The Biggest Difference Between BFA and MFA


I want to share the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA. As an artist who attended both a BFA and MFA program for Fine Arts I want to share some of the differences and similarities between both of the programs. Learn the biggest difference between BFA and an MFA by reading more below! 



The Biggest Difference Between a BFA and an MFA Program 


The biggest difference between a BFA and an MFA is the level of independence you have as a student. In both programs as you move throughout the years from a first year student to a senior in your final year there is more independence. This level of independence is to prepare you for the “real world.” So, that you can be successful in whatever path you choose as an artist- whether it be having exhibitions, applying to grants, teaching at a college or workshops, working at an art gallery etc. 


With an MFA program in particular, you apply knowing you have a plan in place. In many MFA applications you create a letter of intent stating what you intend to do while in the MFA program. In your letter of intent you might explain what you plan on researching, what techniques you want to try, what installation methods you want to try and what your goals are for taking the program. What type of artist do you want to be? What do you hope to get out of the MFA program?



If you are needing help writing your letter of intent you can check out my one on one coaching and I am happy to review your letter of intent in an hour or half hour coaching session. 

Click the button below to book a coaching session with me! 



Download 10 FREE Tips for creating an art portfolio that stands out! 



Other Differences Between BFA and MFA programs:


Readings 

An MFA program is usually more research focused. There are more papers you need to write as a student and more required and suggested readings. Required readings are assigned by a professor in a class - often you are graded on participation and a written response in relation to the assigned reading. 

Suggested readings are given to you by your professor or a visiting lecturer as a reading you should look into that will help you develop as an artist. The suggested readings might be based on a technique you use, an artist working in a similar style or medium (either a contemporary artist or an artist from history), or based on the subject matter you are making art about.  These readings might get suggested to you during a critique or while meeting with your professor.


Both types of reading are valuable and help you really develop the way you talk and write about your work. 


You can read more about my MFA time at Concordia University by clicking here. 

You can read more about my BFA time at Lakehead University by clicking here. 

Projects 

In a BFA program, especially the first three years there are a lot of different types of projects. While the projects get more open ended as you progress through your BFA they do start specific. The reason for this is to encourage you to experiment and push yourself and your art. The professors want to challenge you and to help you figure out what art you want to make and why you want to make it. Why does it matter? What does your art communicate?


In an MFA there are little to no guided projects. You are in charge of managing your time and creating what you want to work on. That’s why having a clear letter of intent and clear goals are so important in an MFA.


Due Dates 

In a BFA program there are clear due dates, there are more check ins and in progress critiques. In an MFA there are still deadlines but you need stronger time management skills to be able to manage deadlines. There is less feedback of work in progress as you are often working on art at home or in your studio. There is little to no class time to work on your art in an MFA whereas in a BFA you have some class time so professors can give you timely feedback. 


These are some of the biggest differences between a BFA and MFA program. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about these programs. 



Click the button below if you would like help with your art portfolio application to a BFA or MFA program! 


Join the waitlist below for my NEW art portfolio course for high school students applying to a college or university art program! 



What is in the Art Portfolio Course?



I have created an art portfolio course to help high school students with preparing their art portfolio applications for art school or an arts-related program like fashion design, video game design, architecture and more! Learn more about what is in the art portfolio course and when it is available by reading more below! 



Art Portfolio Course - Get Into Art School 

When is the art portfolio course available?

The Art Portfolio Course is only available during May and September - you cannot purchase it other times during the year. 

To get on the waitlist and hear about when the course is available -make sure you are on my mailing list - you can click on the button below and I will send you a copy of 10 Tips to Make Your Art Portfolio Stand Out - for FREE! 


Click the button below to join the waitlist! 


If you have questions about the portfolio application process or would like feedback on your work and the course is not open for registration - check out my art portfolio coaching by clicking on the button below. We meet online and you can choose to book 1 hour or 30 minutes. 




Who is the Art Portfolio Course for?

This course is designed for high school students who know they want to pursue a creative career. Most creative careers like graphic design, illustration, fashion design, video game design, animation, fine arts etc. need an art portfolio submitted for students to apply to that program/school. 



