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Post by toonMom on Jan 19, 2004 6:57:14 GMT -5
It seems we have a couple of members that have some knowledge in selling artwork. I thought that discussion deserved it's own thread.
Tell us what you know about marketing, prints, note cards, galleries, etc.
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Post by corky on Jan 19, 2004 12:45:27 GMT -5
i've done some greeting cards, so here's some of my advice;
you can do a lot of the set-up (captions, scanning, colour) in photoshop or illustrator. i scan in my drawing, do whatever colour i want in photoshop,or make adjustments if i'm using black and white, then move it to illustrator to add text. i print out a copy to see if i like it, and then it's off to an office copy place (staples, office depot) to have it printed. make sure you ask for cardstock paper, so it's thick enough to make a nice card. i did that for christmas this past year, and it cost 4.75 for the printing, and about two hours of my time. if you do the design yourself, it's much cheaper than if you take an illustration in and have the employees do all the set-up and the printing. i gave some away as gifts, but there are lots of smaller stores that are interested in showing the cards. usually, you can ask for a commission...the storeowner pays you a certain percentage upfront (25% is good) and then the storeowner can take the remainderof the total cost as the cards sell. that way, you're guaranteed something for your work, and the storeowner is more motivated to sell for you. greeting cards and postcards move well, as they are small and not too expensive. and the customer can walk away with something immediately.
you could also try comic book stores (if you're selling zines or prints), art fairs, flea markets, and restaurants (put them right by the till, and if it's a subject that's similar to the decor, it'll sell as an impulse item).
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Post by Rosemary on Jan 19, 2004 18:03:21 GMT -5
Good idea Toonmom for setting this thread up.
I don't have Printshop or illustrator. That is one thing I have to invest in one day. I have invested in all these laser color prints or photo prints and use them as cards and 8x10 prints now. Until I get rid of those, I don't want to spend anymore money. But that is my goal is to do what you are doing, Stoontoons!
There is a wonderful book out there called "Becoming a Successful Artist" by Lehrman.
Do you all have any books you can recommend on the same topic?
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Post by jadachris on Jan 20, 2004 11:15:23 GMT -5
if i got good enough, i would like to sell caricatures......do u think there is any business in it? or is it already full of enough good artists?
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Post by Rosemary on Jan 20, 2004 17:25:02 GMT -5
Jadachris! Since I don't do caricatures that is one area I am not educated on, so I am sorry I cannot help you there. I know there is a big book out there on how to sell your artwork and it probably covers all types of artwork. the name of the book escapes me now though......sorry!  |
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Post by corky on Jan 21, 2004 12:13:44 GMT -5
jadachris, i would suggest you set up at a street festival, or a crafts fair, or even a flea market. someplace where there's lots of people, looking for creative ideas for gifts and such. just make sure you have a board to draw on, and some kind of sign that shows other examples of your work. choose a place that won't charge you a lot for setting up. some places ask for a hundred bucks to rent a booth, and if it's a slow day, you won't get that back. you set up your station, advertise that you're doing cartoons on the spot, and wait for some customers. i usually have someone along to draw, so that people can see what i'm doing. make sure you have flyers as well; so even if people don't get a cartoon, they have something with your name on it. and unless you want to give your stuff as a gift to someone special, don't do it for free. i do stuff as wedding gifts, but unless it's a close friend or family, i charge for it. that way, people get the idea that your work is worth something. which it is!
also, enter any competitions that you hear about. that's a great way to let people know about your work. (you're not selling anything, but it's good advertising). you can also tell people about it if you're set up doing cartoons.
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Post by donalboy on Jan 21, 2004 15:24:15 GMT -5
Stoontoons has excellent words of wisdom about small fairs and art walks and such.
I am just starting to get into selling my "cartoon" work, but instead of selling as "cartoons" they are nicely framed and sold as high end art. I'm also working on a few new things I'm not at liberty to discuss contractually. BUT... the joy of my week is spending Thursdays at Children's Hospital drawing with the kids in the Liver/Kidney/surgical recovery unit here in Atlanta.
I draw for sick kids, opening up channels of communication, relieving parental stress, being comic relief, and leaving them with something that will remind them of something good, something nice, about what is typically a rather dreadful memory. The hospital and I are beginning to explore the option of now illustrating the walls of their main lobby, which they are rennovating. This leads to more exposure, and justifiably increased prices on other work. In case this actually happens I've lined up with a local high school several honors arts students to help me paint the projected work, which will give them experience, school credits, and open their hearts to just what the gift they hold can do.
