Good Art Isn't Expensive
A bit of fandom awareness regarding fanart prints:
Recently, I've been buying art. Just over $40CDN got me three original, quality print posters and five original cards. These are original designs, printed on excellent paper, vibrant colouring, and real works of art. But it got me thinking to look in on some fan-artists who have been selling (or trying to sell) recently.
So, here's a tip to fan-artists from the perspective of a buyer:
Don't abuse naivete. Many of the customers aren't going to understand prints, sizing, or finish. But they'll understand the prices, and comparison shopping.
If your price list for a fan art A3 line art matches the cost of a quality original print, then that fan artist is a cheat.
Recent example: saw an artist advertising A3 line art at $20USD and coloured as much as $60USD with a claim that it's cheap. No, it's not. It's a ridiculous pricing. My last purchase of original pieces on quality print-- three A3 posters and two 4x6in cards; full colour and shipped international-- came up to under $40USD. These are original pieces-- the full talent of an artist, and worth framing. The set of six 5x7in print cards I just bought were designs commissioned for album art for my favourite band-- again, original, full colour, quality prints-- came to under $30.
Every piece of fan art I've considered has been less expensive, and printed with the same quality. I've seen some gorgeous A3 Sherlock fan art being sold for under $20USD. And the stuff not printed professionally, nor digitally coloured? A3 full colour was coming up to about $25USD, with shipping pushing it up to about $30USD. Hell, a handmade pillow, featuring a hand drawn and painted character from Labyrinth was priced at less than $30.
And I know next to nothing about sizing, paper quality, or the artist status.
If I call bullshit on a price list, it's because it's genuinely bullshit.
So, fellow fans, if you're looking to buy a print, shop around. The only way any fan art could be worth more than $30USD is if it's a proper commission.
For fuck's sake, shop around. The only artist who could claim $40USD was a low price for an A3 print is one who thinks the customer is an idiot.
Recently, I've been buying art. Just over $40CDN got me three original, quality print posters and five original cards. These are original designs, printed on excellent paper, vibrant colouring, and real works of art. But it got me thinking to look in on some fan-artists who have been selling (or trying to sell) recently.
So, here's a tip to fan-artists from the perspective of a buyer:
Don't abuse naivete. Many of the customers aren't going to understand prints, sizing, or finish. But they'll understand the prices, and comparison shopping.
If your price list for a fan art A3 line art matches the cost of a quality original print, then that fan artist is a cheat.
Recent example: saw an artist advertising A3 line art at $20USD and coloured as much as $60USD with a claim that it's cheap. No, it's not. It's a ridiculous pricing. My last purchase of original pieces on quality print-- three A3 posters and two 4x6in cards; full colour and shipped international-- came up to under $40USD. These are original pieces-- the full talent of an artist, and worth framing. The set of six 5x7in print cards I just bought were designs commissioned for album art for my favourite band-- again, original, full colour, quality prints-- came to under $30.
Every piece of fan art I've considered has been less expensive, and printed with the same quality. I've seen some gorgeous A3 Sherlock fan art being sold for under $20USD. And the stuff not printed professionally, nor digitally coloured? A3 full colour was coming up to about $25USD, with shipping pushing it up to about $30USD. Hell, a handmade pillow, featuring a hand drawn and painted character from Labyrinth was priced at less than $30.
And I know next to nothing about sizing, paper quality, or the artist status.
If I call bullshit on a price list, it's because it's genuinely bullshit.
So, fellow fans, if you're looking to buy a print, shop around. The only way any fan art could be worth more than $30USD is if it's a proper commission.
For fuck's sake, shop around. The only artist who could claim $40USD was a low price for an A3 print is one who thinks the customer is an idiot.