The work that goes into a portfolio should be the best work that an artist can produce. It should always be laid out in a clean, professional manner. Try to use the best quality papers, tools and materials you can acquire. The portfolio should represent the best of what you can do. It should also include a wide variety of mediums and subject matter. When an appropriate body of work has been created, keep it in a nice portfolio case to protect the work and to create a professional image.
Still life is one of the categories of subject matter that should be included in any portfolio. Set up various objects from around the home into an attractive still life and draw it from many angles. Choose the best compositions to include in your portfolio. Do various compositions in charcoal, graphite, pastels and pen and ink to show a variety of materials and mediums have been mastered.
Include many examples of figure drawing and portraits in your portfolio. Drawing people is a standard practice, and the portfolio should reflect an understanding of anatomy and composition as it relates to the human form. Try to include as many body types and ages as possible in your models. Use a variety of mediums to execute the best compositions possible to include in the portfolio. Charcoal and graphite are the best mediums for portraiture and figure drawing.
The third major category for a drawing portfolio's subject matter is landscape and city scenery. Draw from nature at different times of the day to show an understanding of light and atmospheric effects. Include trees, mountains and variety of plants and animals if possible. Draw scenery from different seasons over the course of a year to include variety. City scenes are also important to show skill at recreating man-made structures. Include streets, buildings, cars and people in the urban compositions.