There's nothing wrong with opening doors and making smiles by giving away a cartoon. Through doing this I've gotten - in fact just this week - one client whose first job is worth over $5k, with lots more behind it.
The biggest advice I can give on selling your work is to believe in yourself and not sell yourself short. If you want to forever sell your work at $50 a pop, and it takes you four hours, then you're saying your talent is worth $12.50 per hour while working, which, if you're in the art business, is really a maximum of 65-70% of your time. That means your REAL hourly rate is more like $7.50-8.00 tops. You then figure out either how to sell more, how to sell prints, how to sell faster, or how to work faster. Or all four - as you continue to value yourself and your work.
Don
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Post by corky on Jan 21, 2004 15:52:03 GMT -5
excellent advice, donalboy. when i said don't give it away for free, i was referring to those friends and family who always ask you to do a "little drawing" for them...without offering anything. what you're doing at the hospital, even though there's no pay, is a wonderful thing. you do get something out of that...and you're helping some students to get experience as well. so the payoff is a sense of satisfaction, and giving back to the community. giving joy to children who may not have much is worth more than any amount of money.
i admire your willingness to use your gift in a completely generous way.
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Post by Rosemary on Jan 21, 2004 17:10:21 GMT -5
Excellent advice both of you. I have done all the street fairs and festivals until I just got burned out. It was so much hard work. I did it for about 8 years though. Up until that last year I enjoyed it immensely. It is great exposure and I made a lot of contacts and even got into some galleries as a result. Got some commissions too.
Now one thing that I wanted to mention is that it is good to belong to an art league. You make artists friends, make connections there and most art leagues put together art exhibits in the community. Plus you learn a lot from each other and it is great to have the comraderie as well!
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Post by tooned on Jan 22, 2004 0:17:01 GMT -5
Ok ill add my little bit here.
In regards to doing cartoon as a business.At the moment i am building up to quite a nice cartooning business.But im not all the way there yet.I am lucky that my wife pulls in very good wage.I also have a friend who owns a security business,i also help him out with that.
You can be as successful as you want to be.It all depends on how hard you want to work.The harder the worker you are,the more success you have.Donalboy hit it on the head.Do not sell yourself short.I charge between $50-$80 an hour for general cartoon work.People will take advantage of you if you under charge.I have been guilty of that.Remeber it is a business,treat it like one.
I get a lot of my work of the net.You do not have to concentrate in just where you live.Think internationally.I have had quite a few clients from the U.S.And with the exchange rate of the Aussie dollar,U.S clients are good clients.But i also do a lot of local work.Shop windows,posters,newsletters menu boards.You need to keep your otions open when it comes to trying to make money from this game.I have also done a few murals in local shops.But i am always looking for new ways to sell my toons.
I have put together a folio,that i send out to potential clients.Advertising agencies are a good target.Kids book illustrations is another area i am targeting.
Now i am trying to add caricatures to my folio.I found Mauris course last year.And he is helping me big time.Eventually i want to learn on the spot caricatures.But i am a long way off yet.
Making money from your art is very rewarding.But if you want to live from it,it can be very hard work.And do not be afraid to think outside the box.Also get as many contacts as you can.Get to know people in the industry.Jobs quite often get passed onto you.The best thing i ever did was join the Australian cartoonist Associtation.I have made great contacts.And great friends.
I hope this helps a little.I am certainly no expert in this field.Just someone who can draw a little bit,trying to make a dollar.
cheers Grant
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Post by corky on Jan 22, 2004 10:38:59 GMT -5
i think an art league is an excellent suggestion. i plan to do that this year.
another thing you can do is offer your services as an instructor to the local civic centres and libraries. often, they want to offer classes in cartooning or drawing, and they will advertise in their publications. i don't always get work from it, because i often teach kids, but i get paid to teach, and i love spreading the joy of cartooning to kids!
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Post by Rosemary on Jan 22, 2004 16:23:28 GMT -5
What you do all think about selling your work on eBay? I have heard of some artists doing that. Some did well and some didn't. Just wondered about your thoughts and if any of you have done that. I have been considering it.
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Post by corky on Jan 23, 2004 12:14:11 GMT -5
i checked into doing some on ebay. since you're not really paying much to do that, it's not a great loss if you don't sell. i've seen artists who offer their services as a caricature artist or portrait artist, and then have the link to their website. the only downside to ebay is that you might not get the price you want for your work. but there are definitely a lot of artists listed on ebay.
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