ART PORTFOLIO PREP
A guided online portfolio-development program for high school artists,
AP Art students, homeschool students and college applicants
who need stronger ideas, original artwork, expert feedback,
and a clear path forward.
Talent Alone
Does Not Build
A Strong Art Portfolio
Many students spend months creating artwork without a clear plan, only to discover that their portfolio feels disconnected, repetitive, overly dependent on references from Pinterest or tutorials or just incomplete.
Most students are not struggling because they lack talent. They are struggling because nobody has shown them how portfolios are actually developed.
They may be asking:
What are art colleges actually looking for?
How many pieces should I make?
Are my ideas original enough?
How do I turn one idea into something more personal?
What should I include - and what should I l leave out?
Where do I even begin?
ART PORTFOLIO PREP replaces that uncertainty with a repeatable process, meaningful assignments, experienced critique, and clear next steps.
In ART PORTFOLIO PREP, you'll learn how to think like an artist—
& build a portfolio that demonstrates curiosity,
creativity, technical skill, and personal voice.
FOUNDING COHORT -
LIMITED TO 10 STUDENTS
Course access is open for registration.
Live sessions:
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time (New York)
Weekly live critiques / Complete APP curriculum | Lifetime access
A COURSE can give you the assignment. A TEACHER helps you see what to do next.
Strong portfolios are rarely built by watching lessons alone.
Students need experienced feedback while their ideas and artwork are still developing - not only after a piece is finished.
During this six-week intensive, students watch the recorded lessons independently and arrive at each live session with source material, sketchbook pages, experiments, questions, and works in progress.
In our live studio critiques, I help students recognize what is working, move beyond predictable first ideas, solve visual and conceptual problems, and make confident decisions about what to develop next.
SMALL BY DESIGN
This is not a large online class where students disappear into the background.
Enrollment is limited to eight so every student can be known, supported, and challenged.
Is This YOU?
You're serious about applying to art school...…but you're asking questions like:
What are colleges actually looking for?
How many pieces should I make?
What should my theme be?
Are my ideas original enough?
Where do I even start?
What if my portfolio isn't good enough?
You're not alone.
Many students spend months creating artwork without a clear plan, only to realize their portfolio feels disconnected, repetitive, or incomplete.
Most students aren't struggling because they lack talent.
They're struggling because nobody has shown them how portfolios are actually built.
build aN ART portfolio you feel proud of
The 5-Stage Portfolio Development Method
This is the backbone of the course — the same process professional artists and designers actually use.
Every artwork investigation in this program develops through the same creative process:
1. SOURCE- Start with strong ideas rooted in observation and sketchbook exploration
2. EXPERIMENT- Develop variations, compositions, and visual possibilities
3. DEVELOP- Refine the composition and strengthen the visual idea.
4. REFINE- Create resolved, portfolio-level artworks
5. PRESENT- Curate and present your work professionally
This mirrors how artists and art schools actually develop work:
idea → investigation → refinement → finished artwork
This is how strong portfolios are built—intentionally, step by step.
9 Guided Portfolio Investigations
Instead of asking, "What should I make?" —
you'll work through a series of carefully designed
Portfolio Art Investigations
that help you explore meaningful subjects
while developing increasingly sophisticated artwork.
Each investigation encourages you to:
Observe
Research
Experiment
Take creative risks
Build technical skills
Develop your own artistic voice
Rather than copying projects...
You'll learn how to create work that is uniquely yours.
By the end of APP, you'll complete a sustained investigation and a body of work that mirrors the type of thinking expected in AP Art, BFA programs, and competitive college portfolios.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR-
Learn from an Experienced Educator & Working Artist
For more than 36 years, Eileen Baumeister McIntyre has helped students develop their artistic skills, discover their creative voice, and build outstanding portfolios for college admissions and scholarships.
As the founder of Online Studio Arts, Eileen is a New York State Certified Art Teacher with a Master's Degree in Art Education, an experienced Adjunct Professor, and a practicing professional artist. Throughout her career, she has mentored hundreds of aspiring artists, combining technical instruction with the creative thinking and portfolio development that today's art colleges value most.
Her students have been accepted to some of the nation's most respected art schools, including: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, School of Visual Arts (SVA), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), New York Academy of Art, University of California, and many more.
