Stressed. Pressured. The preparation for a Art Portfolio :(?

Question

I really would like some advice from fellow artists, portfolio examiners and students who have experience in this art portfolio area.
I am in highschool now and in my last year, i am taking Higher Art (Art A-Level Equivalent) in 6th year of school.
I think that im in a bad situation to put together a portfolio for Art/Design School.
Important question:
How much time in general does it take to put together a good portfolio from scratch??

My choices to get into art school::

Try and put together a portfolio for applying to art school once the new semester starts..this on top of my Higher Art and 3 other subjects. Put porfolio together within about 6months ( including all the school work i have) and apply in Feb/March after starting school in August.
or
Go through 6th year and do a few art pieces as to my liking and then after i leave school, go to a college take a year or half a year out to specifically make a portfolio.

Im really lost and would like advice and help.

Answer 1

Goodness, you do not have to take a year off to make a portfolio. That would be self-defeating anyway. The older you get, the better they'll expect your work to be. You'll never have it easier than you do now. :D

Go with the work you have in hand now. Add to it over the next semester---your art class will probably yield at least few pieces you can use. Especially if you inform your instructor the first week of school, if not the first day, that you intend to go to art school and would appreciate his input regarding your portfolio. He can not only look at your work to date, but also give you class assignments with your portfolio's needs in mind.

And if you set a goal of just completing just one complex drawing or painting per month, by January you'll have plenty of work to choose from.

Choose your best stuff. Put your best work on top, because the professors may have a bazillion portfolios to look at and they may only look partway through before making a yes-or-no decision. Make sure everything is clean. They need to see your *work*, not learn how dirty your hands are, whether you like ketchup or mustard, or what color cat you have (hair).

You have plenty of time.

Answer 2

Well, the Portfolio is a work in progress. It is meant to display your best pieces.

What I do personally is use pieces I have already completed for mine. If I were to sit down and do pieces that I felt were 'up to par' and do those only, then I wouldn't have a portfolio. Every time I do a new piece and look at the one just prior it makes me cringe. So nothing is ever good enough. It also takes me forever to finish pieces, so it's not feasible time-wise.

As this is your portfolio, it's up to you to figure out your work style, and what you can create feasibly. It won't be from scratch because it's finished pieces. You just need to organize them nicely to show off. Think 'What would I want to see to sell myself?' Use pieces that show a good grasp of perspective, color, shading, or whatever it is you do very well, and would show them that you have the talent to succeed.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I just used all my existing work, as trying to do portfolio work specifically is a pain in the bum! Start with your strongest work, then try to make a coherent link between each piece. Don't stress too much, and it wont take you a year and a half! Remember, if you're planning to go to art college, you probably have good enough work already! Ask your art tutor for help, its what they get paid for!!

Answer 4

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