For The Artist: Lessons from IlluxCon 5: Part 4 – The Showcase by Kiri Østergaard Leonard

One great way for fantasy artists and those artists in similar genres is to set up a booth at a related convention. Here are some more tips on how to be successful at such events…

Kiri ؘstergaard Leonard’s showcase table at IlluxCon 5, 2012 in Altoona, PA. Photo by Cynthia Sheppard.

The IlluxCon 5 showcase took place Friday evening from 8 pm to midnight.

To those unaware the showcase is your traditional convention display where you ahead of time pay for a table (usually done at the same time that you buy your convention ticket) and then set up a display on your artwork on said table. Either just for self promotion, to gain contacts or with the intention of selling.

Myself and Jeff Menges at the IlluxCon 5 Showcase. Rose Wong photobombed us in the front. My table was next to Jeff’s.

At New York Comic Con I had success with selling quite a few prints, however at IlluxCon the target audience is looking for Traditional artwork, so it’s hardly worthwhile bringing prints. I did bring a small selection though but as expected, I only sold very few. I also brought postcard sets which also only sold very few. At least for more inexperienced artists I will claim that IlluxCon is a fantastic place to make connections, better than Comic Con, but financially – don’t expect to sell much.

The Showcase Table

The showcase tables varied between 2×6 ft and 3×5 ft. When it comes to your showcase display I recommend: Less is more!

I made the mistake of bringing far too many pictures and a crowded table just doesn’t present itself as well as a mores selective display.

Case and point. Look at how professional and inviting Cynthia Sheppard’s Showcase table at IlluxCon 5 looked. Photo by Cynthia Sheppard.

For comparison my own table. Though I think I did a good job of arranging the many different items, it is just a little too busy. Lesson learned.

So to sum up what I learned during the showcase:

• Don’t go in with the expectation of selling much
• Traditional original artwork is where it is at.
• Frame your work nicely.
• Matting your originals is a personal choice, but it does look better.
• Display: Less is more
• Prints: Bring Max. 4-5 different
• Remember business cards
• Bring a table cloth, it just looks better with your own.
• Banners are not as necessary as at Comic Con
• SMILE, have a good time and enjoy!

My name is Kiri Østergaard Leonard. I am a freelance illustrator and artist from Denmark, who is currently residing in New York City with my wonderful husband Alexander Leonard.

My artwork is imaginative, playful and colorful with occasional modern elements. I like to work on projects ranging from realistic portraiture to fantasy and fairy tale illustrations.

Links:
Jeff Menges’ Skaircrow Graphics
Cynthia Sheppard
IlluxCon

Wicked Fairytale

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