This is Spider-Man former love interest Gwen Stacy. The artist is legendary Brian Stelfreeze, which can be noted by his signature on the right side. This is in my first sketchbook and was drawn at DragonCon two years ago (Brian being an Atlanta artist, it’s almost a pre-requisite to make it to that show). I hadn’t been collecting art that long, just a few sketches here and there, mainly at one-day conventions like the, now defunct, Atlanta Comics Expo.
I’ve always seen other people’s sketches and commissions, and at the time the idea was almost foreign to me, almost surreal. “Wait, I give you X amount of money and you’ll draw what I want?” Fan-tastic! After the notion hit my brain, I was off and running. While I do have more than a few sketchbooks now, I’d like to offer a few pointers about the hobby for those who might be interested in getting into it and don’t really know the ropes. I guess the big question is: Where do you find the right artist?
Guess what? They’re in abundance. Sites like DeviantArt are always a good way to get introduced to the more independent scene, as well as some big names. Of course, there’s always the con-scene. There’s the golden rule about how every comic is always somebody’s first comic, well the rule applies to conventions (as common sense would dictate). I’ve been going to comic conventions since ’94 and I’d to think I’m a “pro” of them to some degree. I’ve never been one for autographs or anything of that nature at cons. Just never really got into that, meeting people has always been good enough for me, so the Artists Alley is where I usually go to right off the bat. Mainly due to the fact that you don’t want to miss being on a certain artist’s sketch lists. Now some artists have a standard where they form the list on their site or blog and that’s how they do business. It’s easier in that aspect because you know you’re guaranteed a piece (most of the time).
Artist Alleys are always a great way to get to know artists who you might have seen, but not as familiar with.
Another place to find artists is online. Understatement of the week I’m sure, but DeviantArt like I mentioned is a good place, but the really great part about hearing artists talk, blog, or tweet, is that they talk about other artists as well. I follow Thor: The Mighty Avenger artist Chris Samnee on twitter and he talked about Evan “Doc” Shaner, so I checked him out (I’m sure you’ve seen a few posts about this stuff on this blog). Shaner mentioned Ron Salas. Salas mentioned…well, you get the point. It’s almost a never-ending scenario on finding new talent you would have been oblivious to otherwise.
The most important part about the whole art collection scene is the etiquette between the artist and you. You might remember last year when a certain rude individual called out Brian Stelfreeze for being unprofessional, on the count of this guy not getting a sketch. Of course this spawned the idea of some artists having a Do-Not-Sketch list. So yeah, don’t want to be that person. Don’t just slam money down and assume you’re going to get something. Also, don’t talk them down on their prices. If you can’t afford it, don’t worry about it, but that is beyond rude. Beyond. Some artists do have a sliding scale and sometimes if you catch them at a right moment, you might get a free quick sketch. Adam Hughes, for example, signs and sketches quick head sketches, usually, at the last hour of his shows. When you see an artist doing free sketches, go for it, just try not to go overboard, you know? As for talking to the artist about your sketch or commission and how much detail you give is up to you. Just not to be too anal retentive about it, yes it is your money, but don’t tie the artist down to a lot of details. They’ve been doing this for a while, I promise you they will figure it out. So just calm down and assume they know best at least that’s been my experience.
One of the things I love doing while getting art is getting a character the artist normally doesn’t draw. For example, DC artist Ethan Van Sciver has drawn dozens and possibly hundreds of Green Lanterns and Flashes. MegaCon 2009 comes around and I get my sketchbook ready and I’m debating on what I want, and out of the blue I pick Marvel’s Thor. MegaCon this past year I wanted to do something even more random, so I decided on Jun, from Gatchaman. Ask any artist and they’ll tell you they do like the occasional challenge or something completely different. I love hearing after I commission something “I’ve never drawn that before.” I also recommend appealing to the artist’s strengths. Let’s talk about Chris Samnee again for a minute, his style is essentially using negative space and he’s made it a sort of trademark, if you will of what he does. Now an artist like that I would do something that uses a lot of dark, like outer space. His Guy Gardner in particular really strikes home his style in a nutshell. In addition to the fact that artists like Adam Hughes and Mark Brooks take a list at the first ten minutes of the show and pick out the ones they want to draw. Why? Because no artist wants to draw a certain character over and over and over again and they usually do pick the most unique ones. Brooks has even been stated on an art collecting site that he’s been itching for somebody to ask for a Tank Girl.
