Setting up an online portfolio for your fine arts projects is the first step in showcasing your work to the world. However, there is always a burning question in the back of everyone’s mind - how do I create an online portfolio specifically for my fine arts projects?
Well, in this article, we will answer this question with 10 tips to nail your online fine arts portfolio. Absolutely no prior website building experience or skills needed, just a love and passion for what you do. Before we even get into it, don’t underestimate the power of passion, as this alone will allow your work to speak for itself.
Bespoke Images and Works
It goes without saying that only the best of the best should be uploaded to your fine art online portfolio. And sure, it is a cliche point that keeps on arising, but how can it not?
For photographers, ensure your images are not fuzzy, poorly lit, or cropped ineffectively. Also, make sure that there aren’t any shadows or backgrounds which will decrease the quality of your image.
For artists, ensuring that only your best pieces are uploaded. If this means only uploading a small amount to begin with, then that is okay. Ultimately, 5 high-quality paintings are better than 10 or 20 low to mid-quality ones.
Link Your Online Presence
As a creative in the Fine Arts industry, ensuring your online presence stretches as far as possible is critical. Why? Well, because in an industry as competitive as the fine arts, everything adds up to allow your name to appear before others’ on possible projects.
If you decide to integrate an eCommerce store into your online portfolio, it might be a great idea to link in your social media or newsletter sign up to capture their attention and keep them interested.
And, making sure these links work is a no brainer. If your audience can click through and view your whole online profile in its entirety, you stand a far better chance to land that elusive project.
Keep Up With The Times
Be prepared for anything that can come your way. This means keeping your galleries and projects up to date should a potential client ask for some of your recent works.
As a designer or writer, of course, it is important to keep your works up to date, but as a fine artist, showcasing your most recent works is the key to ultimate success. It shows your current skill levels have not dropped over time.
How recent? Well, that is for you to decide, but we would recommend no later than 6 months where possible.
Ease-Of-Use
As a fine artist, you aren’t trying to tell your whole life story in a blog, or pictures everywhere. You might be surprised to know that online portfolios that are easy to navigate, clean, crisp, and maintain a neutral coloured background are often the most successful.
At the end of the day, you are not trying to prove yourself as a website designer, you are trying to sell yourself as a fine artist - so do what you do best.
It’s All In The Details
When it comes down to it, minor details are key. Basically, the more professional and organised your online portfolio looks, the more professional you will portray yourself to be.
We aren’t talking about the nitty-gritty stuff like coding, but instead, more practical elements such as titles, captions, and descriptions instantly show your worth as a fine artist. Telling a story with each artwork or image will go a long way to capturing your audience’ attention
Ensuring the goal of your portfolio is set out right from the start is also key to attracting and retaining a suitable audience.
Last but not least, like anyone in this world, no one likes or has the time to chase people up for extra information. Hence, trying to incorporate as much information as possible in your online portfolio is critical, but don’t overcrowd it!
Final Thoughts
A fine arts online portfolio is very easy to nail by doing one simple thing - Don’t overthink it. Not overthinking the overall design of your portfolio will allow your fine art to do the talking, which is the whole point of such an activity.
Much of the information which will be valuable to your audience can be conveyed in an about me page, as well as in each description of each piece of art or image.
Ultimately, ensuring all 5 of the above steps are adhered to will give you the best chance of success in creating a digital, online portfolio.