Author Topic: Seriously Considering my own Aviation Art Business (Read 1200 times)

bockko · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2003, 04:25:57 PM »

the real money artists get involved with military units and groups with large veteran populations. Make yourself a "name" by working in with people who would most want your art -- the military types and the enthusiasts. Charitable work is always a good "in".

Leslie · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2003, 05:08:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by muckmaw
If I may offer some constructive crisitcism, too...

The lines are great, but the pictures you displayed need more detail. Theres not much going on in the backround, and the planes need markings, panel lines, etc.

Check out some of the work on Art.com.

I paid $30 for a print of a spitfire from Barrie Clark. An original oil would fetch much more.

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/ui--8D06C75A1A714347B73D458D03DF820D/PD--10027899/sOrig--CRT/sOrigId--2333/Spitfire.htm#

The 40" x 23" poster for $30.00 is a great value. If it's the standard deal, the artist gets half of that amount...$15.00. Producing a print yourself is very expensive. That one would be around $3000.00 to produce an edition of 500. $15 times 500 = $7500.00. Artist would gross $4500.00, and Art.com would make $7500.00. (Providing the entire edition sells...More money than the artist).

A lot of folks don't know that when you see a painting in a gallery, the artist only gets half of that amount at best...and sometimes even less. When an artist sells work to a dealer, it's for 50% retail price. If he sells to an agent, the artist gets 25% of retail. Normally the agent will buy the edition in this case, thus the discount.

It's a very headache business, and full of compromise for the artist. It goes with the territory. You gotta have a thick skin.

Les

Leslie · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2003, 05:36:15 PM »

Here's another pointer, and then I'll shut up.

Never sell your copyright to anyone you don't want to profit off your work. Artwork is intellectual property, and is just as much a part of your estate as physical possessions.

I like to work in series, and then apply to the Library of Congress for official copyright forms. You can copyright a series of your prints for $25. All you have to do is send them slides of your work, along with the registration form. It used to be the law (federal), encumbent on the part of the artist, to do this within a five year period. Nowadays, the artist is automatically protected from copyright infringement, however, if unscrupulous folks do infringe...the only way to have a chance of winning in court, is to have LoC registration...in the event you decide to sue the scoundrels.

Good luck RedDg!!! There's a lot of administrative work you have to keep up with as well, especially when it comes to leaving work on consignment...but that's another thing. The older I get, the less appealing dealing with consignment becomes.

~~Les~~

ramzey · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2003, 06:26:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Leslie
The 40" x 23" poster for $30.00 is a great value. If it's the standard deal, the artist gets half of that amount...$15.00. Producing a print yourself is very expensive. That one would be around $3000.00 to produce an edition of 500. $15 times 500 = $7500.00. Artist would gross $4500.00, and Art.com would make $7500.00. (Providing the entire edition sells...More money than the artist).

A lot of folks don't know that when you see a painting in a gallery, the artist only gets half of that amount at best...and sometimes even less. When an artist sells work to a dealer, it's for 50% retail price. If he sells to an agent, the artist gets 25% of retail. Normally the agent will buy the edition in this case, thus the discount.

It's a very headache business, and full of compromise for the artist. It goes with the territory. You gotta have a thick skin.

Les

its a big money for artist anyway, heh

ramzey

Leslie · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2003, 06:47:35 PM »

I've sold about $90,000 worth of artwork over a 20 year period Ramzey. Not too bad, but still around $5000 a year over 20 years. Considering that's the only job I've done for 20 years, I couldn't have done it without help from my parents, who supported me all that time. I do mostly etchings, which take a long time to complete. Two a year is doing well. Just to do 'em and complete 'em.

I would charge about $5000 to make a 8" x 10" etching plate on copper with an edition of 100 prints. But then, some artists are very fast and do beautiful etchings in a couple hours...though they're not minutely detailed. Detail is what takes all the time. Very labor intensive, the kind of work I do.

Les

Jebo44 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2003, 06:49:44 PM »

If you go the SBA route get your wife involved. Make her the owner on paper and that will give you access to minority SBA assistance.

Definetly copywright your stuff. I bet someone all ready has a copy of your work sitting in their PC.

If you are not very keen on creating your own web site...I bet someone here will cut you a break and design a real nice one for you. Might only cost you a drawing or two. Gotta love barter systems.

Ohhh and you might try renting an exhibit stall at your next local air show. I went to the AirSho in Midland Texas and the guy with the framed F4U pics walked off with four hundred bucks.

Hope it works out for ya! GL!

Drex · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2003, 08:01:06 PM »

I think you need to create an alliance with fatty. His art will help you sell loads of prints. That is, if you don't mind riding someones coat tales to fame and fortune.

Drex

Leslie · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2003, 11:35:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Drex
I think you need to create an alliance with fatty. His art will help you sell loads of prints. That is, if you don't mind riding someones coat tales to fame and fortune.

Drex

Fatty's a pretty good artist. He goes to life drawing class just to look.

Les

hazed- · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2003, 01:27:19 PM »

I like the drawings how they are because it does seem to be different from the plethora of other aviation artists.

What he has there in my opinion is some perfect art for Aviation books.Perhaps contacting various publishers with a large portfolio would be a good start.This way you would likely sell more pictures at once if they happen to like your pictures.

Rather than change the pictures to add in more detail as was suggested I would actually start a completely new picture with lots of detail and show you can do both styles. You may find they prefer the less detailed but more unusual ones like yours.

BTW try acrylics before you use oils.If you want to paint in oils i think tuition at college would help tremendously.One art teacher can teach you a thousand tricks with oils that have been used by artist for years

.You add your own style to them of course

OZkansas · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2003, 10:30:44 PM »

I like the e-bay idea. Great place to get your name known. Do some sketches in pencil and e-bay them! Great advertizing place to get your name out fast!!

Then you could do a link to your web site.

Good luck!!

xbrit · « **Reply #25 on:** May 18, 2003, 12:16:46 AM »

I'm no expert but I like what I see of your work. I see from your addy you live in Dayton well how about hitting the Convention and trying some of the earlier ideas out by getting people to buy their favorite rides in charcoal from you. To save time have a selection ready and then you can always add the players name to his ride once the sale is done.
Not sure how you feel about any of these ideas but may I wish you the best of luck for the future.

Thunder · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2003, 03:30:49 AM »

I think I might be able to give you a few pointers.... First you need more action.. Second you need to have more realism..
This is from my portfolio so you can get get a better idea of what real combat graphics should look like. But you didn't do too bad for your first try.. You'll get it soon

Creamo · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2003, 03:42:17 AM »

They had Jewish P47's with cowl mounted guns in WWII?!

Thunder · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2003, 03:50:57 AM »

WTG CREAMO!.... You ARE a quick study!..... There may have been some slight artistic licence taken by this GREAT Artist!.... It leaves more for the serious minded to observer to appriciate!

Creamo · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2003, 06:17:02 AM »

lol, I did come in 1st, AND third in the Creamo contest.