New
New
Presenting a portfolio: creating pages of documentation
I can select a focus for my portfolio and create a narrative through the pieces chosen.
Lesson 15 of 18
New
New
- Year 10
Presenting a portfolio: creating pages of documentation
I can select a focus for my portfolio and create a narrative through the pieces chosen.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Decide on the theme or focus of your portfolio to highlight specific skills, projects, or a particular artistic style.
- Select your most interesting work that aligns with your portfolio’s focus aiming for quality over quantity.
- Showcase a range of styles, techniques, or themes to demonstrate your versatility and depth as an artist.
Keywords
Portfolio - a collection of your artwork, sketchbook work, experiments, and final pieces
Focus - the main idea, theme, or approach you choose to explore in depth
Theme - the big idea or subject that your artwork is based on
Narrative - the story or journey shown through your artwork and sketchbook
Common misconception
A common misconception about portfolios is that you need to include everything you've made.
It's much better to select work that clearly shows your ideas, development, artistic journey and skills.
When selecting work for your portfolio, choose pieces that show your progress, creativity, and decision-making, not just the ones that look the most finished.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Artwork and sketchbooks.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to its definition.
Match the term to its definition.
Q2.What is the main purpose of an art portfolio?
What is the main purpose of an art portfolio?
to make your work look colourful
to include every piece of art you’ve ever made
to only display your favourite artist’s work
Q3.Why is it important for a portfolio to have a focus?
Why is it important for a portfolio to have a focus?
It makes your portfolio larger.
It hides the weaker pieces of work.
It ensures you use only one material.
Q4.Which of these could be a theme for a portfolio?
Which of these could be a theme for a portfolio?
colour
technology
Identity
Q5.Community themes in art only focus on places, not people.
Community themes in art only focus on places, not people.
Q6.Why is it useful to include mistakes or failed experiments in your portfolio?
Why is it useful to include mistakes or failed experiments in your portfolio?
It fills up more pages.
It hides your best work among weaker pieces.
It makes your portfolio look messy.