Finally, if you’re like me you finally settle on a “totem” character, or characters I should say. I have a well-known affinity for Zatanna. I’ve acquired dozens of sketches of her and people seem to love drawing her. Another character is one I don’t believe that gets a lot of love, and that is Westley Dodds, the Golden Age Sandman, which I’ve just started getting pieces of. I decided on Zatanna just after getting a few random characters and really wanted to commit to the hobby, in addition to the fact I’m a magic history buff and just plain love the character. Actor Scott Adsit has his totem of LXG characters and his collection is uncanny and definitely ”extraordinary”. So sticking to one or two characters isn’t all that uncommon.
I want to hear from any art collectors out there. Who do you love getting sketches from and of? How long have you been collecting? And for those of you readers who have been curious about the hobby, I hope I’ve shed light on a few subjects and best of luck with getting some great art.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
As a bit of a retired artist, I’d like to share this article with you (http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=5ZNOPXBQRF66&preview=article&linkid=4e9ffa03-a6f7-432e-a7c6-285a3dceed03&pdaffid=ZVFwBG5jk4Kvl9OaBJc5%2bg%3d%3d). It’s a rarity that really speaks true to the modern artistic community.
So if you have a bit of time, this one’s not a bad read.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
I’ve enjoyed this hobby for quite a while now. My go-to character, if the artist is willing, is one that I created for a defunct webcomic a few years back. A lot of artists aren’t comfortable with that, so I have my back-up choices, which I picked so I can cater to a particular artist’s strengths, as you stated in the article.
For a straightforward kinda comic book artist, I go with Steve Rogers as The Captain (I describe it as “Yeah, like US Agent, but not so muscle-bound, and no smirk”).
Less realistic artists, I go with Firestorm, any version. Frankly, any artist influenced by modern animation or graffiti makes for an amazing Firestorm sketch.
Horror artists, I ask for the creepiest Bizarro they can muster (based more on Bizarro in the John Byrne Superman)… unless they focus more on monsters, at which time I pull out Gamera references.
If it is an artist with a pulp flare, I go with The Phantom.
Sometimes, I’ll just give the list to the artist and let him pick one out, because sometimes, even if they are a horror artist, they really want to draw Firestorm.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:15 am
I agree on throwing out the occasional “character wildcard” to an artist (provided they have reference); asking an artist to do something different from what they’re used to doing sometimes perks them up. Classic pulp, comic book, and comic strip characters are my thing. Met Ron Lim at that lil’ ol’ SDCC a few weeks back and bought one of his sketchbooks; for an additional amount he’d do a head sketch on the inside front cover. So I ask him: “could I get The Shadow?” The smile on his face was from ear to ear. “COOL! I love The Shadow!” (And thanks a mil, Ron! It’s awesome.)
Lance Roger Axt
The AudioComics Company
August 5th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I love getting sketches. I have three sketchbooks for myself (JSA, X-Men and Misc.) and one for my daughter. I started in late 2005 and have noticed a huge jump in prices over the last year or so. Not complaining; like you said I just don’t worry about that. Plus it frees up some funds to hit the artist alley. Here’s my CAF: http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=15177
Two of my favorite artists to get sketchs from are Barry Kitson and Fred Hembeck.
August 5th, 2010 at 9:35 am
I’ve never asked for a sketch before, and it’s really intimidating to me. I feel overly embarrassed and “fanboy-ish” but at the same time, I’ve got a couple characters I’ve really taken to, who don’t get used a lot, and would love to have some more images of them.
I agree w/ a lot of what you say about politeness toward the artists–if there’s even a small contingent of fans who are as rude in person as they are on the interwebs, then my heart and pity goes out to the creators.
