How to Make an Online Art Portfolio

11 January 2023

Whether you’re looking to make it as a creative entrepreneur, or just want to share your work online, you’ll need a quality art portfolio that demonstrates your best work.


Your online portfolio not only showcases your work, but also verifies your credibility as an artist. So it’s important to make sure that your art portfolio is carefully crafted to give collectors, gallerists, or potential buyers the information they are looking for. 


There are plenty of ways to maximise your portfolio to help you stand out. In this article, we’ll explore these methods and help you make a better online art portfolio. Plus, additional tips on top portfolio platforms and ways to promote your art.


Online art portfolio platforms

In today’s digital world, it’s common for artists to use online portfolios. Traditionally, artists used physical portfolios to document their work, and some use a combination of both online and traditional art portfolio techniques. 


Some of the most common ways to create online art portfolios are:



Adobe Portfolio


Adobe is a staple name in art, design and media industries, offering professional creative software for a range of needs - from digital design to video editing.


Many artists also make use of Adobe Portfolio, which allows creatives to build a website showcasing their work. It requires minimal effort, with a range of ready-made themes available to help you get started. This is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy way to present their work online, with options to create multi-page and one-page sites.


All you’ll need to get started is a Creative Cloud membership.


Build a bespoke website


Creating your online art portfolio using a bespoke website is one of the best ways to curate your art collection. This gives you complete control over your portfolio’s theme, domain name, and can improve your credibility as an artist. It’s also a great way to segment your portfolio into different categories using separate pages, and include a dedicated ‘about’ page.


Some website builders offer basic functionality, whereas others will allow you to customise your portfolio in more detail. This means that building a bespoke website is often the most flexible way to make your online art portfolio, with options to design the experience exactly how you want it.


It’s also important to consider that you’ll need to purchase and host a domain if you’d prefer to have a more officially titled domain name. This is usually relatively affordable. 


Popular portfolio website builders:


  • Squarespace
  • Wix
  • Webflow
  • WordPress
  • Duda
  • Zyro
  • Weebly
  • Jimdo


Free portfolio platforms


Another way to create your online art portfolio is to use a free platform. There are plenty of free options out there, offering great choices for those looking for a more cost-effective way to create their portfolio.


Free portfolio platforms can offer a surprisingly good range of features, though you’ll usually get more customisability with paid platforms and bespoke websites. For example, some free portfolio platforms limit their functionality to a capped number of pages or portfolio items. Some free options will also show ads, so it’s important to consider whether the functionality of a free platform is right for your needs. 


Popular free portfolio platforms include:


  • Journo Portfolio
  • Much Rack
  • Behance
  • Dribbble
  • Coroflot
  • Portfoliobox
  • Portfolio


What to include in your art portfolio

1. An about section


It can be easy to feel inspired by piecing together your artwork, but don’t forget to include some practical information about yourself. Include an about section in your portfolio that explains who you are as an artist and more about your work. 


This is a great way to help anyone who is looking to contact you understand more about your artistic direction and work, and will encourage them to get in touch with you. You can also include any qualifications you have gained from arts courses.


This section should include links to your other profiles, such as your social media. Not only will this help promote your art, it’ll help those who are interested find out more about you on other platforms. 


2. Your best work


Your online art portfolio should be a collection of your proudest achievements. The goal of your portfolio is to demonstrate not only your artistic vision, but also your technical skills, range, and experience. So while it’s important to consider your favourite pieces when curating your portfolio, you should also consider which pieces demonstrate your abilities and range as an artist. 


Reach out to peers or other artists for feedback to get a second opinion on your curation.


3. Tell your story


Making the perfect art portfolio is no easy task. But, one thing that will help you make sense of your collection is to piece your artwork together into a story. Your story is yours to express, so this will look different for every portfolio. 


Your portfolio might tell a story through storylines, colours, textures, skill progression, shifting concepts, or even more abstract ideas. In either case, storytelling is a great way to immerse your audience in your portfolio. 


4. Working links


When using an online art portfolio, chances are you’ll include links to other pages or external sites, such as your social media profiles. These links help users navigate through your portfolio and find out more about you elsewhere. If the links don’t work, this can prevent them from completing their goal and essentially stop them from finding the information they are looking for. 


Broken links are extremely common online. They can occur due to a number of reasons, for example, if your social media name and URL change, you’ll need to update the link to reflect the changes and take users to the live page. 


Ensuring your links work correctly will improve your credibility as an artist and demonstrate your ability to organise projects and information professionally, which is a key skill for anyone looking to work with you.


5. Update it frequently


The beauty of making an online art portfolio is that it is an ongoing process. You can easily switch out older art pieces for newer artwork and keep your digital portfolio up to date. 


