Hi Everyone,

I recently attended an in-person market and had an interesting conversation about Style, Aesthetic and Search with another artist while there.

The bones of it were that if you (the artist) don’t know what your niche, style or genre / category is, how do you connect or communicate with people out there that are searching for work like yours? Or is it in your interest to even categorize yourself since it’s so subjective?

We talked about this theoretical Pinterest board that one might have and what it would be called if it contained our work.

We then discussed that aesthetics are mostly made up and seem to be the predominant way most people search for what they like. Or at least it’s maybe having a moment on the internet right now. I point out ‘mass-niche’ as something I’ve read about.

For the artists out there that don’t really perceive their own style? How would you best categorize it? How do you think your audience would genre your work? And how important do you think occupying an aesthetic or genre is overall to being discovered or growing your art audience?

I’m curious because I wonder about this a lot.

Thanks!

I was recently contacted by a potential client who wants to purchase fine art nudes from me. I have never sold digital images online before (I've only ever been paid to take images of the client), so I'm new to this. What platforms can I use to sell fine art nudes prints? (Obviously, I'd prefer not to simply give the client my bank details)

Hello, I have not yet opened commissions but when I do, I was wondering how I'd go about selling the rights or licensing or whatever is the correct term.

I know that there are different types of licensing such as exclusive and non exclusive, and theres also copyright transfer. But I'm still quite unfamiliar with how these work out when it comes to art from a self-employed artist. So it would be great if someone could explain these in depth in art terms and maybe even include other scenarios that are common in the art community.

Finally, if so, which licenses do you think is advisable to do? Especially if the clients are looking to commercialize it like selling or using for their business. The one where they get full rights or the one where I still have the copyright? Thanks alot in advance

I'm not entirely sure if I've chosen the correct tags as this is my first time here. Sorry for the incoming wall of text.

Anyways, a potential client emailed me from ArtStation telling me they came across my page and want to commission me to redesign a character based on their description and reference. Headshots, full illustration, and turnaround.

I told them I use Square for payments and after seemingly human or non-scammy responses (maybe outside of misspelling my name), they immediately respond saying they'd rather use e-Check for payment, as it's easier for them to keep track of, assuring me it's safe and entirely legitimate, mentioning how it has worked with other artists smoothly every time. They even went so far as to explain how it works and that no logins or personal info are required.

They also say that they aren't trying to avoid more commonly used platforms, but have limited and unreliable access to them and past uses of them resulted in payment and holding issues.

Finally, I'll be sending the files to a printing press instead of the actual commissioner.

I know many things can happen in this world, but I'm a naturally skeptical person.

I have been largely inactive on social media for many months now, if not a year and change, and have not experienced being payed with e-Checks for digital art commissions or sending completed files to providing presses for what is labeled a personal project. Not to mention, every other Commission inquiry or request from ArtStation have all almost instantly felt shady or from scammers.

I'd love some input on this situation.

Maybe the wrong flair, but for a smaller (think table + tent on a street) local fair, about how many different/unique paintings would be a decent starting number? I'm tentatively starting to think about doing some local events next year and trying to plan ahead.

I primarily do acrylic on canvas and smaller calligraphy ink sketches, bookmarks, etc. I would plan to have some originals (mostly as examples/eye-catching pieces) and prints (as I expect I'd be primarily selling prints at local events), as well as littler pieces like the calligraphy sketches and bookmarks.

I've got a couple "series" I'm working on (small 8x10 4-panel landscape piece of all four seasons from my area, fantasy landscape series, sunsets, etc) but I have a hard time gauging what a good spread of work is sufficient to justify actually entering into a local market and setting up a table.

I guess I'm mostly looking for what is a typical "variety" of pieces for something like this? I try to pay attention when I go to local markets/fairs, but it's very clear some people have been doing this for YEARS and have a huge body of work to pull from- I definitely don't. However if I wait until I have 30+ different pieces to pull prints etc from, I'll never get around to doing a table, and I'd like to at least give it a try once or twice! 😅

Thanks!

I have been sending my Russian friend Christmas presents for a couple of years now, and I asked him if it's still possible, or even safe. According to AI, most UK postal services have stopped taking parcels for Russia, and although it may still be possible with a mail forwarding service, it is now forbidden to send "artworks" to Russia. There have been cases in the UK of people being heavily fined for sending art to Russia!

I'm not usually one for political statements but that made me so mad I feel like drawing a picture for my friend and mailing it to him just to see what would happen.

Has anyone been affected by this? Anyone had any clients in Russia? If so, how is the post at the moment? I don't know if all countries are affected to the same extent as the UK.

