Convention Workshop

I realize alot of folks aren't able to physically make it to a Philly or New York meeting for our workshops, so what I want to do is start posting some of the info here on the blog.  Today's topic: "How To Prepare For a Comic Book Convention". While I'm no expert, I hope what I'm able to share is of some help. Also, small disclaimer, these are personal tips. In no way am I saying you will make a million at a show, these are just a few things that have worked for me. In addition, in light of the whole convention sketches/copyright thing, you will have todecide for yourself what you feel is right. Ok, enough babble, let's get into it.

How To Prepare For a Comic Book Convention

The first thing you have to decide is in what capacity will you be doing the show: As a vendor, a fan-boy, a showcaser, or a bit of all. It's best not to go as all 3, and for the purpose of this workshop I'll be discussing just from a Vendor's P.O.V.

There are 3 things you need to do:

1) BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. If you're not ready to be behind a table selling stuff, you're not ready.

2) THINK OF THIS AS A BUSINESS! Treat it as such and be professional.

3) THINK OF THIS AS A COMPETITION! There are hundreds of other artists at shows, so be creative.

Herre are the other things:

A) Choose the right convention for yourself. This can mean a lot of different things to different people. You have to consider distance, your product, cost of table, travel, accommodations, how many days is the show, etc. You can find the right con by going to http://www.conventionscene.com/ and http://www.animecons.com/

B) Once you pick the right convention, make sure you know what you're offering. Are you doing commissions, prints, a sketchbook, all? One of the most important components you have to consider is whether you have a creator owned book or you're selling mainstream stuff.

C) Once you know what you're offering, make sure you have it. Figure out who's going to be printing your stuff.

D) Once you have that, it's time to think about table display. I recommend doing a demo display at your home first so you know how everything's going to look and fit.

E) As you think about THAT, think about what might separate you from other artists. Come up with some a fancy display; or do a raffle; or a buy one get one sale; etc.

F) Now that you have your stuff, figure out how much it costs and how much you're worth. You can base this off of how much your prints and books cost, how much you think you should pay yourself, how much other artists charge for the same thing, etc.

G) After that, it's a matter of filling in the blanks with a handy-dandy checkoff list. (See below)

1. Tape
2. Extra pens
3. Sharpies for autographs
4. Plenty of change and a cashbok/cash bag
5. Receipt book
6. Note book
7. Inventory sales sheet
8. Business cards
9. Bags for your stuff
10. Freebies(buttons, candy, etc)
11. Sign with your name and prices
12. Poly bags and boards(to sketch on or for your comic
13. Snacks(I recommend fruit, water, granola)
14. Gum
15. Mirror
16. Extra cash for spending
17. Camera or video
18. Charger for phone
19. Tablecloth
20. Sketchbook and drawing tools
21. Coloring tools
22. Comfy shoes
23. Contact sheet
24. Rubberbands
25. Reference
26. Clips
27. Batteries
28. Square
29. Misc- whatever pertains to you

H) Once you're at the convention, how you handle yourself behind the table is going to be just as important as what you have on the table.
-Make sure you make eye contact
-Make sure your hygiene is up to task
-Make sure you're friendly(try connecting with the person through shared interests, a joke, etc)
-Make sure you know your material and prices(put an extra sign behind your table)
-Make a deal, people love deals
-Make sure to greet everyone

-Make sure you scope out your neighbours. They might have great advice and you can make great friends. Also, you can compare product, prices, etc.

I) This is what is going to separate the business person from the fan-boy. If you're there to sell stuff, SELL STUFF. Don't go wandering off, or taking a whole bunch of pics, or get so wrapped up in your witty dialouge that you forget you're there to make money. There're ways to do it-- for example, Sunday is typically the slowest day of a con, so get there early and look around. Or have a friend come with you to hold down the fort.
This also what's going to separate the showcaser. If you want to present a portfolio, time it well. Read about portfolio submission, which is a whole another workshop. Remember, having your stuff at a show is already a submission. This also allows you to get feedback.

J) After the con is just as important. Make sure to contact everyone on your contact sheet list.

K) And most importantly, take every loss as a win. Learn from your mistakes and see what you need to do better next time--book the show earlier; get more product; stay at a different hotel, etc.

