 4gig ram to see me through till graduation.

Lefran sent me here.

I want to cover a few points.

EddTQ, the belief that recieving a project on the monday and not being able to do it for friday isn't wise. On the course you will be set over night projects because thats how the industry works, I know people who do work for clients like the guardian and you'll be having a coffee with them, they'll get a phone call and need to have an editorial in for 8am following. What i'm trying to say is 5 days is tonnes of time, i produce 2 colour illos in a good day, i'm sure you can get your project done.

Portfolio for UWE, take all the observational drawing you consider good, make it big, make it varied. You want to show passion, attention, draftsmanship and flair.
Make sure your finished work is all up to scratch and mounted, on white i'd say.
Bring all your sketchbooks, all of them.
Also, you can edit it down in the room if you think you want to make last minute adjustments.

further to consider:

I can't buy you drinks, i'm a broke badger.

I might be the one interviewing you with a course leader.

Don't expect university education to be like school education, that is where most people get frustrated, you need to find your own grove here. There is no BEST place to go, there is your place, the place you feel you would benefit the most from being, sounds a bit zen? it is.

Bristol is awesome.

And my CA sketchbook is so out of date i wouldn't use any of the work their anymore. I'll try and update my blog soonish

-B-

**Glassjaw** · April 2nd, 2008, 09:19 PM

Welcome back to the thread Badger! Thanks for those points and to anyone else whos contributed and given their words of wisdom in this thread so far.
Speaking for myself, I dont know what my chances are of getting in, but regardless i feel better prepared for it by having read peoples thoughts and input here.
And if your wondering why im posting at 2.10am, yes im up drawing and cramming

**Bad_Ballistics** · April 2nd, 2008, 10:07 PM

aww badger.....your BACK!

dont worry about the drinks lolz

P.S. i have just decided to stay up all of tonight....instead of tommorow night....the night before the interview.....

my main concern is my lack of life drawings.....most of my observational drawings are in all of my sketchbooks.....well there isnt much more i can do...but its still not too late
some1 stay up with me!?!?

**Smarty** · April 3rd, 2008, 04:36 AM

Unfortunately I got my sleep ballistics

Thanks for the words badger, Ill think about that.

Also, I really want to stay and meet you guys, but a 5 hour train journey each way stops me from doing so. The most time im have is like an hour before and after the interview maybe

Im just finishing up my 3rd panel for the UWE brief, I think everything else is sorted. See some of you 1.30, good luck to everyone

**DannySketch** · April 3rd, 2008, 04:36 AM

thanks badger.

EDIT*also fran, those two latest images in your blog are awesome.

**Quicksilver** · April 3rd, 2008, 04:55 AM

Good luck for tomorrow, Brizzle folks!! ^_^

**Shantih** · April 3rd, 2008, 05:05 PM

Phew, managed to finish the brief, but I had the seemingly bright idea of doing them in oils so I dunno if the last will be dry by tomorrow. Argh. No idea why this didn't cross my mind until now.

**Atastrophea** · April 3rd, 2008, 05:19 PM

eek you crazy muppet! oils??? I thought they took days/weeks/months to dry? Can you take really good photos and print them out/pay to get a good sized print from one of those digital print out places in the morning if they're not dry?

Good luck everyone, I'll be thinking of you and crossing my fingers

p.s Tsk Badger, shame on you.... lol twas only a joke

On the other hand if you're the one sitting in on the interviews......

Let me revise that master plan....

Quick guys - YOU- should all buy Badger a drink........ teehe

~^-^~

**Shantih** · April 3rd, 2008, 05:43 PM

I use them pretty thinly so they normally dry in a day or two - the first one I did is dry but the other two are plodding along. If they aren't I'll have to photograph them like you said. Silly milly.