Five Ways Not to Introduce Yourself to an Art Director

**Elwell** · April 22nd, 2008, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Kristina

Here's something: Plain ol' figure drawing/painting. Does it ever have a place in a portfolio? I noticed a lot of that from my fellow hopefuls over NYCC and didn't feel it was MY place to knock it, but to me it created the impression of unnecessary filler. No matter how pretty, there's just no content.

It depends. For freelance illustration? No. For a staff concept art gig? Maybe. For school admissions? Definitely.
Always tailor your portfolio to the particular situation. There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all. And nothing in it should be filler of any sort, no matter how pretty.

**scott*altmann** · April 22nd, 2008, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Kristina

Here's something: Plain ol' figure drawing/painting. Does it ever have a place in a portfolio? I noticed a lot of that from my fellow hopefuls over NYCC and didn't feel it was MY place to knock it, but to me it created the impression of unnecessary filler. No matter how pretty, there's just no content.

Kristina - The AD for Magic:The Gathering stated that if he can't tell from an artists' illustrations that he/she can draw a figure than they aren't getting hired anyway. I thought that was pretty solid advice, and makes sense.

PS- We didn't get a chance to talk about your portfolio- soon!

**AmishCommy** · April 22nd, 2008, 02:18 PM

one more point about "less is more"; WotC AD said at NY comicCon: "I'll hire you on 3 good pieces in your portfolio, Just 3 good ones. But if you don't have those 3, 24 others are not going to convince me."

**Peter Coene** · April 22nd, 2008, 02:40 PM

I've made the iphone mistake, however, that was after they saw my portfolio and wondered if I had any newer stuff (I did, but didn't have time to go out and get it printed before the convention.)

**Idiot Apathy** · April 22nd, 2008, 03:44 PM

Thanks Irene and Dan!

Originally Posted by strych9ine

Plus his wonderful hand grease was all over that screen... it's a healing agent, he has the fingers of a god.

I sell it as lip gloss if you are interested cody. It's a powerful aphrodisiac once mixed with tiger bile and rhino horn.

**dkounios** · April 22nd, 2008, 03:57 PM

wait wait wait...portfolio on the iphone!?
I understand where Peter is coming from...but an iphone as a portfolio? really?

**DavePalumbo** · April 22nd, 2008, 04:19 PM

"I'll hire you on 3 good pieces in your portfolio, Just 3 good ones. But if you don't have those 3, 24 others are not going to convince me."

and I bet you what: 3 good piece + 24 bad piece = you still not getting hired. A small group of half a dozen tight paintings goes much further than those same pieces with another half dozen mediocre pieces to fill it out. ALOT farther.

**Irene Gallo** · April 22nd, 2008, 04:45 PM

First: Figure drawing in portfolio? What Tristan said.

Now...

Originally Posted by DavePalumbo

and I bet you what: 3 good piece + 24 bad piece = you still not getting hired. A small group of half a dozen tight paintings goes much further than those same pieces with another half dozen mediocre pieces to fill it out. ALOT farther.

This is very true. Artists get hired based on the worst piece in their portfolio, not their best. I have to assume a base level of ability. After that, if the artist gets particularly inspired, great!

**REGNIRUTH** · April 22nd, 2008, 05:39 PM

aside from portfolio, I think a confident attitude also helps to sell your service.
the more i read and discuss this sort of thing, the more it makes me realize the reality of the art world.

thanks!

**Qitsune** · April 22nd, 2008, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by REGNIRUTH

aside from portfolio, I think a confident attitude also helps to sell your service.
the more i read and discuss this sort of thing, the more it makes me realize the reality of the art world.

thanks!

But don't act like you are the best thing since sliced bread either. No one wants to deal with a smart ass.

**Ashkitty** · April 23rd, 2008, 06:10 AM

Well.. I didn't want to start a new thread, so maybe someone can answer this for me real quick...

What about a really shy artist? Well-presented, good work, but shy and nervous? Will that kill someone's chances?

**Rocul** · April 23rd, 2008, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Irene Gallo

This is very true. Artists get hired based on the worst piece in their portfolio, not their best. I have to assume a base level of ability.