It’s important to update your art portfolio regularly, ensuring that it reflects your current abilities as they improve. 


The ability to update your portfolio is particularly useful when you are curating your artwork towards a specific audience or individual. Updating your work will keep your portfolio up to date, relevant and targeted. 


6. A user-friendly experience


No matter how you choose to present your online art portfolio, one thing it must always provide is a user-friendly experience. Art is more than just visuals, it’s a feeling and experience. If your artwork is let down by a poor portfolio setup, chances are that your audience will miss out on that experience.


To create a user-friendly experience, make sure that your portfolio provides the following:


  • An easy to navigate structure - does your portfolio have multiple pages? Your portfolio will need a main menu to help users actually find these pages. 
  • Keep your portfolio to a limited number - it’s important to find the right balance between too much and too little. Be careful not to overload your portfolio with too much work, this can make it become less focused. Equally, make sure to provide enough work to provide a full picture of who you are as an artist. 
  • Informational content - including descriptions or blogs that supplement your artwork and help tell the story could help improve the overall experience your art portfolio offers. Do you think your audience will have questions about your art and creative processes? They might be interested in finding out more about this in an article, for example.
  • Speed - choosing a fast loading portfolio platform will help improve the user experience. Make sure to do your research into different platforms and portfolio themes before making your choice.


Improve your art and portfolio skills with an online course


Being an artist is all about being able to express your creative freedom, whilst refining your technical skills and artistic abilities. 


Studying an online course is a perfect way to improve your art and portfolio preparation skills. Here at the Online College of Art and Design, we offer a huge range of online art courses, as well as our specialised portfolio preparation course to help students learn to develop the perfect art portfolio.


Plus, many of our courses are accredited, providing you with additional qualifications to add to your portfolio! 


Ways to promote your art portfolio

1. An artist blog


Being a successful artist means being present. One of the simplest ways to promote your art portfolio is through an artist blog. There are plenty of reasons to get started with an artist blog, this will:


  • Help you stay present with regular updates and posts
  • Provide answers and information about your art
  • Demonstrate your expertise as an artist and ability to articulate your skills
  • Solidify your artist credibility
  • Provide an additional resource for acquiring online traffic
  • Help you improve your art skills through reflecting on your work, putting this into words, and researching art-related topics


2. Social media


Social media is a great way to connect with specific audiences and individuals. Through posting regularly, you can update your followers on what you’re up to and provide behind the scenes content for your art portfolio. 


Be sure to include a link to your art portfolio. This way, you can encourage users to engage not only with your social content, but visit your portfolio too. Using a social media strategy to promote your portfolio can even help generate sales. 


3. Email newsletters


Many artists keep their audiences up to date using email newsletters. The great thing about email newsletters is that your subscribers have actively decided to opt into email communications from you.


Each time you update your portfolio, write a blog post, or have something interesting to say, you can share this information directly with your subscribers.  Your subscribers can be acquired through your social media, blog, or other promotion activities, so it often ties in very well with your other efforts.


4. Arts events


Arts events have helped artists promote their portfolios for many many years. Events such as exhibitions, galleries, and festivals have long been used to celebrate collections of art, attracting some of the most passionate art connoisseurs and buyers.


A simple online search will help you find arts events planned in your area. It is also increasingly common for arts events to take place online - which is a perfect way to promote your online art portfolio and integrate this with the digital exhibition.


We recommend compiling a list of arts events, galleries, curators and websites that you intend to reach out to with your portfolio. This way, you can keep track of which organisations and events you have got in touch with, and can carefully craft your outreach message to each prospect.


Final thoughts


As an artist, your online art portfolio is your holy grail of achievements. It tells your story, expresses your vision, and demonstrates your abilities. You’ll have several different audiences that your portfolio will aim to reach; those interested in your art, those looking to work with you, and those interested in buying your art. It’s key to consider how your portfolio will address the needs of these audiences and provide an impressive experience.


From considering what to include in your portfolio, to how to promote it, and which platform might be best for you. We hope the tips in this article will help you learn how to make the perfect online art portfolio.


Study art and portfolio preparation online


We offer a range of online arts courses here at the Online College of Art and Design, alongside a specialised portfolio preparation course to help students learn to develop the perfect art portfolio.


Find out more about the courses we offer in many different areas of art and design, or get in touch with our friendly team to learn more.

