--> I’ve wanted to do blog entry for a while now on the
convention scene. For me art conventions are good way to get some public
exposure, make some supplemental income, and just get some social interaction
time out of the studio.
I am by no
means an expert on how to prepare for comic/art conventions, most of what I
learned I learned the hard way. If I had it all to do over again I would of
spent more time attending conventions seeing how other artists arrange their
space and ask some questions on how their set up works.
One thing I learned early
on was not only do you pay for the table space but also the space directly
behind it. I try to make every inch count. One of the major accessories I
wanted for my booth was a big backdrop to hang artwork on, kind of like a
portable art gallery. So I built basically a giant
modular pin board, it’s
really solid but its very heavy and difficult to transport. I plan on
de-commissioning it for a lighter weight telescopic stand system in the future.
Another problem I had was my artwork tends to have a lot of detail
and it needs
to be viewed close up. So for my backdrop I usually have at least one large (2
feet tall or so) clearly designed image or character that can grab the viewer’s
attention and draw them in. Doing this helped drastically with foot traffic and
overall sales.
I was a little nervous at
my first comic convention because my art, being science fiction in nature, is
off topic for your typical superhero enthusiast. But I’ve found that most
people at a comic convention just really enjoy all sorts of
fantastically
inspired imagery. This being said as I do more and more conventions I try
branch out and diversify my merchandise lines each year. Right now I sell a
broad range of art prints in sizes ranging from 5x7s up to 24x30s that sell
anywhere from five to thirty dollar price range.
I wanted a product range to go for a lower price budget than my small
prints at five dollars so I invested in a button machine. I have a one and a
half inch button press and its one of my favorite investments. I recommend the American
button machine company,
https://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/. If you are in
the US they have a fast shipping time and the buttons backs I buy are pre-assembled.
There are about three hundred different button designs I’ve created over the
past two years and I sell these for a buck. It’s helped immensely for lower
price market. I always want to have new material for people to look at. My goal
for next year is to roll out a new line of stickers and start selling card
games that I’ve been working on.
Being at the
convention isn’t all about selling merchandise either, although that certainly
helps. Many of the best experiences I have gotten come from Interfacing with
people and other artists. It’s a good platform for showing off new concepts, upcoming
projects, and generating public interest. Its always good to see what other artist
are working on too and get inspiration. I love showing off my work to veteran
artists to get their invaluable feedback on how to hone my craft and take it to
the next level. Conventions are good for finding commissioned work too or at
least getting that foot in the door you may need to stand out. I would say that
around seventy five percent of my work comes from face to face contacts made at
conventions.
I
recommend giving the convention scene a shot to my art friends. Just try it,
see if it’s for you.
You might
start at a smaller show, one that cost less for the space. You don’t have to
have a super fancy set up your first time, just get an idea of what its all
about. Even if for your first show all you have are some business cards and a
couple of prints at least you are getting in the arena.
