Grace is a college student studying Computer Science and Fine Arts. She’s been drawing since she was in 3rd grade, where she was lucky enough to get private lessons. Her skills with pencil/graphite are enviable, and she is (hopefully) incorporating her drawing abilities into a career path in video games.

Screen Name: Fongmingyun

We talk about her art, how she got into it, how she promotes herself, and miscellaneous other things.

Her advice for those looking into pencil work? You’ve got to have patience.

Grace’s DevArt Gallery

When should you use a background or scene?
Should you start with the characters or with the background first?
Are backgrounds just placeholders?
What’s the difference between a background and a scene?
What is an appropriate setting for your character or your idea?
How do you give a scene depth?
How do you give a scene consistency?
When is a scene too cluttered?
How does a scene convey an emotion, mood, or other idea?
-lighting
-color
-movement
How are your characters interacting with the scene?
When do you need references for your pictures and where do you find them?
When is it ok/legal to use references?

Interviews: Scott Johnson, Stephanie (Sailor Mars cosplay), Mark and Patrick

Materials:

• Your model(s)
• Vaseline or something like it
• More plaster of Paris than you think that you will need
• Water (read the directions on the plaster!)
• Boxes or other containers that can be made leak-proof, have flat bottoms on the inside, and are not more than a couple of inches bigger than your model around the sides
• Duct or shipping tape to leak-proof containers
• Bucket or large metal bowl to mix plaster and water
• A place to wash your hands off
• Newspaper/a place that will not be damaged by water and plaster of paris
• Earth based clay for complicated molds
• A place to let the molds dry for 24 hrs (read directions)
• Metal tools for scraping, chipping at, and/or filing plaster
• 2 (painting) Brushes
• Superglue (if molds break)

This is best done outside, and it’s best to have someone to help you as plaster must be used quickly and can create a mess! Models should be as dry as possible because they will soak up water from the plaster and become difficult to remove without damaging the model or the mold.

Simple Molds

More Complicated molds

After removing clay you may need to file down any parts of the plaster that grabbed unto the clay using a file and a brush.

Also, the project we talked about with Christiana Ellis is now out! Check it out at http://www.spacecasey.com

Otakon
Trinoc*con
Dragon*con

Goal-setting!

Mica: make something every weekend
Nuri: write 500 words or ink or sketch something every day

Regularly scheduled episodes will resume in December. Thanks for waiting!

a) model - the model is the original work that you wish to replicate

b) mold - the mold is a negative created from the model for the purpose of replicating the model

c) cast - a cast is the replica of the original model made by pouring into the mold. Also, casting = act of making a cast

d) simple molds - molds that require only one pouring of plaster in order to complete and use for casting

Part 1: Clay Models

Materials that you will need:

• regular modeling or sculpting clay that requires kiln firing
• a basic set of clay sculpting tools, which can be wooden or metal
• a wire clay cutter
• a place to work that will not be ruined by moist clay
• a place to store clay/unfinished pieces that you wish to work with again later (in plastic)
• water

Clay is not the only option for making a model to be replicated, but clay is cheap, easy to work with, and easy to reuse.

• subtractive sculpting (taking clay away)
• additive sculpting (adding clay)

Tips for working with clay

Tips for making a suitable model

Topics:
Under what circumstances should you be handling the cover art?
How does the title of the book & other text affect the artwork?
What types of things should be on a book cover?
Do scenes on the cover need to come directly from the book?
How much does the artist need to read/know about the story?
How many artists should you ask to do a version of your cover?
How do you chose between decent versions of your cover?

Links Mentioned:
Nina Kimberly the Merciless Art

How many of you out there have enough craft supplies to last you until the next ice age? Remember all the projects you had in mind when you bought those? How about the stuff you didn’t have anything in mind for, but got anyway? We have that problem to an extreme level; Nuri has an entire room dedicated to the storage (and use) of her string/sewing/leatherwork/drawing etc. supplies. Michelle has an entire closet plus several overflowing boxes of stuff.

It’s time to take back control! Crush the overflowing craft mountain! Artist Alley has a mission for ALL of you!