How to Use Art Challenges to Push Your Creative Boundaries

by Troy Page • 31 March 2025
Feeling stuck in a creative rut? Want to sharpen your skills and develop your artistic voice? Art challenges are a fantastic way to push your creative boundaries, try new techniques, and stay motivated. Whether you’re a beginner looking to practise regularly or an experienced artist seeking fresh inspiration, structured challenges can help take your art to the next level. At The Online College of Art and Design , we encourage our students to embrace challenges as part of their learning journey. In this post, we’ll explore why art challenges are so powerful and how you can use them to develop your artistic style and confidence. Why Take Part in Art Challenges? Art challenges are designed to help artists break free from their comfort zones. Here’s why they’re so effective: Consistency & Discipline – Daily or weekly challenges encourage regular practice, helping you build discipline and improve steadily over time. Creative Exploration – Trying different prompts forces you to experiment with new subjects, styles, and techniques. Overcoming Artist’s Block – If you ever struggle with creative block, structured challenges provide direction and inspiration. Building a Portfolio – Completing challenges gives you a collection of artwork that can be used for your portfolio, social media, or exhibitions. Joining a Community – Many art challenges come with online communities where you can share your work, get feedback, and connect with other artists. Popular Art Challenges to Try If you’re ready to dive in, here are some popular art challenges that can help push your creative boundaries: 1. Inktober (October) A well-known challenge where artists create ink drawings every day in October. Each day has a different prompt to inspire unique pieces. If you want to refine your linework and experiment with inking, this is a great challenge to try. 2. 100 Heads Challenge This challenge, created by artist Ahmed Aldoori, pushes you to draw 100 different heads in 10 days. It’s an excellent way to improve portrait drawing and facial expressions. 3. Draw This in Your Style (DTIYS) In this challenge, artists create a piece based on another artist’s work but in their own unique style. It’s an amazing way to explore different techniques and push your creativity. 4. One Week, One Brush Challenge Limit yourself to using only one brush in digital art for an entire week. This helps you master digital tools and explore creative ways to use them effectively. 5. 36 Days of Type Ideal for typography lovers! In this challenge, artists create a letter or number each day, experimenting with fonts, illustrations, and design. 6. 3 Colours Challenge Pick three random colours and create a full artwork using only those shades. This challenge forces you to think outside the box and get creative with colour theory. 7. The 365 Art Challenge The ultimate commitment—creating one piece of art every day for a year! This is an intense but rewarding challenge that helps build consistency and rapid improvement. How to Make the Most of Art Challenges Simply participating in an art challenge is great, but to get the most out of it, follow these tips: 1. Set Realistic Goals Not every challenge needs to be completed daily—choose a schedule that fits your lifestyle. If a 30-day challenge feels overwhelming, try weekly challenges instead. 2. Experiment with Different Mediums Use challenges as an opportunity to try different styles and tools. If you usually work in watercolour, try digital painting. If you prefer sketching, give acrylics a go. 3. Don’t Fear Imperfection The goal is progress, not perfection. Some pieces will turn out better than others, and that’s okay! Challenges are about learning, not creating masterpieces every time. 4. Engage with the Art Community Post your work on social media using challenge hashtags, interact with other artists, and seek feedback. Being part of a creative community makes the experience more enjoyable and inspiring. 5. Reflect on Your Growth At the end of the challenge, look back at your work and see how much you’ve improved. You might discover a new technique you love or a unique style developing. Ready to Elevate Your Art Skills? Art challenges are a fantastic way to grow as an artist, but if you’re serious about refining your skills and developing your artistic voice, structured learning can make all the difference. At The Online College of Art and Design , we offer a range of online art courses designed to help you build confidence, experiment with new techniques, and master both traditional and digital art forms. Whether you’re looking to boost your portfolio, improve your skills, or turn your passion into a career, our expert tutors are here to guide you every step of the way. Enrol today and take your creativity to new heights! Visit here to explore our courses.

How to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Art

by Troy Page • 24 March 2025
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A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting

by Troy Page • 17 March 2025
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Free Taster Days at the Online College of Art and Design

