Help a brotha out!

[Torn blue sky]

Lo chaps and chapesses!
Been venturing into this painting for monies business, just wondering about hints and tips to get started and what not. There's a trading post thread (here -> http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums...oping-Hawks-Limited-Edition-Sicarius-for-sale) about the stuff I have up. Wondering just how I manage to throw myself out there for commissions and stuff too though. Thought this would be a good place to start!

Tell me your secrets, all of them! I don't have a dodgy german accent to intimidate you into answering , but I have a shiny light and some pliers... And beer, if that works. Good cop/ Bad cop all rolled into one handy package.
I know this isn't necessarily the place to post such things, but it's discussion/general pap related. All and any help would be appreciated. It also means i'll be about a bit more...You lucky people.

 

[freakinacage]

you have some great stuff there. esp love the old skool wolves. just put yourself out there (as it were) getting a name for yourself is the best way to get cash! you can probably get more money doing a load of just above tabletop minis than a few comp standard

 

[Torn blue sky]

Hmnn, like squads of slap-dash stuff? Always been a bit apprehensive about whether or not that kina thing would sell well or not.
Anywhere I should be putting myself out there? The local corner has only made me 10 bucks so far and I haven't sold any minis *cough*

 

[Sir Wulf]

I used to sell armor for medieval recreation groups like the SCA. The most profitable items weren't the high-end items that challenged my skill, but basic items done well. From what I've seen, you want to be a cut above what others can do, without investing the time needed to customize every detail. You want to maximize your quality while using your time efficiently.

 

[Torn blue sky]

That seeeems to be the jist of what I hear. Some have said limit yourself to 3 hrs? These people have been doing this kina thing for years though. Might be a case of refining a speedy technique to constantly throw out minis. Finger's a bit off the pulse where popular things are concerned too.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

If you're going for auctions, set the price low and it, through the bidding process, will find it's own level. Not always, I've agreed with much of the sale price. Though some have gone for much less than I thought and a few, much more.

 

[Chrome]

I'm not painting that much when it comes to commissions, I'm sculpting more. But what helped me start out(I'm still basically in the starting grounds mind you) was to be cheap, sometimes even so cheap that the commission was a downright loss or even for free. it doesn't help you money wise in the beginning but it helps you reach people and through that you can gradually increase your prices as your renown increases.

I have now, after a year or so of commissioning for real been able to get my commissions and part of my own hobby funded, sometime's I've been able to add to the personal economy but that's more of an exception than a rule. This far.

 

[freakinacage]

The most profitable items weren't the high-end items that challenged my skill, but basic items done well.

aye this. not slap dash but not over done and faffy either

 

[Torn blue sky]

Yeah there seemed to be a general consensus that starting out would be at a loss really. I'm throwing things out on different forums to try and get a bit more recognition. As fortune would have it, there's a popular Reaper line called "mouselings" that are cheap and easy to do. People seem to go apeshit for those.
Guess half of it is knowing the market.
Have to say, Shawn, i've noticed the same thing on things i've thrown out there I didn't think much of selling for more than i'd thought. It was more of a "Don't need this, get rid of it for cheap" Thing that turned out to be lucrative... It's an odd business for sure.

 

[bane3d]

Interesting thoughts, was wondering the same thing as Torn blue sky. After a break from painting for couple of years was wondering how things work and how stuff changed cheers & ty for tips guys!