taught by practising, internationally exhibiting artists
One-to-one portfolio mentorship and artistic direction
For foundation, BA and MA/MFA applicants who need their work to get results on a deadline. We help you build a cohesive, admissions-ready portfolio and articulate it clearly, with calm direction under pressure.
Services
Portfolio & Admissions Mentorship
Build an artistically alive, cohesive, submission-ready portfolio with clear direction. We refine selection, structure and presentation so your portfolio reads as intentional, confident and credible – and you’re ready to speak about it in interviews.
Creative Mentorship for Artists
Find a clear visual language and direction that feels genuinely your own. Through 1:1 critique, contemporary references and structured project development, you’ll create work with real weight and meaning. You leave with a practice you can carry forward.
Writing & Research Mentorship
Make your application clear and convincing to admissions: annotations, personal statements, proposals and interview answers. We build strong context through relevant artist references so your work sits credibly within contemporary practice. Writing stays in service of the work.
Reasons To Work With Us
You stop guessing what art schools want
We clarify portfolio requirements, standards and selection criteria so you make confident decisions without box-ticking.
Your work becomes coherent and intentional
We focus on selection, structure and direction so the portfolio reads as a whole, not a collection of unrelated pieces.
Your portfolio gets results when the stakes are high
We make it application-ready so it holds up in portfolio reviews, interviews and competitive selection.
You are listened to, not over-corrected
Many students come to us after feeling unheard elsewhere. Your voice stays central. We refine what you’re already making, never forcing your work into a formula.
You gain confidence without losing sensitivity
We give calm, specific direction so you keep momentum and connection to your work – even when deadlines are close.
You leave with a practice you can carry forward
The aim is not just admission. You leave with a way of working you can continue beyond applications.
Applying Soon? Get Expert Feedback Quickly
90-Minute Portfolio Review
Get expert feedback on your portfolio with clear practical guidance before you submit.
Fast-Track Portfolio Intensive
A focused, multi-session programme designed to rapidly strengthen your portfolio before submission.
International Applicants Welcome
UK/US/EU + global pathways. We tailor portfolios to each school’s format and selection process.
Neurodiversity-Aware Mentorship
ADHD/ASD-friendly support with clear structure, calm pacing, and practical next steps.
Our Mentors
Our mentors are Internationally exhibited, practising artists with proven experience navigating competitive foundation, BA and MA/MFA Fine Art admissions.
Cyrus
Artist & Filmmaker
- LONDON, UK
- ALSO Speaks: mandarin, CANTONESE
Amélie
Artist
- london, uk.
- ALSO Speaks: french
Hazel
Artist
- London and Newcastle, U.K.
- ALSO Speaks: french
Sean
Artist & Filmmaker
- LONDON, UK and Bangkok, Thailand
Enrica
Artist
- london, uk.
- ALSO Speaks: Italian
Carlotta
Artist
- London, U.K.
- ALSO Speaks: Italian
Testimonials
“My understanding of how to apply for a Fine Art master’s changed completely. I learned how to turn my ideas into strong visual compositions and secured my place at Central Saint Martins.”
Chen Gong
From Finance to MA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins
“India is beyond words amazing. If it wasn’t for her, I would never have been accepted to my dream university. I honestly wouldn’t have passed my Foundation year without her.”
Nawal
From Foundation to BA Fine Art & Art History, Goldsmiths
“What truly sets India apart is her ability to read between the lines of what I’m trying to express in my images. She’s helped me identify less effective paths and guided me toward new, more authentic directions.”
Constanza
Artist
“With India’s support, I raised my A-Level Art grade from a C to an A. She guided me through planning and completing each project with clear, professional advice while encouraging independence.”
Kiki
From C to A in A-Level Art
“India gently pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me move toward a more contemporary visual language. I feel much clearer about who I am as an artist.”
Anca Artemisia Maxim
“India has been absolutely fantastic. I leave every session feeling inspired and more confident in my work. She understood exactly what I needed for my A-Level Art and EPQ, and her guidance made a real difference.”
