Frequently Asked Questions
What tablet do you use?
iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) with an Apple Pencil gen 2.
What program do you draw with?
Clip Studio Paint EX
How do you get into an artist alley?
Search around your area! Try looking up local listings, flyers around your town, check your libraries or colleges to see if they have events you might sign up for! If you don't have a big con scene where you live, a lot of these events rely on word of mouth. The more local you start the better, but it does take some research! You may have to check often as cons/events often have their sign ups fairly in advance before their events.
What brushes do you use?
My favorites come from FRENDEN's 800+ pack for clip (naturals and MS4 brushes) as well as the following from the assets store: 1780563 & 1706893! I personally like smooth inkers, pens that mimic tech ones like copic's multiliners as well as brush pens. Coloring wise I jump between marker, airbrush, and watercolor brushes. (I switch between a lot but some of my favorites are the following: 168981, 1682349, 1724250, 171892)
Do you need to be a popular artist to do an artist alley?
Nope! I started doing shows with very little of an audience and built it up further over time. This is why I personally recommend staying local as you can to start, that way you (hopefully) don't have to worry a lot about the cost of travel/lodging on top of all your other costs of doing a show.
What supplies do you use when drawing traditionally?
Sketching: Color Eno 0.7 (Pink)
Inks: Copic Multiliners, Pilot Fude-Makase brush pens, Staedtler fineliners
Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers, Holbein Color Pencils (Pastel set), Posca Markers, Uni-Ball Signo Angelic gel pens
Do you have a shop?
Currently only my INPRNT and Threadless shops, which sell primarily prints and some goods like apparel and accessories. :3 Other merch I have I primarily sell in person at events at this time only.
Do you have any tutorials or plan to make any?
For me personally, I'm always a little all over in my process! So I don't feel I am the best to make tutorials. My apologies, but there's plenty of sources out there!
How long does it take you to finish a piece?
It varies! Depending how polished I want my piece, it's details, how many characters etc, (it also can depend on my deadlines if any haha) I can take as little as an hour or to a couple of weeks, potentially up to a month or two.
Is your artwork available for tattoos or do you take commissions to design them?
At this time, no, my artwork isn't available for tattoos nor am I taking commissions for them.
How do you create an inventory for an artist alley?
This might be a little long! Forgive me. I personally recommend things that don't require a lot of up front costs such as prints, stickers, buttons, for example. Many of these are fairly easy to get made and you don't necessarily need the equipment up front! (But buying them later down the line can be a good investment).
As for designing, I recommend starting with things you like! They don't even necessarily need to be 'popular' either. As it takes time regardless to build your audience. Personally what I've found helpful is kinda thinking about myself in mind while designing merch, what would I want to buy? What sort of items do I want to see? What fandoms or subjects are fun for me to draw? Chances are, no matter what you pick, someone else will like it too! Plus if you don't let yourself have a little fun, you might find it's a little tough getting your items drawn up and made. For further research and study I do recommend checking out artist alley vlogs on youtube, as well as looking up displays on places such as IG or tiktok! Other things that had helped me when I was starting out was blogs of artists who attended cons (reviews etc), how to be a con artist on tumblr, and Artist Alley Network, which is on discord!
But kinda rounding back to the recommendation of items that don't cost big up front, this allows you the room for trial and error. With not as big of an ouchie in terms of money loss (It can and will definitely happen, even as you find what you like and your audience) Finding what works best for you, both in what you enjoy drawing while you're creating merch, as well as finding what your audience might respond to! There's no strict formula when you're creating merch, it definitely will take some patience in finding where your strengths lie! Also, know that your first shows very well may not make a profit (if it does though, that's awesome!!)
Of course, once you're more comfortable and if you're able to, then you can definitely move onto the fancier stuff! (Charms, pins, etc), if costs are a little too high for making said items, try AAN and searching around via different social sites or discord you may also come across things like group orders! Which can help divvy up the costs of manufacturing/shipping. Those sites are also extremely valuable in terms of finding different manus and the like too!