What is a traditonal artists portfolio ? (unit 3 )

An artists portfolio is an edited collection of their best artwork intended to showcase an artist's style or method of work. A portfolio is used by artists to show employers for example, their versatility by showing different samples of current work. The artists portfolio will typically reflect their best work or a depth in one specific area of work .

Traditionally portfolios were printed and placed in a book, but with the increase in the use of the Internet and email there are now websites that host on line portfolios that are available to a wider audience.

When creating your portfolio it is key to consider your audience. You need to consider who will see it, why they are looking at it and what you are trying to accomplish with it.

Typically a portfolio should contain :

• A nice portfolio case
• An artists statement
• A list of the content
• A cover image that reflects the theme of the portfolio

Here is a link to a simple step by step (with pictures) guide on how to make an art portfolio - http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Art-Portfolio

What I learnt from making my own portfolio:
From creating my own portfolio using the work from this last unit, I learnt how to present your work as a traditional portfolio. How everything needs to be layed out, what size etc. Some of my work was already of A1 size so with work like that I didn't have to mount them on to paper, however I had some work that was A2 or smaller. It was a little difficult to get all of the work perfectly straight and measured accurately in the right place on the paper.

To make my portfolio stand out and showcase my work I put my best pieces at the start and end of my portfolio to give and leave with the best impressions. Once I was happy with how my portfolio turned out and all the work I wanted was in place, I presented to everyone else and also looked at others to give feedback.

The feedback from my work was that I should use the paper more as there was quite a few blank spaces in the centre of the page and also some of the needed to be cut and positioned straighter on the page. I also needed to add some work onto the mounted pieces to give texture etc. My best pieces were the drawings of the wheels I did at The Lincolnshire Life Museum and also the collage' of the boxes. From this process I have learnt what a portfolio needs to look like and how to mount my work and present it. I have also learnt how to improve my portfolio from the feedback I was given.

Jess :)
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