Decide on how many pieces of artwork are needed to create a mock portfolio. Thirty pieces of artwork is the average amount of work expected to be seen by art colleges or perspective employers. Prepare more pieces than necessary so that you can select only your best pieces to display in a leather portfolio.
Plan what types of design work needs to be generated to demonstrate your broad range of art and design skills. Having a mock portfolio that shows an artist's versatility increases the opportunity of gaining art school places or employment. For instance, if applying to art school, produce a portfolio of work which demonstrates various art and design areas -- fine art, graphics, three-dimensional design, fashion, textiles, ceramics, photography or other applicable art fields. Place more pieces into your portfolio of artwork that demonstrates the design field you are interested in pursuing as an artist. As a graduate, your mock portfolio should reflect only a broad display of artwork within your art specialism.
Prepare studies for each piece of artwork to be placed in the portfolio. It is essential to show the development of an idea from start to finish to demonstrate your working methods in reaching a final design concept. Do this by making preparatory studies in a sketchbook to accompany your mock portfolio. Show each step in the design process. Start by creating various pencil or charcoal studies. Introduce various color mediums -- colored pencils, oil pastels, inks or paints. Make notes beside each preparatory sketch to explain your idea behind each study.
Buy or prepare paper to create your final pieces of mock artwork. Decide on what color medium to use so that you can use the correct paper. For instance, use sugar paper for oil pastels, or use specific paper or stretch cartridge paper to use a paint medium. Stretch a sheet of paper by placing the sheet on a wooden drawing board. Dip a sponge into some cold water. Sponge water over the paper from the center to stretch the paper. Hold the stretched paper in place with wet gum strip. Leave to dry.
Create your final pieces paying reference to your design studies. Complete these pieces to a very high standard so that each piece shows your strengths.Carefully cut stretched paper off the drawing board with a craft knife. (Make sure that there is a plain border of paper around the picture ready for framing before starting to draw and paint your final piece.)
Lay out all your pieces of artwork. Select pieces of artwork that show your strengths and remove pieces that show weaknesses. Mount your finished pieces on mounting board or pieces of card. Do this by drawing out the exact size and shape of your picture onto the back of the mounting board, using a pencil and ruler. Cut out the mounting-board shape with a metal ruler and a craft knife. Place the mounting frame over the picture, stick it down with a glue stick and secure with gum strip. Place your mounted work into plastic sleeves to complete your mock portfolio.