Different Art Markets and What to Expect
Jun. 11th, 2012 01:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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artistsbeware2_archiveWell, 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.
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.
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Date: 2012-06-11 09:04 pm (UTC)Type of work: Primarily cartoony/anime, Adult comics, then furry, then finally conceptual design for mascots (Conventions mascots)
What sells: Generic things for the entire spectrum, from DND characters to wolves and foxes in furry. But what sells the most is my adult work which I've had published on some paysites. (Club Stripes, Hardblush and Slipshine)
Price ranges: Single character commissions range from $75 up into the hundreds depending on detail and complexity. I am not a background specialist so I do not focus on them. Adult commissions are double that, comic pages range in $200 a page (full color, 100 for non).
Sites to use/advertise on: Deviantart, Furaffinity, Tumblr, Twitter, and Personal Website ( I stress making your own site first and foremost)
Need to know info: Email and website info is all I give people beyond my internet name. My real name is irrelevant to most.
What to watch out for: People who ask me to do art for free without a budget or offer to pay. The whole "It'll get you exposure!" excuse is a redflag of all redflags. I also turn down commissions for overly complex designs as I've gotten picky over time.
How people view artists: Many don't seem to appreciate them or understand that their talent has a true demand, and so they don't feel it has a value. Some do appreciate them, but those customers are rare. So keep them! Some people act as if art isn't a "real job" on top of that, so you have to be positive and confident or those types will bring you down.
Any additional comments: There is no magical key to finding what sells. My advice is to find something YOU like, make it your own, sell it and you will gain the fanbase you want. Drawing what you enjoy sure beats making art for everyone else's interests, and can drain you really fast. I learned this the hard way, and now I draw what I enjoy and people follow me for that - not for some niche I'm trying to fill. I created my own niche.