1 question I do have: what are the rights to these sketches? Obviously the characters are property of the major companies most of the time, but would I have resale rights (ebay or whatnot)? Do I even [really] have the right to post them on a blog?
Or, like with Billy Wamsley’s defunct web-character, would I have the right to copy and sell the image? . . . I suppose this is the sort of thing that needs to be worked out w/ the artist, hu?
August 5th, 2010 at 9:59 am
JRC: I wrote this for people like you, so I hope you get out there and get some art this time around
Here’s the thing about the rights. Once the artist hands you the art it is yours, you can post about it on your blog, share it, etc. The artist still owns the actual image rights. They can be used for covers, sketchbooks, whatever. A lot of artists are weary about doing original characters in fear of it being used without their permission and being published without consent, and payment of course, but once you work your way around and get a proper rapport with artists I’m sure one or two may draw something original, but it’s always good to have good communication with the artist you’re commissioning.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I heard Skottie Young talking about con sketches once, and he said make sure you have a character in mind, and have reference if it’s obscure. He also said never tell an artist to draw whatever they feel like, because then the answer is “nothing”.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:19 am
I am preparing to start my first con sketchbook this month at the Baltimore Comicon. I am hoping to get some sketches of squirrels wearing various superhero outfits. If I wait in an autograph line do the artists have time to do quick sketches for free? If not, is the practice to leave your sketchbook with an artist and pick up at the end of the con? What is the average price for a quick sketch (not a commission)?
August 5th, 2010 at 10:32 am
I started a sketchbook this year at HeroesCon. I went in 2009, but I didn’t really know what I was getting into. And before I had the same problem of being too shy to ask for sketches. This year I was prepared. I spent alot of time doing research on the artists and how they deal with sketches and comissions. I highly suggest doing this. If your convention offers a list of artists online, check out thier sites or email them and ask how thier set up will be. It helps out alot to know what you’re dealing with ahead of time.
I started out wanting to do a Gotham themed Sketchbook, but it quickly turned into a batgirl sketchbook. I have Barbara, Cass, and Stephanie all in it. And I was lucky enough to get some awesome artists to contribute to it. Adam Hughes, J. Scott Campbell, Dustin Nguyen, and Phil Noto are a few of them. I ended up with a good many by the end of the con. All of the artists I asked were supernice and the majority of them did them for free. My general rule is that if they do a sketch, I buy something. They have bills too. I buy stuff if they don’t do a sketch too. Art is kinda my addiction.
Since then, I have been getting comissions. Mostly of the new Batgirl, Stephanie Brown. I love this character and her story. I also have gotten a couple of other Gotham characters. DeviantArt is an awesome site for finding artists willing to do comissions. The majority of them are reasonable priced as well. I know some of the major hitters can cost quite a pretty penny.
My major deal is just be nice to them. I love talking to the guys about thier work, even if they dont do a sketch for me. I think that’s the best part of Conventions. Getting to meet the people that create the things you love.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:47 am
I started a little over a year ago and I mainly collect commissions of Karate Kid of the Legion of Superheroes fighting other characters, which you can see at http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=89206
I find that most artists haven’t drawn KK but I try to pick an opponent that they are familiar with drawing.
I’ve gotten most of my commissions through the mail via web, but I’ve gotten a couple from a convention. I just don’t have the time to make it to many conventions, though, and don’t live near any major ones.
August 5th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I have a book for Iron Fist sketches. Not a lot, so far, and they’re all quick head sketches (I love Iron Fist, but he may not be the best for this- without his collar, he can end up looking really generic), but I was lucky to get one from Jim Lee and my favorite is a sketch by Matt Fraction- he wrote on the page that it’s the worst Iron Fist drawing ever, but I think that’s what gives it it’s charm.
J. Scott Campbell gave it a shot, but he was upfront with not being familiar with the character, so I agree with Skottie Young- have a reference of some kind.
August 5th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
thanks again for this topic!
I’m not a con-goer myself, but hopefully I’ll get over my shyness.
August 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Wish there had been a article like this when I got started…it was very intimidating, and I didnt know what the rules were. Anyway 6 years later Ive managed to figure some stuff out.