And that concludes my little advice column. I hope it helps. If you have any questions, let me know.

Shawn Alleyne

Xion Founder and President

February Art Jam Entries 2012

Welcome back peeps. The month is over and your February art challenge entries are in. You were tasked to draw yourself(i.e a self-protrait) as a superpowered person, to tie-in with the release of the new movie CHRONICLE. It was to be a more "realistic" take on your super-powered self in the spirit of the movie. And of course, this wasn't regulated to just the artists. Writers, were tasked to craft a short story and submit it also. Here's what we got.

Takeia Dunlop- Molecular deconstruction

Willie Smith - (right side, green pants) and his brother,  who's powers activate in the presence of each other. They have the ability to cause things(and each other) to spontaneously combust.

Omar Clifton- Weapon master





 

Antonio Clarke- Artistic Image Conjurer

Dar-rell Henderson- Dark Mage



Andy Seabert- Archer Extraordinaire

Great job everyone. Ok, here's March's challenge, suggested by our very own Alex Smith:
Ok, we all love a great action scene and the dynamic action pose, but what about the quiet moments? Part of being good at comics is the ability to show characters at those in between times, and this month Xion asks you to craft your favorite character doing the mundane. Peter Parker doing laundry; T'challa (Black Panther) fishing; etc, you get the idea. And of course, this isn't regulated to just the artists. Writers, concoct a short story and post a link to your blog or site with your finished essay.

A few things to remember:
* we'll be doing this every month
* writers are also encouraged to contribute, by submitting a short story or concept pitch.
* you can post your submissions on the Xion facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/groups/153014201477978/
or send them to the new email: thexionnetwork@gmail.com
* it's never too late to submit
* skill level is never a factor, it's all about having fun!

So let's see what you've got.

March Editorial Letter 2012

Recently, there have been two things that really got me thinking about my art career. The first was a quote from last month’s editorial by the great Sha-Nee Williams where she spoke about what Xion meant to her: “I networked with many people, became more outgoing with ideas, found great friendships and learned so much.” The second, was the whole Marvel Ghost Rider copyright issue. I started thinking, what exactly does this mean for me going forward?

Marvel reminded all of us that at the end of the day, business is business. Copyright and trademark holders have rights and they must do what is legally necessary to protect and exercise those rights. Let’s be honest, a lot of us are guilty of Copyright and Trademark infringement (in its simplest form) and yes, I did say “guilty”. Is there a commission of a Marvel or DC character in your sketchbook or on one of your many social sites? Are you doing commissions of characters you own or have a license to use in the Artist Alley at one of the numerous conventions? When you set up your table at one of these conventions are you displaying prints of your slickest Spider-Man, illest Invincible or that wicked Wonder Woman poster?

Maybe, maybe not. I guess the question becomes- are we going to continue to labor under the threat of Big Brother raining fire and brimstone down on the freelance artist for drawing their characters or are we going to create for ourselves?

Everybody is running around screaming the sky is falling and actually I want to personally thank Marvel for waking me up. Honestly, I will never work at any of the big companies (you might and I ain’t knocking you if that is what you're working towards) and that's okay with me...But nothing is stopping me from pursuing or living my dream of creating comic books. Dave Sims, Jeff Smith, Robert Eastman, and the founders of Image comics all had one thing in common- they all realized that when you work for the corporate machine basically they own what you create. The curtain has been pulled back and we ain’t in Metropolis anymore. It’s time to blaze the path to your own universe, create your own continuity, characters and stories.
We can be the creators of our own mythologies. We are the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby of our generation. Technology has really leveled the playing field to where we can create for a global audience. I don’t know whether the Artist Alley will change or people will stop drawing their favorite Marvel, DC, Image, etc characters, but we must all be aware that the comic book industry is run by corporations.

To quote from an OutKast classic “You need to Get up, Get out and Get something”, and I believe that is why The Xion Network was created. So we can help each other do just that. The reason I networked, put my ideas out there, gained friends and learned more about my craft was all in preparation from creating my own mythologies, and I encourage you to do the same. It's time to make it happen, “X Marks the Spot!”

Keep Grinding!

Mike “JMANARTIST” Colston
Proud Xion Member