by Carolyn Edlund
These true case studies share some of the pitfalls artists experience when preparing a portfolio presentation.
TooBroad
An artist was choosing work from his portfolio to share. He wanted to show the breadth of his work, which included painting and photography. Since he planned to usebetween 8-10 images, he put together a collection that showed his full range of abilities.
However, in doing so, he ended up with a presentation that was disjointed. In his studio practice, he had created several series that were cohesive. But in his haste to show everything that he could do, he ignored those similar works, and put together a disparate group of images that gave the impression he was going in too many directions at once.
It can be challenging to select work for a portfolio presentation that will make maximum impact and be memorable. Consistency is incredibly important. Rather than select a wide variety of pieces, thoughtfully construct a presentation of pieces that relate to each other and show your signature style. The goal should be to make it clear that the work is by the same artist, and to present a collection that is more compelling than the sum of its parts.
Too Similar
Another artist worked in a very specific painting style. Her textural abstract work was perfect for corporate environments, and she worked in series that used subtle color palettes. However, when she chose a grouping for a presentation, her images were so similar that they seemed to run together. Her grouping was actually too cohesive. Although there were some differences between her canvases, it was like playing one note, over and over.
Her solution to this “sameness” was to choose paintings from another series she had created, which was still in her painterly style but used a different color palette. These bright spots of color provided pop to her presentation, and brought her portfolio alive.
Too Crowded
A third artist, also an abstract painter, displayed her artwork on her art website but was unhappy with her online presentation. Her Home page showed a large grouping of her artwork, but each image was small, and the images were tightly grouped together. It was easy to miss the subtleties in her minimalist style, because the presentation was far too crowded.
What she had failed to do was to highlight each of her paintings as a special piece by giving it visualbreathing room.
The artist made changes to her website to display her work in a larger size. She used detail shots and also in situ photos to share the impact that each piece of her art had on a room. This brought out the best features of her portfolio, and gave the impression of greater value to her art.
Have you made similar or other portfolio mistakes? How did you resolve them? What did you learn?
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FAQs
Avoid all copyrighted characters, images, trademarks, logos, etc. Anime—You shouldn't use anime replicated from videos, graphic novels, etc. If you create your own characters and develop a storyline, that's a very different thing than "fan art".
What should be avoided in an AP art portfolio? ›
Avoid all copyrighted characters, images, trademarks, logos, etc. Anime—You shouldn't use anime replicated from videos, graphic novels, etc. If you create your own characters and develop a storyline, that's a very different thing than "fan art".
What are bad AP art themes? ›
It is strongly recommended that you avoid topics such as blood dripping, skulls, large eyes, hearts, fairies, vampires, emotion through eyes, your girlfriend/boyfriend, sunsets, rainbows & clouds, or sad clowns.
What makes an art portfolio stand out? ›
Your artist portfolio will open the door to excellent art schools if you can show: high quality original work. the thought process that took you to the final work. versatility in your use of different art media and techniques.
What are the do's and don'ts in making a portfolio? ›
The dos and don'ts of perfect portfolios
- Make first introductions count. A simple, straightforward intro on Violeta Noy's portfolio. ...
- Choose the right work to include. Only show the kind of work you want to be known for, like Sidney Lim. ...
- Make it easy and enjoyable to look through. ...
- Create a standout About page.
Never include real or sensitive information about you or others. Do not include passwords, URLs, trade secrets, unreleased features, personal information, or other such items. Avoid including long samples, as those reviewing portfolios are unlikely to read them.
Can you get a 6 on an AP art portfolio? ›
1. A Perfect 6. A perfect score on the AP Art Portfolio is very rare but not completely unattainable.
What do art schools look for in a portfolio? ›
Choose works for your art school portfolio that show how you see the world using your creative voice. Portfolio reviewers want to get to know you as an artist and a person through your work: What makes you you? Select works that present your artistic abilities as well as your unique perspective and values.
What is cliché in art? ›
Clichés are overused, repetitive phrases. While they're often unoriginal and stale, they can also be familiar and comforting. Clichés collectively connect us without a moment's thought. In the art classroom, the cliché includes imagery and symbols to convey meaning.
What is the easiest AP Art class? ›
Easiest AP exams by pass rate
| AP Subject | Pass Rate (Exam Score of 3+) | Median Score |
|---|
| AP Art & Design: Drawing | 88.3% | 3.54 |
| AP Art & Design: 2-D | 86.6% | 3.43 |
| AP Art & Design: 3-D | 73.6% | 3.12 |
| AP Art History | 61.5% | 2.99 |
34 more rowsJan 13, 2023
The course with the lowest number of registrations by November 2023 was AP Italian Language with only 2,358 registrations.
Is a 3 in AP Art good? ›
6 (excellent) through 5 (strong), 4 (good), 3 (moderate), 2 (weak), and 1(poor). ❖ Each score point is characterized by a variety of descriptors of work that would receive that score. or range of accomplishment.
What does a strong art portfolio look like? ›
Your portfolio should be a selection of your best 12 to 20 pieces of art. Fewer than 12 doesn't allow you to show the breadth of your skills; more than 20 may dilute your overall portfolio submission. At least four of those pieces should be observational drawings. Sketchbook pages are also encouraged.
What do art directors look for in a portfolio? ›
Creating the Ideal Creative Director Portfolio
Here are some tips: Curate Your Best Work: Select the projects that represent your skills and style best. Quality over quantity is key. Provide Context: Accompany your projects with brief descriptions, explaining the objectives, challenges, and results.
Should you include sketches in an art portfolio? ›
Not every sketch you make is worth including in your portfolio. You want to select the ones that are related to your paintings, and that demonstrate your skills and creativity. For example, you can choose sketches that show how you developed your idea, how you solved a problem, or how you explored different options.
What should not be included in a design portfolio? ›
- 1 Lack of focus. One of the most common mistakes in a graphic design portfolio is having too many projects, styles, or themes that do not reflect your niche, goals, or target audience. ...
- 2 Poor presentation. ...
- 3 Lack of context. ...
- 4 Lack of feedback. ...
- 5 Lack of personality. ...
- 6 Lack of update. ...
- 7 Here's what else to consider.
Your portfolio should be a selection of your best 12 to 20 pieces of art. Fewer than 12 doesn't allow you to show the breadth of your skills; more than 20 may dilute your overall portfolio submission. At least four of those pieces should be observational drawings. Sketchbook pages are also encouraged.
What do schools look for in an art portfolio? ›
Distinguish yourself with your authentic, artistic voice. Your portfolio should stand out as uniquely YOU, illustrate that no one else could create or represent in the same way, and show how the world looks through your eyes.