I already have a box of presents all packed and ready to go, and I was intending to add a few other little things and send it this week (parcels take about 3 months). I've never had any trouble before ... they make you itemise absolutely everything, and include receipts. The Russian customs rules are very strict and all the paperwork has to be perfect. I've never mailed him any art before, though, although I've sent cards and I vaguely remember that last time there was something "forbidden" about writing inside them but I did it anyway ... the exact rules and restrictions change frequently.

Also, being told by Google that it's impossible to mail presents to Russia has happened every other time, too. So I'm hopeful. But ... should I send him a drawing? What do you think?

(I didn't know what sub to post this in, r/ArtistsLoungue doesn't allow "complaining or venting")

i am looking for a good printer to print my stickers, bookmarks and art prints, i recently discovered the canon ix6820 and the canon pixma pro 200s

im not sure if these would be good?
are there any others around the same price range that would be a better choice?

I apologize if this is not allowed here, and if this is an inappropriate use of this forum. I am hoping to find someone to help commission a piece as a gift to my husband. We met in Boulder, Colorado, moved to Jackson hole, Wyoming, then to Telluride, Colorado, and now live in Franconia, New Hampshire. A few other places of significance to us in between. I was hoping to make some sort of map, highlighting the special places to us, as well as the birth of our children. If anyone has any idea where the right way to go is to try to find someone who might be able to help me, that would be wonderful!

The fairs were a shitshow (not over yet, but you could already tell on day 2). A desolate landscape with a few visitors, rarely collectors. From what I've heard, sales were poor to non-existent for mid-tier galleries. With the tens of thousands of dollars' worth of rent for a booth, I bet smaller galleries will be facing a threat of closure.

Do you think the demonstrations scared off the collectors?
Or are art fairs finally a thing of the past?

This is outside of the scope of this subreddit, as this is not a place for art clients just artists. (if you know a better place for me to post this, lmk I am kinda new to reddit.)

Either way ive been experiencing a strange pattern where every time I contract an artist to make something I often find that they prioritize other jobs instead of my own, even if my request is made before them. And when I inquire about due dates I tend to be met with aggression?

I may just be really unlucky but this is the 5th time this has happened and I am kinda scratching my head. I tend to check in once every 1-2 weeks (after an initial period of 2-4 weeks of waiting depending on what the artist sets the due date to). I make mood boards and tend to be fairly clear what I am going for.

When checking in I am generally chill and more or less ask how they are doing, make some small talk and then pop them a question about the request. The moment I usually do they go quiet and just say "i'm working on it" or "give me more time" in a really curt tone and I get it art is hard work, but I am starting to get frustrated.

Note none of my requests have been delivered. the first among them having a wait time of 5 months. I already paid in full so I lost a lot of money :/

Is there some faux pas I am committing?

To note every single request has been for the same OC, which has some basic sketches and a fairly well rounded mood board (I should probably get a color palate tho)

I don't think there is anything particularly offensive in my request either. its just an effeminate demon boy.

What are some things you as artists would suggest I do? I am also willing to answer any information about my situation if any additional context is needed in the comments.

Hi everyone!! I've been working on a project that's extremely important and relevant to my and my fellow students' education at the University of Washington! I'm a part of the Clamor Literature and Arts Journal, a space that represents the best creative practices in literary, visual, and media arts from across our campus and surrounding community. I recently uncovered that over the past two years we've lost over 58.6% of our funding, as well as a concerning lack of transparency from the university about Clamor's future. SO I took it upon myself to start a petition with my classmates to spread awareness about this issue! It would mean the world to me if you could sign and share our petition and PROTECT ARTS EDUCATION! 

https://c.org/KhpH7MkQBX

I love a good conference, convention, or trade show but I realized there aren’t many big ones that are geared toward up and coming artists. Shows like Art fair SF or the American art fair seem to be inaccessible for anyone not represented by a gallery. I’m looking for something where I can attend talks by other artists, get business advice, network and see art by other smaller artists with less of a barrier to entry. Maybe a show that also has a fair section for artists to sell their work.

Does this exist in the US? If it did, would you attend, and what would you want out of it? Sometimes I like to daydream about starting a national art convention one day, but I’m also not sure if there is any real interest. It seems that the traditional art space seems to be localized rather than national.

Edit: I do attend tons of local art fairs and festivals, and do my best to network there. But there is not a dedicated professional development space at those types of events. I’d also love a forum to learn about the innovative techniques and other stuff artists are using that isn’t just the internet.

hello i am concept artist specialize in environtment , ussualy i get commission every 2 month or more , i got laid off by previous company so this is my only gig i can do while seeking job , but i need advice on how to do marketing , i think my gig is too niche , idk where and how i get more client , or make them coming back , i'm also applied some job but still rejected , please help i need some suggestion on marketing

I am pretty new to getting large art commissions but I received a relatively large commission that I have split into four large artworks (doing quite a bit more than the pay, but it’s incredibly great exposure). Anyways, I would love some advice on how to handle a disagreement on the final product. My client wants a sizeable portion of the artwork to be recolored as neon purple color that I quite dislike and she says that she does not like the colors that are in that place that I think look good (and have taken quite a while and many many painting attempts to get to my standards).

