Portfolios: Create what you want or create what’s required?

[Griffin McPherson]

So @Asyas_illos and I were talking about this a bit recently and I’m curious about other’s thoughts/ advice from any pros.

I’ve been using the SVS list of 100+ things to include in your portfolio but there are some things I’m really not interested in drawing. I’ve often heard advice to fill your portfolio with things you like to draw because if it’s in your portfolio you will likely be asked to draw it. If there are things you don’t want to draw but they’re on the portfolio list then do you put it in there or not?

The way I’ve been thinking of it is "if I were asked to illustrate a whole book on ‘x’ thing, would I be okay with that?". If the answer is no then I don’t include it.

What are your thoughts?

[Asyas_illos]

@Griffin yes let’s gets some more opinions on this topic! Maybe @davidhohn can weigh in this?

[KevinTreaccar]

I would say follow the checklist – but don’t draw what you don’t want to get hired for.

Following the checklist helps show agents and editors you have the range they need for their book. But only show the range you want to get hired for.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Griffin My short answer is if you don't want to, then you shouldn't include it.

[Georgios Christopoulos]

@Griffin this is a tricky one imo. The way I think about this is that, often times, we avoid drawing some things with the excuse of "not being interested" in them, but the truth is that we might not be really good at drawing them and might avoid them for that reason.
The way I would tackle this issue, is the following.

• list itemI would identify the subject that I have no interest in drawing

• I would try my best to incorporate my style in this subject

• I would work with it and draw it within a reasonable timeframe two or three times.

• Once done, I would decide if I really have zero interest in it, or not.Maybe my initial feeling was spot on. But maybe I just surpassed an obstacle!

You never know.Anyways that is just my view on this!
Hope I helped in any way!

George

[Pamela Fraley]

@Georgios-Christopoulos I like this answer. I for sure have certain things I avoid, but probably should try to make an effort at drawing.

[Pamela Fraley]

@Griffin I like this question. I’m curious to see what other people have to say. Probably some of the answer has to do with how much someone needs the work too. If you can’t afford to lose out on a project just because it has crowd scenes or an elephant or something, then its probably a good idea to get comfortable drawing them.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Griffin great question!

So, let's be real here: there is no way you can fit 100+ things in 12 to 15 portfolio pieces. This is the number of pieces that most ADs, agents, and editors say that they prefer to see in a portfolio.

Potential clients aren't expecting you to be able to illustrate everything, nor are they expecting to see everything on that list in one portfolio.

So pick things from that list that jive with your style, skillset, and work you want to do.

Speaking from experience, one of my first portfolios included a cute little kitten illustration. Turns out I really don't like drawing cats. But clients kept contacting me because they saw that cute little kitten and were looking for the same for their book. After illustrating 7 books with cat characters, I've taken cats out of my portfolio. Haven't gotten hired for a cat-centric book since.

What kind of jobs are you looking for? If your goal is to get hired for small jobs, maybe illustrating something you don't like as a one-off would be just fine. But for longer jobs like picture books or graphic novels, you'll be drawing that disliked subject over and over and over again. It can get old real quick. And it does affect your productivity and the quality of your work.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Pamela-Fraley absolutely! Sometimes, if you need the work, you take on a job for the money, not because it inspired you. I think all artists have probably been there.

And it's a good idea to always be improving our drawing and rendering skills, including tackling things that we don't like drawing or that intimidate us.

But learning how to draw something you aren't comfortable with or don't like drawing isn't the same as including it in your portfolio.

@Georgios-Christopoulos suggests a great experiment: try it out and see if it's something you actually don't like illustrating. Or was it just intimidation or disinterest? If it's something you find you really don't like illustrating ... don't include it in your portfolio.

[kirsten-mcg]

This is such an interesting topic! I really enjoyed reading through everyone's opinions. This is something I've wondered about too. I have an experience with something similar to the experiment @Georgios-Christopoulos suggested.

For the longest time I avoided drawing interior environments because I thought I didn't like them. But eventually I realized that if I really wanted to be a children's illustrator, I really needed to learn to draw interiors. I watched some SVS classes and some YouTube videos, and studied the way other artist's I admired did interior illustrations. Then I did a few of my own. I still can't say that interiors are my favorite thing to illustrate, but really understanding how to go about it and just diving in and trying has really taken the fear out of it for me. I don't deliberately avoid it anymore. And I have a theory that, as I get better at them, I might even learn to enjoy illustrating interiors.

So I think there is a lot to say for at least giving something a try. I'm working my way through the list of 100 things. I'm not sure if my portfolio will ever include all 100 items, but I'm hoping to get close. And I'm hopeful that for those things that I don't really like, if I can play around with them enough, that I'll be able to find a way to draw them that resonates with me, and makes them enjoyable.