https://lukaskuhn.artstation.com/albums/85791Hello everyone! Still pretty new to the site but I hope its fine for me to ask for tips here!
At the beginning of 2018 I graduated from my bachelors and as of recent my job search was not very fruitful- most studios weren't looking for a Junior Artist or with the one that did, I got passed up. So now I of course obsess about how to polish my portfolio some more for the next time
![:) :)](https://polycount.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/smile.png)
I've been working in a vacuum for the most part and could really use some input as Im struggling to see what to work on from here going forward.
My personal hunches are that I just have way too many pieces in my portfolio, especially considering many of them are projects but I have a hard time deciding with which to part.
I try to keep original design ideas and avoid the 'castle on hill' stuff though Im starting to think that might sell better in the end?
Other than that I hope to keep a healthy balance of environments and props with some wips, sketches, variations and 3D. A character or two where I felt they turned out really well.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I might be totally off. What do you think? Maybe something really vital is actually missing from this? A big heartfelt thank you for any response!
Replies
Im really not in any position to give any professional feedbacks, but my impression from the portfolio websiter is that they all look much more impressive when they're shown bigger on the screen. Perhaps choosing some of the main pieces and arrange the portfolio thumbnails in a way that they show larger than others might be a good way to get that wow factor at first glance? Also, I agree with @carvuliero that your wheelchair exorcist is sorta out of league compared to other works.
But then, I know nothing and your works are great.
Thank you carvuliero for the confidence, I used to write that I just graduated in my first paragraph until like a month ago haha.
What resolution would you like to see? I always figured 1500-2000px on the widest length should be enough. I really hate how artstations default display is to have text and image next to each other making the picture so small, maybe I should just pay up for that PRO badge.
I took the exorcist out, its probably a good call!
Changed the castle-tree image as you suggested, thanks!
I have a lot of respect for freelancing since I would prefer a stable income and its not like Im internetfamous or anything.
Hey Doodlok, thank you! Yeah I got to intern on The Surge two years back. Its a shame that by now I dont really think that work represents me well anymore since professional work would look great in the portfolio. Eg. I already un-published this project. It would be nice to have more props in there but.. eh. https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Zrd3m (hope the link works for you?)
Which pieces would you think should be featured more prominently? If I do end up getting the pro subscription, I would for sure do that. I personally really dig the fantasy piece with the huge statues (tomb of the matriarch) but that may be because its very recent so Im biased haha.
Thanks again! This is very valuable to me
I really like your idea for the tomb of the matriarch, already added a head to the top right corner of the image!
For the Iadlain house designs, I might add an environment painting featuring the house designs to round out the project, too.
Im happy you like the carriage this much! I put a back and side view of it on my to-do-list so its more concept art than illustration.
Yeah the display is very frustrating, next time Im sending out applications I will just cough up the 10 bucks for better display options. The images are much higher res than what youre seeing, but I get that no art director has time to right click and open in a new tab.
Maybe adding zoomed in shots like so would help the issue? I dont quite like how it might be misunderstood as sequential art for a glance.