7 crucial things to take your art portfolio from zero to hero

While building a career in any industry, especially the art world, a portfolio plays a vital role in helping others learn about your works, your experiences with versatile mediums of art, and depth of knowledge that you have about your work and industry. The contents of your portfolios are an insight into who you are as an artist. They are your introduction to the world through your artworks and ability to create such art. So, when it comes to something that represents you as an artist, there are a few key things you must do. Want to know what they are? Read on…

7 Things to Keep in Mind to Create the Best Art Portfolio

1. Strategic placement of art

As we all know, first impressions are extremely important. Which is why placement is a key component. But making a strategic decision regarding the placement of artwork is not an easy task. When it comes to art, there is no better judge than the artist themselves. Each artwork is a masterpiece in itself, but among those, there are a few that sometimes speak to you as an artist. Going with these within your portfolio is the best way to creating a well-rounded and impactful portfolio. Place these at the beginning as well as at the end of your portfolio so you start and end with a bang!

2. Artist statement

As much as the art you place in your portfolio matters, talking about yourself also matters, maybe even more. Think about this way, when you look at any art piece in a gallery, the next thing we all try to find out is who has created this art, what was their inspiration behind, etc. So simply put, let your audience in, let them learn who you are, why your art is important to you, what makes you who you are as an artist, and what helps you create your incredible art pieces.

3. Audience customization

Though including art and about artist in your portfolio is an important part, what also matters is who you are creating this for. Understanding who will be looking at your art portfolio can help you decide on what artworks you can place in them. For example, you are sending your portfolio to Philippine Art Festival for the watercolors medium grants. Checking the theme for these grants and adding similar works to this is what you can do to showcase your ability and skills as an artist.

4. Education, collaborations & exhibitions

Sharing about your schooling and education is the icing on top, especially if you took some art classes or courses. It shows you’ve got some training and know your way around art. If you’ve teamed up with other artists or been part of art exhibits and art events such as Philippine Art Festival, it tells people you’re good at teamwork and connected in the artsy scene.

5. Diverse range of works

Putting in a variety of artworks, especially with different mediums that you have experimented with over the years shows your ability to be diverse and flexible. It shows that you are not only good at your primary art form but also versatile with what you create, which in turn shows your ability to learn and adapt.

6. Diverse range of works

One additional element you can add to your portfolio is showcasing your process. Talk about how you got to the place you are at. Explain what went into creating an art piece. Add in sketches from the initial stages for a few artworks to show the authenticity of the art and what you have molded it into later on.

7. Social links

Don’t dump all your artworks into the portfolio. The best way to go is by adding a good quantity of quality works and then adding a few links that include your art profile on social media, your website, and others. This also brings a few eyes onto your digital presence and showcases your ability to be in the trend.

As an artist, when it comes to a portfolio, the best part is that your art speaks for your ability to create. But just letting the art do all the work sometimes is not enough. Every great artwork has an artist with his own unique story to tell behind it. Things such as a sneak peek behind the scenes of who the artist is and their story add great value to the art. Which is why, even for the art grants of Philippine Art Festival, we request our artists to submit their portfolios. This allows us to get an insight into the art and the artist behind it, which later helps us make the right decision on the finalists for our art grants. Curious about our exclusive art grants for Filipino artists? Then check out Art Grants page now! For any queries regarding this, get in touch with us at connect@philippineartfestival.com.