Portfolio Questions

Hi.

I am new to the art of watercolor but I'm starting to produce a fairly large body of work. I am painting with the intention of eventually showing and/or selling.

I need to take photos of my work in slide format (I assume). My question is: Do I just lay the work out and click off a photo? Or do I somehow scan the work? Do I frame the work and photograph it, or just pin the paper to a white wall or something.

I'm clueless. I'm sure I shouldn't pack a cardboard box with a dozen framed and matted prints and lug them around.

Thanks for any input.

Sincerely,

I'd recommend using a digital camera and then storing the images after cropping on any one of those new online only type web base digital camera photo labs making your account sort of an undepletable on demand press kit distribution system of your order as needed media side financed pristine slides and photo prints even as large as 11 by 14 inches. These new online photo labs are geared towards sharing digital camera family photos with relatives and friends across the country (letting them order and pay for their own copies) but I think such services would probably do well for artists as media kits too, not forgetting of course to order copies for yourself too.

[I was looking at a watercolorist's portfolio yesterday which was easy to look at and made a good presentation. She had simply laid the originals on a color xerox machine and made copies which she displayed in a loose-leaf binder. They came out excellent, looking a lot like printed illustrations. This works better than copies from slides, although you don't get out of having to shoot slides- most competitions, galleries, etc. still require them.]

Andrew Werby

Developing and maintaining a current portfolio is, perhaps, the most difficult task I face as an artist. I think keeping an honest representation of one's work is important, not just for galleries and juried shows but also for the artist, as well. Currently, I have _all_( the good, bad and ugly) of my work photographed and filed but for public viewing I've chosen what I believe are my best pieces. And, since my body of work includes several 'themes', my portfolio tends to take on a life of it's own sometimes. I'm constantly removing slides and pictures to not overload the viewer's eye and keep focused on what I believe my strengths are. Last thing you want to do is present a gallery director with too many images....in fact, the fewer the better....but, make them your _best_. Most importantly, they _must_ represent what your paintings actually look like. In other words, no touching up here and there.

As Andrew said, slides are definitely still required if you plan to market your work. However, I've found some greeting card companies will accept good quality prints if you decide to take that route in the beginning. A good basic resource to refer to is the current copy of Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market which will give you lots of tips. I've yet to find a juried show that doesn't require them.The Artists magazine (Feb. 2000) has an excellent article, 'Taking Your Best Shot' that covers photographing your artwork. If you can't obtain a copy email me and I'll forward it to you.

Best of luck,