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Question: Starting an Art Portfolio!?
Hello,
I am a 16 year old student looking to study in an art university, although I am not yet sure which part of art exactly!. Thats why I want to do a foundation year first, but for this I still need a portfolio!.
On to my question:
When is the best time to start with the portfolio!? I will be graduating in the summer of 2010 and need to have sent my portfolio by the beginning of 2010!. Am I too late!?
How do I start my portfolio!? Should I buy a large portfolio book and begin sticking in pieces of my recent work!?
How far back should the artwork date!?
and finally: Do I need to include written responses!? For example I participated in a 2 week art course in Paris, how do I include this in my portfolio (or should this rather stay in my CV!?)
Thank you so much!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It is the beginning of 2009!. That gives you a year to develop and build a portfolio!. You are not to late, but it is better to start sooner than later!.
To start, collect all past artworks you have done regardless of date!.
The key to a portfolio in your case is to show that you have explored and worked in a variety of mediums, like sculpture, drawing, and painting!. For example, a photograph of the clay sculpture you created in grade 10 would make a perfect item to include in a portfolio!. Another example would be an acrylic paint on canvas you creating in grade 11!.
You will need 10-12 examples in total!. In most cases, original artwork should never be put into a portfolio!. Just copies, like photos or prints!
Remember the main thing is to show variety!. The latest date should be 5 years ago!.
What should you buy!? I suggest a 11" x 14" plastic portfolio!. Everything inside your portfolio should be paper sized!.
It would be to your advantage to have a written letters of recommendation from art teachers from the school where you have studied!. If you have participated in a 2 week art course in Paris, ask the teacher of the course to write you a letter of recommendation too!. "The more, the marryer!."
These written letters you be a single sheet each and be separate from your CV!.
It is good to include two C/Vs becuase in many cases there is more than one person judging your portfolio!. Try to avoid stapling pages together, it is best to use a paper clip!.
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Portfolio should include:
1) Title page (image of your work with your name, could be a large sized photograph signed with a silver marker)
2) A cover letter (stating the items you have include inside you portfolio like a C/V, Artist statement, CD with you images, letters of recommondation!.), The cover letter also has a paragraph stating what you can offer to the school, like!.!.!.!."My C/V clear establishes my record as being involved with art!. Throughout my career, art has been my passion!."
3) Artist Statement (Why you create art)
4) short Biography (mentioning main events regaurding your development as an artist)
5) Any Letters of Recommendation, New paper articles, promotional papers!.
6) Business Card if you have one!.Www@QuestionHome@Com