Business as a student

[Rist]

I am not sure whether this discussion should be in this section and I am sure it has been brought up many, many times in the past; but what the hey, forums are to ask these type of questions.

I am nearly done with my second year of university. It has been a busy year and one thing that has stroke me is how I have not even tried to sell my art work and that some in my class have already made money from there selected professions. One is a crafter that creates card-made warhammer tanks and figurines. The other is a photographer that sells photographs for magazines and football clubs. How would a traditional/digital painter sell his or her work?

Things that I have thought about were ebay, deviant art, carboot sales, market, and a website I could construct. For the few that visit my topics they can see that I post my work regular on forums such as these; so it is not like I am totally off the radar.

I just thought I would ask about how to sell work as a second year student. Nothing major, but it would be good to start seeing worth from what I do.

[Rist]

huh, I guess no one has sold there work.

[Serpian]

Not that I know anything about selling work, but I don't think most potential buyers browze the sketchbook section of ca just to find something to buy. I guess doing one or more of the stuff you mentioned on the web would give you some chances of selling stuff, but I would suggest talking with your professors about this, they should know about the business as well.

[Mirana]

It's not that they haven't, it's that there is no quick-cash answer for you. You have to go out and try these things on your own. Right now I don't see any sort of art that is saleable in your sketchbook, but that doesn't mean you can't do it. You have to think: Who is my audience? What sells to them? What could I do that would sell to them? How successful would I be?

Here's an artsite (http://www.ebsqart.com/) that a traditional painter friend of mine sells through.

[Rist]

Mirana: Thanks, I have signed up to that website. Once I have created my own website I will probably become a full member there.

I realize the work in my sketchbook cannot be sold because it is only experimental work. I have recently been doing portraits of myself and others and many have loved them. Portraiture could be a possible business, but what my lecturer suggested was to start thinking about children's fairy tales and go into the children illustration market.

Some better questions I have are:

What made your mind up on the audience you chose?

Well actually that is it for now ;)

I really need to post those portraits on my sketchbook....

[Blue]

I haven't picked an audience. But I sell my work around town anywhere I can. I followed the advice of a friend from canada who does this and it has been treating me fairly well since. :)

1) If you're digital, get your work printed, if not put together a quick and portable portfolio (small pieces. If you're digital print them accordingly for the portfolio).

2) Assemble 4-5 of your best and unique pieces (i.e. a landscape, a portrait etc etc) and put it into a nice and presentable portfolio (the leather ones with individual sleeves are great, they help sell you) and just go around to coffee shops or other places where people come and sit for a while and talk.

3) Ask to talk to the manager and see if he would be interested in putting up one of your pieces in his shop. Explain to him it won't cost him anything, and that if it sells you give him a predetermined amount for the space.

Usually he'll see something he likes out of the 4 pieces you showed him, because you showed him 4 completely different pieces and he'll ask for something like one of the pieces. (note: no more then 5 because you don't want to show him too much, most people are busy taking time from their busy schedule just to talk to you, so keep it short and sweet).

Be humble, if he doesn't want it, keep that smile big and accept any critique he has. A BIG smile and friendly persona sells more then the work itself. They have to like you, and sometimes even if they don't want your work they'll recommend someplace who they think might ONLY because they like your attitude.

4) If you've found a place to put up your art, just get the pieces framed and bring it to him to put up. make sure to put a tag on it showing it is for sale and make sure your name is visible on there. Even if it doesn't sell, you're name is getting around.

It doesn't make you A LOT of money, but it does put some cash in your pocket and gets you a head start on your carrier.

[Rist]

Some really good advice there Blue.

Funny enough i have witnessed this tactic first hand from a friend. He failed the first time (i was with him [possibly why i did not think much of it]), but ever since then he has been taking photos of the local football team and went to a major match as one of the photographers. He has had his photos published this week in the local foot mag.

I think I should learn from examples like this. The day after he went to that major footy match he went to the local gallery and sold a photo.

Anyone else have anything to share?

[Mirana]

Audience = Who I could sell to and/or who I would like to sell to (and for me it means both employeers and clients).

So for me the first group are those people who would be interested in what I like to do. Since this is entertainment-type works for me (not "fine art"), my audience is usually employers and can break down into separate groups reguarding what styles/concepts/genres/mediums I do best.

The second group could be something you know you can do, but don't have a portfolio for b/c it's not your top interest. This is usually something you think you could make good money at (otherwise, why do something you don't enjoy as much? ;) ). So let's say "fine art" for me...Light knows I've done tons of that and I enjoy it, but I haven't got the specific marketing side of it. I live in a tourist/artsy town that sells LOTS of art. I used to be a framer, so I saw what sort of work sold on a regular basis--tourist scenes, landscapes, etc. in print or watercolor/oil medium. So to attract that audience, I'd have to go do some pieces on those subjects in that medium.

See what I mean?

[Rist]

I cannot see why should rush into this. I do have a graphics orientated mindset as well.

As many here, I too love to draw fantasy and sci-fi based things, but as my education progressed the more I found I was veering away from that scene. I think what I need is a long break from education, go for a design job or whatever and draw on the side. That way whatever happens comes naturally rather than forcing it onto me.

Actually thats a good idea....hmm