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[Kotenokgaff]

I guess I will go on eurofurrence this year, if I would get paid okey on my job (I'm not working yet, cause institute taking all my time)
At first I am sorry for my bad english hope you will understand what I wanted to say.
So I have some questions about selling art there.
Maybe it would be rly stupid, but hey i've never been there ^^

Like how that stands for art looks like? does anyone have photos? Or how art should be putting there? In a such pocket or  just without anything?

last furrence my friend was there and take some of my art there in a big folder. But i guess no one but it because it was closed and people should turn over the pages themselves

though someone did stole 2 pictures ( while my friend was away

also a question - does people buying a lot of art from everyone or only famous artists? I mean is there any sense to me to trying sell it?

anything like this for example - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1809008/   - original work or like this http://kotenokgaff.deviantart.com/art/Ladybird-106521163      limited (only one) print ?

And please take a look to my galleryes - maybe you really would interesting in anything?
http://kotenokgaff.deviantart.com
http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kotenokgaff/

thanks in advance for replying!

[RealZero]

Well, I cannot say for all the artists, but last year I was with one myself and spend quite some time at the table.
The selling places are, in fact, tables which you sit behind and put the stuff you want to sell on.
From what I've seen many people put their art in those big folders so people can skip through them themselves. Of course you can also put them directly on the table (you should use those protection sleeves, though), but of course that would need much more space on the table, so it depends on how much you have to sell.
So, you could, for example, have one of each print in a folder for people to skip through it, have all the copies you hand out in a bag somewhere behind you, so that's a quite usual way to save space. If you have anything "special", for example originals, you could put them directly, protected, on your table for a better view, or you could provide different folders for originals and prints. By the way, if you use folders, try not to have them closed, it's important that people immediately see something nice when they look at your table. So, keep your folders open all the time and choose most impressive pics as "show off starting page".

About the other question: Of course famous artists have somehow an "advantage" for two reasons: They already have their "fanbase" as regular buyers, and well, after all they got "famous" somehow, so their art normally has the corresponding quality.
But that doesn't mean someone unknown wouldn't sell anything. If people like your art they will most likely buy it, it's a matter of presentation and well, a bit of "luck" of course.
Keep in mind that selling in general is for free at EF, so the only bad thing in not selling art is bringing the stuff with you without avail and maybe the costs for printing.
But I don't want to scare you away with that. I think you got some very nice art in your gallery and I'd try selling if I were you.

So:
- You can use folders, that's common, but keep them opened at some impressive page all the time. Turn back to that page after people skipped through it, so the next one will also see the most impressive pic first.
- ALWAYS keep your art protected, with folders or protection sleeves ("pockets"). People won't like to buy damaged art, even if it's "just" a small scratch.
- Keep your prices reasonable. There are people who get several hundred Euro or more with an original, but if you aren't well known, just stick to something cheaper that covers your costs and maybe earn a little bit more, don't intend to get "rich" with it, at least not in the beginning.
-At least try it, don't give up without trying!

Oh, and maybe, because it always sells well:
- Have some porn at hand

Okay, that is not meant thaa~t serious, although I guess it's kinda true.^^

Yeah, I hope I could help you a bit, maybe we'll see as sellers at next EF. I keep my fingers crossed for your success, maybe I will buy something from you, too, if my money allows it.

Greetings,
RealZero

[Kotenokgaff]

oh gosh your answer was reeeeeeeeaally useful!!! thank you so much for replying and for so big letter

i get it with porn XD abs as i understand people would better buy ariginal works instead of prints? anyway i want to make not very high prices - 1-5 euro for all my previouse works and 5-30 msybe for new ones

is it better to draw furry anthros of just beautyfull animal pictures? and what anymals exactly are more popular?

do you selling your works there ans if so did you found any buyers here before start of furrence? it would help to make less time of sitting there with pictures

aand also i have a really wierd idea comed in to my mind -  to put all my goodloking scetches and some pencil works togeter in one folder and just give them free - if enyone would interested of course... i dunno. there is a lot of nice works but i know that some of them too simple and some of them will never be selled
like this http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1685539/ or this http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1571601/
and not coloured http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1582321/ and http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1585314/
so i have an idea to write my gallery adress there and just put them anywhere - someone maybe would like it and take some - then he will see my gallery adress and maybe visit it XD
crazy?

