Emerging Character Artist Portfolio Critique

specsowl

Hey there polycount, I'm hoping you can help me out. 
I've been working in the toy industry since 2014 and I'm looking to transition into the games industry. I've applied to several places in Austin, where I'm moving, and no luck yet. My portfolio, whether it's lack of breakdowns or simply quality of the pieces is bad, is causing me to really question how I'm approaching my work or what I'm doing wrong. I'm looking to get into stylized work as well. 

Here's my portfolio : https://www.ryanchapmanart.com/

Just let me have it and I'll work on improving. I also have some newish work I'm doing that I'm not even sure I should be continuing until I get some more feedback. 

Thanks! 

JohnnyTheKid

Hey man, 
just a few thoughts... I hope you dont get me wrong. I dont want to be rude, just honest.   Imagine I am a recruiter for games.

- The first thing I see is NOT game art
- the second thing I see is actual gameart - actually your best work in my opinion
- then again, no gameart..atleast it doesnt look like that
- next, game art but imho less appealing as the first game art - your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest piece
- and no gameart again

what i am trying to say is: If you apply for a character artist position in games - immediately make clear you ARE a character artist for games. Show me right away when I open your portfolio. Show me characters, wireframes, textures.

If I was you, I would:
- completely switch to artstation (nobody likes wix :P )
- delete everything except the Carla piece
- work on another realtime-character 

again, just my humble opinion. Keep going man

specsowl

I appreciate your comment and thank you for your honesty. It's always a tough pill to swallow when someone tells you to delete everything. By a cruel twist of fate I feel that Carla was one piece I was least attached to, but the consensus from people I've asked is that she's alright, so I guess she stays. 

JohnnyTheKid

I totally feel you! I have been there as well...and I can relate to that absolutely.
One thing to make clear: I didn't suggest to delete everything!    That would have been really bad feedback actually...If somebody tells you to delete everything ever, don't listen! Because he is an a**hole haha
A portfolio is there to show the best work you can do at the moment. Since I think the Carla piece is your strongest work (as said above), and the rest is dragging down your portfolio imho, I suggested to give the Carla piece the space it deserves in your portfolio.
just keep going! and don't forget to try seeing your portfolio from a recruiters perspective
cheers!

ps. I should have phrased "delete everything" different than I did... reading it 2 days later, i think it sounds too harsh and could read different than intended. It was more meant like a "try to give your best piece the space it deserves and consider retiring the rest" sorry!

specsowl

As harsh as it sounded, it made me re-evaluate something. A lot of pieces I had on there were very personal to me, but really didn't reflect my current skill level. Some stuff was from 2014 and it was a tough time for me so I had a lot of sentimentality to it. But realistically, that isn't helpful at all at getting a job! I thank you for your help and making me realize what I needed to do.