need help with my art portfolio please help

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Hi I'm seriously considering appling for an art course at colleges around my countrie for fine art /art and media/creative design/etc etc
most of these courses have an interveiw and portfolio work to be done.
I would appreciate any advice you can give me on this,mainly what should be included in my portfolio...usually maximum of 20 -25 best peices.

If you google 'art portfolio advice' you can probably get a whole load of tips.

One thing I remember being told is show as wide a range of work as possible (i.e. if you love drawing horses, stick in a few, but make sure you have plenty of other pieces too).

Also, another thing I read is that you should never put in any half-finished pieces (this might apply more to if you were looking for a job though); make sure to finish them all.

Well, google, and read the advice that's out there but check teh schools you're applying to for their specific requirements. Some schools may require you to do a piece per a set criteria as a kind of entry exam.

It might help to display them on a website. Just a thought....

I've had two successful interviews for art colleges and on both I have found that they only kind of skim through your portfolio and don't look carefully at particular pieces. They just need to assess whether you have enough creativity and basic skill to be able/motivated to continue developing your talent. Take a small selection of stuff from various areas, if you have one area that you feel you are better at or are more interested in then take a couple of extra pieces. Also, sketchbooks! Take any sketchbooks that you have, and also in my experience things being unfinished is not a problem as long as the majority is done. In fact they like to see mistakes and doodles to see what your raw style is like and not just how polished you can make things.

Ah, yes, I remember how nervous I was putting together a portfolio for consideration at art college. It's a lot of work. Take it from me, though-- it's not as difficult as it seems.

First of all, and most importantly-- read over the guidelines of each college or university to which you are submitting a portfolio, and be meticulous. Someone already mentioned this, but it bears repeating. One of the things institutions (and this goes for galleries as well as art schools) look for in the portfolio submission process is how disciplined you are when given instructions. For example, if there are specific restrictions for digital submissions, like size, resolution, file format or naming conventions, be sure you follow them to the letter. Make a checklist and check your portfolio against it. If you take your art seriously, then others will too.

When choosing pieces for your portfolio, it's good to remember that your portfolio is your statement to the world about your artistic practice. These are the works you have chosen to represent yourself to your audience; therefore, the assumption is that you must think they're the pieces that best sum up the totality of your practice. At this stage in your studies, you might not have as much to work with as you will further down the line; I know I didn't when I was in high school. Diversity is generally a good thing, in content, style, and medium, even if you have a preferred method or subject. So for instance, if you're a painter, that means including some drawings. It shows you have flexibility and the courage to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and aren't just a one-trick pony.

I'm not sure what sort of work you generally do, so I don't know if this applies to you, but it's good to mention it anyway: a lot of art institutions see anime/manga as anathema. When I was at a seminar about entering college many years ago, one of the professors was asked a question about manga, and I'll never forget what he said. He told us, "Don't put it in your portfolio. We see it all the time, hundreds and hundreds every year, and there's nothing that brings down our enthusiasm for a portfolio faster. There is an entire country that does it better than you do, and has been doing it much, much longer than you."

After you've chosen the pieces for your portfolio, it will be time to present them. Even if it's not required of you by the college, it's a good idea to have two iterations of your portfolio: one digital, and one hard copy. Every time you put together a portfolio, you should also put together a numbered image list to go with it, with titles, sizes, and media listed. Keep your hard copy portfolio tidy and organized. When photographing your work, use a tripod if you have one, and make sure the area is well-lit (preferably with the whitest light to which you've got access-- I recommend natural sunlight, because standard lightbulbs create a yellowish tint that throws off the colors of the artwork ever-so-slightly). It's not usually a good idea to lug around a large portfolio full of actual work (as opposed to a small one with photos or copies of your work), as you risk damaging it that way... but you may not have a choice at this stage; I can recall college recruiters wanting to see my actual work. In that case, be sure you protect your work in transport, to minimize the possible damage. One good way to do this is to place filler sheets between each work of art, taking special care that each piece is completely separated from the adjacent ones to prevent smudging or sticking. I use a thin wax paper called glacine, which is made specifically for the purpose of being portfolio filler-- but ordinary wax paper should suffice. Treat your own artwork with the respect and reverence it deserves; trust me, it will make a good impression on other artists.

Lastly, of course, there is the interview. The best advice I can give you on the topic of being interviewed about your artwork is, be confident in yourself. It's just like any other interview for a position at a college or a company. Enthusiasm is contagious. If you don't believe in your artwork first and foremost, nobody else will. The inverse is just as true. If they can see you're passionate about what you do, they're much more likely to be interested in you as a potential student.

There is one more thing, and it's likely the most difficult thing for many young artists to learn-- but it's absolutely essential if you're serious about intending to be an artist. That is, of course, how to take criticism. It's not always a particularly pleasant part of the job description, I'll admit-- and, speaking as a graduate and a professional artist, there are still times I receive comments that sting a little. I've seen art instructors verbally pick to pieces (and in some cases, physically destroy) work they deemed unworthy, and reduce fellow artists to tears. You learn to live with it, though, because the reward is great. The reward is, you grow a thicker skin, and you become a better artist. If someone gives you a criticism during your interview, don't let it rattle you, don't take it personally, but don't just shrug it off either. Absorb it, and grow from it. Remember-- the instructor is Miyagi, and you're Daniel-san... and you're going to have a hell of a lot of fence-painting and car-waxing to do if you're going to progress as an artist.

So there you have it. A little long, I know. I apologize for rambling so much. Hopefully something I said will be useful.

wow thanks everyone for being so helpful
hopefully all will go well ,with the advice you gave to me and all !