The image of the starving artist may be a romantic one, but it's hardly an appealing one for a young person hoping to make a career of his or her artistic skills.

The course being offered on Wednesday mornings during the month of August at the Bermuda Society of Arts is designed specifically for students taking their first steps on an artistic career path.

Workshop leader Emma Ingham Dounouk will provide participants with practical help in compiling a portfolio for art school applications, complimenting students' regular art classes by offering more in-depth instruction in key areas such as figure drawing, concept and design, use of drawing tools and presentation — areas considered fundamental to a student's portfolio.

The six young women currently enrolled in the course are all contemplating a career requiring the skills and techniques associated with drawing, though the paths themselves are quite different.

Careers as varied as graphic design, photography, fashion design and architecture all require skills in composition, drawing three-dimensional shapes, and awareness of concepts like line and negative space.

Anugraha Chandrasekaran, who will be entering Year 11 at the Bermuda High School in the autumn, is still at the exploratory stage of her career path.

"I like art in general," she explained, "and thought I might learn new techniques and skills as I might like to take up art as a career."

Of the course she noted, "It's really good. I've learnt a lot already."

Chloe King, Dacotah Baksh, Courtney Anderson and Caitlin Westhaver are all IB students at BHS and are all keen to put together a portfolio to accompany applications to art colleges.

But that's where the similarity ends.

Chloe is looking for a possible career in graphic design, while Dacotah is interested in fashion design and journalism, and Courtney, aiming for a career in architecture, is looking for a foundation in fine art.

Caitlin, who's working at the Mid Ocean Club during the summer, fits the class in between shifts, and is keen to hear opinions about art different from those of her regular art teacher and to acquire different techniques and skills.

Janika Fields is already enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design, pursuing a Fine Art Degree majoring in Advertising Design and Photography.

The drawing classes enhance her creative skills, helping her to produce stronger compositions emphasising elements such as line, space, and unity.

Janika believes that: "You can never learn too much when it comes to art."

There are still spaces available for the current classes, and evening classes will be offered in the fall. Further information can be obtained by calling the gallery at 292-3824 or via email at bsoa@ibl.bm.