✸ How to make a PORTFOLIO WEBSITE for your ART✸ - Tips and Tricks From a Professional Illustrator

Hello Art Friends! I'm Anoosha Syed, a professional children's book illustrator and today I'm going to go step-by-step in how you can build a professional online portfolio website for your art! It's so important to have a dedicated space to show off your work, and is a necessary step to get clients and make money as an artist. I will be talking in depth in the steps, going over why you need a website, domain names, designing the website and more.
I will be talking about the following:
00:00 - Intro
01:29 - Why Do I Need a Portfolio Site?
03:55 - Hosting a Website
12:45 - Designing a Website
26:46 - Kidlit Portfolios
30:00 - About Page and Contact
32:24 - Updating your Work
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MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
○ How to Start your Illustration Career - • How to Start your Illu...
○ Agents 101 - • Do I Need an Agent? - ...
○ My Art Director Video Guide - • How to Start Your Illu...
○
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LINKS
★ Patreon - / anooshasyed
★Twitter - / foxville_art
★Instagram - / foxville_art
★Portfolio - www.anooshasye...
★Shop - www.anooshasye...
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MY GEAR
○ Tablet - amzn.to/2Z20on3
○ Tablet Stand - amzn.to/32UjVXB
○ Camera - amzn.to/338DN9N
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you!
All music is from Epidemic Sound
Outro music by Louie Zong

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you for watching! Don't worry, I didn't spill my tea! I like having english breakfast tea with milk and sugar; what's your favourite cosy drink? :)

[@crankytamago]

Hot choco in any season 😋😋😋

[@ramonknightknight]

So anxious watching the mug lmao

[@AnooshaSyed]

@@ramonknightknight it never spills, promise!

[@kurtian_8508]

Tea or coffee. :)

[@useitorlusit8395]

Chai Tea is delicious OuO

[@ZCSSCraft]

the whole video is a rollercoaster watching your cup and praying it doesn't spill.

[@marriedaprince1]

Im late to commenting on this, but I am SO happy you mentioned the "don't put up pieces in styles you don't want/enjoy working in". Over the years I have accumulated a few different styles, and while I am proud of the pieces, I am not sure that would be fun to do an entire project in it! I have been tempted to put these pieces in my portfolio, but I think I will think more carefully on this.

[@AnooshaSyed]

I'm glad my video was helpful! It can be so tempting to put in literally every piece you've ever created, but I have to remind myself that my portfolio isn't a collection of all the work I've done, but a carefully curated set of work intended for a specific audience!

[@jestenia590]

I would Love to see a vid on character design portfolios :O

[@AnooshaSyed]

Will do!!

[@durianfarmer]

perfect timing thank u!! i'm finally making a portfolio website over my uni break :0 also i am watching the very full cup of tea with so much concern haha

[@AnooshaSyed]

Ahh best of luck! And yes I did spill the tea a little haha

[@ArtleyDraws]

I'm graduating with my illustration BFA this school year so this video is so helpful! I used your portfolio site (and others) to help model mine over the summer, but hearing more of the reasoning behind your portfolio choices is really great

[@AnooshaSyed]

Ahh congrats! Thank you so much :)

[@lisaart5301]

@@AnooshaSyed Would be awesome 🤩

[@laurent2523]

Sooo glad I stumbled across your channel Anoosha. Thank you for all of the help and brilliant advice you give! I graduated with my BA in Illustration last year but I still feel a lack of identity in regards to my work and where I fit.. but I’m trying to keep at it. You’re a breath of fresh air. Best wishes💗

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you for the kind words

[@lauradoran623]

This was incredibly helpful. I’ve been a graphic designer for years but recently dabbled in illustrating and this was great. Your work is lovely!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@FlibbidyFleu]

Really insightful! After 20 years as an artist in the video game industry I'm about to throw caution to the wind and give illustration a shot. Your videos are a super helpful look into the biz end of things. Thanks!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you! Best of luck :)

[@freakishchick182]

Thank you for this. I never learnt any of this in my uni illustration course. It's so kind of you to share all this information.

