Get more from conventions

Pros of cons Fun, sociable and good for your career… conventions have it all. Top artists tell Dom Carter why you need to attend

Fun, sociable and good for your career – it sounds like conventions have it all. Artists reveal why you need to start attending.

Conventions have gained momentum over recent years and come into their own. Take San Diego Comic-Con, whose attendance rate has almost doubled over the past 15 years to rival the numbers of people going to mainstream music festivals.

If this is good news for convention organisers, it’s even better news for artists. Not only do they have more people to network with and sell to, they also get to increasingly feel like they’re part of a community. A sensation that all too often can seem out of reach.

“Making comics can be a very solitary existence,” says convention veteran, illustrator and NC Comicon co-owner Tommy Lee

Edwards. “Conventions are a great way to get out of your creative dungeon and spend some time with friends, colleagues and fans. A good convention experience leaves me feeling inspired, refreshed, and energised to do my best work.”

Jort van Welbergen, one of the organisers behind The Netherlands’ Playgrounds Festival, agrees. “The beauty

A good convention leaves me feeling inspired, refreshed and energised

about these events is that artists, aspiring artists, freelancers and employees from all over the world all come together in one place. It’s like getting a glimpse into what this industry stands for, what it represents, what kind of people work in it, and what their hopes and fears are.”

Constructive feedback

One of the main lures for artists when it comes to attending festivals is the opportunity to get their portfolio reviewed by their heroes. However, if the thought of offering your work up for review sounds a little too intimidating, illustrator and San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor Dave

Seeley has some advice to keep in mind.

“I’d say keep your folio to 10-15 strong pieces that show a diversity of fluency, including figures, environments, tech and creatures. You really need to do it all, to avoid being a niche illustrator. Ask pointed questions for specifically targeting feedback. Be extremely receptive to any criticism… even if you feel innately defensive. Good criticism is gold, and if the reviewer feels you’re too sensitive to hear it, they’ll devolve to platitude and you get nothing to help you evolve.”

“Bear in mind that organised portfolio reviews can be very busy,” says illustrator and concept artist Matt Dixon. “The people reviewing the work have seen many portfolios and may well be tired from the previous night’s party, so don’t include irrelevant work and do whatever you can to be memorable. Do something different. And make sure you have a card with your contact details to leave with them.”

Make a stand

To get the most out of a convention, Tommy recommends reading up on the event and thinking ahead. “Go to a convention with a goal in mind. Do you want to sell prints and books and take lots of commissions? Cool – you’ll probably be stuck behind the table and often working in your hotel room into the night. I’ve done that when I needed to make some money.”

This might sound like all work and no play, but setting up a stand at a convention is a valuable way to find your audience and get your art noticed by people who might not see it

Be nice, but also be persistent. Failure is part of the succeeding process. Keep knocking on the doors

otherwise. Making some money doesn’t hurt, either.

“Arranging to exhibit at a convention is usually a simple matter of contacting the organisers,” says Matt. “Most conventions have a website with all the relevant information, and while a few may have restrictions on what goods can be offered for sale, in most cases the events are open to everyone. Some conventions offer special artist or small press areas, which can be cheaper than a standard sales table and also means you’re grouped with similar traders.”

Meet and greet

Setting up a stall is one way to meet people, but nothing can beat getting out onto the floor and talking to potential collaborators and clients face-to-face. Breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of approaching strangers? Don’t worry. Digital sculptor, Vertex speaker and workshop host Glen Southern is here to offer some advice.

“Just be nice. No one likes arrogant or loud people. But also be persistent. Failure is part of the succeeding process. Keep knocking on the doors. Not everyone will have time for you at events, but no one will have time if you don’t go.”

As for doing something different to get noticed, Glen has ditched business cards for a decidedly more up-to-date approach. “I like to make sure my contact goes into someone’s phone with a picture of me or what I do. It can be deleted, but I can’t be idly tossed into a trash can on the way home.

“In this world of online social media overload I can’t stress how powerful it is to walk up to someone, give eye contact and converse,” continues Glen. “Face-to-face meetings mean more and people will remember you if you are polite, passionate and also have an amazing portfolio on your tablet or in your sketchbook.”

“Much of the networking is after hours over meals or drinks, so don’t hide in your hotel room,” says Dave. “If someone you think is connected responds to your work, don’t be afraid to ask for introductions to people who could potentially help or hire you.”

With so many like-minded people in one place, there’s no reason to be wary of diving into conventions and making the most of them. “Coming to these events feels like coming home,” says Jort. “It’s like everyone just speaks the same language, is on the same level. It’s the one place where people truly seem to understand you. It’s like finding a second family, and they all accept you in an instant for who you are.”

As an event organiser, Jort van Welbergen tries to facilitate the best convention experiences, including “learning new tools and techniques that will help you boost your career even further, and finding that first job.” Stock control is key for artists selling at cons. “Don’t over-order. Better to take a sensible number and sell out than drag piles of unsold stock home with you,” says Matt Dixon.

Glen Southern attended conventions for fun before realising their career potential. “Going as a presenter or exhibitor can help grow your following and lead to some amazing friendships.”

“Locally owned and operated conventions put their primary focus on creators and education,” says Tommy Lee Edwards. “I tend to attend those events more nowadays.” “It’s a lot of effort and expense, but no other convention I know of gives you access to clients like exhibiting at San Diego,” says Dave Seeley. “My best tip for getting the most out of an event is to take lots of notes during the talks and try out the different techniques and approaches they discuss when you’re back home,” says Jort.

Tommy underlines the importance of educational convention panels, “The NCC film festival often features the filmmakers. As an artist wanting to improve their skills, attending events like this are pure gold.”

Having a business card and website link is key,” says Tommy. “And make sure that it’s a proper website and not DeviantArt or Tumbler or some crap!”

As a speaker, Glen wants to bring something new to the table: “New software, new hardware or a new technique that will hook people and hopefully get some attention.” Matt warns against selling fan art at conventions. “It’s much better to build an audience around your own creations in the long run.”

Dave says being organised is the key to getting the most out of a convention. “It’s easy to get caught up in the party. Make lists and keep calendars and reminders.” Conventions aren’t all work, says Tommy. “I visited the most recent Heroes Con in Charlotte just to check out all the great things being made by amazing people.”

Small gestures as an event organiser can have a big impact. “Just pointing people towards other people and introducing them to each other can work wonders,” says Jort.