[RealZero]

Mhh, okay, this is all a little more difficult to answer because most of it is really a matter of taste.

So, I personally prefer originals to prints, simply because they are "unique". Of course limited prints, so, numbered with how many of it were and will always be produced, are also good. So, in general you can say: In the end it is mainly the picture/drawing itself that decides if you get a buyer or not, but the more unique (like originals) or rare (like limited prints) it is, the more likely it will get "emotional" worth and interest from the people.

Animals or Anthros, well, that is a thing I really cannot answer so simply. After all most furs are "fans", at least, of anthropomorphic characters, but all of those I've met so far are also fans of real animals. And well, you also seem to draw Lion Kind-style pics, which is surely another big part of the fandom. Those are my impressions at least. So: I personally prefer anthropomorphic characters, but with many pics from famous artists, like for example TaniDaReal, you see that "real" animals (in a "cartoonish" but also totally realistic looks like some artists do) are also popular, it is really depending on the specific picture I guess and most people will have their own opinions on this.

I personally don't sell my own artwork, as, well, I don't draw myself. But at EF14, when I spend my time at the dealers table, most of the buyers just got aware of the products right then. Of course it is possible to get buyers here, already, and tell them to get the stuff at next EF, but I GUESS, from my experience, that most sales are made "unexpected" at the convention itself. But well, I can assure you, if you want to sell a decent amount, then you WILL HAVE to spend quite some time sitting at your table, after all that is the most part of being a seller there. (I guess selling times were from about 12 to 18 (6 PM) at most days, but I'm not sure anymore, and "we" spend all of this time at the table, asides from small breaks for quickly buying stuff on our own or going to the bathroom) So, that's also a reason why it is nice to have a friend with you, so he can watch you're place while you're away. If that's not the case you could still ask some of the staff members nicely or just another fellow seller that you think can be trusted.

So, to your idea of giving sketches away for free:
Well, I can guarantee you, that people will take them. And most likely they will also visit your website/profile later, but if you really decide to do this, you should really limit it, so only giving away one sketch per person or something like this.
In general, this is a nice idea to get people's attention, yes, but you cannot be sure if you make more money or more sales through it.
Maybe you should consider to, instead of giving them away for free, that for every 5 or 10 Euro one pays for stuff from you they get a free sketch of them additional to the purchase or something like that.

That's just an idea however, but I think your sketches look nice and are surely worth a look, so maybe that could get more people to buy then just giving them away for free, but that decision is ultimately up to you.

I hope I could help you, maybe some other people also want to state their opinion here?

Greetings,
RealZero

[Cairyn]

I guess I will go on eurofurrence this year, if I would get paid okey on my job (I'm not working yet, cause institute taking all my time)
At first I am sorry for my bad english hope you will understand what I wanted to say.
So I have some questions about selling art there.

Like how that stands for art looks like? does anyone have photos? Or how art should be putting there? In a such pocket or  just without anything?

Well, hello there 

There are mainly three venues of sales if you go to a con, which are all different: Art Show, Dealers' Den, and Artists' Alley.

1. The Art Show. You can apply for a panel in advance, and display your art there. Since this is a high profile display, you give your art the best possible exposure, and art show stuff usually generates the highest revenue. However, you will not be allowed to display art in clear plastic binders (as the one shown above), you will need to matte or frame it. Also, original art is highly favored - unlimited prints may not be displayed. Advantage: You will not need to sit there all the time, you are free to enjoy the con.

2. Dealers' Den: You will get a table (also need to apply in advance) and you can sell all kinds of stuff, including unlimited prints in arbitrary numbers. You can display a folder with clear plastic binders for the customers to browse - showing more art than would be possible in the art show. However: You need to handle all the sales by yourself, sitting in the Den throughout opening times; if you want to take a break or share times with someone, you will need to organize that by yourself.

3. Artists' Alley (whatever it may be called on a specific con): You get a table to draw at. While in the other cases you sell prepared art, Artists' Alley is meant for artists who want to do art on request, con badges, commissions to go. This also means a working con for you.

Of course you can combine these venues - having a panel at the art show AND drawing at a table in the Dealers' Den.

Whatever you do, there are a few things to keep in mind: Furry art has become more competitive over the years. To make any decent money, you need to have the skills and the fanbase to sell to, or outstanding talent to make spontaneous sales. Advancing in the field takes time, patience, and a tolerance for frustrations.