[@eelissuh_]

Wow you uploaded this at the perfect time!! I graduated with my BFA in illustration today and I HAAAVE to update my website!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Omg congrats on your graduation!!! And good luck on your portfolio!! :)

[@eelissuh_]

@@AnooshaSyed Thanks so much! ☺️💗

[@chelseakuran7600]

Thank you SO much Anoosha for sharing all this information. I can’t even begin to express how helpful you are! Can’t wait for the character designer and children’s illustration specific videos!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!

[@Jollimark]

thank you Anoosha!! your videos are a godsend!

[@salisalee]

Amazing, this video totally amazing and useful unlike other channels that sponse by Wix or Squarespace. thank you so much for sharing. I'll try to build one.

[@cosmoscollector714]

would adore a video about character design!!

[@sayaniraygoswami1417]

Anoosha you are Godsend.. thank you for sharing so much details. This is super helpful for illustrators trying to venture into the world of publishing ❤️❤️

[@katelinj2961]

Thank you for this! I'm still a student, and while I've had an illustration job for a few years now, I want to expand! So this was very helpful :D

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@graciebells4551]

Thanks for the in depth tips!

[@cozmin1424]

I’m not an illustrator but a fine artist that paints with oils. I don’t do comercial art but instead work with themes and feelings. I think I’ll create subpages with all the different styles I work on. Thanks for the heads up massive help!

[@digidrawdude]

Your content is amazing. I subbed!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@isabellealgrinart6947]

This is by far one of the most useful videos I have watched about portfolios!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!

[@mama--rua]

That full mug was making me nervous. ; )

[@AlexG-sx7bd]

Thanks for going into so much depth about it! I'm cleaning mine up as I'm watching this haha. I think a character design portfolio vid would be great!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much, and noted!!

[@HighOnMangoes]

Heyy, this was lovely and super helpful! Thanks so much. I’m going to update my site after putting it off for an entire year now hahah. And character design portfoliooo -YES PLEASE!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@AdrianaGonzalez-zq6tx]

Your videos are a godsend. I watch them all when I can and learn so much more than with other sites or speakers. You are very forthcoming in your details while remaining respectful to clients. I enjoy listening to you, too ^w^ Thank you for all the help and lovely, well-thought-out videos.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@kkulkv]

i was so scared for the coffee in that cup for the first part of the video

[@emmagrigatti3840]

I can’t believe it, you were in Bologna for a convention, love it!! Many hugs from my beloved city, keep up the good work Anoosha, you rock!

[@AnooshaSyed]

I really hope I'm able to go again, it's such a beautiful city!!

[@TheChocolatiie]

I just wanna thank you for the long format videos because they're amazing to watch while working

[@AnooshaSyed]

I’m glad you like the longer format, I’m always worried the videos are too long hahaha

[@PrettyKittyPaintings]

Heck yeah! Getting blessed by Anoosha's dropped gems *again*! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and the artist mentions! I'm going to re-work my website very soon and this video is such a great resource.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!!!

[@minibatman2.016]

I kept getting nervous that the cup of coffee was gonna spill the entire time 😂

[@pikachus_journey]

Thank you for your generosity to share your experiences and shortcuts with us ⚡This was worth of a workshop about it.

[@tcmakesvideos]

Thank you so much Anoosha! I learned so much from this video and I'm already taking notes on how to make my online portfolio even better! (esp the tip on removing older pieces that dont reflect your current skill level//art style) Appreciate you!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you I'm glad it was helpful!!

[@tamarahidalgo4784]

Ron Swanson quote. Check! Thank you for sharing your experience. I've been wanting to launch a portfolio website since forever, as a graphic designer is kinda tricky to keep it cohesive. I'll have to choose soon what's the area I really want to follow. This video really helped me to get excited to keep working on it, thank you Anoosha!

[@vanim9978]

Thanks for the most informative content on internet. Love your effort. It helps a lot of freelance illustrator beginner like me❤

[@pamflopis9426]

I love your work ! I'm so happy that you have a youtube channel now. Greetings from Peru

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@kylevillanueva1728]

thank you for this, anoosha! i'm signing up for a mentorship program that I have to prepare a portfolio for, and this video helped me get over the fear I had in putting it together. I love that it's so extensive!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much, and best of luck!