by Troy Page • 12 March 2025
If you have ever dreamed of studying art, design, music, or photography but aren’t sure where to start, now is the perfect time to explore your options. The Online College of Art and Design is offering free Taster Days , giving you the opportunity to experience what it’s like to study at a specialist online art school. Whether you are looking for a GCSE-equivalent course, an A-Level alternative, or a foundation diploma to prepare for university, these sessions will provide insight into your chosen subject and help you decide on your next steps. Taster Days are designed to give you a real feel for how our courses work. You will have the chance to take part in live lessons, interact with expert tutors, and explore creative techniques in a supportive environment. If you can’t attend the live sessions, recordings will be available for a limited time so you won’t miss out. You will also have access to tutor chats where you can ask questions, receive advice, and get personalised guidance to help you make the right decision about your studies. For those considering GCSE-equivalent Level 2 courses, there are taster sessions in Art and Design, Photography, and RSL Music. Each session will introduce you to key skills and techniques, giving you a hands-on experience of how these practical, coursework-based courses work. Whether you want to develop a portfolio, gain a recognised qualification, or simply explore your creative potential, these taster days will provide valuable insight into what you can achieve with online learning. For those looking at A-Level alternatives, the Level 3 taster sessions offer an introduction to our Foundation Diploma in Art, Design, and Media, as well as the Level 3 Diplomas in Photography and RSL Music. These sessions are perfect for students aiming to progress to university or start a career in the creative industries. With live lessons, industry-relevant projects, and expert tutor guidance, you will get a first-hand look at how our courses are structured and how they can support your aspirations. Studying online at the Online College of Art and Design means having access to a dedicated virtual studio where you can complete assignments, develop skills, and receive detailed feedback from tutors. Our interactive lessons and one-to-one support ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a creative and flexible learning environment. This is your chance to explore your passion, experience what it’s like to study in an online art school, and take the first step towards your creative future. Sign up for a free taster day and discover how the Online College of Art and Design can help you achieve your artistic goals.

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As an artist, you might wonder why studying art history is important when your focus is on creating new and original work. However, understanding the past can profoundly shape your artistic growth, inspire fresh ideas, and refine your creative approach.

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Life gets hectic, and finding time for art can feel impossible. But making creativity a daily habit doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Even with a packed schedule, you can carve out time for artistic expression—and the more you do, the more natural it becomes.

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Famous Female Artists Who Changed History

by Troy Page • 3 February 2025
For centuries, the art world has been a canvas dominated by men. Yet, throughout history, countless talented and trailblazing female artists have fought against the odds to share their creativity with the world. Their resilience, innovation, and unique perspectives have not only shaped art history but also paved the way for future generations of women to pick up the brush, chisel, or camera. At The Online College of Art and Design, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of female artists and encourage aspiring creators to follow in their footsteps. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic women in art and discover how they’ve left an indelible mark on the world. 1. Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1656): A Baroque Pioneer In an era when women were rarely allowed to train as artists, Artemisia Gentileschi broke barriers with her dramatic, emotion-filled paintings. Known for her powerful depictions of biblical heroines like Judith, she used art as a way to express her own struggles and resilience. Artemisia’s legacy lies not only in her technical mastery but also in her courage to create during a time when women’s voices were often silenced. 2. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954): The Queen of Surrealism Few artists are as instantly recognisable as Frida Kahlo. With her vibrant self-portraits, she explored themes of identity, pain, and resilience, creating deeply personal works that resonate with audiences to this day. Frida’s unique blend of Surrealism and Mexican folk art continues to inspire countless artists worldwide, proving that art can be a powerful expression of selfhood and cultural pride. 3. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986): Mother of American Modernism Georgia O’Keeffe’s iconic paintings of flowers, skyscrapers, and landscapes are celebrated for their bold colours and innovative compositions. A pioneer of American Modernism, she challenged traditional notions of what art could be. Her work demonstrates that inspiration can be found in both nature and the bustling energy of urban life. 4. Yayoi Kusama (1929–Present): The Avant-Garde Visionary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is a living legend. Known for her mesmerising installations and polka dot-filled art, she has redefined the boundaries of contemporary art. Her works often explore themes of infinity, mental health, and identity, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in her creative universe. Kusama’s fearless experimentation is a testament to the endless possibilities of artistic expression. 5. Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975): The Sculptural Innovator Barbara Hepworth is one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. Her abstract, organic forms transformed modern sculpture and established her as a leader in the art world. A champion of harmony between nature and art, Hepworth’s pieces invite us to connect with the landscapes they inhabit. Why Their Stories Matter These incredible women have done more than create breathtaking art; they’ve broken down barriers and redefined the art world. They’ve shown us that art can be a powerful tool for change, a mirror to society, and a source of empowerment. If their stories inspire you, why not take the first step toward your own creative journey? Art has no boundaries, and at The Online College of Art and Design, we’re here to help you unlock your potential. Ready to Join the Next Generation of Trailblazing Artists? Whether you’re a beginner eager to explore your creative side or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, we’ve got a course for you. From painting and sculpture to photography and digital art, our flexible online courses are designed to fit into your lifestyle. You’ll learn from expert tutors who are passionate about your success and gain the skills to create work that could one day inspire others – just like the greats. Your Creative Journey Starts Here The female artists who’ve changed history prove that art is for everyone, regardless of the obstacles you face. Now, it’s your turn to make your mark.  Click here to explore our courses and start your journey with The Online College of Art and Design today. Who knows? One day, your name might be on the list of artists who changed history!
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