Directive 1: Use only the materials you have have (assuming you answered yes to the questions above), to create and COMPLETE one project every week. Otherwise, get rid of one thing from your pile.

Next, if you can, take a picture of the project and send it to us! (artist@candycornstudios.com) If you can’t send a picture, we’d love to get an email telling us what you made instead. We will upload all of the pictures to the Artist Alley Flickr album.

• Chris Hardy 

Links mentioned in this episode:

applegeeks  - http://www.applegeeks.com/

http://bjutsu-san.deviantart.com/ <–not working. Getting clarification on username.

conceptart.org

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This is gonna be totally friggin kickass

Lots of people go to cons. Some of those people are Artists who may want to sell things in the Artist Alleys. So, here’s a chance for those of you who don’t have much experience with this to get some tips!

Framework provided by [Kako] from Gaia Online. Her thread can be found here.
We have combined our knowledge with tips from veteran AA sellers who responded in Kako’s thread, so know that the advice we are giving comes from a collaboration. To see specific contributors, visit the thread; it’s linked above.

• Part 1: Getting the Table
• Part 2: Preparing to Sell (this week!!!)
• Part 3: At the Con

Part C- At the Con:
1. How early should one arrive to be sure of reserving a good table?

• As early as possible.
• At least an hour ahead
• Read convention policy to know when you can check in and if you need to have your badge already
• Having time to set up before the Alley opens to the public is a plus

2. When setting up one’s table, what sort of layout would you suggest?

• Portfolio/binder so people can flip through
• Frame above the table to hang prints from
• Protector sleeves
• If you have adult material in your folder, it’s best to mark them
• Small easel on one end with a painting to catch the eye
• Crate of prints
• It’s all about catching the eye.
• I put my most widely accepted print in front.
• Small things in front and larger in back.
• Odd numbers work well for groupings… threes and fives… not twos and fours. People are more hesitant to ‘disrupt’ an even-looking display.
• Space to do commissions and/or eat
• Vertical displays

3. There are some pretty bratty congoers out there. How would you suggest dealing with assholes?

• Maybe ignore them?
• Play stern, but nice as well.
• Manners is another thing to consider, since it’s like a small business ^^
• Try not to light them on fire.
• Ignore them… ask them to leave. Tell them sorry that you can’t help them… alert security if you have to.
• I’d bet your neighboring artists will back you up too, you’re not alone.

4. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. What issues should one be prepared for when running a table at the Artists alley?

• Prepare dollar bills and 5 dollar bills for changes.
• Bring a CD of your prints in case you sold out, you can always make more copy at nearby Kinko/Officemax.
• Watch your money and valuables. There had been cases of people have their valuable items stolen.
• Some people make too many prints and don’t get their money’s worth back from sold merchandise ^^;
• And always make sure you have a table buddy or that you trust the guy or gal next to you - you will need to go to the bathroom at an inopportune time, it’s just how it works.
• Snacks and drinks are a great idea since con food can be really expensive. Bring something salty, something sweet, something with protein. I also bring Gatorade because it has electrolytes.
• Squatters – again, don’t take their shit if they give you any. Politely ask them to leave, and if they don’t…

5. Anything else?

• Get to know the artists sitting next to you, you never know when they can lend you a helping hand. Not to mention it’s always nice to meet other artists.
• Take some business cards or something. You can go to an office store and print your own for like $10 or something - it’s a pretty easy way to look professional.
• Bring a camera ^^ I didn’t get around much since I spent most of my time at the table, and I wanted to get lots of pictures of cosplayers. As it turns out, your table is a great place to take pictures of people ^^ A lot of cosplayers will come by throughout the day~
• Many people have lock boxes. I suggest taking excess amounts (you don’t need a fistful of $20s) and hiding it in a secure place, so when making change they don’t see how much you have. When people ask how you’re doing give them a really general answer, don’t be like ‘OMG I’ve made over $100 already!’
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Hey everybody! Today we talk about matting and framing. But first, Nuri’s car trouble and Michelle might be teaching kids to write.

