Art Portfolio

Shrimp

Hey,

I'm in 5ft year of secondary school, and have begun to consider going for an art related course in collage. I would ike to know what is sufficiant for a portfolio? What the amount needed is?

Any help on it, or tips would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks

Shrimp

*Bump?

Also, if anyone has just completed theirs? Make some comments..

Creamy Goodness

never done a portfolio myself, but i would reckon it's judged on your style and quality (not quantity).

Shrimp

Yeah, You would be right. Obviously they dont want to be plowing through tons of work. My art teacher said that they spend between 10-15 minutes on each. Just to see your standard? I would find this believable... Seems likely.

Monkey

10 - 15 seconds is more likely they'll fly through your portfolio because they've hundreds to look at.

Shrimp

Well, that sounds a little too fast, I know they dont spend long looking at them, But that should not mean you shouldn't spend long making them. At the end of the day, it's that 10 minutes form your years work that can decide weather you get in?

Seed

Get a portfolio case. Get 10 sleeves. And fill them front and back.

Shrimp

yes.. but you also need neumorous note books/ sketch books

Seed

Not necessarily. Fill a portfolio case and you’re sorted. Sides, you’re in 5th year. Start worrying about this in 6th year or something. Regardless, you could always just call them up and ask.

minikin

shrimp

they really don't spend that long looking at each portfolio - max a minute or two, that's all they'll need - remember - they're looking for potential and evidence of imagination and some aesthetic appreciation. Only put your best work in, there's no point in putting in mediocre work just to fill up pages. Put together projects based on particular themes that you've researched rather than a scattering of pieces. In one way it's important to display a variety of techniques but it's better to focus on techniques and styles that you are particularly good at. What's your favourite? Get plenty of opinions from people (mammies always think they're kids are brilliant, which is a great ego boost but you really need an impartial opinion - ever thought of asking art students or galleries for their advice?)

h.t.h.

Oeneus

10? You will probably need 20 sleeves minimum, so that you fill your portfolio up with 40 A1 pieces. I did.

You should include a lot of Visual Studies work (Life drawing, still life etc.) using several different techniques and media (Charcoal drawings, acrylic paintings, ink, chalk etc.)

You should also include work that relates to different art categories as well to show you have a broad range of skills. These would include, CAD work, Fashion design, 3D/Sculpture (use photos and present them nicely), Photography, Illustration, and of course, Fine Art.

Hope this helps.

Gyck

I hear that there's a weight restriction on portfolios now, not sure which colleges though, not sure of the weight either.

Oryx

Its a long time since I put together a portfolio, but variety is key. Print, batik, paint, charcoal, pencil, photography, collage, drawing mix it up as much as you can so they can see your interests vary. Draw from life, not just from photos, it shows, believe it or not. And as was said, get an independent opinion from someone, as what you think is great may not be suitable. Are you more fine art or graphics oriented (or do you know?)

Jessop

By far the most important part of your portfolio is notebooks. I would recomend a minimum of five. Carry one around with you at all times and stick/draw/write anything that interests you (dont fill them up just for the sake of it). They will want to see that you are passionate about something.
Finished pieces are not as important as back up work but once again, whatever you do dont put anything in just to fill it up. Also, try not to copy (consciously or not) any particular style(s), (i would particularly steer clear of anything resembling van gough or the impressionists). What ever you do make sure you are interested in it. If you are just going through the motions they will be able to tell.

Also some advice from my own experience: When you get into art college enjoy first year and do what your told. After that, dont give them an inch or they'll have you cutting sheep in half by fourth year.

smelly girl

I did a portfolio last year and i remember getting so worked up too.

First of all...40 pieces..thats a no-no. Of your finished work they only want to see 15-20 pieces. Most colleges don't want to be going throught mountains of work.

Two sketch books is enought as well. If you want to hand up a notebook of Art History that would help too.

Basicaly whatever course you want to do will have a list of requirements. Check their websites or any prospectus you get.


And good luck.

minnie_mouse

incluse book (called visual diary) of all your ideas, etc like prep work etc..the people marking it will be able to see how u progressed to finished piece. good luck

Silent Grape

i think the earlier you get started on working towards a good portfolio the better.

NCAD have a 10 kilo limit, which meant, for me anyway, a full portfolio with 6/7 sleeves, both sides, a main notebook showing how my ideas developed etc.

a sketchpad for each page of the portfolio. for example, i did a page with just prints and acetate etchings. the sketchpad to go with it was experimenting, bringing along ideas, seeing which ones work, which didnt, and recording everything i did in relation to print. the same went for the pen and ink page, the texture page, the connection to a new idea page etc etc.

a good starting point is to pick urself an object or theme. mine was seaweed, which had huge posibilities in connecting to to other things, eg, its shape, colour, texture, how it breathes, the way it clings to rocks.. etc etc. i recorded all that in my connections sketchpad.

i eventually linked seaweed to human anatomy and them had a huge amount of fun, researching different artists who used the body as source etc etc. every day i spent about three hours on my notebook, making more plans, trying out new techniques etc etc. the idea is to look like ur bursting with excitement over the subject matter.

think of ur notebook as a constant train of though, record everything you think might work in there, whether u end up choosing it as something to work from in a main piece, or not.

we had a life drawing sketchpad as well. NCAD is very much ideas based, if u show them ur wonderful and insane ideas, presented with a bit of good solid technique, they'll like u.

ten minutes is the max they'd spend looking at a portfolio, they look through everything, and pass it along. they'd only stop and read something u wrote in ur notebook if the visual bit took their interest. thats why u have to do the notebook for yourself, and not be thinking of what they're going to be reading or looking at.

seed, unfortunately your not sorted if all u do is present your main pieces with nothing to back them up. portfolios are about generation of ideas and their development, not the finished piece. in first year in NCAD, i was constantly told not to be trying to 'finish' something. but thats different. with a portfolio, finished pieces are expected, as long as u show where u got them from.

smelly girl is right, all u have to do is call NCAD and give ur name and they'll send u post all about it on the same day. (or you could just check their websites...)

id also reccomend doing a portfolio course after 6th year. anyone ive spoken to said this is a huge help (me included) for when they get to art college, they're able to manage it a hell of a lot better than people straight from school.

anyway, good luck, and go check the college's websites!

Shrimp

What about DunLairy:p Whats there weight limits?

smelly girl

Dunno about limits, think it's about 15 pieces...