How to Build an Artist Portfolio for Calls

When you apply to an art call, your portfolio is the first (and often only) thing jurors look at.

A strong portfolio shows your best work, tells your story, and makes it easy for reviewers to see if you’re a good fit.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to build an artist portfolio that gets noticed in calls.

Step by step, from choosing the right artworks to exporting and submitting with EntryThingy.

TL;DR: How to Build an Artist Portfolio for Calls

Steps	What to Do	Tools / Tips
1. Select 8–12 artworks	Pick your strongest pieces that match the call’s theme.	Fewer, high-quality images work better than “more pieces.”
2. Arrange in a clear order	Start with your best work, group similar pieces, and end strong.	Think of flow: strongest first + last, group by medium or theme.
3. Add important details	Include title, medium, size, year, and a 1–2 sentence description.	Keep formatting consistent; avoid long text blocks.
4. Write a short artist statement	150–200 words tying works together.	Structure: focus → process → intent.
5. Export in the right format with EntryThingy	Prepare as PDF, JPEGs, or a digital portfolio link.	EntryThingy auto-creates export-ready entries.
6. Submit & track with EntryThingy	Manage multiple calls in one dashboard.	Centralized submissions, deadline tracking, and reviewer-friendly layout.
7. Proofread before submitting	Check spelling, file names, and image quality.	Example: fix “Slient Horizon” → “Silent Horizon.”

7 Steps to Build an Artist Portfolio for Calls (and Submit with EntryThingy)

Step 1: Select 8–12 artworks that best match the call’s theme

The first mistake many artists make is adding everything they’ve ever created into their portfolio. That doesn’t impress jurors; it just makes it harder for them to see your best work.

A stronger approach is to curate 8–12 artworks. That’s enough to show variety and skill, but still focused and easy to review.

For example, if you’re applying to a call for contemporary landscapes, stick to your best landscape paintings.

Leave out portraits or experimental sketches, even if you personally love them. Reviewers want to see how well your portfolio fits their theme.

Source

Tip: Before finalizing your selection, ask yourself:

• Do these pieces clearly fit the theme of the call?
• Do they represent my strongest technical ability?
• Do they look consistent in quality and style?

If the answer is yes, you’ve got the right mix.

Step 2: Arrange your artworks in a clear viewing order

Once you’ve chosen your 8–12 pieces, the next step is arranging them in a way that makes sense.

A portfolio isn’t just a pile of images—it should guide the reviewer through your work like a mini-exhibition.

For example, if you’re applying to a mixed-media call, you might want to start with your strongest piece, follow with related works, and end with something memorable that leaves a lasting impression.

Think of it like curating a gallery wall: the order changes how the story feels.

Source

But before you do that, here are some tips that help reviewers stay engaged:

• Start strong, end strong. Place your best work first and last.
• Keep similar works together. Group by theme, medium, or style so the flow feels natural.
• Avoid random order. Jumping from an oil painting to a digital sketch to a sculpture can feel confusing unless there’s a clear reason.

Step 3: Add important details: Title, medium, size, year, and short description

Strong visuals get attention, but the details are what make your portfolio professional.

Reviewers don’t just want to see an image—they want to know what it is, how it was made, and when.

At a minimum, include these five things for each piece:

1. Title: keep it simple and clear.
2. Medium: e.g., “Oil on canvas” or “Digital collage.”
3. Size: dimensions in inches or centimeters.
4. Year: when it was created (important for time-sensitive calls).
5. Short description: 1–2 sentences max about context or process.

For example, instead of just uploading a painting photo, you’d write:

“Silent Horizon, Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in, 2023 – Inspired by the changing colors of twilight in rural Montana.”

Source

Before you start typing these out, here are some things that help keep everything clear:

• Be consistent with formatting (don’t switch between inches and cm).
• Keep descriptions short; long paragraphs distract from the image.
• Double-check spelling, especially artwork titles.

Step 4: Write a 150–200 word artist statement that ties your works together

Your portfolio shows the “what.” The artist statement explains the “why.” Reviewers often look for a short statement that connects your work to a bigger picture.

Keep it 150–200 words, long enough to share your vision, but short enough that it actually gets read.

Here’s a simple structure you can follow:

1. Start with your focus. What themes or subjects do you explore?
2. Add your process. How do you approach materials, technique, or style?
3. Close with intent. What do you want people to feel or think when they see your work?

For example, if you’re submitting landscape paintings, your statement could open with:

“My work explores the fleeting light of natural spaces, capturing the tension between permanence and change. I use layered oils to reflect the way memory colors how we see the world.”