Unlike many portfolio programs that focus only on creating finished artwork, Eileen teaches students how to think like artists—developing original ideas, investigating meaningful concepts, experimenting with materials, and presenting a cohesive body of work that reflects both technical ability and creative growth.
"Creating a successful art portfolio isn't about making a collection of beautiful drawings. It's about learning to think creatively, develop meaningful ideas, and communicate who you are as an artist.
I created Art Portfolio Prep to give students the structure, guidance, and confidence I wish every young artist had during the college admissions process. You'll never have to wonder what to create next or whether you're on the right track. Together, we'll build a portfolio that reflects your unique voice and showcases your full creative potential.
Whether you're applying to your dream art school, pursuing scholarships or preparing for AP Studio Art, I'm excited to help you create work you're genuinely proud of."
— Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, Founder, Online Studio Arts
HYBRID LEARNING
How the live intensive works
LEARN - Watch concise recorded lessons introducing the investigation and each stage of the process.
CREATE - Complete original photography, research, sketchbook work, thumbnails, experiments, studies, and works in progress between meetings.
SHARE - Upload selected work and questions to the private APP Creative Community before each live critique.
MEET LIVE - Join Eileen and a small group of serious young artists for weekly critique, problem-solving, discussion, and individualized direction.
DEVELOP - Apply the feedback, strengthen the artwork, and continue toward a thoughtful portfolio-ready resolution.
You can build a portfolio
you feel proud of
By the end of the live intensive,
a student who participates consistently can:
Learn a repeatable process for developing
original portfolio artwork
Receive expert feedback on existing
and developing work
Students come to Art Portfolio Prep at different stages.
Some already have a substantial body of work. Others are just beginning.
The course is designed so that a student who needs a portfolio on a deadline can complete all eight investigations in eight weeks.
That pace takes real commitment, and it's there for the students who need it.
Not every student needs to move that fast, and many do better work with more time. Students keep access to the course, so those with a longer runway can work through the investigations at a steadier pace.
I don't promise a finished college portfolio in eight weeks. How far a student gets depends on where they start and how much work they put in.
What I do promise is a clear process, honest feedback, and investigations that produce the kind of work art colleges want to see.
THE REAL PROMISE
Stronger artwork. Better artistic thinking.
Expert direction. A repeatable development process.
And a clear plan for moving forward.
Who This Program Is Perfect For?
Art Portfolio Prep is designed for artists who want clarity, structure,
and intention in their work.
This program is a strong fit if you are:
High school students applying to:
Fine Art
Illustration
Graphic Design
Animation
Game Art
Architecture
Industrial Design
Interior Design
Art Education
Fashion Design
Also ideal for:
AP Studio Art students
Homeschool students
Students preparing scholarship portfolios
You don’t need to be “advanced.”
You do need curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to observe closely.
Students leave with a clear body of work and the confidence to present their art to admissions reviewers or galleries.
Who This Program Is Not For:
Art Portfolio Prep may not be the right fit if you are:
Looking for step-by-step “paint this exact thing” projects
Interested only in quick techniques or shortcuts
Unwilling to revise, reflect, or think about why you’re making certain choices
Expecting instant results without time, focus, or follow-through
This program values thinking, experimentation, and refinement —not perfection.
NOTE TO PARENTS
You've watched your child spend hours on their art.
What you may not know is whether that time is actually building toward something.
I created this course to make sure art students—AND their parents—are very clear about what is required to build a competitive portfolio that stands out in the college admissions process.
Art college admissions and scholarships aren't won with talent alone.
They're won with a portfolio that shows growth, thinking, and range — and
most students never get taught how to build one. They create piece after piece with no throughline, no strategy, and no one telling them whether they're on
the right track until it's too late to fix it.
ART PORTFOLIO PREP gives your child a structure, not just more assignments.
Instead of guessing what colleges want to see, your child will work through the same five-stage process professional artists and designers use — with clear milestones, guided feedback, and a finished body of work at the end, not a folder of disconnected pieces.
Here's what that means for you:
A defined eight-week live schedule
Weekly deadlines and external accountability
Visible progress through source material, experiments, revisions, and finished work
A realistic assessment of strengths and missing areas
A practical continuation plan after the live intensive ends
Guidance from a 36-year veteran art educator, not a generic online course. I am very excited to be working with your child on their artistic journey
If your child is applying to art school, a strong portfolio isn't optional —
it's one of the biggest factors in admission and scholarship decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the ART PORTFOLIO PREP for?