[@Kr0ml]

Great video and information, thank you :) Oh, and I found it very funny ow triggered I was by the coffee waving in the cup and not spilling over at the start :'D

[@a.r530]

I'm late to the party, but I just want to say thank you so much for these honest and informative videos! I just got back into illustrations after years of putting it off and these are super helpful to help me plan to break in the industry in the future. THANK YOU

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@kudasibanda4553]

This was so helpful thank you character design portfolio and kid lit yes I would love to hear more information

[@AnooshaSyed]

Yes sounds good!!

[@wendy2001217]

Your first drawing book of the cat looks so cute ! Thanks for your guidelines! I think I should try make some more personal projects. I want to see your character design portfolio video :)

[@skytaylor4209]

You are super awesome for sharing as independent as you do. You are amazing ty

[@shirleykathan-sayess5764]

Your videos are so interesting and helpful! Not to forget inspiring. Thank you! ❤ Shirley

[@Unukadesign]

I’ve learnt something new 🥰🥰🥰🙏🏽 thanks for sharing! My portfolio is something I’ve been trying to put together. I really hope I can afford my own website soon but that’s a work in progress 🙈 alrighty, thanks again for your time and your amazing content! Love your work Hun. Take care bye for now 🥰👋🏽 - Marie x

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much and best of luck!!

[@mikagallardo7730]

I love your videos! You made me discover being an illustrator. It made me widen my ideas and possibilities for my future. Keep it up!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@DaemonCorps]

Good video 👏🏽. Did exactly what you brought up and used tumblr in combination with my own URL, so hearing that in the video was a nice affirmation that I was doing something right. Highly recommend the tumblr theme Illustfolio. The creator actively updates it (some themes don't play well with tumblr's updates and defaults to showing text first over any pictures included in the post 🙃). Another plus to tumblr is you can edit the HTML to further customize your website (some web hosts charge a tooooon more just for HTML editing!).

[@happyllama4529]

Really helpful video thank you a lot! Wish you luck in your career

[@annaantonova1747]

Thank you so much Annosha for such amazing content and your generosity sharing all the hard earned wisdom with the world :) Would be great to learn how you organise your psd files! Thanks a lot!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Great suggestion! Do you mean how I organize all my art file on my computer, or how I organize my layers within my PSD files?

[@roxsylinwatercolor8577]

Thanks for taking time to share this information. It’s really helpful.

[@AnooshaSyed]

you're welcome!

[@diamondsingh5554]

Ahhh this was so informative! Thank you so much, this is one of the best portfolio website videos I've seen so far!! ^-^

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!!

[@achungmeikamei7199]

I found your channel recently and I love it. I like children stories and I write short stories as hobby though didn't take it seriously...

[@drawingwithnadiakhan3795]

Thank you for sharing the tips and tricks. This was super helpful and right on time to launch my website :D Thank you again.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!!

[@catherinejacobs1518]

Excellent video. This has helped me.Thank you so much.

[@CurlyDashka]

this is so helpful! Anoosha, thank you soooo much

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@rosezif]

Thank you so much!! 🥰🥰🥰 Your videos are so complete and educative, I can't thank you enough for everything 🌸❤️🌸❤️🌸❤️

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@fabiporchet]

Hi! I just discover your videos and I absolutely love it, but I was so chocked to hear about Ceruleum in Lausanne, where I come from 😂 I considered to study there a long time ago.. what a surprise

[@bushrakhan891]

Wonderful sharing... keep it up 👍

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@faithdeleos1882]

this is everything!! thank you T.T

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad you like it!

[@suhanyadivitotawela2245]

This video is so amazing! So inspiring and I learned a lot.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@zoeb6207]

Thank you so much this has been so helpful!!☺

[@I.B.KOSHER]

Great job. Awesome information.

[@a.humphries8678]

Thanks for the great info!!! And, p.s. your eyes are so big and beautiful!!

