#some of you may recognize my main blog avatar or blog header in this

[originalartblog]

Autumn is my favourite season, and last year I tried to draw these guys a background and it... didn't come out looking too great lol, but I tried again this year and I'm much more satisfied with it, so out in world it goes <3

[evelmiina]

Hey there! I really love your artwork and I think your painting techniques look so cool. I was wondering if you had any advice for someone who has little formal training on how to present your art to the world? I know that's a really vague question, and a lot of people would probably answer 'portfolio', but is there more to that? What about networking etc. Thanks so much!

Hello Anon!

Thank you, I’m happy to hear that. I do have some tips - it might be a tad long post, but hopefully there’s some grain of advice to be found.

I think using big social media platforms like Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram are very good for putting your work out there. Some find their audience in Facebook. However it may be, you do need at least one professional looking platform that shows only your best stuff and communicates with clarity what you do.

Lot of artists who struggle to find audience have a problem of a cluttered internet presence. They might be on many platforms, but the chances of when someone comes to check their Tumblr or Twitter, all they see is personal posts and unnecessary clutter of info, when they just want to see the art. It’s important that your main platform only shows the work you really love and are proud of, whereas some other platform might be for all of your work, sketches and personal posts. It’s important to be consistent, and also think about what is the name/handle that people are going to find you with. Nowadays, many artists use primarily their real name and/or maybe a consistent handle name. I’s a good idea to have some consistency, like a fixed avatar and a name/handle, it helps people to remember and recognize your work.

And it’s totally fine to have a blog or personal twitter, as long as there’s distinction. Make sure there’s always a link available directly to your work (whichever platform it is on) and to your email in the fixed post/header of your platform. For example, if you have a personal twitter, point out a link to your portfolio in the header and clarify that this platform is your personal non-art account.

As for networking, going to conventions and events is a way to get into big artist spaces. The key to “networking” really is to seek out genuine interactions and not to chase people based on their popularity or their job. Any artist, and professionals in the industry generally enjoy talking about their work, and you can start conversations based on something like “hey I saw you posted this artwork, I’d like to know more about it” or “I noticed you enjoyed X, I really liked it too”. As long as the topics range on something related to their work on some project or fun things they publicly talk about (stuff ike corgis, anime and movies they saw etc), it’s cool. Being intrusive about personal life not so much. It’s also better to start talking about things that are positively in common, bonding over hating something is rarely a good idea. 

Keep business cards with you, and give them out when people ask where they could see your work. Business cards don’t need to be fancy or expensive, just functional!

When it comes to networking, the most rookie mistake is being obviously desperate. I’ve had people come to me and straight up ask for a job or who should they contact to get a job, and it’s rude. I’ve also heard people suddenly drop conversations with an artist, when they get a chance to talk to someone “cooler”. I find at conventions people are eager to help and chat, but it doesn’t mean an opportunity to take advantage of others.

I know it can be hard to be confident as an artist, and conventions can be really overwhelming, but it’s best to bite my tongue if I start feeling like saying something negative about myself or my work. At those times it’s better to take a break and get a coffee, than to start talking to someone new while feeling like crap. 

I don’t know where you’re from and what kind of access do you have to places, but other ways of networking exist. There are often local sketch groups and artist meets in many towns and cities, that are also great for getting to know like-minded people. Art schools are great ways to network as well, but I come from a country where education was free, so I can’t fully endorse the American half-million dollar debt for a school experience. In social media, giving thoughtful comments and being nice is also networking. As long as it feels genuine to you, and not like machine-writing. If you don’t like something, it’s best to say nothing.

Finding a common interest is always a nice basis for getting into discussions. Ask questions and show that you’re interested. Networking can happen anywhere really, an internet forum or a hobby group.

It has been a challenge for myself, things like these don’t always come automatically. I used to have a lot of anxiety and my bad self-confidence prevented me from getting into some conversations or spaces, because I assumed some people are somehow above me, hence look down on me, or they hate me, or something like that, unreasonably. Once I’ve felt more comfortable with myself and my work, it’s easier to be comfortable meeting new people.