The fan art/print thing has haunted me my entire self publishing journey at cons. I draw fan art as fun and post on my socials. Just because I love the characters I grew up with. But at cons, I put nothing but my own book and prints on the table. It’s hard watching people stop at my table with a handful of fan art prints and then leave without buying anything. Especially when they ask me for fan art cause they like my style. A lost sale? But I have to remember why I’m doing what I’m doing, bite my tongue and talk up my book as best I can. Thousands have drawn Superman but I’m the only one who has drawn my book.
Thanks for the comment, Mike! I love the sentiment that I am the only person drawing my comic, and my character, whereas there are literally hundreds of people drawing corporate IP characters. I've been thinking about the art vs commerce divide since starting to do conventions, particularly since it's so expensive to get a table at so many conventions, even the smaller ones, and really hard to get any kind of traction with a new Indie comic. It almost feels like I have to make a Faustian bargain and do some fan art just in an attempt to get people's attention, and maybe break even on the table cost.
Oh yeah. When you’re sitting there hoping someone stops, while at the same time you’re parked next to a guy with a 10 foot print wall with a helper and a line, it’s hard not to think it’s time to start selling prints. And table prices are ridiculous. I’m right there with you. Add hotel and gas, the commerce aspect wins.
The fan art/print thing has haunted me my entire self publishing journey at cons. I draw fan art as fun and post on my socials. Just because I love the characters I grew up with. But at cons, I put nothing but my own book and prints on the table. It’s hard watching people stop at my table with a handful of fan art prints and then leave without buying anything. Especially when they ask me for fan art cause they like my style. A lost sale? But I have to remember why I’m doing what I’m doing, bite my tongue and talk up my book as best I can. Thousands have drawn Superman but I’m the only one who has drawn my book.
Thanks for the comment, Mike! I love the sentiment that I am the only person drawing my comic, and my character, whereas there are literally hundreds of people drawing corporate IP characters. I've been thinking about the art vs commerce divide since starting to do conventions, particularly since it's so expensive to get a table at so many conventions, even the smaller ones, and really hard to get any kind of traction with a new Indie comic. It almost feels like I have to make a Faustian bargain and do some fan art just in an attempt to get people's attention, and maybe break even on the table cost.
Oh yeah. When you’re sitting there hoping someone stops, while at the same time you’re parked next to a guy with a 10 foot print wall with a helper and a line, it’s hard not to think it’s time to start selling prints. And table prices are ridiculous. I’m right there with you. Add hotel and gas, the commerce aspect wins.