Choose pieces of your work that demonstrate you have mastered many artistic skills and that also show off a high level of creativity and innovation.
Use a wide range of your work to show that you can appeal to many different audiences. However, it should also be clear from your portfolio exactly what kind of artist you are and where your talent and passion really lies.
Add as much of your current work as possible, as this is the most relevant to anyone viewing your portfolio.
Include all evidence of recognition of your work. This includes newspaper articles that mention you and any awards you have received for your art.
Add photographs of any art show, event or gallery opening that you have participated in. You could even insert a press release from the show.
Make the portfolio logical and organized so that anyone reading it will form an accurate opinion of you as an artist.
Find out what is expected from your portfolio before you hand it over. This is especially true if you are a budding young artist trying to get into an art college. For example, some places will ask for original work, whereas others will prefer slides.
Add 35-millimeter format photo slides of your work to your portfolio unless original artwork is requested. In this case you should still create a photo slide to document your work in case it is lost or damaged.
Use a 35-millimeter camera to take photographs of your work. The background should be white or black. Use photoflood bulbs for lighting and ensure the image fills the entire viewfinder so that it is centered.
Only add slides to your portfolio that are entirely clear and focused. Label these with a title, date, the dimensions of the work and your name.