Saturday, June 18, 2016

Best Practices On Compiling A Great Portfolio Of Your Artwork

By Betty Edwards


If you are an aspiring visual artist who desires to enhance their skills in a professional academic setting, then you should consider applying for art school. There are plenty of top colleges and universities with exceptional arts programs, and even specialized institutions dedicated to exclusively teaching art to students. So when you want to realize your creative pursuits, you must first impress the admissions office by sending a great portfolio submission via these helpful guidelines.

Start off by doing thorough research and see what are the required components that applicants need to submit for potential admission. Colleges or universities are seeking individuals who are not just knowledgeable about advanced color theory, but are also able to showcase their talents in unconventional ways. You may then start your planning should you have the information.

Pick up and pencil or a pen and start drawing on a sketchbook to flesh out your initial ideas so you may have visible points of reference. Even when you are working in the field of three dimensional mediums like sculpture or installation art, drawing still helps to visualize your concepts. Sketch out some studies until you have something worth making into a project.

One of the best secrets to crafting a compelling portfolio is to implement elements or themes tied directly or loosely on your personal experiences. Most artists are trying to make statements based on their emotional states or perhaps conveying their opinions in a more nonfigurative manner. The trick here is to strike a balance between being emotional and being cerebral.

Alternatively, you could choose to explore ideas or concepts that are outside of your comfort zone. Challenging yourself to push your boundaries and experiment with new perspectives helps to diversify your work and show others that you have the capability to be versatile. Train yourself to think outside of the box, and you may just surprise yourself with what you can do.

While the trait of versatility is greatly appreciated, you should never abandon your true artistic roots and focus on perfecting your signature style. For instance, if you have studied mixed media for a long time, you must hone your skills to show the admissions department that your voice is in that medium. Staying true to who you are is an admirable characteristic.

Because the world of art is automatically subject to criticism, you must be emotionally prepared to face tough comments from anyone reviewing your work. Desensitize yourself by having more established creators take a look at your pieces for their opinion. Chances are, the things they will say to you might also be the same things that your prospective school would agree with.

And in relation to the previous statement, you should be brave and confident enough to defend your artwork when you are called for the applicant interview. It helps to be articulate and assertive when discussing the various elements relating to your pieces. Even if they may have contrasting opinions, they will respect someone who is fully committed to their work.

Preparing yourself for an artistic higher education is a challenge that you could easily achieve when you know the right steps to make it happen. Follow the tips mentioned above to achieve your personal goals. Be confident throughout the whole process and always trust your creative instincts.




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