Top 5 Tips to make a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH for your High School Art Portfolio

There are several Specialized art and design high schools in New York City that require you to submit portfolios of your artwork

And if you’re applying to Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, the the High School of Art & Design, and/or LaGuardia High School, you must additionally submit a creative drawing of a “Fantastical Sandwich”

The instructions are to use a pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH.

Using your imagination and creativity – they want to see your wildest ideas of what a Fantastical Sandwich looks like to you.

These are our Top 5 Tips for drawing a Fantastical Sandwich for your Art Portfolio:

Tip 1: Likes and Dislikes list

Tip 1: Likes and Dislikes list- to help you choose the theme for your Fantastical Sandwich, start by thinking about what you have a real connection to. Sit down with your sketchbook and on the top left write the word Like and on the top right write Dislike, or at Ashcan we give you a document to fill out. Under each word write the first things that come to mind, and write a short personal reason for each. Choose the one that interests you most for your Sandwich.

Likes and Dislikes Ashcan Student Examples

Tip 2: Elaborate

Tip 2: Elaborate- Take the idea you’ve chosen and write or draw the images you relate to that idea. Then consider the prompts NYC DOE gives you which are: What bizarre, unusual, or creative toppings does your sandwich have? Who made it? Who is it for? Write or sketch these things.

Tip 3: Research

Tip 3: Research – you want to bring your creative vision to life—to draw a picture you’ve got in your mind, realistically. For your sketches, you are putting together memories – images you’ve seen somewhere, but don’t rely on your memory for your final drawing. Even the most far out ideas still use elements of reality. Because of this use real life observation for elements of your drawing when you can, and photographs for the other parts to reference. You can also study the shapes, lights, and shades of similar objects to help you get a better understanding of what your own object may look like.

Tip 4: Sketch

Tip 4: Sketch- Start your final drawing with a light sketch – using a pencil, lightly sketch the elements of your sandwich and the background. The goal here is to get the proportions, placements and perspective correct. Also, pay attention here to the composition, the placement of your fantastical sandwich on your paper, a good composition can make a huge difference. Also consider the background, the requirements are that your drawing have a complete background.

Tip 5: Bright Highlights and Dark Shadows

Tip 5: Bright Highlights and Dark Shadows – Visualize where the light is coming from in your drawing and make sure you use a full range of tonal values—bright highlights and dark shadows. When using a graphite pencil, build up tones and shadows gradually in layers from light to dark. Use straight or rounded motions to draw on the paper, do not smudge. Start to add tones and shadows with an HB pencil, then gradually use the softer/darker pencils- 2B to 6B as you progress, using the softest/darkest ones at the very final stages. Look to see where the very darkest darks are, and the lightest lights are, and make sure there is a broad range in between. The same rules apply if you use color pencils.

Ashcan Student FANTASTICAL SANDWICH Examples

NY DOE says: Have fun with it!

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New York City Art High School Requirements

Piece 1: A self-portrait using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror).
Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you).
Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation (from observation means you draw a live person).
- Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet.
- Draw your figure with realistic proportions.
- Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes.
- Include any observed details and draw the facial features.
- Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.
Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
Piece 8:If you are applying to Art and Design High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Art, and/or Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, submit this creative drawing. (This piece is optional for students applying to other programs.)
- Using pencil and paper, draw a FANTASTICAL SANDWICH! Use your imagination and creativity – we want to see your wildest ideas of what a Fantastical Sandwich looks like to you. Consider for the drawing: What bizarre, unusual, or creative toppings does your sandwich have? Who made it? Who is it for? When creating your Fantastical Sandwich be sure to include a background and fill the whole page. Feel free to use colored pencils if you wish. And, have fun with it!

TIP!- Select artwork that you made from observation. For example: a portrait, figure, interior, still-life, or landscape. Some artwork from imagination or memory can be included, but prioritize work from observation.

Always follow the instructions given by the school or program you are applying to for specific guidance. While individual schools may vary slightly in their requirements, these guidelines will help you assemble a competitive portfolio.