Art Handling

[funambulus]

I've been thinking.

I never draw fanart, and yet I have tons of which I'd like to do. I've seen fanart prints go like mad at conventions. I may not be sekiyoku, but hey, what she makes in one con is what it takes me all year to make in commissions (much admiration to you, Sylvia). I have commissions closed right now. I am wondering if I should close

Comments

[eversor_deus]

I think you have a good idea in putting some commission work on hold (but not indefinitely!) to work on fanart for conventions. I wouldn't perma-close them if I were you, just because it limits you (if someone wants a commission and you are listed as 'closed', they probably won't ask, and all), and, it seems like the fanart will be for prints at cons only? Then you don't need to close them for all that long, just get a good stock going.

I should do that too, actually. Get some convention fanart prints stockpiled, I mean.

[eclectic05]

Definitely go with C. I'll probably IM you and some point when my brain can function and such and neither of us is surround by family and food.

[kokoryta]

I would never, ever buy fanart. I'm not particularly a fan of fanart. I prefere infinitely original characters, or my own characters as art.

[cabin_boy]

C. Fer sure. Keep options open. Fanart definitely gets you more attention, though- especially at a con. People passing by don't generally take the time to learn who the character is and why you draw them so much- they go to what they already recognize and are a fan of.

Personally, though, I prefer fanart done in an original style. I'd rather see fanart done in their unique style than see the artist force themselves into a straight-up anime style if they're not comfortable, and therefore less skilled, with it (plus if I want anime style renderings of the characters, I could buy like, official merch. ^.^;) Maybe this is just me and not general buyers- but I love looking at a drawing at thinking "Wow that's some nice art" and then looking closer and suddenly recognizing it's of my favorite characters. XD; It's like an instant bond with the artist. 'You like the same people! Rock on!'

But theeen once they learn to love your style through the fanart, they might get interested in commissioning you for their own characters. ;D

[viistar]

our suggestion would be to interlace fanart with original work at a con, so you'd lure people in with recognizable work then introduce them to originals.

or use original character in something narrative, either a manga, comic, or illustrated book, so that if someone asks, 'what's that' there's more to say than a character description, but a tangible story behind it.