Our Comic: Seeing In Stereo

Mike’s Comic: UnderMoose!
Matting and Framing

Why do it?
• Makes art more durable
• More visually appealing
• Higher purchase value
• Ease of display

There are dedicated schools that teach framing! Links:

http://www.artframing.com/schools/index.htm

Do it yourself or pay someone?
• What are you framing?

o Posters, prints
o Original art
o Documents and certificates

• Price

o Are you trying to sell it and make money?
o How much are you selling it for?
o If for you, how much value is there in getting a high quality frame job?
o Frame cost should be comparable to art value

• How much time do you have?

o Time can be money; if you spend more timing framing your art than it would take to pay for the frame, don’t
o If you are Bill Gates, don’t frame your own pictures. If you are Bill Gates, why are you listening to our podcast? Donate plzkthx!!!
o Are you willing to spend the time to learn to do it well?
o Do you have access to the materials needed?

Terms and Jargon
• Not all of these things are in every frame job!

• Outer Frame: the thing that most people call a frame; the outside border of wood, metal, or plastic.
• Glaze: The glass, acrylic, or plastic clear sheet that goes in front of the art or document that protects
• Matte: An additional layer between the document or art and the glaze. Usually rectangular with a smaller rectangular cut out in the middle to display the work. Can be colored, patterned, and/or textured. Keeps picture separated from glaze to prevent condensation damage.
• Back Matte Board: a back matte that is sometimes added to protect the work from damage. Artwork may be hinged to it.
• Hinging: an acid-free method of attaching an object to a matte to allow it to expand and contract
• Backing Board: Helps fill up any additional space in the frame and protects the back of the work
• Rabbet: the space within the frame where the artwork and other filler is located
• Moisture Barrier: Goes between backing board and dust cover. Keeps moisture from getting to the art if the object is hanging on an outside wall: polyester film or polypro
• Dust Cover: Keeps dust out of the assembly. Covers absolute back of frame.
• Dry Mounting: BAD for valuable artwork. Heating piece to permanently adhere it to foam core board of cardboard backing.

What to look for in a Professional Framer:
• Ask about their procedures to make sure they are appropriate for your objects
• Listen to our podcast and do research to find out what procedures are appropriate

Procedures!

DO NOT:
• Dry Mount if art is valuable!
• Handle work excessively without gloves: skin oils
• Use any sort of fixative that is not acid free or designed for the specific material on which you use it.
• Laminate
• Glues
• Pressure-adhesive tape
• Store work in moist or dusty conditions, outside
• Hang in direct sunlight
• Hang above major heat sources

Matting:
• Many different methods and opportunities for creativity
• Make sure your matte goes well with your piece; it is important that it
• Quick Fix: to hang or display art functionally; not for sale!

o Michelle and Vicki talk about it, but mostly Michelle

• Pre-cut Mattes: Make sure it’s acid free

o Come to fit standard paper sizes; bring in your paper to make sure you chose the right size
o Often lack great selection in colors and patterns
o Easy, slightly more expensive than non-cut matte board
o Suitable for matting small numbers of things
o Good if you can’t cut in a straight line!

• Cutting your Own: Make sure it’s acid free!

o Buying large sheets (32×40) of matte board
o Pencil, Matte Board, Box Cutter, Straight edge
o $20-40 handheld matte cutter to hold your blade at a 45 degree angle to bevel the interior cut edges
o Great for people who make various sizes of work
o Good if you have irregular sizes to frame
o Can be cheaper if you have the time
o Many options for mattes and combinations

• Tutorial for cutting a matte
Framing:
• Usually get a pre-made frame
• It should compliment your ensemble
• Wood or metal for decent art
• Wood frames should be lined with barrier of some type to prevent chemicals in the wood from transferring to the matte
• Never use pressure-sensitive tape like scotch tape for things that need to be preserved
• Glaze should be either glass or acrylic sheets
• For best results work should be separated from glaze
• UV filtration in glazing

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What’s up, guys?

Vicki had surgery…it was awesome, and she has a purple cast. Mica has a new job!
Otakon stuff, cars.
Welcome to our three-part (that’s 3!!!) series on General Artist Alley Information.

