Painting & Portfolio Preparation
This Painting and Portfolio Preparation course is designed for high school students to develop skills in watercolor and acrylic painting while building a portfolio for college admissions.
Students will learn essential techniques in both mediums, including layering, blending, and textural effects, alongside principles of color theory, composition, and design. The course emphasizes artistic experimentation, encouraging students to explore personal themes and develop their unique artistic style. Through hands-on projects and regular group critiques, students will refine their technical abilities and engage in self-reflection.
Individualized guidance will help students curate a professional portfolio, showcasing their growth and readiness for higher education in the arts. Students will also receive support in creating artist statements and documenting their work. By the end of the course, students will have a well-rounded portfolio demonstrating their creativity, technical mastery, and personal voice in painting.
Students will:
- Master basic and advanced techniques in watercolor and acrylic.
- Practice creative experimentation
- Be guided how to build a cohesive portfolio.
- Foster critical thinking and reflection
- Support artistic expression and personal growth
Field Trips
- Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College
- Mead Art Museum at Amherst College
- The Conservatory at Smith College
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Inquiry and Investigation: Students will investigate materials, processes, and ideas in painting. In a self-directed environment, students will cultivate a portfolio that showcases a cohesive body of their own work, with a focus on watercolor and acrylic painting. Participants will explore a specific artistic concern or theme, articulated and substantiated through written investigations. These investigations will be guided by a personally developed "big idea" or essential question, focusing on the use of painting mediums and their impact on creative expression.
Making Through Practice, Experimentation, and Revision: Students will create works of art through painting by practicing, experimenting, and revising. They will have the flexibility to explore various painting techniques in both watercolor and acrylic.
Communication and Reflection: Students will engage in continuous reflection on aesthetic issues and painting techniques, both individually and collaboratively within group settings.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials provided (covered by program fees)
- Acrylic paints, and watercolors
- Canvas boards (variety of sizes)
- Brushes of varying sizes (flat, round, detail)
- Palette knives, mixing palette
Materials to bring
- Sketchbook and digital camera/cell phone for documenting artwork
- Laptop or tablet for digital portfolio work (if available)
- Clothes that you would not mind getting dirty, and closed toe shoes
Students will:
- Be provided with a strong foundation in both watercolor and acrylic painting, covering techniques such as layering, blending, transparency, and texture.
- Explore different approaches to painting, allowing students to take creative risks and push their boundaries while using both watercolor and acrylic.
- Guided in building a cohesive portfolio: students will curate a professional portfolio that demonstrates their growth, creativity, and technical skills, suitable for college admissions in the arts.
- Engage in critical reflection on their own work and that of their peers through individual and group critiques, building their ability to communicate artistic choices effectively.
- Explore personal themes and artistic identity, culminating in a body of work that showcases their unique voice.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9am - 4pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00am-12:00pm |
Introduction to watercolor fundamentals, including color mixing, transparency, and |
|
12:00-1:00pm |
Lunch |
|
1:00-4:00pm |
Hands-on painting session: create a still-life painting using basic watercolor techniques, emphasizing control over transparency and blending |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Bo Kim, Graduate Instructor, Department of Art
Bo Kim (Boram Kim) is an artist-researcher and educator based in Amherst, MA, and Northern Virginia. She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MFA in Oriental Painting from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Bo also earned a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling (MAATC) from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Dongduk Women’s University.
Her work has been featured in national and international exhibitions, including prominent venues such as the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York, among others. Bo has participated in residencies such as Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists' Residency and The Studios at MASS MoCA, receiving several scholarships and fellowships to support her practice.
As an educator, Bo has taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she integrates her interdisciplinary approach to art and education. Her teaching emphasizes fostering creativity through critical thinking and personal expression, drawing from her diverse background in art therapy and studio practice. Her ongoing research includes topics of decolonization, diversity, and inclusion in artistic practice, and she has presented her work at various academic conferences.
Image Carousel
