studiobelieve 2011-08-29 12:33:53

next week, I'll give you the top ten 'no-nos' of a portfolio

Kinsei 2011-08-29 13:55:39

Thats a little on the random side.
You really need to specialize your portfolio to your talents, interest, but most importantly your best work.
The Anatomy is good for any character artist, designer, illustrator, etc. But this does little for the mechanical illustrator or artistic enginee.
The same applies to the horse and the spider or crap. Those are great if you are specializing in animals and such, but if not, then only include them if they are your best.
The multiple people in a well composed piece isn't about the people, its about composition. This you can show easily in other well composed pieces. It doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a comprised of people.
The car, bicycle, and motor engine all serve the same purpose, the ability to produce hard, rigid non organic structures. All 3 aren't needed, and the Motor alone can show great competence in this area. If you are an engineer artist or specialize in mechanical design, then the more of this the better, otherwise its just page filler.
The graphic novel is once again great, if you have any interest or specialize in sequential art. This doesn't do much for someone who has no interest in comics what so ever.
The video game is the same as the graphic novel. When someone is commissioning you for say a traditional painting, you can be they really don't care if you made a video game.

Now the pieces sold to a politician, sure, you can include it, but be very, very careful about mentioning who you sold it to. You never know what the political standpoint the person viewing your work has. If they don't like the politician, then they might lump you in with them and thus lose a job.

Do not include pictures in your portfolio if you are not an photographer and/or established artist. Especially one of you shaking hands with a Politician. If it is not a photo of you working on a piece, then don't put it in. And even then, your including someone elses work in your portfolio, that is if you don't use a tripod and a timer on the camera.

As for an website, then it's ok to have a shotgun splatter of different work, it shows versatility. But as for portfolios you show at galleries and send to random companies, you want to keep it condensed to your strongest skills. When sending it to a specific job the condition the portfolio to cater to that job, while working in a few other minor skills. to round it out.