Research Task: Situating Your Work (and reaching out)

For this research task, I must look into where my work could potentially be supported, sold or showcased at; looking into certain events and communities that help boost an artist in their abilities to a stage where they can network and sell.

My work ranges from comics/graphic novels to (hopefully) book covers, and to illustrations. The audience of my work is typically 15-18+ depending on the content of the work, or it's plot; for the fun illustrations they're usually for all ages.

I've tried events/communities before, I did a local market, however back then my work was heavily fan-art based and so I didn't make a profit. I was also involved in a few discord community groups that posted job offers and also allowed artist to post ads for their commissions- as well as showcase their art and their art journey. I am currently in a group discord for a 'Crash Festival' which was held locally but that's more aimed towards comic artists, VFX, animation and 3D work.

After looking around a bit from recommended events/communities, there few that stuck out to me were:

• Thought Bubble

• CMYK Illustration Fair

• London Illustration Fair

• The London Book Fair

Thought Bubble, held in Yorkshire, reminds me a lot of MCM Comic Con London, artists and illustrators alike will come together sell their work, network and attend panels, talks and workshops. The only difference between the two is that Thought Bubble is based predominantly around artists and their work, whereas Comic Con is that but also for TV, Movies, Games; there is an artists alley but it's mainly for fanart, which would've done well for me when I used to do fan art only, but I've moved away from that slightly. Thought Bubble to very heavy on the comic and graphic novel side of art, which really appeals to me, there's a lot of diversity and the quality of work is exceptional.

CMYK Illustration Fair is similar to Thought Bubble allowing people to network, sell their work and attend talks, workshops, etc. Though this fair moves away from the narrative parts of illustrations (graphic novels, comics), with a focus on on the wide outlets of art; the main focus being that "unestablished" artists can communicate and connect with more established, professional artists to get feedback from or ask questions.

The London Illustration Fair is an opportunity to showcase, sell and network yourself and your art. What I found, looking at this fair, is that is for artists that typically specialise in graphic design, print and illustration. This fair goes into a lot on learning as well as networking, they have many workshops, talks and portfolio reviews-- and the workshops can even run between 10 mins to 3 hours! Really beneficial for those who want to come away feeling like you've learnt something.

The London Book Fair is all about publishers, authors and illustrators networking together. It also allows for customers to interact and helps gives ideas to publishers, authors and illustrators about what they want to see-- since they're the audience or have someone who is an audience; they have a particular section dedicated to the illustrators of books, giving both authors and artists to connect.

Going back to the beginning, MCM Comic Con is a place for all, movie and tv lovers, games enthusiasts, artists and art lovers. You'll find a variety of comics, books, manga, fan art, and so much more. You'll find artists and small business' here, however they do produce a majority of fan art relating to different media. More recently, you can get portfolio advice, attend panels and talks, get involved in workshops-- all networking, buying and selling.

In terms of connecting, I've been in discord groups dedicated to art that was all about sharing your art, advertising your work and seeing what work was out there-- I did leave since it did get overwhelming at times. Though I have recently joined a 'Crash Festival' server, a local fair that ran last year locally, it allows for discussions around comics, games, VFX, movies and books. Hopefully they do another this year that I could attend this time.

All these festivals appeal to me, especially the 'Thought Bubble', I've seen a lot throughout the years that I've been attending conventions as an attendee but more recently I've been going to get advice and talk to fellow artists. For both MCM Comic Con and Thought Bubble (the ones I would like to attend), they all have some elements that I like in my work, I would have to improve my art a lot! I need to pick a lane I want to pursue and full steam ahead.

I think I would attend first before I jump in and decide with it'll suit me; I have looked into doing a stand at MCM Comic Con before and the table price is really high so I'll have to create a lot of interesting art to make profit. You'll need some examples of your work, any social media and any other information they need to consider you for the artist alley.

Reflection

This research task was really interesting to explore, I have loved attending MCM Comic Con ever since I was 16 and I always come away inspired and wanting to do my own table at the convention; going this research task has got me thinking about even attending other fairs, I had seen thought bubble from other artists I follow and I would love, love, LOVE to attend.

Thinking about my work in the stance of participation, I would have to start sticking to a particular style or have a common theme that could make the whole table consistent. The work I produce can differ slightly, like producing a comics and stickers.

Overall, this has got me really excited about where my art could be seen!

Reaching out..

Previously I mentioned about getting into book cover design, specifically after seeing this book cover.

I was obsessed with how good this looked, I bought the sequel with the same artist's work on the front and I knew I had to research this artist.

Anna Moshak is a freelance illustrator from the Ukraine, she's designed for books, board games, video games and trading cards for big companies.

Looking at her work, she produces beautiful fantasy work that is reminiscent of a traditional classical art style. Her style has rich colour, pleasing textures and intricate use of light that delicately highlights its subjects.

After briefly looking at her work, I was ruminating on my own thoughts and feelings of where I wanted to take my work. I was stuck a little with my art, I didn't feel as confident as I did and I started to lose a little direction after I had improved so much since the start of this university course. Even though her style is absolutely incredible, I knew that my art was both at a different level and moving into a different style. However, I knew that I needed direction...

Like with other artists that I reached out to, I wrote an email asking for advice and linking my blog, then took the courage I needed to press submit.

Then a couple of days later I received an email. I was gob smacked, I never expected much, just on the odd chance-- and this was that odd chance.

The advice I got was awe-inspiring and detailed, giving me books to read, YouTube channels to watch, telling me her story of how she got to where she is now. She gave me practical tips on drawing and creating, art business advice, as well as deep and raw advice on what it's like being an artist-- importantly, understanding that being an artist will always be filled with looking at other artists and thinking that you're not as good as them; it doesn't matter as long as you create what you enjoy and that we do it for ourselves.

The emails were long in the right way, I was so grateful, and it gave me that push I needed to realign myself back on the road. I was getting to caught up in creating for others for the sake of it, thinking that it's what will get me seen when it will but for the wrong area of art that I would want to get into. I really can't wait to see where my art could take me...

With all the advice from Anna Moshak and my Tutors at OCA, I hope I can flourish as much as the artist that I look up to.