Different Art Markets and What to Expect

[ocelotish]

Well, I'm finally planning on taking commissions now that I've done something I might be willing to pay for, but for me subject matter isn't really an issue. I really don't care what I draw as long I am paid to draw it, which puts me in kind of a unique situation.

Where do I market myself?

Because there isn't an obvious answer I thought I'd ask you guys about the different markets and compile an info post that way (which will hopefully be of use to others too). Where do you go to sell superheroes? What about Disney style? Do you need to have your own character and a huge portfolio? Do people care about backgrounds? Are cheesecake shots a vital part of your gallery? Is there a common scamming M.O.? Do customers assume they have rights to that sort of image? That's the sort of information I'm interested in.

Just to make it easy here's a form that might help you organize your thoughts/include questions you might not have considered, but feel free to comment however you like.
Type of work:
What sells:
Price ranges:
Sites to use/advertise on:
Need to know info:
What to watch out for:
How people view artists:
Any additional comments:

Edit: For clarification, I'm talking mainly about individual commissions. Corporate commissions are also interesting (just a different kettle of fish), but feel free to discuss that too.

Edit 2: There's some great advice in the replies, but just to steer things back on target, I'm also interested the more niche specific information. How is the anime market different than the furry market, different than the superhero market, etc. It's less "How do I do commission basics," more "Where is this market centered (in terms of websites), what do they look for, do they only like digital, etc." Very genre specific info.

Comments

[jamesalesto.livejournal.com]

I do furry stuff geared towards a furry market on Furaffinity.net. (That's a whole lot of 'fur' in one sentence!) My rate for a full color image is $60 USD + $25 USD per character. Backgrounds are $25 to start. Not many people care for backgrounds unless they have a full illustration in mind. I certainly do enjoy doing them when someone does commission them.

If you're able to do a very Disney animal style? Then yes, FA is a decent place to set up. Just keep in mind that it can be difficult to get yourself going if you chose to stay a "clean only" artist or go to "cheese cake" max. With that said, it is most certainly NOT impossible to set up shop. I have a few people on my watch list that are clean only and they have no issues filling their slots when they are open.

Now, if you choose to do adult content, I've found it does help to have an "avatar" or main character to draw people's attention in. For a short while customers were able to get adult pieces of their characters with my main OC for double the price.

A few things to keep in mind is to be clear and concise with what you are offering. I've held sketch sales where people try to sneak in backgrounds or environments when the commission price does not allow it. IE: "I want my char sitting and watching tv!"

I don't have a lot of experience working on other sites like DA. I do a lot of porn, admittedly, so there's very little draw to my work outside of that. (Which is fine, so long as it keeps paying bills!)

I'm going to have to second Hellebore. Network. Network. Network. I've watched the accounts of prolific commissioners just in the hopes that they'll maybe see my work and commission me. :) Also be careful on how you conduct yourself on the site you're setting up shop on. I can't tell you how many times I've avoided artists just by how I see them acting.

[grandioze.livejournal.com]

You're so right about the "clean only" galleries on FA. I'm experiencing that now. XD

Also, how do you recommend networking? Admittedly, I'm not all that active on FA (I try to be, but I don't have a lot of interest in the site) though I am pretty active on DA.

[jamesalesto.livejournal.com]

I try to add people from this community and LJ in general. It helps to watch people, comment and generally be active. For me, I met a few people who were local and they advertised for me and vice versa.

Because I do adult work, I also added people who have similar... likes as I do and they will advertise for me when I am selling.

[grandioze.livejournal.com]

Being active seems to get me watches and favorites on DA, but only one person has asked me for a small commission in the last year on there (and they disappeared when I asked for the money). :/ My pictures get about 1/10th the attention (or less) on FA as they do on DA.

[sekhmet.livejournal.com]

Twitter is a great place to network.