Equipment and content advise for my first portfolio

[crumpy]

I'm trying to put together my first portfolio for a foundation course, however the only work I've finished to that extent is three years old and not at the level I want to try to represent myself with, so basically I'm starting again.

Because I'm applying for a foundation course, I'm thinking of trying to create a general widespread portfolio. Of course I'll try to produce as much as possible without sacrificing quality and choose the best stuff.

I'm thinking,
3 still life people drawings,
3 still life object drawings,
1-2 environment drawings,
4 character/object/vehicle/environment designs,
1 abstract artyfarty piece,
A small sketch book devoted to anatomy studies,
And another general sketch book with exercises from the daily sketch group ECT.

3 of the above to be completed in oil paints, water colours or similar
And at least one in charcoal.

Sound about right?
Should I try to fit in a bit of Photoshop at this point? I'd have to teach myself the basics first because I’ve only used it once or twice.

And any advice regarding equipment, including the very basic, would be godsend. My previous works were created at school with the schools equipment, paper, paints ECT. I now have none of these and haven’t a clue what’s good and what’s not. Could anyone suggest brands and/or types of the following general stuff?

Pencils, drawing pens, charcoal, paper and sketch books.

I realise this is very basic stuff and probably mostly obvious but my knowledge is very limited and any advise would contribute.

[Meloncov]

While that sounds like a perfectly good portfolio, your first goal should be to show your best works, not check of certain types of pieces from a list. And don't include any mediums your not familiar with.

[crumpy]

thanks for the response Meloncov

so no photoshop or oil painting. Ive done a bit with water colours so ill try to produce some of that and see how it turns out.

your rite about just including my best works and thats what i'll do at the end, but I find that I tend to need specific targets to work too otherwise i don't end up doin a lot :}.

[J Wilson]

My suggestion is do the type of work you enjoy, or that you want to be working on during your time in school. For example, if you have no interest in still life's don't produce some just to have them in your portfolio. The only reason why professors like that kind of thing is because it's easy to see your skill level on rather simple objects in an everyday setting. The more complex an image the harder it is to determine whether an image has issues, or if those were concious choices (like "is that figure too light and over exposed, or is he trying to make the figure look angelic and bathed in light?").

So my advice for an art school portfolio is stick with what you enjoy most, and then include your best work within that. If you don't have quite enough feel free to include a few studies or pieces on other subjects, but I wouldn't go out of my way to produce work you won't enjoy producing.

[Maxine Schacker]

If you are applying for a foundation course, the point is to show your potential, interest ( as proven by your efforts to develop your skills on your own), and ability to take direction. Presentation shows that you care. Think about the organization of your portfolio.

I assume you'll also need a written statement. Give it as much attention as the portfolio.

Remember, if you already had fully developed skills you wouldn't need a foundation course!

[crumpy]

Thanks for the advice people,

so, I want to show that I'm willing to try and practice the boring stuff (luckily for me, I've found none of it boring yet) but still give a clear message about, and include a majority of what I most enjoy doing (at the moment anatomy studies and quick creative sketches), whilst trying to showcase how I've developed so far on my own.

Any advice on the equipment stuff? Its just I don't have ANY money and can't afford trail and error investigations into stuff