Art Portfolio for 15 - 17 Year Olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£525
- Start Date(s): 28 July 2025, 4 August 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
28 July - 1 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Art encourages you to be a spontaneous, original thinker and have a great imagination.
Spark your creativity and express yourself on this exciting, experimental course.
You will have the opportunity to explore both 2D and 3D contemporary art techniques and use unconventional materials whilst developing your own unique style.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your portfolio. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Here's what our previous attendees have said:
'Really, really enjoyed this course, it’s been one of the best weeks I’ve had. Thank you.'
'The tutor James was excellent, and always made sure everyone was happy and knew what to do. We were free to try things and got useful feedback.'
'James has been really supportive and amazing, and a good social environment to make friends.'
'I loved the fact we could choose which area of art we wanted to go into more.'
'A really insightful and exciting week.'
'Thank you for an amazing experience.'
'I chose this course to prepare for A level Art. It was fantastic, the tutor was great and I enjoyed using the university space.'
'This course has given me vital knowledge and allowed me to experiment with different painting mediums.'
'I have learnt so many new techniques that my school didn't teach me.'
What you’ll study
Perfect for artists who enjoy trying new things, this course is a great way to develop your portfolio if you are thinking about further studies.
It’s also an ideal way to build your confidence and work on your creative skills, gaining a real hands-on experience of what it's like to be an art student at university.
You’ll undertake a series of exercises in the studio that will incorporate drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and surface design; and then work on a personal project using the techniques you have most enjoyed.
During this course you will:
- draw from observation, concentrating on proportion, line and tone
- practise mark making with different tools and materials
- understand colour theory through painting
- learn how to demonstrate your approach to idea generation and research skills
- explore mixed media techniques
- take part in both group discussions and one-to-one tutorials
- develop your practical skills in 3D techniques (such as simple casting)
- be encouraged to practise new ways of working
- record and reflect on your work throughout the course
- receive guidance on portfolio development.
You will also gain an understanding of contemporary artists and their working methods by visiting a local art gallery.
You’ll discuss the artists’ approach and consider how this can inform you own ways of working.
By the end of the course you will have a visual record of your experiments that will be perfect for your portfolio.
You will be able to demonstrate your ideas and research skills and feel confident in discussing and presenting your work.
You will also leave with new ideas and a greater understanding of the processes and materials used in art, so you can continue to develop your skills.
Social events
We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15 – 17 year olds, which are free to attend.
Here's an overview of what you'll cover on your course:
Observational Drawing
Exploring composition, tone, line, texture and proportion using mark making techniques
Perspective and Colour
Colour theory.
One, two and three point perspective drawing explained
Self-Portraiture
Creating a likeness
3D Techniques
Moulding, casting and finishing techniques.
Relief Mould making, life casting.
Drawing From the City
Painting in practice, perspective in practise.
Prospective gallery /castle visit
Develop ideas from the previous days.
Finish off any outstanding work.
Student Work
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
96% of previous course attendees were satisfied with the course, received the attention they needed and would consider doing another short course at NTU.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for drawing and painting and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £525.
Payment is due at the time of booking.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you on the first day:
- A3 sketchbook
- Sketching pencils
- Any art and design materials you like working with, such as pastels, colour pens or watercolour paints and brushes.
All other materials will be provided.
Read our booking terms and conditions.
Need accommodation?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).
This option is particularly popular with students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?
If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees (email the short course team with your order number to claim the refund).
How to apply
You can book this course via the NTU online store:
28 July - 1 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all our summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813