It is hard to predict what topic will sell in a given year. Originality (beyond Lion King style), humor, story, fine detail, or just general adeptness with the tools of the trade certainly help sales. There are no guarantees however; any artwork needs to find its dedicated buyer. If you're out of luck in that respect, you may be left with little or no sales, regardless of your actual skills.

[Kotenokgaff]

but if you really decide to do this, you should really limit it, so only giving away one sketch per person or something like this.

oh wow that nice to hear that people would take them!
well i guess i can give for 3 or more pictures in one hands )) will see how people would reacting on it ^^

thank you guys a lot for helping me!!

And Cairyn - I'm not sure that i get the difference in Art Show and Dealers Den
are they going in the same time so i shoud choose one?

As i understand i can't offer a  folder with my works on Art show? only on dealers den right?

Also i've read that there is something when you put you work somewhere and then people put bids on it
like auction
is it the art show?
oh my this all sounds so hard XD especially i'n afraid that i wouldn't understand something there cause of my not very good english

and i don't have unlimited prints - only one by any picture
that's all

I also thought about folders - you know - to make like 3 or 4 of it with different prices - like Free, 1-3 euro, 5-10 and one for my best works for 20-30

or how people organise their works? put them all in one folder and make a prise on every page?

[RealZero]

And Cairyn - I'm not sure that i get the difference in Art Show and Dealers Den
are they going in the same time so i shoud choose one?

As i understand i can't offer a  folder with my works on Art show? only on dealers den right?

Also i've read that there is something when you put you work somewhere and then people put bids on it
like auction
is it the art show?

Yes, that exactly is
And if the maximum number of bids is reached, I don't know I guess it was 8 or so, it will be auctioneered at the art auction event later.

oh my this all sounds so hard XD especially i'n afraid that i wouldn't understand something there cause of my not very good english

Aww, don't be afraid, I bet it will work out well. If you have any problems and questions you got all those people here to help you, including me^^ So, no fear, if you feel unsure about anything, just feel free to ask *smiles* And your English is good enough up to now, so don't worry.

I also thought about folders - you know - to make like 3 or 4 of it with different prices - like Free, 1-3 euro, 5-10 and one for my best works for 20-30

or how people organise their works? put them all in one folder and make a prise on every page?

What you said could be one way to do it. So, having separate folders for separate prices or different kinds of artwork. If you don't have that much art and thing that many folders would be exagerated or somehow unnecessary you could also put stickers on the folder pages (not on the art itself, of course^^) and have some "price list", stating what sticker colour means what price. Or you could just write the price on each piece of art directly, which would be more preparation work, though.
The easiest way for price marking is, of course, having general prices, so, one price for any sketch, one for any full colour and so on.
Like I said in the beginning, if you have enough art you can use several folders of course, I think there is no "right or wrong" on this, just try to stick what I said earlier and try to always have the folders open with the most impressive art visible to potential buyers.

Greetings,
RealZero

[Kotenokgaff]

thank you very much for spending so much time amswering me on my silly questions ^^
i really appreciate it and you answered so good that i have no questions by now XD

but if i will i will sure write them

and of course if everything (hopesohope) will be ok and i will really will be on eurofurrence (omg it'a even sounds weird cause i have never been even on russian furrence which located just near the Moscow where I appear XD )

[Cairyn]

And Cairyn - I'm not sure that i get the difference in Art Show and Dealers Den
are they going in the same time so i shoud choose one?

As i understand i can't offer a  folder with my works on Art show? only on dealers den right?

Also i've read that there is something when you put you work somewhere and then people put bids on it
like auction
is it the art show?

and i don't have unlimited prints - only one by any picture
that's all

I also thought about folders - you know - to make like 3 or 4 of it with different prices - like Free, 1-3 euro, 5-10 and one for my best works for 20-30

or how people organise their works? put them all in one folder and make a prise on every page?

The Art Show is an exhibition. You hang the artwork on panels, and fetch them after the show - you do not need to be present all the time. Yes, people can bid on that artwork, and the auction is performed after the show for exhibits with a certain number of bids. In the Art show, you hang (mostly) originals.

The Dealers' Den is a sales room where you have to be present to perform the sales. How you organize your table is up to you. Some artists have folders organized by prices, some by black and white or color pieces, some prefer to order their folders by year. This is something you need to decide for yourself.