An Personal Study is...
where art comes in colorful servings, not fast food portions.

What Is A Personal Study
Your brain’s wildest corners—where curiosity leads and creativity takes the wheel.
A personal study portfolio shows who you are as an artist or designer. It's your creative story told through art and ideas. It’s not just about what you made—it’s about why and how you made it.
Tip: Think of your personal study as a story. Make sure every piece contributes to the bigger picture.
Getting to Know Yourself
-
How do I solve creative problems?
-
Do I notice patterns in people or places?
-
Do I focus more on how things look or how they work?
-
Do I love bold ideas?
-
Do my different styles and interests fit together?
Your answers shape your artistic identity
Think about:
-
How do I learn from real life and people around me?
-
Do I use these observations in my art?
-
What’s my usual creative strategy?
-
How do I make decisions in a project?
Show this in your work—step by step, from idea to final piece.
Show Your Process Notebook
Think Before Doing
Before starting your portfolio:
-
Think about what makes you different.
-
Choose work that connects with your style and story.
-
Plan your layout and message before diving in.
Your projects should connect to one big idea—you. Even if someone doesn’t love every piece, they should see your personality and passion shine through.
Making it Fit
Show Us. Don't Tell Us.
Use a mix of:
-
Sketches
-
Drawings
-
Photos
-
Sculpture
-
Ceramics
-
Mixed media
Show how you use:
-
Light and shadow
-
Space and form
-
Color and texture
Your portfolio should show:
-
Creative thinking
-
Problem-solving
-
Understanding of space and design
-
Process (from idea to final result)
-
Different tools and techniques (2D and 3D)
What To Include
Work Outside Art Class
Add work outside of your art class like:
-
Photography
-
Music
-
Painting
-
Sculpture
This shows who you are beyond assignments.
-
Don’t overcrowd your portfolio.
-
Each project should be easy to understand.
-
Include titles and short explanations.
-
Think about how your projects build on each other.
Clean and Neat