That’s the best thing about websites: you can differentiate the different aspects of your craft. Social media like instagram limits you, as jumping from one thing to another will probably affect your algorithm negatively.
Wish we’d go back to websites full-time (miss you livejournal/wordpress golden era).
It really is!!! But I always try to remind myself that a portfolio and a 'collection of my work' are two seperate things. At least my old art can still exist on my social media!
Hi Anoosha! Thank you so much for theses great advices. Your newlsetter arrived just at the right moment as I'm planning to build my portfolio, so it will help me a lot. :).
But I'm wondering... I have a store right now on my website where I sell some originals. I intended to put my portfolio on the same website (for convenience) but I don't know if it's a good idea. Do you have any advice about that ?
That's totally fine! I used to have my shop and portfolio combined on one domain and a lot of people do the same. I actually think it works better to help drive more traffic to your site. :)
Such good advice--I'm coming to your blog as both a former children's art director and current youth librarian, and you hit my most frequent portfolio recommendation not once but TWICE! Only put work/styles in your portfolio that you are proud of and WANT to be working in. I once did a portfolio review at an SCBWI event, and pointed out a particular set of illustrations as ones that I thought would be particularly good ones for the children's educational market at the time (realistic kids), and the artist literally gritted her teeth and said, "I hate drawing like that." Of course, I asked her, "Then why is it in your portfolio?" (Yes, this was a just-out-of-school artist.) I have to say, it was not a very positive review experience for either of us. I'd seen her showing it around earlier and I was very interested in some of it, so felt like I could be constructively critical of a few pieces, knowing that I was going to be gushing about others. But she was very defensive, ending in that "I hate drawing like that" exchange. I felt so awful about the critique that I actually wrote her a letter when I got back to the office. She never responded or followed up!
Oh man, that's a tough situation! I can understand her POV of feeling the need to include EVERYTHING in her folio, especially since at that stage they don't have a large body of work to begin with. But yeah, why put something in your portfolio if you don't even like working in that style haha.
So glad to read this- my portfolio is always evolving and changing and it hurts sometimes to remove bits, but so necessary.
So thankful to read this advice! It reminded me of many things. Definitely worth to rethink and rebuild ✏️📒（many notes)
That’s the best thing about websites: you can differentiate the different aspects of your craft. Social media like instagram limits you, as jumping from one thing to another will probably affect your algorithm negatively.
Wish we’d go back to websites full-time (miss you livejournal/wordpress golden era).
Today I wanted to build my artist portfolio and this happened to cross my path. Thank you so much for the advice! It's more helpful than you know!
I'm glad to hear it!
Thanks! It is always hard to remove something you still like but what to draw like this any more.
It really is!!! But I always try to remind myself that a portfolio and a 'collection of my work' are two seperate things. At least my old art can still exist on my social media!
Thank you very much for saying it!
Hi Anoosha! Thank you so much for theses great advices. Your newlsetter arrived just at the right moment as I'm planning to build my portfolio, so it will help me a lot. :).
But I'm wondering... I have a store right now on my website where I sell some originals. I intended to put my portfolio on the same website (for convenience) but I don't know if it's a good idea. Do you have any advice about that ?
That's totally fine! I used to have my shop and portfolio combined on one domain and a lot of people do the same. I actually think it works better to help drive more traffic to your site. :)
Ok! Thank you 🥰
A very good write up about building a portfolio for artists.
Thank you!
Thank you for putting this together!
I hope it’s helpful!
Such good advice--I'm coming to your blog as both a former children's art director and current youth librarian, and you hit my most frequent portfolio recommendation not once but TWICE! Only put work/styles in your portfolio that you are proud of and WANT to be working in. I once did a portfolio review at an SCBWI event, and pointed out a particular set of illustrations as ones that I thought would be particularly good ones for the children's educational market at the time (realistic kids), and the artist literally gritted her teeth and said, "I hate drawing like that." Of course, I asked her, "Then why is it in your portfolio?" (Yes, this was a just-out-of-school artist.) I have to say, it was not a very positive review experience for either of us. I'd seen her showing it around earlier and I was very interested in some of it, so felt like I could be constructively critical of a few pieces, knowing that I was going to be gushing about others. But she was very defensive, ending in that "I hate drawing like that" exchange. I felt so awful about the critique that I actually wrote her a letter when I got back to the office. She never responded or followed up!
Oh man, that's a tough situation! I can understand her POV of feeling the need to include EVERYTHING in her folio, especially since at that stage they don't have a large body of work to begin with. But yeah, why put something in your portfolio if you don't even like working in that style haha.