Source

That’s short, clear, and connects directly to the artworks in the portfolio.

Before you write yours, here are a few things that help:

• Missing/delete
• Make it specific to the works you’re submitting, not a generic “artist bio.”
• Read it out loud. If it sounds stiff, simplify.

Step 5: Export your portfolio in the format the call requests (PDF, images, or online link)

Every call has its own requirements. Some want a single PDF, others ask for individual images, and a few may prefer a link to your online portfolio.

Submitting the wrong format is one of the fastest ways to get disqualified—even if your work is great.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• PDFs: Perfect for portfolios with text + images. Keep file size under the limit (usually 10–20 MB).
• Images: Calls often ask for JPEGs in specific dimensions (e.g., 1200px on the long side).
• Links: If allowed, share a direct portfolio link, not your entire website homepage.

For example, if a competition asks for “10 JPEGs at 1200px wide,” don’t send 10MB TIFF files or random sizes. Resize and rename them properly before sending.

This is also where EntryThingy makes life easier. Instead of exporting your portfolio differently for every call, you upload your works once, and EntryThingy organizes them into export-ready entries.

That means you don’t have to reformat or rename each time, you just select your work and submit it in the correct format automatically.

Step 6: Use EntryThingy to submit and track all your calls in one place

Submitting to one call can feel manageable. Submitting to three, five, or ten at once?

That’s where things get messy: different formats, deadlines, and submission portals. It’s easy to lose track.

That’s why artists use EntryThingy. Instead of resizing images, renaming files, and emailing PDFs separately for every opportunity, you upload your work once and let the system handle the rest.

Here’s what EntryThingy does for you:

• Centralized submissions: All your works live in one account. You can reuse them for multiple calls.
• Export-ready entries: EntryThingy automatically formats your submissions to match the call’s requirements.
• Deadline tracking: No more sticky notes or scattered reminders—you can see what’s due and what’s submitted.
• Reviewer-friendly layout: Your portfolio looks clean and professional on the reviewer’s end, which can only help your chances.

For example, imagine you’re applying to three different open calls at once. Normally, you’d spend hours resizing files and uploading them to three different systems.

With EntryThingy, you just select your work, hit submit, and everything is formatted and tracked in one place.

Step 7: Proofread and test your portfolio before you hit submit

Before you click that final “Submit” button, take a few minutes to double-check everything. Small mistakes (like a typo in your artwork title or a blurry image) can hurt your application more than you think.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Spelling: Double-check artwork titles, captions, and your artist statement.
• Images: Make sure they open correctly, look sharp, and aren’t accidentally rotated or cropped.
• File names: Keep them clean and professional (e.g., Lastname_Title_2024.jpg).
• Completeness: Did you include all required works and details?

For example, if you’re submitting a piece called “Silent Horizon” and accidentally upload it as “Slient Horizon.jpg,” reviewers may see it as sloppy, even if your work is amazing.

It only takes five minutes, but it can save your application from being dismissed for avoidable mistakes.

Make Your Portfolio Submission-Ready with EntryThingy

A strong portfolio gets you noticed, but the way you submit it matters just as much as the art itself.

Different calls ask for different formats, and keeping track can feel overwhelming.

That’s where EntryThingy fits in:

• You upload your work once.
• EntryThingy makes them export-ready for every call.
• You track all submissions in one place.

So instead of worrying about PDFs, image sizes, or lost deadlines, you focus on what really matters: your art.

If you want a portfolio that’s not only polished but also easy to submit to every call, start with EntryThingy.

FAQs About Building an Artist Portfolio for Calls

How many pieces should an art portfolio include?

A good art portfolio usually has 8–12 high-quality images of your best work. That’s enough to show your skill set, range, and artistic vision without overwhelming the reviewer. More pieces don’t always mean a stronger portfolio—focus on a curated collection that highlights your strengths.

What makes a great art portfolio stand out?

A great art portfolio shows a clear artistic identity and a common thread across works, even if you use different media or sizes. The best examples combine well-crafted portfolios, strong portfolio presentation, and an explanation of the creative process. Reviewers want to see not just technical skill but also your unique style and thought process.

Should I use a digital portfolio or a portfolio website?

Both work, but for calls and art school applications, a digital portfolio (PDF or image collection) is usually required. A portfolio website is useful for sharing your work with potential clients, galleries, and the wider art world.

How do I write an artist statement for my portfolio?

Keep it short, about 150–200 words. Explain your creative process, the inspiration behind your work, and the audience you want to reach. Mention your artistic ability and how your own work fits into the bigger art world. A good statement connects your collection of artworks into a single visual representation of your individual style.