Art Portfolio...?

Question

What are art schools looking for in an art portfolio? Is it primarily major projects, or is it more sketches, incomplete art pieces? I'd say I have maybe 2 major projects that I really like, and probably 10 or so good sketches/ figural drawings. What's a decent amount? I need this for fall. Any tips on how to create a successful portfolio?

Answer 1

Each school is different. However, basically it should be a good representation of your best work. In general, and as a non-objective artist this makes me nuts, they are looking for quality drawings of real life objects -- landscapes, cityscapes, still life, portraits, figure drawings. While variety is prized by some admissions people, it is not usually a requirement. What they want to see is high caliber work that pays attention to detail. They also want to see how you present your work. Make sure it is neat and clean, no smudges or drawings on both sides. Usually, they want to see at least a dozen pieces, but they do not want to be overwhelmed and each school sets a limit on the maximum as well as the minimum number of pieces accepted. While you are probably proud of all of your work, only present the most recent things you have done. Make sure you indicate pride in your work by signing and dating them as any professional or advanced amateur should do. Most schools accept photographed works on CD these days and you should be able to borrow a digital camera for this process if you don't own one. Take as many shots as you need to in order to get a photo that replicates your work. Then take your work and put it in a binder with acetate pages to protect them. When you appear before the admissions people, you will want to have them looking even cleaner and fresher than on the CD. Practice telling people about your work in front of friends and family. In fact, if you can arrange a "real" talk at your church, library or school so much the better. As a former gallery director, let me tell you that I turned many good artists away who could only mutter about their work or feigned anger towards me thinking I didn't understand it. Trust me, I am a good evaluator of art but many times future patrons or newspaper reporters will want to talk with you, not the gallery director or your professors, about what you do. Be prepared to talk directly and succinctly about your work, what inspires you, what made you choose a certain composition, how long it takes to complete a piece, and where you currently hope your art work will take you.

Good luck. Email me if you have any questions.

Answer 2

I suggest that a good portfolio not be limited to a single theme. You'd want to showcase your talent across a broad spectrum of subjects. Imagine if you were an art director for an renowned agency, and an artist came in with a magnificent portfolio of Japanese style anime. A dozen pieces, in brilliant colors and pleasing layouts; all of the same subject. At first glance, one might be impressed by the technique, but the director would want to see how the artist handled OTHER material, such as cars, clothing, jewelry, or, for that matter, toothpaste! Your portfolio should include a variety of subjects, settings, situations and styles. Everything put into it shoud be the best of you BEST work. It will not matter to the director, so much WHAT is depicted, from puppies to papayas to puppets, as long as the work is technically sound and compositionally secure. If some teacher suggested that you limit your next two year's worth of work to some single subject, and, that only these themed works should go into your portfolio, that teacher has done you no service.

Answer 3

Your best bet is to give as much variety as possible. Especially if you are going for fine art. Some portraits, some landscapes, lots of still life. Schools like to see that you can draw from life. They also like to see that you are proficient in different media. Make sure to include 3D works as well as both pencil and paint. Some color and black and white. If you have photography, include a print. They just want to see that you are well rounded and well versed in different types of art. If you have a certain specialty, make sure that you emphasize that in your portfolio by adding some additional works. 10-15 pieces. Lots of luck!

Answer 4

Creative ideas ( if you are not going to a school for commercial type art ) be able to talk your way in and have some conviction on why you want to be there...why you must be there...what you expect to accomplish etc.

I had alot of commercial art layouts in my portfolio but I didn't want to do that anymore and I convinced a major art school who had vetoed my work and me out to let me in by my statement of purpose...

Basicly I talked my way in and it was a great experence...