You have fantastic artwork that you want the world to see, but it’s best not to show up with samples of it in a plastic bag. Instead, present the artwork you slaved over for hours in the best light possible in a professional art portfolio. If you’re unsure where to begin, this guide will help you.
1. Organize examples thoughtfully
How you arrange your artwork within the portfolio makes a difference. Rather than including it haphazardly, put some thought into which items you would like to present first to the viewer and in what order after that.
Your goal here is to create a narrative of your work for the person who opens the portfolio. Essentially, you are a visual storyteller. Make it as easy to navigate as possible.
2. Label each piece
Not only is organization important, but so is the labeling. Ideally, include the title and date when it was completed.
If it took several years to complete a certain piece, and you would like the viewer to know that, then include a span of the years, such as 2015-2017. Also, write on the label the medium used too.
3. Go digital too
Besides having a physical portfolio that someone can hold and thumb through, consider creating a digital version. This tip applies to those who are applying to art school, selling art, or creating a professional portfolio for the job hunt.
While a physical version provides a comprehensive user experience, the digital one is more convenient for sending to others and in-person meetings. It can be on a website, CD, or another electronic format.
4. Take courses
There’s a lot to know on the path to perfecting your art portfolio. Even if you are a seasoned artist, there are always ways to improve how you present your pieces to an audience.
Enrolling at an online school like Visual Arts Passage can be a game-changer when it comes to boosting your art career. Take courses on how to create a portfolio that generates interest and gets attention. Also, develop skills, learn marketing approaches, and more from the same school.
5. Use high-quality images
You’ve spent a long time creating images, so why do them a disservice with bad images? Dark and blurry photos won’t show your work’s brilliance, and neither will ones that are not cropped well. Take your time to get it right.
Improve the photo quality by lighting your work well. Natural light is the best choice, but if it’s an overcast day, get a lighting kit. Point one of the lights at a 45-degree angle to the wall to eliminate any shadows on the art. Glare can make it difficult to see the art properly.
Creating the best portfolio possible
A well-crafted portfolio positions your collection of work as the beauty it is, and it commands attention. Show your skills, techniques, and personality within the pages by mastering the tips above.
Also, be open to learning more about how to advance your career. Then you can look forward to reaching your goals.
