Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

Spring	11.6%	[ 83 ]
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Total Votes:			[ 715 ]

[__ _ k o n o t a b i]

Hello hello all heart I've just recently stumbled upon this thread, and am very glad to have done so! Lots of helpful information for a newbie like me :'D <3

Ahahh; I don't know if this question has been addressed already, and pardon me if it had been, but..

Do paintings generally sell well in conventions? (watercolor or acrylic)
Would anyone mind giving me a price range as to the amount you'd charge for a small sized canvas? And for the larger canvases (18"x24"+) with heavily detailed pictures?
I know there are conventions such as Anime North that hold gallery auctions, and I'm hoping to participate in those next year -- though it would really help if I could get an estimate so I won't overprice/underprice my works.

Thanks in advance! ♥

[Kyousouka]

The art shows and auctions are the best way to sell originals. The pricing will depend on your skill level, time spent, and the convention itself. At cons where the AA isn't a very big deal, you can't expect to get much, but at those where a lot of people go specifically for the auction and alley, you can probably raise the price a bit.
Sadly, "heavily detailed" is not at all a suggestion of quality (but it probably is a suggestion of the time taken). I'd suggest checking ebay prices for paintings that you feel are of the same quality, and perhaps posting your images? I'm not sure that this is the thread for pricing though (the pricing forum deals with RL pricing too, I think).

[Jayde Panda]

Soukon: Not trying to be rude, but Animazement's table prices are:

animazement.org

Ballroom Half Table: $20
Ballroom Full Table: $40
Balcony Full Table: $60

I know they used to be cheaper but it'd be worth noting that those prices are older so people don't get confused when they see the current rates... Were you in AZ's alley this year? This was my first year there (in AA). =)

_ k o n o t a b i: I do small cross-stitch pieces for auction. When I price stuff, I make the starting bid the minimum to cover material costs and a small amount for my time (maybe 1.5x to 2x the cost of materials; my pieces are small 2x3" so you can adjust that rate to suit what you're selling)--but in other words, some profit to pay myself for my time after I've paid for material cost--in your case this would be the canvas and paint that went into the piece. This way, if I don't get many bids, I still at least come out in the positive. If it's something I spent a lot of time on, I might up the starting bid a little bit. Not sure if that helps you any.

[Vicemage]

I second (third?) the notion of putting pieces like that in the auction, rather than trying to put them at a table... do prints at your table, or other such items. Smaller, more "consumable" or "impulse" items. And put the fancy stuff over in the auction with a reasonable starting bid and see how it goes.

I'm very tempted to put a piece into the charity auction at the con I just finished... but for one, I'm not sure I'm good enough yet (we're talking PROS putting stuff on this auction, after all), and for two... my idea would probably annoy the recipients of the money. biggrin (It's nothing bad... I just want to do a drawing of Dr House for money for the Lupus Foundation, is that so wrong?)

[Fiammetta Rey]

So I got this different kind of resin that a jewelry artist I really like recommended. The catalyst has no dropper. I have to go get an eye dropper.

In other news, I left my good glitter in my dorm room (I keep the resin at home).

[Vicemage]

Awww.... Though I'm curious about what resin you're using and how it works. smile Resin-casting is on my list of things to learn someday.

I'm going to need a larger suitcase for my studio stuff, I've realized... I think my calling my favorite store just now to order markers when both my cases (that barely fit what I'm using now) are completely full. Meaning I'll have to pick up a new case too.

I've been using a carry-on sized piece of rolling luggage, which will hold generally markers, cash box, and most of the merchandise (plus portfolios and at least some signage). I generally carry bristol and a drawing board in one padded freezer bag, and my display wireframe, tablecloth, etc in another. And then the toolbox in my hand. And a backpack with laptop and other miscellaneous stuff wedged in on my back. I CAN do it myself, but it's a bit awkward. So... bigger suitcase that still rolls and holds all the stuff divided between about four bags? Do want.

What sort of systems do people here like to use for transporting their table stuff?

[Kyousouka]

Last con, I used a simple rolling cart for the bulk of my stuff and a shoulder-bag for smaller things and my display binder. I plan to start selling larger prints next year, so I'm going to use a small rolling luggage case for those and my wire cubes. My view binder and small items will still likely be in my shoulder bag. I will probably have an additional bag for my marker box, as it would take up too much room in the roller case, and a box for my 20x30 posters.
I haven't really worked this out yet since my list of things to sell next year isn't yet finalized. Fortunately, I don't carrying 50lb in non-rolling bags if I have to 8D

[Fiammetta Rey]

My rolling cart system didn't really work so well. Mostly due to my friend who I've mentioned before as having done the best she could to ruin the experience. She brought this huge box that was too big for her to carry, dropped it onto my cart and expected me to carry it. It crushed some of my stuff. Plus I didn't really have a system for taking down my jewelry and putting it back up the next day... so some of that got ruined, too.

But I'm definitely looking into getting a better rolling bag. The cart I had was actually broken but I took it anyway since I didn't have time to get a new one before the con. So I just used the broken one and it broke more and it was just a pain.

But next time I'll plan a lot better. I have some experience behind me now...

[Jayde Panda]

I have used my Creative Memories rolling bag (I used to be a consultant, so that was just pulling stuff out of the closet). I'd like to get something different though. That bag isn't really designed to carry the weight of what I've been putting in it. Otherwise it's worked nicely.

[AEAcomics]

It just occurred to me that I've got a rock polisher under my bed, and I know I've got a jar of polished stones somewhere. I bet I could use the smaller ones to make jewelry.

[Vicemage]

I never see enough jewelry in Alleys, that'd be great to see!

(No, I don't really wear jewelry... doesn't mean I don't like seeing or making it.)

[Skye River]

Were there times where a customer wants you to send art to them upon completion ? I'm sure that there were times artists were swamped with art at the artist alleys.