CelesJessa's Portfolio! (Image Heavy!)
 

So it has come time for me to pick 10 of my best (recent) pieces to put in my portfolio in hopes to impress the art professors and such to get accepted into their art program. So I thought it would be fun to show the pieces that I'm considering and get some feedback from you guys (if you would be so kind). I already kind of have 10 in mind, but it's always good to get other people's feedback, so any comments, suggestions, etc would be hugely appreciated. This is kind of a big thing for me. If you can think of something that I've drawn on my own that you think would be a good candidate too, feel free to let me know.

Things to keep in mind when I pick my pictures:
- Drawings from life are ideal (aka, stuff that I draw that is sitting directly in front of me, like nude models)
- Show an array of ability with medium and skills and whatnot.

Numbered for your convenience! Thumbnailed for even more convenience.

* = Strongly considering putting it in the portfolio
** = Definately going in the portfolio (professors told me to do it, and I'm not going to go against them. XD )


1. http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2...7921pp2.th.jpg
2. http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/4...3298bq5.th.jpg
3. http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2...9910nn2.th.jpg *
4. http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/4...5129oh0.th.jpg
5. http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1...2191kg3.th.jpg **
6. http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2...2221sl9.th.jpg *
7. http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8...9343ve2.th.jpg **
8. http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/2387/b11hk7.th.jpg *
9. http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2083/b10gw1.th.jpg *
10. http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/6149/b15ch7.th.jpg
11. http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/6963/b13sv8.th.jpg
12. http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9329/b16sk7.th.jpg
13. http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9141/b18bk5.th.jpg
14. http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/7790/b17cp8.th.jpg *
15. http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/484/b25lv0.th.jpg
16. http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8537/b20ye7.th.jpg *

I'll start off by listing the ones I'd bring, which are:

4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16

Okay, about number four, it's a similar pose from three (from the back), but something about it strikes more interest to me than three. Also, the highlighting is totally sweet (which is probably why). I'd also consider number ten as the lines are very sharp, realistic looking, and has nice highlighting. Also, is that I was stuck between number eleven and thirteen. I ended up going with eleven for the variety.

Oh, and one last thing I'd like to mention: I keep going back to number two. Something about the use of that bright coloring really catches my attention more than the other pictures, which majority use more dark warm colors than anything.

What ST said.

I mean I was up and prepared to explain all of my favorites and the ones that strike me, but ST pretty much said it all.

Number 3 looks somewhat interesting but feels like it's missing something I can't quite place, so I'd leave it out.

I'd strongly suggest that if there's something on ST's list you're not sure about substitute it with 2, as the vibrancy leaps out at you and not just because of muted colors in the other pieces.

Oh and you should totally put the 'Ganondorf smoking in bed' picture in the portfolio. Professors love that.

The one issue I have with 4 is that his thigh is frikkin' huge. I do like it better than 3 as well, but I have trouble getting past that huge thigh. But do you think the strengths of it outweigh the giant thigh-anatomy problems and still make it better than number 3?

I believe so.

I mean, of course they both have things here and there that could be tweaked, but four has the amazing highlighting with the use of the black to help your eyes to fill in the rest. Of course, I'm not saying three is bad in any way, it keeps growing on me the more I look at it, but I think going with four would be better.

But hey, I ain't gonna bite your head off if you go with whatever you find comfortable.

It does look like it's ridiculously huge but part of that is also a trick of the whole black and white scheme.

I too prefer 4 over 3. While the thigh in 4 is big. it is less notably so then the slightly triangular arm and the back in 3 which is jumping out at me. I don't know, seems like 4 looks much more realistic and 3 looks more...polygonal? severe? I'm not sure what word I'm going for.

I've started putting my portfolio together, and as I've been looking at my strongest ones I'm putting in there, I notice I have a LOT of drawings of people. I have a dilemma Should I forgo some of my stronger people drawings for some drawings of non-people (like some abstract-y type that I didn't take a picture of for this thread) that I don't like as much, or should I stick with the people. My paper on how to make a good portfolio says:

"The best drawings are familiar objects (still life), self portraits, figure drawings, landscapes, and interior/exterior environments. Observational drawing is the most important part of your portfolio and should reflect some diversity in subject matter and media such as graphite, charcoal, conte crayone, pastels, colored pencil, or pen and ink"

I have the diversity in media down, but the diversity in subject is a little more iffy. So far, as far as subject matter I have... an elbow, three nude studies, a self portrait, a figure study(clothed!), and an interior environment drawing. I'm thinking about going with some still-life things I did in my first drawing class, even though I don't like them as much. Or maybe I have enough diversity already? Any suggestions or advice or ideas? Thank you everyone so far. It has been very very helpful to get your feedback..

If they're honestly not that great it's probably better going with strength over diversity. I wouldn't think it's gonna help you submitting a piece to show your range when the piece looks shitty.

Maybe run the still-lifes by a teacher or something first, cause they could be perfectly good and you're just being hard on yourself? But if they're as mediocre as you seem to think they are then I mean just generally speaking, you can't sell what you don't have, you know?

I think that throwing in some still life and/or landscapes would help your case quite a bit - if variety is what you're looking for that's definitely what you need. I think that paper has the right idea. You have quite a bit of figures and portraits but a significant lack of the others.

Grabbing some of your still-life things would probably be a good idea.

EDIT: Ah okay now I see, you don't like those as much, missed that the first time. Maybe posting them would be a good idea?