How To Get The Most Out Of Conventions

Pros of cons Fun, sociable and good for your career… conventions have it all. Top artists tell Dom Carter why you need to attend

Conventions have gained momentum over recent years and come into their own. Take San Diego Comic-Con, whose attendance rate has almost doubled over the past 15 years to rival the numbers of people going to mainstream music festivals.

If this is good news for convention organisers, it’s even better news for artists. Not only do they have more people to network with and sell to, they also get to increasingly feel like they’re part of a community. A sensation that all too often can seem out of reach.

“Making comics can be a very solitary existence,” says convention veteran, illustrator and NC Comicon about these events is that artists, aspiring artists, freelancers and employees from all over the world all come together in one place. It’s like getting a glimpse into what this industry stands for, what it represents, what kind of people work in it, and what their hopes and fears are.”

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

One of the main lures for artists when it comes to attending festivals is the opportunity to get their portfolio reviewed by their heroes. However, if the thought of offering your work up for review sounds a little too intimidating, illustrator and San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor Dave Seeley has some advice to keep in mind.