How to Get Sketches at a Comic Con

Collecting sketches from established and up-and-coming artists can be a fun part of a comic con. Here is how to approach artists and get free or low-cost sketches.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Artist's sketchbook
• Post-It Note
• Comic backing board or other piece of stiff paper
• Tickets to a comic con
• Money (optional)

1. Get a high quality sketchbook, available at an art supply store or craft store. The pages should be at least 70-pound paper, and spiral bound so that the pages do not easily tear out.
2. Write your name, address and phone number on a Post-It Note and stick the note inside the front cover. Sometimes, artists will want to take some time with a sketch, so it is important to have contact information inside the sketchbook so it gets back to the correct person.
3. Stick a backing board or other piece of firm paper inside the sketchbook. Many artists do sketches in marker, which can bleed through the page. A backing board keeps this bleed-through off the rest of the sketchbook.
4. At the convention, go to the Artist's Alley. Have your sketchbook in hand as you go through the aisles. When you find an artist whose work you like, just ask politely if he or she will do a sketch in your sketchbook. Artists who charge for sketches in sketchbooks will usually have a card on their table listing prices.
5. If you want a sketch from a big-name artist, head directly to his or her table as soon as the convention opens. Some will do quick sketches in addition to the commissions they take during a convention, while others will do only commissions.
6. Be sure to thank the artist for doing the sketch.
7. If the sketch is in ink, be sure to leave the book open until the ink dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Hand the sketchbook to the artist face-up.
• Oftentimes, artists do not want to be on the first page of a fan's sketchbook.
• Sketches from cons are fun souvenirs, not for selling. The practice of "fans" getting free sketches from artists and selling them online before the convention is even over has made some artists wary of doing free sketches, or even stop doing them.