Portfolio + Drawing
SPRING 2026 - Portfolio Prep
Early Registration OPENS : Dec. 1, 2025
(until Jan 9th)
Classes begin Feb 3rd & 4th
Edie working on her “Fantastical Sandwich” drawing, age 13
About
Portfolio Prep
NY artist Julie Peppito teaches 6th, 7th and 8th graders skills to develop their artwork and create winning portfolios and in the process they learn how to draw from observation. Her Portfolio Programs are also open to those who just want to learn how to draw from observation but are not interested or aren’t sure if they want to build a portfolio. The majority of alumni of PAW’s Portfolio Prep have gone on to highly ranked art programs across the city including La Guardia, Murrow, Art & Design, Sinatra, and Brooklyn High School of the Arts.
Over the course of the program artists will develop the four primary requirements for portfolios: still life, self portrait, figure drawing and the “fantastical sandwich”. Perhaps more importantly teens will learn the skill of observational drawing that will change the way they see the world and enrich their lives. In addition to acting as a teacher, coach, cheerleader, and skill builder, Peppito creates a supportive environment where students grow bonds through their shared interest in art, while being held accountable to their goals. Every artist works at a different pace so artists may not complete their portfolios during the course of the program.
Spring 2026 - Portfolio
About Spring 2026 programs : The Spring semester for Portfolio at P.A.W. is a rigorous program meant to be taken in two parts. Artists can sign up for one part or the other but in order to make the best possible portfolio both parts are suggested. There are two different programs this spring - a Tuesday Program with 2 parts and a Wednedays program with 2 parts. To take one full program sign up for parts 1 & 2 on either a Tuesday or a Wednesday. If artists haven’t taken previous observational drawing programs I recommend that they sign up for PAW’s Tuesday program. If scheduling doesn’t work they can sign up for Wednesday, but Tuesday would be a better fit. If you only want to sign up for one part that’s okay, but be aware that if you decide to sign up for part 2 later there may not be any space left.
Ages: 6th & 7th grade
Supplies: Included
Class Size : 10 (6 participants needed to run a program)
Location:East 7th Street, between church and Beverly, Kensington, Brooklyn, NY. Not far from MS 839 (Subways: F/G (to Fort Ham. or Church), Q/B (to Beverly or Church / Bus: B35, B103, B68 and express buses) Exact address will be given after registration.
ABOUT:
First, artists will do exercises designed to help them see better (observe) so that they can draw what they see better. Then, artists will build on that skill to create the four required pieces : Still Life, Self Portrait, Figure and *Fantastical Sandwich. This year my Wednesday program will be taught in the reverse of my Tuesday program. Artists will work on Figure Drawing first. I recommend PAW’s Tuesday program to those who have not had experience drawing from observation before, and Wednesday is better for previous students of PAW and other programs.
PORTFOLIO TUES - PART 1 (Feb 3 - Mar 14) : Observational Drawing, Still Life & Self Portraits — In the first part artists will learn the basics of observational drawing, draw a still life and a self portrait. For art high school portfolios these two pieces are required to be drawn in pencil and from observation. They will learn how to observe (see) better and practice on hand eye coordination to hone this skill. They will learn about pencil skills such as shading, line quality, texture, contrast, value and composition. They will learn the body mechanics of drawing and how to shade in layers with a full range of values. We will work from reference images and from life . They will practice drawing objects, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and face maps.
PORTFOLIO TUES - PART 2 (Apr 21 - Jun 23) : Observational review, Figure Drawing & Fantastical Sandwich — In the second part artists will review the basics of observational drawing, create a figure drawing and a “fantastical sandwich”. They will learn about proportion, figure mapping, gesture drawing, shading fabric and details. We will discuss the difference between Realism and Surrealism. They will delve into what inspires them and what they dislike to create otherworldly “sandwiches” that reflect who they are. They will learn about the elements of composition: balance, unity, contrast, visual hierarchy, and repetition so they can create visually dynamic drawings.
PORTFOLIO WED - PART 1 / advanced (Feb 4 - Apr 22): Observational Basics, Figure Drawing & Fantastical Sandwich — In the first part artists will review the basics of observational drawing, create a figure drawing and a “fantastical sandwich”. They will learn about proportion, figure mapping, gesture drawing, shading fabric and details. We will discuss the difference between Realism and Surrealism. They will delve into what inspires them and what they dislike to create otherworldly “sandwiches” that reflect who they are. They will learn about the elements of composition: balance, unity, contrast, visual hierarchy, and repetition so they can create visually dynamic drawings. If artists have already been working on these pieces they will complete them and possibly work on a second version so they will be able to pick from the two. There is a possibility that they can draw the piece in a color media to add as an extra piece in their portfolio.
PORTFOLIO WED - PART 2 / advanced (Apr 29 - Jun 24) : Observational Drawing, Still Life & Self Portraits — In the second part artists will learn the basics of observational drawing, draw a still life and a self portrait. For art high school portfolios these two pieces are required to be drawn in pencil and from observation. They will learn how to observe (see) better and practice on hand eye coordination to hone this skill. They will learn about pencil skills such as shading, line quality, texture, contrast, value and composition. They will learn the body mechanics of drawing and how to shade in layers with a full range of values. We will work from reference images and from life . They will practice drawing objects, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and face maps. If artists have already been working on these pieces they will complete them and possibly work on a second version so they will be able to pick from the two. There is a possibility that they can draw the piece in a color media to add as an extra piece in their portfolio.
Please note : Learning this skill and building the portfolio will require artists to work outside of class. There will be some homework. If needed artists can take the portfolio intensive in the fall of their 8th grade years as well. And, I also have summer camp intensives.
*The fantastical sandwich is only required for some schools but it is a great extra piece for all of the schools. All portfolios require 4 to 8 pieces depending on where they are applying.
Marlo’s figure drawing, age 13
“Julie’s art program was incredibly helpful in my art portfolio creation journey. The classes improved my art technique substantially, and Julie is a very kind teacher who always gave great advice. Without her classes, I wouldn’t have had the proper work schedule and motivation I needed to create my portfolio. I couldn’t have gotten into LaGuardia without her, and I am so grateful I had her as my teacher.”
-Marlo, LaGuardia student
Lilith’s Fantastical Sandwich, age 13
Mauve’s self portrait, age 13
Ozali’s still life, age 13