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Drawing & painting

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Geoffrey Todd Smith

2018 DRAWING & PAINTING INSTRUCTOR

 

Drawing & Painting students concentrate on the principles of drawing and painting through studio work, slide lectures, and demonstrations. Students are introduced to color, imagery, media, and various drawing and painting techniques. The class may also focus on printmaking, 3-D art, and/or mixed media. Students will display their work in public exhibitions. 20 students are accepted.

Requirements for Applicants

1. Complete an online application and schedule your audition no later than noon the weekday before your desired audition date. See dates in right side bar or view full audition schedule here. Audition spaces fill quickly, so schedule as soon as possible.

2. Bring a government-issued I.D. or birth certificate to your audition for age verification purposes.

3. Choose your portfolio pieces and complete a Description of Work form. Read below guidelines and tips to prepare for your audition, and download the form below.

4. Arrive at your audition at least 15 minutes early to check in. The audition consists of one 50-minute timed drawing exercise (a still life) led by an instructor.

You must bring the following items:

  • A drawing board, or other hard surface to draw on. An easel is recommended, but not required.
  • Your portfolio and your description of work form (see guidelines below)
  • OPTIONAL: blending tool(s)

You MUST use OAI-provided supplies. You will not be allowed to use your own materials. The Oklahoma Arts Institute will provide the following materials for every applicant:

  • Compressed charcoal sticks, black
  • Newsprint paper (18″ x 24″)
  • Gum and kneaded rubber erasers
Click Here to Apply

Portfolio Submission Guidelines

1. You must bring up to three works of art with you to your audition.

  • The artwork can be any combination of paintings, drawings, mixed media, and/or 3-D artwork (no photography) that you created after June 30 of the prior year. (Former OSAI students cannot submit artwork created at OSAI.) Artwork must be no larger than 18″ x 24″. All of your artwork, including the still-life you will create, will be photographed by a photographer at the audition. The judges will receive the images of your work for scoring at a later date. You will bring all artwork back home with you, including the still-life drawing you create at the audition.
  • When selecting artwork, choose whatever best represents your personal strengths and style. You are strongly encouraged to submit portfolio pieces that are based on original ideas and subject matter. (i.e. It is best not to include pieces inspired by images found on the internet or another artist’s work.)

2. Please download and complete this Description of Work and bring it with you to your audition.

What to Expect at Your Audition

  • The audition consists of one 50-minute timed drawing exercise (a still life) and a portfolio element. The still life will be set up in the middle of the room, and you must draw that particular scene.
  • The 50 minutes go by very quickly! Many students are not used to working under a specific time constraint. We suggest you participate in your own mock audition at home or school. Set up a still life and assemble your drawing materials, then set the timer for 50 minutes. You may be surprised at what you weren’t able to accomplish within the time frame. You may need to practice drawing more quickly or set specific benchmarks for yourself within the 50 minutes.
  • Large, gestural drawings are preferred over small, intricately detailed drawings.

Portfolio Tips

Please review the following suggestions for selecting pieces to include in your portfolio.

Subjects NOT RECOMMENDED for your portfolio:

  • Cartoon/anime characters
  • Brands, words, numbers, or symbols
  • Drawings of floating, context-free objects

    – For example: eyeballs, hearts, butterflies

  • Drawings based on any still image that does not come from your real life

    – For example: images from the internet like celebrities, cityscapes, cars, sunsets

  • Drawings based solely on photos, especially posed photos

    – For example: photos of friends or pets

  • Subjects you are unable to explore first-hand

Subjects that have historically been more successful:

  • Landscapes, drawn from life
  • Still-life drawings
  • Abstract work
  • Portraits or sketches of people (not based on posed photos)
  • Unusual perspectives on or compositions of everyday scenes
  • Topics about which you are passionate, and that you have explored first-hand

Judging Criteria

• Live Drawing - 40%
• Portfolio - 30%
• Creativity - 15%
• Potential - 15%

Read general information about our adjudication procedures here.
 

Funding for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute drawing & painting program is generously provided, in part, by the Ellen Woods Westheimer Visual Arts Endowment Fund.

 

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Drawing & Painting Audition Dates:


Altus

Thursday, February 1, 2018
ALTUS HIGH SCHOOL
400 Park Avenue
Enter through the south doors of the music building, found on Bulldog Lane. Parking is available on the north side of the building.

Ardmore

Tuesday, January 30, 2018
PLAINVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
1140 S. Plainview Road
Enter the Fine Arts Building through the south doors. Parking is available in front.

EDMOND

Saturday, February  10, 2018
EDMOND NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
215 W. Danforth Road
Park on the NE side of the building in the lot located off Thomas Drive. Enter the building through the auditorium entrance.

Oklahoma City

Saturday, January 20, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Visual & Performing Arts Center
7777 S. May Avenue
Park in Lot C and use Entrance 2 to the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Tulsa

Saturday, February 3, 2018
TULSA SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES
1202 W. Easton Street
Follow Easton Street to the building and use the school's main entrance. Parking is available in front.

Sunday, February 4, 2018
TULSA SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES
1202 W. Easton Street
Follow Easton Street to the building and use the school's main entrance. Parking is available in front.

Yukon

Sunday, February 11, 2018
YUKON HIGH SCHOOL
1777 S. Yukon Parkway
Pull into the main drive off Yukon Parkway, then turn left. Park in the first lot to the right and enter the south doors.

> Click to view full Audition Schedule.