Art Portfolio Prep is designed for high school students applying to art school, homeschooled students & AP Studio Art students. If you want structure, clarity, and a portfolio you’re proud of, this program is for you. The earlier in your high school life you get started on your art portfolio, the better off you are going to be.
When are the live sessions?
The six 60-minute live sessions meet on Tuesdays, from 7:00-8:00 PM Eastern Time (New York).
What if a student misses a live session?
Sessions will be recorded for members. Because individual feedback and discussion are central to the experience, regular live attendance is strongly encouraged.
How much time does this actually take per week?
On the eight-week pace, plan on about [6 to 8] hours a week. That includes watching the lesson, sketchbook research and experimenting, making the finished piece, and the weekly live call, which runs about [60] minutes.
That is a real commitment, roughly what a student would give to a serious sport or a demanding class. It's the pace for students working toward an application deadline.
Students with more time can spread the work out. At one investigation every two weeks, it comes to about [3 to 4] hours a week. Students keep access to the lessons, and feedback in the Creative Community is included for three months from enrollment.
The students who get the most from the course are the ones who work steadily, in a few sessions across the week, instead of in one long push the night before the live call.
Does a student need an existing portfolio?
No. Students may enter with an existing body of work or at the beginning of the portfolio-development process.
Will this replace my child's AP Studio Art class?
No — it's designed to work alongside it. Many AP Art classes teach technique and give assignments, but don't walk students through building a cohesive, admissions-ready portfolio. Students often use this program to give direction to their AP coursework, turning AP pieces into part of a genuinely sustained investigation instead of a stack of unrelated assignments.
When do students receive the course?
Course access is open now. The live intensive begins October 13, 2026 and continues weekly on Tuesdays from 7-8pm New York time.
What if my teen needs extra support?
The program is clear and guided, but if you want personalized help, I also offer Private Art Coaching packages if you prefer a longer duration of individual support and advice.
What supplies do I need?
You’ll need a sketchbook and basic art materials you likely already own (graphite, colored pencils, pens, markers, watercolor, etc.). You can use whatever mediums you prefer—this program works with all materials.
What is the ART PORTFOLIO PREP CREATIVE COMMUNITY?
Creating a strong portfolio isn't something you have to do alone.
As a member of the Art Portfolio Prep Mentorship Community, you'll have access to the instructor, Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, and a supportive group of students working toward similar goals.
Share works in progress, ask questions, receive constructive feedback, and learn from the experiences of others throughout the portfolio-building process.
Whether you're looking for guidance on an investigation, composition, materials, or how to strengthen your ideas, you'll have a place to get encouragement and expert input.
The Mentorship Community helps keep you motivated, accountable, and moving forward with confidence—because the best portfolios are developed through exploration, feedback, and continual refinement.
How long do I have access to the course?
You keep access to the course lessons and videos after the eight weeks end, so you can return to any investigation as your portfolio develops.
Feedback works differently. The Art Mentorship Community, where you upload your work and I respond to it, is included for three months from the day you enroll.
The weekly live calls are included for the 8 weeks.
If you'd like more time with feedback after that, you can continue month to month.
Can this help with scholarships?
This course completion does not guarantee a scholarship but, yes, a strong, cohesive portfolio dramatically increases scholarship opportunities.
Many of my art students who’ve used this process have earned art school acceptances and scholarships based on their final portfolios.
How do I get started?
Start with a conversation. Book a free 20-minute call with me, and bring your student if you can. Tell me where they are with their work, which schools they're considering, and how much time you have. I'll tell you plainly whether Art Portfolio Prep is the right fit.
If it is, you can enroll the same day. Enrollment is open year-round, so there's no start date to wait for. Your student gets immediate access to the first investigation, an invitation to the Art Portfolio Mentorship Community, and the schedule for the weekly live calls.
If you already know this is the right course, you can also enroll directly.
I would love to work with you.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
Students should explore the orientation, review the expectations, and begin the opening lessons promptly after receiving access.
Complete Investigations One and Two within 14 days of enrollment.
If it's not the right fit, get a full refund. No fine print.
I look forward to working with you!
Eileen
Kind Words...
