Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

I got a question...

How can you build a decent portofolio? Are there other artists here?

I'm questioning myself how good do you have to be in order to be considered as a talented artist. In my case, I love drawing, not too much painting but charcoal or plain pencil on plain paper (I might like to learn other styles too but I've never been in any workshops)

Everyone at my school tell me that I'm the best artist around but I think it is just lack of competition (I live in Ecuador). Is anybody working on their on portofolio right now? Can I send some of my drawings so you guys can see and judge?

I'd hate to send my drawings and feeling that i'm just another cartoonist wannabe...

Please Help

Sidis (I'll study physics too...In case I'm not as good as I thought I was)

By Antigone (Antigone) on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 10:23 pm: Edit

Hi there! I want to major in english and asian studies but I'd also like to do art as I love it very much. But I'm unsure if I should send a portfolio or not.. anyway, I probably will and this is what I'm planning on including:
Around 12 35mm slides of a mix of drawings, paintings, and sketches. Basically, I have regular sketches of people, a couple oils, pastel, colored pencil, guash, and watercolor pieces. I'm not sure how to put it all together though (or make the slides) so I guess I'll have to talk to my art teacher.
I'm not sure how long it takes. I haven't really started yet but... I think I'm applying ED to a college this week (for a Dec 1 deadline) and send in my portfolio sometime... mid november.
Good luck with yours! I'll write back if I learn anything new

By Antigone (Antigone) on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 10:25 pm: Edit

eek double post. sorry sorry sorry

By Sidis (Sidis) on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 10:30 pm: Edit

Cool! I only sketch as a maniac on every piece of paper I can get. I'm no Picasso but we might share our works right? My issue is that I don't know if I'm a good drawer or just an ordinary wannabe.

Contact me if u can
, I'll post some of my drawings later so everyone can check

By Antigone (Antigone) on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - 05:40 pm: Edit

Yeah! I'll definently look at your drawings! I don't know if I can get mine online though because I don't have a scanner or a digital camera My only problem is that I'm really unsure how to do the portfoilio besides the basics and I have no idea how to take slides. O-o

By Sidis (Sidis) on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 07:24 pm: Edit

Ok, I uploaded one of my drawings on my profile, just click my name and tell me any comments.

I just like do draw anything at all, from comics and manga to realistic ones. I don't really know ow to paint since I've never been in a workshop or particular classes. I just learned how to draw by myself (like english lol)

Ok, please check it out

By Sidis (Sidis) on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 07:57 pm: Edit

Please guys I need comments because i'm really trying to consider if I should send a portofolio

By Sidis (Sidis) on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 10:25 pm: Edit

bump!

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:02 pm: Edit

Is that from life? It looks impressive. Love your line. I'm trying to build a portfolio too... But I'm so untaught and inexperienced... I'm even wondering if I should write that to them....

By Sidis (Sidis) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:18 pm: Edit

Ok, I'll add some more drawings later... I just hope I have material for impressing ad commitees. I just didn't knew if I was good or not.

I still expect other comments.

PS Thanks Folk Hero!!

By Antigone (Antigone) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:28 pm: Edit

That's good. It's sloppy but in a good way, if you know what I mean. It has a certain windy, effortless appeal that tells the adcoms that your art is exact and expressive. I draw like that too--just lines and lines and scratches and traces of everything. With my portfolio, I'm sending 10 pieces, including a couple figure drawings--which I did in oil pastel and they're very ....abstract, rougly sketched onto flimsy paper. I really like styles like that though. Good luck!

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:33 pm: Edit

Antigone... Ektachrome (sp?) slide film in a regular 35 mm camera... but get an art teacher or someone to do it. It's a lot harder than it looks.

By Sidis (Sidis) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:37 pm: Edit

Thanks Antigone, I just uploaded a new picture (Check it on my profile)

By Embermad (Embermad) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:38 pm: Edit

Hey, I'm taking AP studio art at my school right now. On the college board site there is a gallary of students' pieces from past years. (most of them are VERY impressive.) But I guess you can check there to compare your level(s).

