3x3 Magazine's Charles Hively's - Tough Love Lessons about Portfolios

I was a little scared and concerned when I first heard that we would be visiting Charles Hively at 3X3 Magazine. I had heard him talk the year before about the woes of illustration and its slow tortuous death by television and photography and I didn't know if I felt ready for another dose.

However despite my first inclination to put my hackles up, I realised that Charles' words were not intended as put downs or discouragement–rather they were a purposed challenge that if we were willing to rise to the occasion and dedicate ourself to our artistic passion, we could in fact succeed.

When he said he wanted to see our portfolios, we slinked back into our seats. He is a tall man, with a strong presence and his directness is intimidating. Each portfolio was skimmed through in about 30 seconds and the verdict was delivered in the same amount of time. The scary words we all dread to hear in class were used: "Terrible," "I don't like this," "Get rid of it," "Bad," and "....Oookkkkaaaaay," but the blow was occasionally softened with "nice," or "I like this."

It was shocking at first, but at the same time refreshing. A taste of the real world, of what may be lurking around corners when we finally get out and try to make it on our own.

Basically what he did was trim the fat out of each portfolio, leaving it lean, giving us a sense of direction in which to take the portfolio and make it stronger.

I got A LOT out of this experience. I'm not sure about everyone else, but often I find myself thinking, "Well I'd like to do editorial, I'd like to do portraits, I'd like to do advertising, children's books, book covers," the whole kit and kaboodle. Because I would like to try it all, I put it all in my portfolio to show that I can do a bit of each. Charles' advice was to NOT do that. He asked us "What do you do?" What do you mean, what do I do? I illustrate, I'm sure is what we all were thinking. But what he meant was, what one thing do you do. Think about it. Do you do portraits, sports, kids, ads, landscapes, caricatures, collage, etc.? Then be 'that' guy (or girl), the collage guy, or the scribbly sports guy, the big headed children girl, the dark portrait artist, make that your thing, your product, your feature. Whether it be a style, or a medium, or a combination, pick your thing and stick with it. All the other stuff, "get rid of it." Don't go all over the map and show everything you can do. Pick your best thing, the thing you really like and are good at, and go with that.

Other C. H. Tips

1. No hotmail, gmail, aol, or email addresses of those sorts. (Not professional)

2. No resumes or CVs in portfolios.

3. Create business cards with an image on back, words on front. (Do not put both on one side, it's too messy)

4. Use leather portfolio cases, or portfolio boxes. (No binders, duo-tangs, folders)

5. Send mailers, or better yet, send something handmade as well. (Art directors won't throw that out, its special. They'll keep it AND remember you)

6. Read and pay attention to what is going on in the market.

7. Get portfolio reviews from 3 art directors before changing your portfolio. If 3 directors don't like something in your portfolio, you should probably take it out.

- Beth Winnel