Many artists post their work and share it with the web using
pre-existing websites like
deviantART or
Flickr, but many take the time to create a
web space devoted to showcasing their work in a more presentable space.
I took the time to investigate some personal portfolio websites of illustrators and other fine artist on the web and I noticed that many aren't very similar visually, but some
organization techniques are used over and over in some, such as the use of a wall of small thumbnails, and many break down their work in to several sections if they work using a variety of media. Most of them seem to be HTML based, just showing of still work in a not too crazy way, I think it's a good idea to focus the website simply around the artwork instead of placing some crazy flash opening, unless that's the focus of the artists work. There's something about flash presentations on portfolio websites that just make me think "smoke & mirrors".
It's
a shame how overtime some of the artist's portfolio websites disappear overtime, there used to be a great website for an illustrator/ website design team named
Holographix, their website was very impressive and comical.
Some of the websites I enjoyed were:
Okimi.com The portfolio of illustrator
Kimiaki Yaegashi, I like the stylish yet simple
organization this website uses to present the art. The
website's appearance complements the art that it showcase and I find it very visually appealing.
Torikago Garou the homepage of artist
Musubu Nakai, this website uses a basic HTML approach but I like the straight-forward
organization, it really brings your attention to the content and lets you appreciate the artists work.
The portfolio of artist
Logan Hicks , This
web page has a very professional feel to it,
even though the background may be a gaudy design it flows well with the kind of artwork he does. It's like if it was a business card that grew into something much more, that's the kind of feel I get from this website.
The portfolio of horror photographer
Joshua Hoffine , This
webpage uses flash in a refined way. The website uses a lot of
white space, but it works well. It's well organized and uses a vertical sidebar of thumbnails for the viewer to skip from work to work, I like the use of a vertical sidebar on the right.
The website of artist
Sickboy, This
webpage uses flash in a highly creative way, it presents a table full of things and when you hover your mouse above the object it becomes more colorful and
interesting. There is also secondary navigation bar at the bottom to quickly get to the place you want if you didn't have time to look threw the contents of the table. I think it's really cool how
in depth the flash aspect of this website is, it kind of seems
unnecessary at times, but it works for the most part.
I can't say that I noticed that many similarities in the websites I have looked at, but I think that's a good thing, an artist should be somewhat of an individual.