Polina
From A-Level Art & EPQ to University Portfolio
Read All Our Reviews
Student Results
A selection of work developed through Cadmium mentorship, across disciplines and levels of study.
Chen transitioned from a career in finance to secure a place on his first-choice MA Fine Art programme at Central Saint Martins – without a Fine Art degree or foundation.
Anca stepped beyond illustration-led work to develop a more personal and conceptually confident contemporary painting practice.
Nawal built her portfolio from scratch to secure a place on her first-choice BA Fine Art & Art History programme at Goldsmiths.
Serena transitioned from chef to fine art, gaining places at UAL Foundation and the Turps Studio Programme.
Not sure what you need yet?
FAQs
Cadmium is a premium, artist-led mentorship service for art school portfolio and admissions preparation.
We work with applicants preparing portfolios for foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate art programmes, providing bespoke one-to-one mentorship to develop a clear visual language, build a cohesive body of work, and articulate ideas confidently in portfolios, interviews and written components such as personal statements, research proposals and essays.
Cadmium also works with practising artists and career-changers who want focused creative direction and a stronger professional portfolio.
All mentorship is delivered by practising, internationally exhibiting artists.
Mentorship begins with a free 15-minute video consultation to understand your goals, interests, deadlines and current stage.
From there, we match you with one of our specialist mentors and outline a plan or package based on your timeline and scope.
Once sessions begin, we review your work in detail and use targeted project briefs and feedback to develop your strongest ideas into a cohesive body of work. Alongside the work itself, we also refine written statements, portfolio annotations and interview preparation so everything reads clearly to admissions panels.
The earlier you begin, the more time there is to develop a strong body of work and refine your application.
We typically recommend students start working with Cadmium several months before their application deadlines so that projects can evolve gradually and the portfolio can develop real depth.
However, we also work with students at later stages of the process and can help refine portfolios and applications under tight deadlines.
Yes. Many students come to Cadmium with deadlines already approaching. We focus on identifying the strongest work, strengthening the overall portfolio, and closing gaps quickly and strategically.
With focused mentorship, it’s still possible to make a significant difference on a tight timeline.
For students working within very tight deadlines, the Fast-Track Portfolio Intensive or a 90-Minute Portfolio Review can provide focused expert feedback and clear guidance on how to strengthen your portfolio before submission.
Cadmium mentorship is tailored to each artist’s goals, portfolio stage, and application timeline, so pricing varies depending on the scope of support required.
Some artists need focused guidance over a short period, while others work with us over several months as they develop a full portfolio and application.
After an initial consultation, we recommend a structured programme and package designed around the work and deadlines involved, ensuring each artist receives the level of mentorship needed to produce a strong, cohesive portfolio.
Most Cadmium mentorship takes place online via video call. Sessions are focused and detailed: we look closely at your work, make precise edits to selection and structure, and shape what to make next, so you leave each session with clear direction.
In-person sessions in London are available as an optional add-on, by arrangement, depending on availability and the nature of the work.
Yes. Cadmium regularly works with artists who are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences.
Mentorship is adapted to the way each artist thinks and works. Some students benefit from clearer structure and pacing, while others work best through open exploration and discussion.
The goal is always the same: to create an environment where artists can develop their ideas with clarity and confidence.
Yes.
Cadmium works with students from the UK and internationally.
Most mentorship takes place online, so we regularly support applicants applying to art schools across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.
The consultation is a free 15-minute video call to discuss your goals, deadline and current stage.
We’ll clarify what support you need and recommend the most appropriate next steps, including which mentor would be the best fit.
After the call, we outline a suggested plan or package based on your timeline and scope.
No – admissions decisions are made by the institutions, so we can’t guarantee an offer.
What we can do is strengthen what you control: the quality of the work, the clarity of the portfolio edit, and how convincingly your ideas are communicated.