By Sidis (Sidis) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:42 pm: Edit

what is the e-adress?

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 09:54 pm: Edit

Sidis, beautiful study

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 12:52 am: Edit

Yes, what is the address? I couldn't find it on the site.

By Sidis (Sidis) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 12:23 pm: Edit

so?

BTW I uploaded a new drawing

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 03:06 pm: Edit

What do you draw from? The horse doesn't look that realistic, but maybe I just haven't seen horses lately...

By Sidis (Sidis) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 04:08 pm: Edit

I didn't intend it to look real, I just did a quick draft about a horse with no "real-look" purpose.

By Antigone (Antigone) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 05:25 pm: Edit

I think it looks real.

By Sidis (Sidis) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 08:14 pm: Edit

Ok, from what you've seen... Do you think my drawings might appeal the ad. comm. ? because I would like to start my portofolio

By Antigone (Antigone) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 09:53 pm: Edit

Well, I thought the guy was very good but the horse looks relatively unfinished. Maybe add more shading? Overall, you should provide a variety of mediums for the adcoms to look over--color and noncolor are important too. Also, depending on the college you're applying to, they may have specific requirements.

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 10:26 pm: Edit

The first two were really good. The horse looks cartoonish, badly composed, and unfinished. I've had even less training than you have had, most likely, so I can only say what I've been told: backgrounds are important, supertight composition is crucial, and you must make sure the photos themselves are well-done.

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 10:27 pm: Edit

For the third time: do you draw anything from life??!!

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 12:43 am: Edit

bump

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 01:46 pm: Edit

bump

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 03:32 am: Edit

bump

By Sidis (Sidis) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 09:48 am: Edit

Hey! yes, I have done some real-life sketches, according to what you're saying, I should prepare some full finished drawings, so I'll better begin working on them,I'll post some colored ones later, ok?

And about training, well my only training has been the back of my notebooks so I guess we're even.

I posted a new pic, check it out

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 07:20 pm: Edit

It's lovely. I like it better when you use stronger contrasts and bolder shading, though. I don't know anything about whether it's portfolio material, especially since my own style is different. I'm feverishly trying to put togethr a portfolio, and various people (art teachers, etc) have been giving me advice, so all I can do is repeat what they say...

By Sidis (Sidis) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 09:23 pm: Edit

Thanks, I'll be drawing more this week to make some final sketches, I'll post some colored ones later. But what about other artists? Can anyone else post their drawings?

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 09:46 pm: Edit

no scanner

By Sidis (Sidis) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 06:23 pm: Edit

Well then, you'll have to wait 'till I finish another sketch,and the post it.

By Sots (Sots) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 06:38 pm: Edit

Heya, Im going to a liberal arts school--or planning on it, Brown hopefully!--but studying art. I will look at your slides if you send them to me (kestrelstar@hotmail.com) I'll do my best to help. Im from one of the most competetive high schools in the art field in the United States, so at least I think I know my stuff, heh heh.

And whatever u do, u have to do some GOOD painting and alternative stuff. Do abstracts! Experiment! Do something FUN. Talent is VERY important, but creativity is also up there, and it is CRUCIALLY important to show that you are proficient in different styles and mediums. As an afterthought... How about trying to toss in a sculpture, or some pottery if you prefer?

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 06:44 pm: Edit

THANK YOU!!! Hope you don't mind general questions...

By Sots (Sots) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 07:06 pm: Edit

SHoot slides outside w/ slide film 100 or 200 "asa".

And the picture is nice. Consider going more into a medium tho. get REALLY into it. get dirty! Get out some paint and really splash it on.

By Sidis (Sidis) on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 08:58 pm: Edit

Hey I have a q,

How do you prepare the slides for the portofolio?

What page sizes or photographic/scaning materials do you need?

By Sidis (Sidis) on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 05:47 pm: Edit

bump

By Folk_Hero (Folk_Hero) on Thursday, November 06, 2003 - 12:42 am: Edit

Hey, I've finally got a portfolio pic in my profile...