Developing an Artistic Portfolio - Part 1
Artistic Portfolio Development (What I have learnt the hard way!!)
Developing an Artistic Portfolio - Part 1 belongs to the following groups:
Bits and Pieces , Creative, Talented, and Unknown, If it doesn't belong, Moms 4 Art, Shameless Self-Promotion, The Beginner's Corner (profile page must contain photography experience) and THE SISTERHOODNo matter what art genre you decide to take on, every artist needs to develop a portfolio. As an artist this is essentially your direct link to market effectively your style and visual integrity. The three main reasons for needing a portfolio are:
- Apply for college/TAFE/etc
- Proactively seek work
- When a client/buyer calls for a specific assignment/commissions for your work
It is important that your portfolio has visual value, creative ability, in inquiring mind and the pontential to continue develop. Your portfolio should communicate the clear, specific and focused message and your visual integrity which is: your own unique way of seeing.
Remember – A strong, singular style that has been defined and redefined captures the eye. As an artists, you will always progress, so to should your porfolio.
Here is an exercise that I have used and continue to use to find my Visual Integrity:
- Focus on an area of interest i.e. space, design, etc
- Whilst exploring your area, look at works that you wish you had produced.
- Select about 12 of these images and look more closely at these and
- List words to describe what you see.
- List all the elemants that make up each image eg. composition, tools, colour, selective focus, etc.
- Did you find elements that kept popping up? Write these down.
- NOW choose 5-7 of your all time favourite works.
- Once selected repeat the whole process above again.
Can you articulate what makes each image work? - When finished compare the 2 lists.
- Note tools that attracted you i.e. composition, lighting, experimentation, etc.
The elements that you admired are the ones that you need to either:
- Develop further on or
- If some of your selections matched those you admired then include these in your portfolio.
Art is expressive, it’s your personality that your putting into it so make it inventative, aesthetically pleasing, challenging, expressing your skills set and don’t take yourself too seriously, show that you have a sense of humour!!
Next time I will look at creating your Artistic/Positioning Statement.
bidjara
Keith Richardson
An enlightening list, Bidjara – I like the way you ask for a gut reaction, then invite this reaction to be dissected teasing out its various threads to see what is “real” behind it.
I will give it a tryout myself.
Best regards, and thank you.
Keith
bidjara replied
Most welcome Keith, I investigated this whole option when I was looking at how to present my art to galleries, other artists, etc. I also found it very useful to ask for feedback from people who viewed my portfolio once complete. I have only covered Part 1….there is more to follow.
Mel