[@wat2171]

this is super helpful, thank you

[@skribbleskills]

Very helpful!! Thanks so much! :D

[@jeremyvelmonte]

Thank you so much for making videos like these!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You’re so welcome!!

[@EricAyala-ot]

What a great video. Thank you so much!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ligiaborges9802]

You're fantastic! Thank you!

[@anadimase5182]

I’d love a video about tabling in expos, how to start, what to sell, where to start

[@blurryink115]

Ooo yes character design portfolio would be fun!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Yesss will do!

[@paigefitzmorris649]

Over here watching that drink like 👀👀👀

[@Netzoalsik]

Thank you for this nice video

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're welcome!!

[@donnag2139]

This is so informative!! Thank you for this

[@AnooshaSyed]

thank you!

[@theneverlandfairy4832]

you channel is calming and comforting but also rly informational

[@JulianaRumple]

loved the tips, thank you!!!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@BexEtcArt]

I have adhd and that drink wibble wobbling all over while u spoke kept my full attention ! Ty 😂 a happy accident I’m sure but I’m still grateful

[@GwenWiess]

incredibly helpful!! thank you!

[@AnooshaSyed]

I’m so glad!

[@nathalymaldonado2979]

Very useful!! Love it

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yayitstheviking]

I wanna work on character design so a video on it would be amazing

[@AnooshaSyed]

Noted!

[@EriAikawadiary]

This is helping me a lot with my website! I have a question, you said not to upload large files in our portfolio/website. I've been googling what specific size/resolution should the file be, and I'm having a hard time finding answers. Is it alright if you share the resolution/dpi and size you usually use?

[@AnooshaSyed]

I don’t have any hard numbers and it’s different for every project but I prefer doing 72dpi and less than 2500px for the longest edge if that makes sense!

[@Smile4ever14]

Not near done with the video yet but this video is really helpful!! I have a tumblr portfolio for now and eventually want to switch to like Square space or something. I've had a shitty experience in the past with GoDaddy for trying to make a paid WordPress so I don't trust it. I think I've heard similar things as to not use them? And something to think about is accessibility! Alt tags and are color combos readable (use something like web aim color contrast checker).

[@AnooshaSyed]

Oh thank you!! And thank you for the tips as well :)

[@jilly_grows]

I loved your video. Could you recommend a good affordable scanner? I mainly work in watercolor & ink.

[@catherinejacobs1518]

How about how to make an e-commerce shop for children's book illustrators?

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

So helpful

[@sawyercloud4429]

Hey Anoosha, I've been browsing all your videos for hours now lol. I like your style and your contents very much :) I'm also a professional children's book illustrator and I'm really considering moving my website to Square Space now that I've watched your video. I'm on Porkbun for few years now but seems like my website keeps crushing and bugging everytime I'm adding changes to it. It's really annoying ! I hope a new website won't cost me too much :/ :)

[@AnooshaSyed]

Ahh thank you! Let me know if you change it up! I haven't heard of Porkbun before

[@sawyercloud4429]

@@AnooshaSyed it's the least expensive I've found when I was looking for a website. But it's so complicated to use and always bugging :( Which website builder would you recommend as great and not too expensive please ?

[@HarmonyTheMermaid]

Hello Annosha, I like the videos you’re making. I have a question. I am interested in career/job in illustration, yet I am into character design. Do you have any resource or videos on character design?

[@stephh_606]

I love your videos! Do you think you could make one on doing taxes as an independent illustrator/freelancer?

[@littlestbroccoli]

Just hire a tax person.

[@linfeastudio]

thank you so much!! What resolution do you suggest to use for your illustrations when it comes to upload them on your website? Also, a character design portfolio video would be really helpful!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

I think I poorly worded what I was trying to say haha; I guess the resolution doesn't matter too much; maybe 200dpi is a good in-between of high/low res, but I meant more of the dimensions itself; having a 1000x700px image is better than something that's 4000x3000px

[@linfeastudio]

@@AnooshaSyed oh don't worry, maybe I just understood the wrong thing! in any case thank you again!

