DC Conspiracy[dots pattern]

6.20.2005

Ready for the Big Time #1

The following topic concerns portfolio reviews, one of the proven methods for breaking into comics. Portfolio reviews aren't the same as submissions, where you mail your artwork to an editor in hopes of achieving a job offer. This is simply an opportunity to have your work critiqued at a professional level.

What is a portfolio review?

A portfolio review is when you show your artwork to a professional, such as an artist or editor who works in the comics field, for his/her advice on where to improve, what you're doing right and maybe, just maybe, receiving a work offer.

Where can I have my portfolio reviewed?

Your most realistic option for getting your portfolio reviewed is at a comics convention. Most of the big conventions, such as San Diego and Chicago, offer portfolio reviews at the big companies, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image.

Almost always, the demand for the attention of their editors and artists is so great that you have to sign up for an appointment. If you attend a convention with the intention of having your portfolio reviewed, it's imperitive (that means important!) that you are lined up to get into the convention hall with the first several hundred people.



You must be prepared. Wake up early, study the floor plan so you know where the publishers are set up and once you get in, make a beeline for that area and find the sign-up sheets. Prioritize which publishers you want to speak with. If there's a large line to sign up at your first choice, it might be smart to head straight for your second choice instead. Sign up for what you can and MAKE SURE YOU SHOW UP ON TIME.

What should I have in my portfolio?

Your portfolio should consist of your absolute best work. It should also ideally be compromised of your most recent work. What's the point in having a drawing you did a year ago reviewed? Hopefully you've advanced in skill from what you did a year ago or even three months ago. If you want to be a professional artist, you need to be committed to drawing all the time and whatever you did a few months ago is usually not going to be as strong as your most recent work.

Don't overwhelm your reviewer. Anywhere from 6 to 10 pieces should be plenty. Usually you'll only have about 15 minutes or so and the first third of that is going to be the editor or artist quietly studying your work.

Bring sequentials. Pinups can look great but they're not going to dazzle your portfolio reviewer. Pinups, covers, splash pages - that's not what they're looking for. They're looking for storytelling ability. They're going to assume you have solid anatomy knowledge. If not, be prepared for the simple advice to take some life drawing classes.

If you are trying to get work as a penciller, don't bring inked or colored pages. If you are trying to get work as an inker, bring a copy of the pencilled page for comparison. If you're trying to be a colorist, make sure you understand the difference between RGB and CMYK so that your colors print out correctly.

Make sure your work is clean and either presented on the original bristol boards or a clean photocopy of the original. I've been to several portfolio reviews and invariably I see at least a few clowns who show up with sketches on line notebook paper, often with the fringes still there. Lazy. You're not going to fool anyone. If you want to be treated like a professional, familiarize yourself with a professional's tools!

What should I expect from a portfolio review?

You should expect an honest critique. Be polite, be quiet while they look over your work and listen to what is said. Don't be defensive about your work. Even the best artist can make mistakes and a mark of a professional is his ability to withstand harsh criticism and hopefully take something from the advice.



I have seen "artists" lose their temper with their reviewer. Be realistic. Chances are, in your first several reviews, you're going to face some harsh critiques about stuff you didn't know to look for. Spatial relations, varying up the camera angles without breaking storytelling rules, character placement within panels, consistent light sources, background perspectives. You're gonna be hit with all sorts of rules. You lose your temper and who is going to want to work with you? You defend all your artistic choices and who is going to take you seriously? If you were perfect, you'd already be discovered and working.

Go into the review expecting some good advice and you'll come out of the experience feeling good. Go in expecting a job offer on the spot and you'll most likely be sorely disappointed.

Anything else I should know?

Lots, but most of it involves common sense. Dress isn't overly important at a convention but you should still have good hygiene. Dress in clean clothes and don't stink. If you've been to a con, you know what I'm talking about. Some fans... just don't smell good. Don't disgust an editor. You only get one chance at making a first impression after all. Be polite, be considerate. Also, be sure your artwork is a good fit for the publisher you're having review your work. Marvel, Vertigo, Top Shelf, Tokyopop... they all have different publications - make sure your artwork is appropriate for them. You can still get a good review no matter what, but you'll have a better chance getting a Marvel job than a Top Shelf job if your samples include 5 pages of superheroes battling. Likewise, a Spider-Man sequential is going to mean a lot more to Marvel than it would to DC. They need to imagine how THEIR characters are going to look in your hands. Finally, come prepared with photocopies of your work, with the sheets stapled, and your contact information on the back of each page. An editor may ask for a sample in case a job opens up so be ready to take advantage of such an opportunity. Finally, be familiar with how companies operate. Marvel hires artists for instance. Image does not. They may review your work, but Image accepts submissions for publication, and does not hire artists, colorists, etc. So just familiarize yourself with the companies you plan on getting critiques from.

And good luck!

Chris at 8:46 AM  |  link to this     

4 Comments

The part about hygiene cracks me up--yet it is so true and quite pathetic that it has to be expressed. When I go to shows, I bring a can of Off! and Lysol to fend off stinky people.

A long, long time ago (1984), I brought some pages to show where Dick Giordano, who was a top DC editor then, reviewed my work. I was 14 and had all this superhero and horror stuff with almost no backgrounds. His simple advice: "Draw more dogs pissing on fire hydrants." Translation: Draw everyday stuff for backgrounds. It makes the pieces look more realistic, sets continuity, and can set you apart from others. (Look at Chris's recent Batman drawing. I like the Batman, but I was drooling over the buildings and perspective.)

Dembicki at 6/20/2005 10:05 AM   

And do not put porno in your portfolio.

My God, I wish I were joking. Some guy showed me his stuff, all looked ok, and then on the fifth page or so there was this hard-core sex scene. I looked at the guy and he raised his eyebrows, kind of like, "That's what I'm talking about."

Be completely neutral in your content and message. Portfolio review is not the time to show how liberal or conservative you are politically.

Jason at 6/20/2005 10:54 AM   

I'm no artist, but good luck to those trying!

chazinc.blogspot.com

Chaz at 6/20/2005 3:18 PM   

No No No..... Jason's got it all wrong. Show ONLY porn. Page after smutty page of porn. That way you won't be given any jobs that might be coming my way!

:P

Jason Copland at 6/21/2005 12:20 AM   

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