How does a portfolio review work?

[alaingrey]

I'm going to my first comic convention this weekend, and while looking through events I noticed there are portfolio reviews. I haven't had anyone take a serious look at my comics, aside from maybe my mom (whom I think is biased :V ) and I'd like to see if there would ever be a chance someone might publish it. (I mean, that's the goal for a lot of people, right? :"D )

Has anyone here taken their work to a convention review? I'm not looking for a full-time position at a publishing house because I'm happy working as a game developer-- does that mean that these reviews just aren't for me?

And when taking work around seeing if it's ready for publication, what does one take? a few pages? Full illustrations? (I'm not even sure my work is ready to be shown,, lol)

Thanks for any help, I think it's obvious I am a little bit confused : D

[bsienk90]

I've personally never did a comic convention or anything like that, so I'm sorry I'm not to much help with experience that way, BUT I have read up on how they do it. From what I've read usually you have a script and a few printed pages (Or I suppose it could be digital now with ipads). I did go to college for art and made a portfolio, you basically pick your best work and showcase it. Also having business cards and a website really helps. You could probably go about it in the same way.

But you're style is really cool. I'm sure there are more peeps on here that can answer this better.

[shazzbaa]

I haven't been to a portfolio review since college, so if someone else has a different experience, absolutely defer to them. xD

But if you hope to someday be hired in the industry and publish work with a company, going to a portfolio review is NEVER a waste of time. It's very unlikely that you'd be hired on the spot first time, but you'll get very valuable information from a review of what reviewers respond well to, what they're looking for, and what they're not interested in. If it's uneventful this time, you'll still be much more prepared for the next time.

In general, your portfolio should be only work you're proud of -- (I've heard SO MANY comics editors talk about artists who come in for review, and as the editor starts looking at pages the artist nervously says "well, those ones aren't really my best work," to which the editor wonders "then why are you showing them to me?"), and it should be mostly the kind of work you want to do. If you want to do comics, don't only bring non-comics illustrations; bring in some comic pages.

Most of the actual hiring I've seen come out of portfolio reviews is a company saying "we really like your work, would you be interested in working on [Project] for us?" I don't think they're looking for stories to publish at these kinds of things (companies that are looking for unsolicited submissions will have a process for that on their websites); they're looking for artists they could work with.
I've seen one artist who immediately got an illustration job from a reviewer who loved her work, I've seen an artist who was told she'd be a great fit for an upcoming project and just gave them her contact info so that they could get in touch if and when that project came together, and I knew one artist who constantly brought her work to editors to get feedback at every chance she got, and eventually had a good enough relationship with some editors that they expressed interest in hearing a comic pitch from her.

Anyway, this is my impression from the few times I've talked to editors and the portfolio reviews my artist friends have talked about with me!

[alaingrey]

Oh, that's a good way of looking at it. I like the 'no harm' philosophy, especially because I really don't have anything at stake.. I just get anxious lately about talking to people. But it's a good philosophy to remember that there's nothing to be worried about, you're just having an experience and it makes you smarter : )

Thanks for the advice and information. This is awfully helpful. I guess I'll put together a few pages and a few illustrations and just see what happens. Worst case scenario is I just don't quit my day job : D

[Yap]

This was helpful for me too. I'm not sure how the process goes either. However I don't feel ready yet to approach publishers, especially at producing sequential art at the speed needed to meet deadlines.

[Mharz]

I did get a portfolio review from a well-known person once because my boss has lot of connections. It's just for critics sake. Though he'd totally hire you if he really likes your work. From my experience they'll never sweet-talk you like friends and family. It's a good thing though because he pointed out the stuffs I need to work on albeit a little harsh.

So what he's looking for illustrations is that is has to tell a story. He doesn't like those illustration where the character is just standing there doing nothing without any emotions. (Which I was totally guilty of. Ouch.) He did say my coloring was good. Anyway, that's about it. My suggestion is just show only your best ones and let your illustrations tell a story.