[@rebeccamoye8600]

Hi I have a portfolio question! So, if you are applying for a certain position (like a character design job at a studio) would you create a specific section on your website for character design and only send the company a link to that part of your website? Like I know people talk about creating certain portfolios for specific jobs, but how do you separate that on your website to show you're specific in one area (even though they can see all the other areas on your portfolio site)? Hope this question makes sense lol!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Yup, you’d send that specific link! I have a page for visdev for animation and when applying for jobs I send that specific link bc it’s most relevant.

[@rebeccamoye8600]

Anoosha Syed ok thank you!! This video was super helpful by the way, thank you for sharing your insight :)

[@AnooshaSyed]

@@rebeccamoye8600 Thank you :))

[@rebeccamoye8600]

I have another question:) I’m confused on where to actually find freelance illustration jobs. Are they mostly on like LinkedIn? Maybe you could do a video talking about how / where to find jobs ? Because my goal would be to freelance illustrate when I graduate but I think I’m a little lost on how I will actually do that :)

[@AnooshaSyed]

@@rebeccamoye8600 hi! I actually talk about this in my ‘how to get started in illustration’ and ‘art directors’ video :)

[@acelestialwitch8512]

For the kid lit portfolio, what size are those canvases on procreate? Could I size them directly from there or would I need to size them somewhere else afterwards? I am guilty of not really knowing which direction. I’d like to create family friendly prints for clothing etc to start and work towards children’s book illustrations

[@littlestbroccoli]

Think of what size you want to print at and make sure your canvas is that size in inches or centimeters, then make it above 150 dpi. Definitely start large and size down from there. It's impossible to go the other way.

[@dontyellatmeimsoft886]

is deviantart good to start building my portfolio on?

[@LonelyDev71]

I love your eyes.

[@honobonoweekends3031]

Hi Anoosha, thanks a lot for great content! I learned a lot from your videos about agency and this, portfolio bit~ I’m currently building my portfolio and just wondering any specific size when you mentioned about “single spread” for kidlit books? Thank you very much again and keep inspiring 😊✨

[@AnooshaSyed]

Doesn’t have to be a specific size! Picture books come in so many different sizes.

[@DonnaMakesArt]

1 book cover + 2-5 key moment spreads Spot illustrations and full spreads Have black and white and colored illustration Include children (baby, toddlers, tweens, etc) and animals Illustration with mood, interaction, story is preffered

[@DonnaMakesArt]

Name and contact Link to resume List of clients Workshops, galleries, awards, interviews given

[@joshuatheservant1]

hello! i am a upcoming graphic designer and i am self-teaching myself, meanwhile who is attending college in the summer. Also i wanted to know if i am able to create branding and illustration on one website? what is recommended since this is my first time building my resume? thanks for the video💯❤

[@_DevipriyaB]

thank you

[@drawingwithnadiakhan3795]

Thank you for the great video. By any chance, you have worked in Carmen Sandiego the Netflix Animation. It is so cool the characters remind me of your work. I binge-watched the whole series lol ^_^

[@AnooshaSyed]

It's such a beautiful done show, but no I didn't work on it haha :)

[@lindalee3679]

Can you make a video about character design? Thanks.

[@psbRashiqairam]

If I have my portfolio on Google sites..will that work??

[@quidditchplayer7]

Thanks for this!! Quick question, as someone who wants an agent, should I make my portfolio before or after getting one?

[@AnooshaSyed]

Definitely prepare your portfolio first!

[@acelestialwitch8512]

I’m a new digital artist and I have a nature based style. I have been asked to illustrate two books for people and these will be my first experience in illustration using my iPad Pro. What would you recommend I do to start? If the publishers would like my style I have been told they would pay towards my license and then I let them know my price for using the characters I design for them. I am hoping I can do this, and work from home

[@AnooshaSyed]

There are a lot of procreate tutorials on KZbin and Instagram that might be helpful! I would also look into brushes that give that ‘traditional’ painting look. I recommend Max Ulichneys brushes!

[@victorreyes2196]

What is a good website designer program