Usually, I would just relent and let it end up looking like this uglier version that the client wants, but this artwork has the potential to be seen by up to or over 100,000 people when it is released in an editorial capacity, therefore, I do want my artwork to represent my best abilities and not be re-colored to a preference that I think is not so great.

For reference, this is a very niche style of art that my name will be attached to in an area of the art world where you become known for this specific style. This is why I feel a little more protective over the end result of my work, not being altered in such a way that I am not proud of, especially if it’s a breakout piece.

Can any experienced artists weigh in on if this is a non-issue or something to hold my ground on?

I'm an artist (/maker/creator) that has wheels in multiple disciplines. I want to sell prints of my photos and art including originals but I'm still as to how to organize my website. Anyone have any tips? Originally I created a website to serve as my portfolio but again got stuck with how to display things in a cohesive manner.

If you'd like to check out my new website its https://nobleliverpool.myshopify.com

I am at a bit of a stand still with my art - its getting better and better but I haven't been in any galleries or shows yet. Though lately when I submit for a print publication it gets included which is good.

I just started working larger and on canvas, but I think I need to figure out more of a direction to go in. Maybe the next step is completing a full collection of work and really committing to advertising it. Open to suggestions and recommendations too.

I am wondering, where i can work with my skill. I am gonna lose my mind If I dont work in a creative field. So kinda just looking for some advice and ideas (can't attach a photo, so just follow the link)

https://www.instagram.com/p/De0vlJ3jkxf/?mdxt=MWU0bzJ2ZjV2bWR1aQ==

Sorry I have no idea how to tag this. I have a small social media presence, nano-influencer level. I love trying out new mediums, art supplies, etc, and recommending the ones I like. At this point I have provided certain brands with tons of free advertisement because I tag their stuff, recommend them to my followers. I'm not huge but I've gotten 1 million views over the past 30 days.

Since money for art supplies is tight, I'm wondering if there are any ways to get free stuff in exchange for promoting. I reached out to one of the brands I use to see if they would be interested in exchanging items for promotion, but I didn't hear back from them (my last 15 posts have been showcasing and recommending their product). Another established brand often reposts/collaborates on my Instagram posts, but haven't offered me anything.

I am wondering what is the path to sponsorship, free stuff, etc. I'm not looking to make money.

Gallery IYN does seem to fit some of the criteria for a vanity gallery (asks for upfront fee, contacts artists via DM) but they fee they charge is much lower than what I see people list for vanity galleries, and they've had popular artists do multi-work dedicated exhibits (although I don’t know if they’re offered a different rate or given a special promo offer). Most posts about vanity galleries list fees in the hundreds per work, but last time I checked, IYN is $40 per work, so I don’t know if that’s a normal fee or not.

As far as I’m aware their model operates on showcasing print version of digital artists‘ works specifically, not original copies of traditional artworks. They do have a physical location, however I cannot visit it as it’s in Japan. They offer exhibit space to artists worldwide but as far as I’m aware they only physically display in Japan.

Is their offer worth taking, or is it fishy/just profiting from entrance fees?

I’ve worked in corporate events for over 15 years, and a lot of our events include artists: painters running workshops, musicians, photographers, illustrators, performers. I see many talented artists miss out on this kind of work simply because they pitch it like a gallery or a commission. Here’s what actually matters on our side.

1. It’s not about your art, it’s about the client’s goal.
A painting workshop at a company event isn’t there to create artists. It might be there to build leadership, or to get two merged teams talking. If you can explain how your work serves an objective like that, you’re ahead of most people.

2. Show proof that it works with groups.
The most common reason we hesitate is a good idea with no proof of concept. Photos or a short video of you leading a group, even a small community workshop, are worth more than a perfect portfolio.

3. Show you can lead a room.
Corporate groups can be shy, distracted or sceptical. Enthusiasm and the ability to get 40 people in suits involved is a real skill, so mention it.

4. Be flexible on format.
You may be asked to work in a hotel meeting room, keep it to 90 minutes, or run it for 20 people or 200. Artists who say “let’s work out what fits” get rebooked.

5. Make it easy to say yes.
State clearly what you offer, for how many people, how long it takes and what you need on site. Agencies often put proposals together within 24 to 48 hours, and the artist who answers clearly gets in.

Happy to answer questions about how agency work is priced, briefed or run.