While this course is great for grade 12 students/high school seniors -this course is great for students who love art and are in any grade of high school.




It is better for students to start preparing for their portfolio early and to begin thinking/planning for the process instead of leaving it to the last minute and having to balance:

  • Part time jobs

  • Significant others

  • Friends 

  • Exams/school projects 

  • Family time/vacations etc. 




This course is also great for high school art teachers looking to learn more about the portfolio process and better assist their high school students while saving time with the done for you resources, worksheets and planning pages! 




What’s Included in the Art Portfolio Course?


Video lessons that you can watch anytime. You have lifetime access to the course. You don’t need to finish the course by a certain date or in a certain amount of time. 




You can watch the video lessons as many times as you want to help you learn or review the material. 




You will also gain access to a private Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your work and find other people who are applying to art programs to hold yourself accountable.


This course will cover the following topics in depth through video lessons and PDF resources, checklists, templates, worksheets all to help you learn and save time and headaches:



  • How to plan your portfolio - what to include/not, how to prepare, how to fix artwork, how schedule and manage your time, what to consider when applying to schools, how to make your pieces stand out etc. 

  • How to create key pieces, where to find inspiration, how to improve your artist mindset, 

  • Time management tips, how to avoid plagiarism, how to show the creative process

  • How to critique and improve your work, how to ask for feedback

  • How to choose titles, details in your portfolio to pay attention to, how to write and speak about your work

  • How to photograph your work and edit photos, how to plan your shots and what shots to include 

  • And so much more! 


In addition there are some bonuses:

-How to prepare for an art interview 

-How to write an artist statement and bio

-Art 101 course - colour mixing, learn about/review the elements and principles of design, composition, how to create a focal point, figure drawing, portrait drawing, drawing from observation and more! 




  • Quick action bonus - of if there is limited time -ideas and examples of artwork you can make to add into your portfolio. 




VIP option


I have 30 spots available for VIP. In VIP you will get access to the course above, the bonuses, the private Facebook group you will also receive a portfolio review where you will submit 20 images to me of completed work and I will give you written feedback of what to fix, what is great, tips to rephotograph the work etc. You will receive a 30 min coaching call one on one with me where you can ask questions, get feedback, ask what pieces to include etc. We will coordinate a time throughout your process to choose a time that works best for you. You will also receive a discount of purchase 30 min. Get 30 min. Free for one on one coaching to be used at any time. 



There are only 30 spots available as the VIP coaching. 



If you don’t get a spot or you would prefer to pay for the one on one coaching - you can pay for that here.


Click the button below to get on the waitlist for the course and VIP course option! 

Have Questions About the Course? Contact me Below!

How to Use a Sketchbook


Learn how to use a sketchbook and the various purposes of a sketchbook in this post. There are many ways to use a sketchbook and I want to share how I use a sketchbook as an artist. To learn how to use a sketchbook, keep reading! 


How to Use a Sketchbook

There are a number of ways to use a sketchbook. A sketchbook can hold many different purposes for an artist. Here are some of the ways a sketchbook can be used below! 


As a Journal 

You can use a sketchbook as a journal by recording ideas, notes, thoughts, plans etc. This is often how I use a sketchbook in my art practice so that I don’t forget ideas. 


As a Logbook

You can record dates and times you worked on a project to keep track of the hours you worked. You can treat your sketchbook as a scientist and record findings of what worked, what didn’t work and what you want to try next time. For example, you can keep track of colours of paint and ratios you used to mix a specific colour of paint for a painting. You could also record how long something took to dry or about an installation that didn’t go well and what you might do differently next time.  



As a Place to Brainstorm

You can use your sketchbook as a place to brainstorm ideas by making lists or mind maps to come up with ideas of what to create, what materials to use or what the title of an artwork should be. I often use my sketchbook in this way. 


As a Place to Plan

I will also use my sketchbook to create small thumbnail rough sketches of ideas for a final piece or how a project might be displayed. Often I will plan out a couple of ideas to see what I prefer in case something doesn’t turn out as planned. 



