Now, what you plan on applyingfor can many time determine what sorts of things you want to putin one. I'll try to address as many as I can, I might add moreon as I do more research, but for right now I'm going to focuson some of the more obvious professions for art. Things that dopretty much apply for all industries is setup. You don't wantto send any more then thirty pieces, 25 is the recommended. Youwant to start with a strong piece, something that shows your skillthe best..also, you want to finish on a very strong piece, maybeyour best, because that is what will stick in your reviewers mindthe longest. And make sure you mark each individual piece withyour name and Address.

The Comic Book Industry (This section will grow as I foundthe notes I wrote down after attending many lectures on this atconventions)

I loooove this industry!One of my favorite. Your portfolio should reflect the positionyou want most of all, Inking, Pencilling, or Colorist. Pencilingis what more people want to do, so that is what we'll look at.

1.) Be gentle on the splashpages! Yes, they are very impressive, they are pieces of art tobe drooled over, but don't compose your entire portfolio of splashpages.

2.)Show your storytellingability, rather then as many tricky angles as possible. Ever reada book thats terriffic art but your wondering what the point ofit is? Have your friends make up mini stories, and practice illustratingthem. Show the different stages of your work as well.

3.) Make copies! You willhear this many times, don't send in your original art, you dothat and somebody loses it...your screwed! Besides, you'll wantto have it out to plenty of companies.

4.)Go to conventions! Lugyour stuff around, show it off to people, try to market yourself!

5.) Make up your own charactersto use... and never EVER send a Marvel character drawing to someoneat DC ;)

More on this subject canbe found at Wizard School!

The Animation Industry

This can be split up intoregular animation, and then the high standards the American Disneystudios have. For other americans out there, you'll find thatapplying and being accepted into a good animation school is ashard as applying for an actual JOB as an animator, it isn't likeyou can sketch out ten or so cartoons and shove then off in anenvelope and get into a school in the USA! So better start preparingnow ;) People from around the rest of the world, you guys mighthave it a little easier ;)

Things to include in your profile. I've gone to many differentsources for these, including some e-mail chats with a recruiterfor Disney Feature Animation, and other places like StarToons!;D I love those people! Also what schools like the famed CalArtsis looking for. Believe me, I've done and am continuing to doalot of applying to different school, too bad I just can't 'afford'to go to CalArts, mrrph :/ Anyway! Thing to remember and Include!(This works for schools too)

1.) Remeber! Only send in copies of your work! You do notnotnotunder any cirmcumstances want to let your original work get outof your sight!

2.) Don't send in more then two, three at the max 'cartoon'izeddrawings. In other words, don't send in a bunch of pictures ofcartoon characters, and how you can draw cartoon characters, afew of the lesser animation companies might be able to let itgo at that, and maybe even Disney Television animation (I don'tknow much about that, it's usually done out of the states, cheaperto train people there, Disney Studios are also bringing in lotof outside animators to work in the US because of the same reason)For the few cartoon pics you send in...do NOT Notnot! *stressesnot a few more times* Send in pictures of cartoon characters thatDisney owns, that Warner Brothers own..that 'anybody' owns butyourself.

3.)Life Drawing! This is where it's at, yes..it's the bestthing to do to teach yourself and improve your animation, butonce again, the picky USA Disney wants Life drawing! Most otherstudios do too! (It's a good thing to try to reach for Floridaand California Disney standards, because they are the highestaround, you meet them, you can go just about anywhere for a job)But expressions, facial, hand gestures, movement.

4.) A small sketchbook of say....just drawings of hands isconsidered one piece in your portfolio!

5.)Show an array of work... Disney (Feature Animation) wantsto see people that aren't one dimensional. They want to see differentlevels of art, from roughs, and stages to perfectly cleaned updrawings, to you showing them you have the ability to color andfinish works.

6.) Don't forget your resume! And for us poor americans, theapplication form we have to request and fill out to actually apply....

7.)Apply! Disney reviews all portfolio's and sometimes sendsthem back with helpful comments! Another reason for sending photocopies,they'll scribble out helpful hints on the actual picture! ;) Ormaybe you'll just get a penpal like I did, lol.

Other art industries will appear as I reasearch them! Thesejust happen to be the two I've been considering the most!