Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

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[R a i r e n]

my stupidity is kicking in again:

do people only buy on the spot commission art (like sketches with "traditional" supplies) ? or will they buy commissions to be done later by computer i.e photoshop etc?

i think it's first time artist alley jitters making me stupid hahaha D:

[Rei 0]

wow, this is an awesome thread. I will most certainly go back and read it ~_~

I haven't sold anything at a con before, but I have been contemplating it. I did sit with a friend I made at the con for a while though. The only piece of advice I have that I could ad is bring a friend or two to sit with you and help out. Or you know, talk to if you're not super busy. Plus then you can get up and go to the bathroom or get food or something knowing that everything is being cared for. Or THEY can go get food for you, or something.

[Gothamiteknight]

Oh, brand new advice:

DON'T WAIT IN SIGNING UP! I just signed up today for a spot at my local con and found out that the spaces are getting scarce. Now I'm kicking myself. xd And it's still three months before hand! So don't wait. It can change from year to year, apparently, because this was the exact same time of year that I signed up and there seemed to be plenty of spaces left last year at this time.

R a i r e n

my stupidity is kicking in again:

do people only buy on the spot commission art (like sketches with "traditional" supplies) ? or will they buy commissions to be done later by computer i.e photoshop etc?

i think it's first time artist alley jitters making me stupid hahaha D:

I have an order form for digital commissions just in case people want them but most people seem to want traditional art right then and there, and come back later in the day to pick them up. It's probably a convienence thing, you want your art 'now.' That and a money thing, I personally wouldn't give the entire payment to someone who I didn't know and was going to send me the finished product. I'd probably do a down payment. Half now, and half when it's completed. So spot traditional commissions seemed to be big sellers.

[R a i r e n]

Gothamiteknight

Oh, brand new advice:

I have an order form for digital commissions just in case people want them but most people seem to want traditional art right then and there, and come back later in the day to pick them up. It's probably a convienence thing, you want your art 'now.' That and a money thing, I personally wouldn't give the entire payment to someone who I didn't know and was going to send me the finished product. I'd probably do a down payment. Half now, and half when it's completed. So spot traditional commissions seemed to be big sellers.

ohh I see D: I guess I won't sell too much of those because I like to keep the original sketches mm oh well it'll be a good experience to prepare for next year anyway biggrin

[Gothamiteknight]

R a i r e n

Gothamiteknight

Oh, brand new advice:

I have an order form for digital commissions just in case people want them but most people seem to want traditional art right then and there, and come back later in the day to pick them up. It's probably a convienence thing, you want your art 'now.' That and a money thing, I personally wouldn't give the entire payment to someone who I didn't know and was going to send me the finished product. I'd probably do a down payment. Half now, and half when it's completed. So spot traditional commissions seemed to be big sellers.

ohh I see D: I guess I won't sell too much of those because I like to keep the original sketches mm oh well it'll be a good experience to prepare for next year anyway biggrin

Yeah, I know what you mean, I don't like giving mine away either but then again if I didn't spend too much time on it it's not too bad. What I suggest if you do decide to do such, bring a digital camera and snap a picture of it for keeps.

[Vicemage]

That's what I do (the digital camera thing). I also had one emailed back to me so I could post it in my gallery. smile

I do know someone who does some digital commissions, and is usually backlogged in ordering, but her style is also quite popular with people at the cons we attend. I haven't been offering digital very long, and haven't taken any yet, but I do have one on-order marker commission I have to finish up. >.< People will buy them, though they're not as big of sellers as on-the-spot traditional ones.

Gah... two days left to prepare for my next con. I'M NOT READY!

[DarkishStar]

tehlam

Bump? I found this thread really useful btw XDD..

Does anyone know what to do about first table jitters/ nervousness. I'm feeling terrible anxious even when it's only 2 months away >w<

Make sure you have people around you that support you and your art! Friends and family! Brothers and sisters! x3 And be confident, know that you worked hard on your art! =)

Yes, and remember that it's your first time, so don't stress out. It's not important if you do well or don't do well. It's the experience that counts. =) More often than not, people are going to be friendly to you. =D

[Silentlily]

R a i r e n

my stupidity is kicking in again:

do people only buy on the spot commission art (like sketches with "traditional" supplies) ? or will they buy commissions to be done later by computer i.e photoshop etc?

i think it's first time artist alley jitters making me stupid hahaha D:

Most of my commissions are never done on the spot except for maybe sketches to show the client.


I'm personally slow and I usually get commissioned for unusual mythic or fantasy pieces that require lots of reference I don't have on hand.

And sadly I don't own a laptop.

So I always tell my clients I can't get it done at the con unless I am very sure I can. And to compensate I always offer free shipping for them!

[Fiammetta Rey]

I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to ask this here... but my friends and I are going to get a table at a small convention near where they live (they live pretty far away from me). The thing is, I don't think I'm good enough. And I wouldn't tell them this, but I don't think most of them are good enough either. Should we still get the table for experience, or for the hope that we'll improve between now and then (it's in January), or should we just not get it?

[R a i r e n]

Starre257

I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to ask this here... but my friends and I are going to get a table at a small convention near where they live (they live pretty far away from me). The thing is, I don't think I'm good enough. And I wouldn't tell them this, but I don't think most of them are good enough either. Should we still get the table for experience, or for the hope that we'll improve between now and then (it's in January), or should we just not get it?

because it's a small convention, i would opt to get the table, but if you do not think you're good enough yet, you might just go and check out the skill level of those who do get tables surprised

or work really hard until con time. If you have the money and time then go for it~! It's always good to get experience if it's something you're interested in!

[Fiammetta Rey]

Okay, thanks!

[[Kako]]

Legal Bump! :3

[Yuki_Yue]

Hey guys, this is awesome! I'm glad you guys are pulling something like this together! Good luck with getting it all together. I might eventually ask permission to use pieces of the advice/etc. when my convention website gets up and running.

[[Kako]]

Legal Bump!

[Rosealee]

This is a great thread! That being said..there is one thing about artist alley that has always bothered me (and it worth mentioning).

As an artist, I am observing the behavior of other artist who have tables at these convention. Most seem to be very enclosed - as in..they don't interact with the people who visit their table. Some don't even look up (understandable at some lengths if your sketching - however eye contact / lifting your head / acknowledging the visitors is important).

TALKING with people is important. This is your chance to get VALUABLE input about what people think of your artwork. Not only that but it makes your art more personable to the people who buy your work and it increases your reputation.

People love knowing the history behind a piece - how it was made - what inspires you - what artists you enjoy - etc.
Bonus: They feel more inclined to purchase.

Part of being prepared is being ready to talk about your work. So start practicing. You need to learn to be social in the art world.

On the flip side of the extreme - I have ran across people who act as car salesmen with their work. MAJOR TURN OFF. People don't want to be sold on a piece or feel its being forced..a good salesman knows that the costumer either already feels incline to buy a piece or not - it's just giving them the extra push/smoozing.

Just sharing my experiences as an artist. If you are truly serious about being a successful artist you want people to remember your artwork. You want them to remember you. People talk. People spread the word (and I have gotten a lot of my business through word of mouth). These people are your patrons. And you want repeat business!

Summarize: Your behavior and how you come off to other people is important. So start understanding how you are interacting with your audience and those who enjoy your work.