As a Place to Experiment 

You can use the pages of your sketchbook as a place to experiment and test out new ideas, materials or techniques. You could even label or record your different tests, so you remember what you did in the future. 


As a Place to Practice 

You can use it to practice drawing, composition, ideas, installation plans etc. 



A Place for Sketching/Drawing 

You can use it to practice sketching or drawing by drawing daily. You can carry your sketchbook with you in a bag to sketch what you see while you are waiting in a doctor’s office or waiting for the bus. You can draw what you see outside when you stop in the park during a walk. Or you can follow drawing prompts to help keep yourself inspired while practicing your drawing. 



A Place for Painting or Mixed Media 

Just like how you practice drawing or sketching you can practice painting or mixed media. There are sketchbooks you can buy specifically for painting or mixed media that have thicker paper and are able to hold paint or liquids without warping or wrecking the paper. 


As a Place for Research

You can record research, notes, inspiration, artists and artwork you admire etc. If your artwork is on a specific theme you might want to research that topic to inspire other ideas or to plan the title of the artwork.




These are some of the ways to use a sketchbook. As you can see you might choose multiple ways for how to use a sketchbook. There is no right or wrong way, you get to decide! 



Ways to Use Your Sketchbook More

To keep you inspired and use your sketchbook more, try to keep it in a place where you can see it daily or have multiple sketchbooks like one by your bed, one in the studio and one in your bag. 


You can also try my drawing prompts to keep you inspired and to practice your drawing skills. Click here to check them out! 




Related Articles:

How to Use Layers in a Sketchbook

Drawing Prompts for High School 

Art Journal Inspiration

How to Make Time for Art

Click here to download my FREE guide with 10 tips for creating your art portfolio for school applications!





Advice for First Year Students in Art Programs

Attending an art university or college program can be a difficult transition from high school. Here is my advice as someone who went to a university art program. Below is some advice for first year students in art programs!


You can read about my undergraduate experience at Lakehead University here and my Master of Fine Arts at Concordia University here.


Advice for First Year Students in Art Programs

advice for first year students

Art Projects 

My advice for first year students is to try your best. You don’t want to leave your art projects for the last minute. Oftentimes, art projects are worth a large percentage of your overall grade. You want to make sure that you have enough time to follow the creative process. Time to plan your project, brainstorm ideas, test and experiment with materials and techniques, complete the design, add finishing touches and think about how you want to present your work. 


Balancing Time 

Living on your own comes with a lot of excitement. There are new friends, parties and more. You want to make sure you are balancing your time so that you are still having fun but also getting your school work done. If you have a part-time job or are in a relationship with someone you are going to have more to balance. Make sure you are thinking about what your priorities are and planning accordingly. 

advice for first year-students

Managing Time 

Once you have figured out how to balance your time and what your priorities are, you want to begin to manage your time. Maybe you have to say no to a party to get your work done. Maybe you need to get up earlier on the weekend. Begin to use a planner and plan out how you are spending your time in between classes, in the evenings and on the weekend.


Studying 

In art school there are still tests and exams to study for like art history and the elective classes you are taking. Just like with the art projects make sure you are not leaving studying until the last minute especially during exam time. You also want to think about what you need to study and do what works for you. Don’t be tempted to join a study group in a noisy cafe if you prefer to study by yourself somewhere quiet. 


Advice for First Year Students- Art Critiques 

My advice for first year students is to try your best for art critiques but don’t take what your professors are taking literally. They are saying things to make you a better artist. They are not saying things because they don’t like you. As long as you are showing artwork you are proud of, you will do great. 


This is my advice for first year students. I wish you the best of luck during your time in art school. It is such a fun time to be able to experiment with your artwork and to have so much time to focus on your artwork! If you haven’t gotten into art school yet -check out my tips for creating an art portfolio for school! 



