An artist's portfolio looks professional and will protect your art from damage.
With proper training and education, a skilled artist or designer can achieve a rewarding and satisfying career with a lucrative income. With so many career options in this field, there is bound to be heavy competition. If not prepared, you can easily set yourself up for failure. It is important to present your artwork in a concise, clean and professional way to set yourself apart from your competitors. The best way to showcase your work is with a portfolio.
Instructions
1. Select pieces of your art to be included in your portfolio. A good portfolio contains ten to fifteen art pieces. Cater your selection to the type of programs you are planning to study. For example, if you are planning to study illustration, include pieces that best represent that genre. If your strength is sculpture, include large clear photos in your portfolio. Be sure you are showcasing only your best work.
2. Prepare each piece for insertion. Your portfolio should be clean and crisp, so be sure that each art piece is looking its best. Use a cutting blade and ruler to trim off any rough edges or excess margins. Crop your work and get rid of any bent or torn corners.
3. Mount art to mounting paper or matte board. This step is recommended to give your art that added "wow factor". With your cutting blade and ruler, cut the backing to the right size, leaving about a half inch to one inch border around your artwork. Use double sided tape to adhere your art to the backing. Choose a basic color for your backing so it doesn't take away from your artwork.
4. Choose the order in which to showcase your art. Put your strongest pieces first and last. This will ensure great impact at the beginning, while leaving a lasting impression at the end.
5. Mount your art to pages in your portfolio. Most artist's portfolios have removable vinyl sleeves with a paper insert. Pull the paper out of the sleeve and use your double sided tape to mount your work to the page. Be sure it is centered and level. A clean presentation is extremely important.
6. Assemble your portfolio in the correct order, then review. It is advisable to go through your portfolio a few times to make any last minute edits or changes. Have a friend or someone in your selected field look through it, and take any advice they have to offer.
