portfolios

[undercover art]

When putting together a portfolio, should one focus on impact with just their very best stuff, or consistency with as many pics as you can fit in a book? And how many pics should one put in a portfolio? Would putting too many pics in a portfolio actually detract from each one by overwhelming the person flipping throug it with too many pages of pics to really focus on one or two of them? That was one fucking long sentence! Grammar be damned!

[hotdiggitydawg]

A portfolio should consist of your best work.
It's proof of what your capabilities are.

[pookie]

ihave my best work in both tattoos and artwork, i also keep loose sketches/designs in the back.
I know it doesnt make sense to many customers but hell i like to keep it varied.

[FORGIVEN]

Quality ,not quantity ...by all means take pics of everything you do ,that way you can look back .....
peace
A.

[Slider]

What I like to see in anyones portfolio..subject grouping. You can have chaos but when its organized chaos its much easier to find anything that peaks someones interest. So if you have a large portfolio, I would group them for easy reference.

[xxxMDKxxx@Gmail.com]

Quality ,not quantity ...by all means take pics of everything you do ,that way you can look back .....
peace
A.

Well said. You dont want a portfolio full of mediocre pics. Otherwise people will think you can do only mediocre work.

[the colorist]

always display your best work,and like it was stated,group them according to subject matter or technique(s).I work with a artist that throws everything into a huge portfolio and the average person is fooled by such a large display.but someone looking for quality work thinks that his work is mediocre.

[TonyTouchTat2]

always display your best work,and like it was stated,group them according to subject matter or technique(s).I work with a artist that throws everything into a huge portfolio and the average person is fooled by such a large display.but someone looking for quality work thinks that his work is mediocre.

Hmmmmmmmm, I wonder who that may be ? :???: LOL

This is true I also know the artist.

[the colorist]

He He He:d

[XHAZE]

I think that only one piece is required in a portfolio.
The" best" that you have ever done. That's as good as you get and you know it.
There is a difference between my best work and the best I have been able to do in a particular style of somebody elses.You can say (it's not bad") but comparing it to the original it looks shit. Trying to imitate art can leave you looking foolish.
I do around 600 tattoos a year and I have 17 photos in my what I call a portfolio which I hope will help me sell another 700 next year.
You will find that the tattoos that will attract the most recognition are the ones that you drew, and were the style of drawing that you love. Then use all of all of your tattooing skills to render that image on skin. Improvise as you go and if the end result is worth it take a photo.
A folder on your counter will get you a few tatts. A portfolio represents your true worth.

[junkyman]

I mean this in no nasty way at all but if you tell people your doing 600 odd tattoos a year and only have 17 photos, wont that put them off? I mean if an artist told me that id wonder why only 17 out of 600 were good enough, I mean no disrespect man, Im not saying your a bad artist or anything im just saying you should look at it from that point of view as well. I think you should include nearly everything to have as broad a scale as possible. Dont take offence to this as none is meant.

[XHAZE]

Now and again between the onslaught I get to a do tattoo that I like.
One of the 17 took 60 hours

[junkyman]

I understand that but customers dont always go for hughe pieces like that, they'll need to see the usual stuff like roses, small tribal etc. Thats what I meant

[XHAZE]

mmmm,ok
The word "portfolio".
To me it is what a person puts together to show someone else how good you are.
When you apply for a job, you sometimes have to write your worthiness on a single of paper. It sucks when the pen they give you doesnt work properly and your life starts to look like scribble.

International tattoo magazines feature artists on 2+ pages. maybe 17 pics from their latest work
Global exposure

I have shitloads of photos which gets me work but I call them "photos of my work" and i keep them on the counter, and yes there is Cherry Creek in this part of the world. It's not a fucking portfolio is it?

This section is photograghy tips. No one likes blurry photo

[junkyman]

Thats a feature, not a portfolio, customers have to see that you can do what they want, not just huge amazing tattoos, its about what the customer wants, not what you want, were in this business to provide a service.

[XHAZE]

Yes, a 2 page spread is a feature not a portfolio.

I guess that I am hung up on the word "portfolio"
I have been serving the general public for a long time now and it is about the customer.
Its where my wages come from. The majority of work is flash work (and can you put my kids names in there somewhere)
I take photos of most of my work anyway. It shows that I can do anything and everything and I have it on the counter to prove it. I work with 4 other tattooists and sometimes their style is chosen over mine
Take photos of all the tattoos you do.

In an earlier post I said that a "portfolio" is a reflection of worth". That's not what other people think, its what you feel is your personal best.

Doesn't matter if its huge or not.

Either I am really striving for higher ground here(elitist) or my tattoos suck.
I have 17 photos in my portfolio, the "best" for each year

[junkyman]

I think were definitely getting our wires crossed over the word "portfolio"! No worries man! Sorry if i caused any offence, i didnt mean to!

[hijinx]

portfolio, an organized presentation of an individual's education, work samples, and skills

[maxauto]

i would only want to see your best work possible in a portfolio... it would tell me everything about your style.. a flash piece or not.. it should be full of pieces you (and only you) are most proud of..