[Basement bound]

I know that there have been alot of questions about portfolios before here (and yes I searched the forum already). My qurestion is rather specific, it is about gesture drawing. I myself have done guesture drawing in the past, and think that they are very important. However, when you are doing say 10 on a page not all of the sketches/gestures are not of the same quality. Now my question is when submitting for a portfolio you can only send in a set number of pieces. What about gestures? Can they be submitted as one item? If not how could one submit the ones that are good? I am in a real delema here.

[burn0ut]

cut the good ones out, tape them onto a page.
cut the good ones out, tape them onto a page, then scan it and print it out?
scan them all, cut and paste the good ones onto one page and print it out..

[Derek]

I wouldn't necessarily include gestures, unless they are not only excellent pose captures, but also well produced. A lot of people mistake gestures for quick loose drawings that don't have to be so finished. No, they don't have to be 'finished', but if you're going to put them in a portfolio, then they had better be damn accurate in proportion, and indicate a knowledge of anatomy and some familiarity with your subject. It's understood that you aren't going to create beautiful art in ten or thirty seconds, but it shows what you bring to the game, so to speak.

Also remember that a portfolio that includes a heavy amount of gesture, and even figure, looks more academic than professional. Figure work is best included in finished works, storyboards, concept drawings, etc.

Anyone worthwhile who is looking at your work will be more than capable of seeing how fresh and loosely you work, even in your renderings and more finished pieces. It won't take much to see if you know what you're doing or not.

If you must include gestures, figures, then be certain they are sufficiently above the norm, and definitely work to create a spread or a well designed page of them. Try to include ones that include the entire body, and all limbs. Dropping hands, feet, etc indicates that you may have some difficulty with them. Try to include animal gesture work as well, and of course animal drawings.

[ June 16, 2002: Message edited by: Derek Smith ]

[Lunatique]

I've found that unless you are looking for work as an animator, people tend to not care so much about gesture stuff. Really depends on the position you are applying for.

For 3D positions, not many people would care. They'd rather look at your 3D stuff.

For concept art, they'd rather look at illustrations and concept work.

For places like Pixar, gesture drawings are very important. They are really picky about your traditional ability as artist and animator.

But all this is not concrete. For example, one of the art directors at 3DO is really big on traditional training.

[Basement bound]

Thanks guys.
Burnout- Thanks will try doing that.

Derek- I don't have too, but I think that they are important. Kind of like an inside look into the building blocks of a persons work. I belive that I need more work on gesture drawing, but I do just want to send the ones that show that I can produce good work.

Lunatique- To tell you the truth I am having a hard time deciding what to go into. I have so many interests, and have not had enough time to learn them all. I would like to work in animation production, but in like any depth.(trad/comp. animation, background painting, design, concept, storyboard, etc)

I really working in the 3 dimensional aspect (stop motion, sculpture) but I am not sure if that is due to lack in ability in the computer region.

decisions, decisions

Edit for sp and to add some pictures

Gesture composition 1
Gesture composition 2
Gesture composition 3

Thanks again

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Basement bound ]

[Lunatique]

I took at the gestures you posted links to, and to tell you the truth, until your gesture drawings show more fluidity and confidence, they might hurt your portfolio more than help it.

I think from looking at them, the problem might be that you are just drawing from what you see, but have no deep understanding of what's BENEATH the skin of your models. If you drilled yourself on some anatomy, your gestures will be a lot more confident, since there will be a lot less guess work involved. I would also just concentrate on accurate, clean lines instead of trying to add any kind of shading. Gesture drawing is all about using quick, confident lines to depict contours, curves, and a sense of movement.

[Basement bound]

Lunatique- um thanks your comments were gut wrenching, but necessary I guess. You honesty is appreciated. Those drawings are from a few years ago, and I have been meaning on attending life drawing sesions locally. Now I have more motivation to go. Would you mind if I request more of you time later? (as I get closer to a portfolio deadline)

[Lunatique]

Hey no problem. I wouldn't bullshit anyone that really wanted/needed a strong portfolio. If I sugar-coated anything, it'll hurt you more than help you. I'm pretty good at identifying what's needed in a strong portfoio, since I used to be an art director for a game company, and was responsible for hiring artists. After seeing too many weak portfolios, it becomes instinctive.

If you need help later, just holler.