1) Reference is always a good idea…most artists can probably draw Spiderman, but not as many know what the Black Knight’s uniform is supposed to look like. Dont assume the artist remembers, even if they used to work on the book.
2) If the artist is only doing headshots, pick someone who is very distinct. Batman, Spiderman, Nova, or Thor all have looks that immediately tell you who they are. Someone like Northstar or Powergirl may come off looking like generic character #2.
3) Dont get overwhelmed…your going to have maybe a hour at the very begining of the convention to get onto peoples lists (maybe 5 minutes for someone like Adam Hughes..not kidding about this). Check the guest lists ahead of time, and plan out who you want to get sketches from. Theres always next year so its better to try to get 3 or 4 people you really want as opposed to running willy-nilly around the con.
4) Dont hover over the artist…if hes doing commissions he has a long day ahead of him. Theres nothing wrong with checking in every so often, but dont be there every 15 minutes checking on the progress.
5) Be polite…I cant stress this enough..these guys and gals bust their butts trying to hammer out sketches for a lot of people in a very short amount of time. Its only right to show them your thanks when they finish one for you.
August 5th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Rob, well said, sir.
August 6th, 2010 at 10:41 am
As an artist (and one who takes and does comissions on a regular basis), I can attest to a few things.
Don’t be shy about what you want, but don’t be domineering. Saying, “I want Batman fighting Two-Face on a rooftop,” is good. Saying, “I want Batman flying through the air on a rope and kicking a gun out of Two-Face’s hand and holding a batarang and could you just make Two-Face a little smaller?” will result in a stilted, lame sketch.
Also, when it comes to original characters, the absolute best thing you can do is have lots of references, lots of other art of the character, and the understanding that most artists WILL NOT design your character, nor will they allow you to use the picture as part of a publication. Here’s an example. The good Lan Pitts, author of the above article, did, for my birthday, comission the incredibly talented Cully Hamner and Laura Martin to do a really nice piece featuring a character from a book I was creating at the time.
At first, Cully was hesitant, but because there was so much art of the character available, and because Lan’s a swell guy and promised that it wouldn’t be used to promote the book, he did the piece, which now holds a very esteemed place in my collection.
Basically, it all comes down to being respectful of the artist, their talent, and their boundaries. I know if someone asked me to draw (and it happens A LOT) a nude Supergirl, or a Furry or something, I’d definitely tell them to get bent.
August 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
GREAT article! I have a few Spidey sketches, and I am hoping to get more (decided to focus on Spidey and his cast, love that Gwen sketch) but I am still pretty clueless when it comes to asking for sketches at cons…I am going to FanExpo in Toronto (2nd time) in a few weeks so this is quite timely…Oh and if anyone is interested…
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120603073722&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
August 6th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
At the first con I went to 2 years agon, i was totally intimidated. A lot of artists had signs basically saying no free sketches, so I just totally bailed on the whole idea and thought it was a thing of the past…
Anyway, I had a convention variant of Secret Invastion #1 and for the heck of it, I asked Dan Slott if he wouldn’t mind to do a sketch! It was awesome b/c he was kinda surprised and McNiven and Vines kind of egged him on, but I think he (Slott) enjoyed doing it. He did a riff on the classic half spidey mask half Peter face, except one half was spidey and the other half was a skrull with the tag line: ‘Spidey is Not a Skrull’…I love that…
August 7th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Depending on how much money you want to spend on a commission, sometimes buying an original piece of artwork from a comic is cheaper than getting a commission. I’ve ran into some artists charging $150 or more for commissions, but are selling really nice pages of art for less than that. If you are going to ask an artist for a commission of a character from a book they are currently working on, it my be better to just get a page from the book and save some money. The page will likely have more detail in it than the commission you would get anyway.
December 29th, 2010 at 9:05 am
A licensed tax attorney can really make a difference. Other than like, if you are audited by IRS, he can help you defend yourself for your best interest. I believe the tax deadline for 2011 is April 18th instead of April 15th so you have three more days to get yourself ready.
January 17th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
http://www.hostinginfinite.com – Cheapest Web Hosting Providers.