Lots of people go to cons. Some of those people are Artists who may want to sell things in the Artist Alleys. So, here’s a chance for those of you who don’t have much experience with this to get some tips!

Framework provided by [Kako] from Gaia Online. Her thread can be found here.
We have combined our knowledge with tips from veteran AA sellers who responded in Kako’s thread, so know that the advice we are giving comes from a collaboration. To see specific contributors, visit the thread; it’s linked above.

• Part 1: Getting the Table
• Part 2: Preparing to Sell (this week!!!)
• Part 3: At the Con

Preparing to Sell

1. What sort of merchandise would you advise selling?
• Prints, mostly small and some large if you have some nice work
• Chibi art on stickers, bookmarks, magnets, etc
• Useable things like buttons, T-shirts, and more unique things like bags or sketchbooks
• Jewelry or small accessories like iron-ons
• Popular series fan art: be conscientious of the convention’s rules regarding such material
• Commissions if you are prepared to take the time to do them at the con. Have samples of the quality you can produce on demand.
• Unique cool things; duct tape creations, dolls, patchwork projects, anything involved with geeky stuff.
2. What sort of merchandise would you advise against selling?

• Overpriced or expensive items: under $20 sells much more easily
• Bootleg items are a big NO!
• Things not made by you
• Poorly constructed or fragile items; package items appropriately
• Check the weapons policy of the con
3. What sort of stuff sells best?
• Prints of fan art; recognizable characters and low prices
• GOOD original art that intrigues.
• Mixture of things
• Cute stuff sells really well, especially fanart
• Useable accessories like hats, pins, jewelry, etc.

4. Where would you suggest going to get things printed?
• Home printing: more control over print quality and color adjustments
• Local print shops: get prints at least 6 weeks in advance to take care of issues
• Here are a few online sites my friends and I use for merchandize:
o http://www.ezprints.com
o http://www.mpix.com
o http://www.cafepress.com
o http://www.bestcolorphoto.com/
o and http://www.deviantart.com ’s print service

5. If printing at home, what preparations should one make?

• Print a sample first to see how the color and brightness look.
• And print a few weeks before con, in case your printer breaks down or you ran out of ink/paper
• Try different print options and papers. If “normal” quality option have no visible difference from “best”, then don’t waste your ink by printing on “best”. If printing on matte paper is as good as on glossy, then print on matte cause it tends to save a lot more ink.
• Remember to have a nice spot to store stuff where dust and things won’t get to the art. Nothing worse than selling dusty marked up art.

6. How far in advance should one have one’s merchandise finished?

Between a month and a week in advance

7. Anything else?

• Take inventory of your items and keep logs of your costs
• Track how much you sell of each item so you can prepare for next con
• Research which printers are the best; we have had recommendations for Epson color inkjet.
• Early preparation and organization
• Inform people if you take commissions and outline your prices visibly; have order sheets for ease of commissioning
• You may want to have receipt books with you
• Make sure you have somewhere to keep your stuff other than the table.
• Have a transportation plan for your merchandise.

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No emails this week. Send us one: artist AT candycornstudios DOT com

Featured Artist

Bryant Holsenbeck
http://www.bryantholsenbeck.com/about.html
“Junk artist” – makes things out of old materials
Design Class Projects:

• Black-and-White Collage
• Letterform
• Word Transformation
• Trip to ArtSpace
• Recycled Materials Collage
• Bottle Cap Mandalas (more Mandalas)
  
• Collaborative Painting
• Handmade Books

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MySpace: Sorry to anyone whose friends request got denied on MySpace. I didn’t get on the site to approve them for awhile, and they expired. However, I am now actively maintaining it, so if you still want to add us then by all means do so.

And finally, since we’ve made you wait, a preview of upcoming show topics!

• Design Class Projects
• Super Orgy of Artist Alley Info, parts 2&3
• Intro to Adobe Photoshop Tools
• Clay to Wax: an overview of candle-making in molds (our successes and failures) parts 1,2,&3
• Matting and Framing
• Loads of interviews…If you’re at Dragon*con and you wanna do an interview, let me know!

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