Tips on building a portfolio

These tips are from Adrian Valencia.
Make the work you want to get hired for, and hit the pavement.

Twelve years ago I was very new in London and when I decided I wanted to test myself as an illustrator, I didn't know where to start. I spent two months building my portfolio ( let me tell you…it wasn't amazing ) and once it was ready I took notes of art directors' contacts from the magazines I wanted to work with. My English wasn't great and on top of that I was clueless about the industry but in a way I guess I had nothing to lose. I had a business card and a few printed pages with my illustrations to be remembered.  No website just a printed portfolio. I called every single publication in London and I was lucky that most of them agreed to meet me. My first editorial commission came from Red magazine, to draw a horoscope, from an art director that now I consider my friend.  Email was optional so I faxed the rough. I didn't own a computer so when the rough was approved I went to work on someone else's computer who kindly lend it to me. Since then I have been lucky enough to never stop working. 

Go to Draw Adrian, Draw to read the rest... but here's the gist.

1. Do mockups

2. Draw more than one character

3. Be style consistent