Q&A with Lilla – part 4
Our ‘Q&A with Lilla’ series is back and here is part 3. This is where we share questions from the previous class of Make Art That Sells.
In Lilla’s Make Art That Sells classes she often gets asked about how to sell work in particular markets, so we thought we’d share some of those questions and answers with you. If you want to work on making art that sells yourself, then why not join us for Assignment Bootcamp, starting on January 5*. (Please note there is no Q&A with Lilla in Bootcamp as the focus is on creating art. If you want to ask Lilla questions directly you will need to join MATS A or B)”
The next Make Art That Sells classes will take place in March 2015, so get on the mailing list here to be one of the first to hear when registration opens!
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Q) When you’re just starting out in licensing, is it ok if your portfolio consists of art you made up on your own (versus “stuff that got licensed”)?
A) Totally, and even when you’re not starting out, because you want to show new work to clients that they can license.
Q) It seems that highly anthropomorphized animals and plants (and inanimate objects) have been trending for a while. Do you think artists decrease their chances of getting licensed with mainly non-anthropomorphized icons in their portfolio?
A) Why not have both? And if that’s not your thing, (to do anthropomorphized animals such as monkeys on bikes), then follow your passions and do other things that you’ve learned in MATS. There’s so much room for great art, and you absolutely do NOT need to do everything. In fact, you can’t, so you might as well follow your informed passions. By that I mean following what you love with an eye toward what you’ve learned in MATS vis a vis what’s happening in the markets.
Q: It has been mentioned that even a hint of ‘darkness’ in illustrations can turn away clients. Is it ever appropriate to create more melancholy/contemplative pieces without being commissioned, or is only “cheerfulness” sought after? Isn’t depicting a single mood rather limiting to both artists and clients?
A) Dark moods are great for children’s books, editorial (magazine) work, and occasionally in the Gift Market for indy/boutique clients.
Q: How does one know what is *ahead* of trend?
A) You don’t really know. It’s a continuum. I can tell in my bones. My course helps you do work that is on trend or ahead of trend. It all depends upon the subject matter and color palettes that I give you, and then the style of the art. The style can be dated or fresh (or somewhere in-between). If it’s fresh, then it can be ahead of trend, in a good way.
Know that some clients and markets are a bit behind, some are ahead, so it really is ok to just make art and show it. Some clients take big risks and some want more predictable work.
Q: What are your views on the ethics of spec work? Do you recommend artists do spec work even if odds are that they won’t be compensated?
A) It’s really tricky. It’s not black and white. Here’s when to do it: If a client is top notch and you want to get in with them; if you feel you’ll learn a lot in the process; if you can resell the art if they don’t pick it up. There has to be something in it for you.
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Want to work on making art that sells yourself, then why not join us for Assignment Bootcamp, starting on January 5*. (Please note there is no Q&A with Lilla in Bootcamp as the focus is on creating art. If you want to ask Lilla questions directly you will need to join MATS A or B)”
Got your own questions for Lilla? Join us for the next round of Make Art That Sells. Class begins on Monday 2 March, 2015 and you can register your interest here to be one of the first to hear when registration opens.
