Most comic book conventions will have an area dedicated to the artists, often referred to as Artist Alley or Artist’s Alley. At smaller conventions, the artists may be mixed in with other vendors, but at larger cons like SDCC or NYCC, there will areas dedicated solely to the artists. So what is Artist Alley?
It’s A Place To Meet Creators
Artist Alley is a great place to meet your favorite writers and artists. You can bring your favorite items to have them signed or purchase items from the artist at their table. Often times they’ll have exclusive prints or books that you can’t find anywhere else. Depending on the lines, which can grow large for popular artists, this is also a great chance to chat. Whether you just want to show your appreciation or you want to ask questions about their craft, artist alley is the place to get some face time with your heroes.
It’s A Place To Commission Artists
For collectors, Artist Alley is a great place to order commissioned artwork. Artists will work on your piece at the show and you can often have it in hand that day. Prices vary based on the artist and the type of work you request, but you can often find something for any budget. Many artists even offer cheaper “5 Minute Sketches”, which, as you can tell from the name, is a sketch they complete in 5 minutes. For the more popular artists, your best bet is to contact them well before the show, as their commission list may fill up quickly.
It’s A Place To Buy Comics and Artwork
When visiting the artists in Artist Alley, they’ll all have something for sale at their table. Some will offer their comic books, others will offer art prints or original comic book pages and others will offer custom artwork. Check out your favorite artists and I’m sure you’ll find something you love!
Conclusion
Artist Alley is a must-see part of comic con for all of the reasons listed above. If nothing else, it’s great to walk around and admire all of the talented artists and their amazing artwork.
Printable, Foldable Pocket Planner for Comic Con features tips for making the most out of every convention.
Take notes of booths and celebrities you want to see. Write down the dates and times for panels and signings.
Make sure you have the supplies you need!
Just download and print this Comic book convention tips and to-do list!
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