I did not know that! Wow

**Elwell** · April 23rd, 2008, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Ashkitty

Well.. I didn't want to start a new thread, so maybe someone can answer this for me real quick...

What about a really shy artist? Well-presented, good work, but shy and nervous? Will that kill someone's chances?

Kill, no, but effect? Yes. Shy isn't so much a problem, but nervous is. This is less of a problem for freelancing because these days because so little contact is face-to-face, or even over the phone, but through email. But if you're applying for a staff position, how you come across at an interview is a big factor. People like to work with people they like.

**Vhan Juju** · April 23rd, 2008, 01:38 PM

I'm going to transfer my napkin things to real paper now...

If you have drawn some really cool stuff on napkins, I so gotta see it! (we need a thread just for drawing on those napkins!

**s.ketch** · April 23rd, 2008, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Qitsune

No one wants to deal with a smart ass.

I guess I need to choose a new career path.

**sfbcmatthew** · April 23rd, 2008, 07:28 PM

Some very good advice here. I had some interesting experiences recently. Here's my list:

If you're a pleasant person, be pleasant, be yourself.

If you're in a negative mood, please, please, please say as little as possible. Your body language speaks volumes. I encountered a very negative situation where the artist was talking at length about why he thinks he hasn't gotten more work. I actually avoided passing the aisle on a second round as a result.

Let your work speak for itself. The old cliché is that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don't tell the AD what to think.

Never shake hands with an AD and tell them you just got over the flu. They'll surely remember you but for all the wrong reasons.

Time to take my Sudafed...

**Elwell** · April 23rd, 2008, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by sfbcmatthew

Never shake hands with an AD and tell them you just got over the flu. They'll surely remember you but for all the wrong reasons.

Time to take my Sudafed...

Matthew,
IT WASN'T ME, I SWEAR!!!! REALLY!!!!

**markwagner** · April 24th, 2008, 01:22 AM

Do show me your sketchbook because I will know instantly where you are at in your evolution as an artist. I can tell how far along the road of seeing and hand/eye training you have been, and I can tell how much I can trust you.

~Mark
AD 13 years

**Vhan Juju** · April 24th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Do show me your sketchbook because I will know instantly where you are at in your evolution as an artist. I can tell how far along the road of seeing and hand/eye training you have been, and I can tell how much I can trust you.

whoa, wait, you mean you want to see a portfoilo, and a sketchbook? (just rying to clarify

)

**smugbug** · April 25th, 2008, 12:46 PM

With a mention of comic cons and since SDCC is fast approaching:

* Remember, no matter where you're at - it's professionalism that counts. So, dress the part. That means, while it may be a con (SDCC in particular), don't dress up as your favorite character. That will NOT give you an edge.

Not that anyone here would do that....

Speaking of figure sketches - I often contain the figure work and sketches in a separate book (to allow the option to look through). Should I even bother this year (I intend on going to SDCC)?

(oh, before I forget: bring breath mints.)

**DavePalumbo** · April 25th, 2008, 01:23 PM

I often contain the figure work and sketches in a separate book (to allow the option to look through). Should I even bother this year (I intend on going to SDCC)?

hey, if nothing else, it's always fun to pass around when everyone's hanging out late night

**s.ketch** · April 25th, 2008, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by PatriciaS

With a mention of comic cons and since SDCC is fast approaching:

* Remember, no matter where you're at - it's professionalism that counts. So, dress the part. That means, while it may be a con (SDCC in particular), don't dress up as your favorite character. That will NOT give you an edge.

I heard from the heads of some local game companies that its ok to dress comfortable, and to just dress like you would on a normal day. They also said that dressing up will make you look silly because everyone else will be in normal clothing. They said they want one to be them self, they want the person at the interview to be the same person if they are hired. So imho just dress like and be the person you want to be and be the artist you are, not what you think they expect. Common sense, but I think it should be pounded into everyone's head.

**arttorney** · April 25th, 2008, 05:16 PM

Agreed! I'd say it's a pretty good rule of thumb that if the person you want to be is Matter-Eater Lad then you should talk to a therapist rather than an art director. Don't go in costume to somewhere you will seek a job unless you are trying out to be a team mascot.