Drawing Prompts for High School



Drawing prompts are a great activity to incorporate into your high school drawing classes as part of your start of class routine. Drawing prompts for high school act as warm ups and can allow students to practice and refine their skills while flexing their creativity muscle. Incorporate drawing prompts today in your classroom!



Drawing Prompts for High School

These drawing prompts for high school use everyday items and require very little set up.


Start the school year off by making goals related to student’s drawing and what they hope to accomplish in their drawing this year! The goal setting sheets that are included are a great way to do this! 

Drawing Prompts for high school includes over 100 drawing prompts. They can be used for both virtual and in person learning. The drawing prompts list can be used for homework assignments. These drawing ideas for high school students will establish a great routine within your classroom.  There are also pages that focus on drawing practice using the elements of design. Over 30 pages in total!



Benefits of Drawing Prompts

  • Allows students to create a habit of drawing daily or weekly

  • Lets students develop their creativity and innovation through interpreting prompts and adding their own original ideas

  • A great time filler or ongoing sketchbook project

  • Can be done in-person or online

  • Can be used with different art materials



Included in this product: 

  • Drawing goals worksheet

  • What is a sketch book handout

  • How to use your sketchbook more handout

  • 50 Drawing prompts for at home

  • 60 Drawing prompts in the classroom

  • Drawing prompt check lists

  • Shading practice pages

  • Drawing practice pages using the elements of design - 30 pages+ total!

Handouts are in black and white so you can print, photocopy and use year after year!



To check out this product -click here! 




Be sure to follow my Teachers Pay Teachers Store to be informed of new products and new freebies - You can follow me on TPT here! 


Check Out Other Popular Products

Zentangle Worksheets

Symmetry Drawing Bundle for Grades 4-7

Symmetry Drawing Bundle for Grades 8-12


Enjoy the drawing prompts for high school students in your classroom or at your home! 



Related Articles:

Art Portfolio Ideas

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7 Tips for college or university art applications


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drawing prompts for high school

What is Teachers Pay Teachers?


What is Teachers Pay Teachers? TPT stands for Teachers Pay Teachers. It is an online marketplace where teachers and parents can purchase and download free products to help support student education. Resources in all subjects and grade levels can be found and they range in prices from free to $200 with most products being under $5. Find out more about what Teachers Pay Teachers is in this post!



At first, I felt guilty purchasing products on TPT to be used in my classroom. I tried talking myself out of buying a $4 presentation, worksheet and slideshow on a topic I knew nothing about.

When I though about it I ended up saving at least 6 hours to research the topic on early humans, make the slideshow, the worksheet, edit and format everything. The $4 was well spent and I feel a lot less guilt now spending a few dollars to pay for something that is going to make my job as teacher easier!

In my first year of teaching, I was teaching a lot of subjects and grade levels that I was unfamiliar with. Planning units became very time consuming because I was having to research and plan the content before teaching it.  TPT helps build up your bank of lessons, activities and ideas.



TPT is the first place I check before I begin planning because often I can find what I am looking for - for FREE!  Usually, I can’t make something as nice and as pretty either. 

TPT offers a variety of sales throughout the year. It’s a great idea to join their mailing list to get notified when there are upcoming sales. Their sales are often 20% off which means you can save even more on products that are already inexpensive! 


Something that I recently learned about TPT blew my mind! If you leave a review on a purchase you made (not a free download) you can actually earn credits to be applied on future purchases!  It’s a win-win - you help the seller build a trusted reputation and you give yourself a credit to use towards your next purchase! 


In my TPT shop, I am focusing on art resources because that is my speciality! I have products for middle school and high school art! 

Still curious about what TPT is? Visit my shop here and follow me so you can see new resources that I put out!

Check out some of my products here:  Click on any of the images if you are interested in learning more about the product!

Insect Symmetry - free download- click the image to download this freebie!

Insect Symmetry - free download- click the image to download this freebie!

Purchase Drawing Prompts for High School here - 30+ pages!


Even if you are not a teacher and you are a parent TPT is worth the look - you will be able to find activities, worksheets and more to help your child with a topic they might be struggling in!


Here is the link to follow me on TPT and check out my shop!

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