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Portfolio help!!

Started by Mitengu, 26 January, 2009, 12:59:18 PM

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Mitengu

Hi all,

First of all, Happy New Year of the Ox, sorry for being away for so long!! I will try to visit more!

I have never done an Artwork portfolio in my life and I was wondering if I could get some advice on how to start! I do have a DeviantArt: it's all good and fun but I'm not sure if I should set up my own page. (http://mitengu.deviantart.com/). I really wanna get my art out there!! >_<!

Thanks!!!

+rufus+

hello Mitengu,

For starters..
A folio, like a good CV, needs to be tailored towards who you are showing it to.
IE  - you may wish to put work together for marvel, so look at their books, what do they put out, what do they want, etc.

If you are wanting to put together comic book samples, you will need to show interior pages, not pin ups, demonstrating storytelling (foremost), perspective, style, and understanding of your material.
 Strong drawing skills, and clear simple samples are best.


hope that helps,
rufus

Mitengu

Thank you very much!!! sorry for the late reply! I will definitely take that in.

Thanks!!!

Egghunter

Whilst we're still at it, I might as well throw in a short question myself:
Except for actual worksamples, do you need to include an artist statement or cover letter?

I am currently updating my portfolio (and working on a "physical" portfolio to show editors that I'll meet, and so on) and was recommended to write an artist statement as well.

Peter Wolf

Sketches sketches sketches not just finished work.

I am just about at this stage myself now so if any established pro artists could post some more advice it will be much appreciated here as well.

I dont post there yet but i would recommend Artspots.[similar to Deviantart but not as busy].I am at page 4 of my first ever attempt at drawing and scripting and its going well so far....
Worthing Bazaar - A fete worse than death

Egghunter

Hm... ok peterwolf, this might be a really stupid question, but why would one need to include sketches?
If you have finished artwork, it would be assumed that you can make sketches as well, or..?

Peter Wolf

Quote from: "Egghunter"Hm... ok peterwolf, this might be a really stupid question, but why would one need to include sketches?
If you have finished artwork, it would be assumed that you can make sketches as well, or..?

Now first of all i am just a beginner but i do know 2 or 3 professional illustrators [not in the comics industry] and one very successful commercial artist  and i have chatted to them about the exact same thing .What they say is that sketches show how you arrive at your finished product.How your mind works and what ideas you have before they become finished pieces.As a beginner i find seeing artists sketches and half finished ideas that are posted on various comic artists websites an invalueable learning resource and explain a lot about what tecniques you use as its interesting to others who are looking at your art and want to know what stages it goes through before its finished work.

I may be talking crap but is what i know and what i have been told by others as like you i am looking to do it as paid work even if its only a sideline.
Worthing Bazaar - A fete worse than death

chris_askham

#7
I'm pretty sure that no-one needs to look at sketches at all, unless they specifically ask you for them. And Tharg certainly won't want to see sketch submissions. Or a portfolio with sketches in. The working out process is certainly important, but nobody else needs to see that.

+rufus+

Quote from: "Egghunter"Whilst we're still at it, I might as well throw in a short question myself:
Except for actual worksamples, do you need to include an artist statement or cover letter?

I am currently updating my portfolio (and working on a "physical" portfolio to show editors that I'll meet, and so on) and was recommended to write an artist statement as well.

Hi Egghunter...
It's always good to include a short cover letter, just stating who you are, what you've worked in and relevany skills (Any specialist stuff..computer programmes etc)

I draw comics full time and worked in animation (2D traditional doing films,ads and promos).

Really when you're putting together a folio you need to specifically think about the potential employer you're showing it to.. what do they do, what do they want?

I don't mean to rain on Peter's suggestions, but as a professional, I'd recommend (for a comics portfolio) B&W interior art showing storytelling of RELEVANT characters and style for the Company you are approaching. I'd avoid pinups, as it doesn't tell the editors whether you can tell a story.

If your portfolio is for an Art Dept. job,then life drawing and sketched may be useful.

Hope that may help.

W. R. Logan

Quote from: "Egghunter"Hm... ok peterwolf, this might be a really stupid question, but why would one need to include sketches?
If you have finished artwork, it would be assumed that you can make sketches as well, or..?

your pencils may be great but your inks may be crap, show pencils and inks so that an editor can see all stages of your work.

+rufus+

Thanks Logan..I should really learn to articulate myself.. LOL

Egghunter

Quote from: "+rufus+"Hope that may help.

It does. A lot. Thank you very much!

Quote from: "+rufus+"It's always good to include a short cover letter, just stating who you are, what you've worked in and relevany skills (Any specialist stuff..computer programmes etc)

Ok, then I will do that. Also now I've got a clue of what to include in such a letter. ;)

W. R. Logan

Quote from: "+rufus+"Thanks Logan..I should really learn to articulate myself.. LOL

succinct 8-) Been teaching orders this week so how to get maximum info over in as few words as possible.

+rufus+

Well.. You've succeeded marvelously!  :D  I have much to learn!

Hope the training is going well!