Portfolio Prep is ...

Private art lessons for teens seeking entrance to an art college. Unique one-on-one experience and 100% teacher's attention. Result: an art college acceptance with possible Portfolio Merit Scholarship. Students have been accepted into top NYC art schools (SVA, PRATT, Parsons, FIT) with over $350K in scholarships. As well as into RISD, VCU, UVA, MassArt, Monseratt College of Art, Ringling and Lesley University. Individualized lesson plans specific to the desired college or university and student's interests including graphic design, illustration and architecture.

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Design

In the Design I & II classes students learn the fundamentals of design elements, principals and color theory.

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Drawing

Drawing classes are focused on understanding of composition, values and hand and eye coordination.

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Painting

Painting classes encompass concepts of Design and Drawing plus understanding of color and techniques.

Design
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Students had to represents seasons focusing on their favorite one, and overlap was required.

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Students had to create an intriquing design with the given shapes and a focal point.

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Students were given several topics on our senses that they had to design such as "taste of chocolate."

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The students were asked to design an emotional event from their lives and were allowed to use one primary color.

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This assignment was focused on creating no focal point design.

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Students had to create 1940's movie poster about a main character–a letter, and present it with the scenario.

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This was Design II "alla Kandinsky" where students had to create a realistic composition and then change it to look like Kandinsky's.

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Students had to create logos for small businesses made up by me and choose it blindly.

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It ws a 3D project – a conceptual box of any kind that would either have a purpose or an emotional connection.

"Nataliya is an amazing teacher with a gift to push students beyond their comfort level without making them feel inadequate."
Drawing
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Still life with the complex composition. The goal was to work with values and create an illusion of warm light.

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Figure drawing is an essential part of becoming an artist.

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Charcoal and watercolor still-life.

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Pencil portrait from life.

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Charcoal drawing with a vintage tricycle focusing on values, lighting and composition.

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Collage still life made with masking tape, ripped paper and charcoal.

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Collage still life that emerged from a different drawing.

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A copy of Michelangello's David's plaster nose. Students spent 12 hours working on this set up.

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Gesture nude model sketches 1 minute each uaing charcoal and sanquin.

"She is the most knowledgable instructor & passionate painter."
Painting
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This still-life was painted in oil and the goal was to work with different whites

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Oil on masonite board painted by one of my private students

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This still life's goal was to challenge the students painting all white ojects by working with color and light reflexes.

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An acrylic painting from life.

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An oil still-life painted by one of my private students.

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An oil painting-collage about student's parents immigration to US.

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Similar tones/colors still life. Student spent 15 hours on it to make sure each brush stroke was analized with its' surrounding colors.

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This was a conceptual self-portrait illustration–– a final project in the drawing class.

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This was also a conceptual illustration of a self-portrait that derived from a dream a student had in her childhood.

"Nataliya is a great teacher and an awesome person & she has installed great confidence in me."
Lesson structure

My lessons are 2-3-hour each. Flexible schedule and reasonable rate of $75 per hour. During these hours, student receives my uninterrupted attention where I train him/her step-by-step on composition, tonal evaluation and colors. All lessons are hands on experiences and majority of assignments are completed between 3-6 hours depending on the final goal. Students bring their own art materials, and I provide the space, all the needed props and an easle. I will also assign some projects to do at home in order to expand and enhance student's portfolio. I strongly encourage students to work deligently and enjoy every moment of it.

Students should arrive on time, so I can fully devote the designated three hours to him/her. Payment is expected after each lesson either by cheque, cash or electronic payment.

Meet the teacher

I am a professional artist and a teacher with over 25 years of experience teaching teens and adults. I have been teaching at NOVA Community College for 15 years and recently started teaching at George Mason and Marymount Unviersity. Teaching is my passion that I do well and enjoy tremendously. Additionally I am well versed in design industry as I held several graphic design/art director's positions in NYC and Boston over the years. I warmly welcome you to my studio and look forward to sharing with you my knowledge and passion for art. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, and I will respond promptly.