Artists' Alley Conduct

You’re attending an anime convention. The sights, the sounds, and the new people you meet… It’s all just so exciting! As an artist who has sold at different conventions several times, I've seen firsthand what becomes of overly excited con goers: They lose all their manners and social tact for the weekend While this article will focus on Artists’ Alley (as that is the area of a convention I've had the most experience with), the points discussed here can be applied to all aspects of a con

Respect The Artists' Time

When you go to your favorite store, you don't stand at the checkout counter and talk to the clerk for a half an hour after making your purchase, do you? Well, you'd be surprised how common of a practice this is in Artists' Alley.

For whatever reason, there are people who are compelled to hang out and talk (and talk... and talk... ) with an artist well beyond the point where they have worn out their welcome. I refer to these individuals as "campers" because they "camp out" in front of an artist's table for extended periods of time

As an artist, I can tell you that this behavior is the absolute most annoying. Don't misunderstand, there's nothing wrong with friendly chatter; It's always fun to talk to others who are fans of the same things that you like. However, the purpose of Artists' Alley is for artists to sell their art. They are not there to be your babysitter or new best friend. Getting table space at any convention's Artists' Alley costs money. If you are a "camper", you are most likely causing the artist to lose business. Potential customers are less likely to peruse artwork or make a purchase if they see that the artist is engaged (willingly or otherwise) in an extended conversation with someone. Also, you could simply be boring the artist. Perhaps you think the story of the very first Charizard you had on Pokemon Red back in sixth grade is the most interesting tale ever, but the artist may not share your feelings

To avoid being a "camper", limit your conversations with artists to about ten minutes maximum (Make it less if business seems to be picking up or if the artist seems particularly disinterested or nontalkative. Not all artists are very extroverted, and they may be too shy to speak with you much.) If potential customers visit the table, politely move out the way so they can have a chance to view the artwork and speak with the artist. And remember, the artist will most likely be there all weekend, so you can always come back and say "Hello" to them again if you really thought they were awesome

The Artist's Table Is Not Your Rest Area

You've been attending the con for hours now, and your arms are full of bags, plushies, and probably some Pocky. You want to rest, reorganize your things, and perhaps even text your friends. You stop at the first table you see, drop your things down, and put that fancy smartphone to good use. Only problem is that this table your bags are now resting on belongs to an artist, and your stuff is now covering up their art

It's really tempting to use whatever flat surface you find as your rest stop, especially when your arms are full and you're in a crowded area. But dumping your things on an artist's table is really rude, even if you only do it for a few minutes. Try to make periodic stops at your hotel room to drop off your things (thereby minimizing the amount of stuff you need to carry around). If that option isn't possible, then move to areas with minimal traffic and keep your bags on the floor while you reorganize/make a phone call/etc. Conventions are packed full of people, but you still need to be respectful of others' personal space.

Photograph Cosplayers, Not An Artist's Work

You just found an amazing piece of fanart of one of your favorite characters. You'd love to own it, but because you either can't or refuse to pay for it, you take out your camera to take a photo of it instead. Better put that back in your pocket, otherwise you are no longer welcomed at this table

Artists put a lot of time and effort into their work. By photographing their prints and posters instead of buying a copy, you are stealing their work, plain and simple. If you really like something you see, buy it. You'll make the artist happy and you will have a nice, glossy poster to hang up in your room rather than a grainy cellphone photo.

Artists' Alley Does Not Equal Art School

Your sketchbook is full of all your latest doodles and masterpieces. You want to show all this artwork off to other people and get their comments on it, maybe even get some advice on how to improve your artistic techniques. Passing your sketchbook around Artists' Alley is the best way to accomplish this, right? If you believe that, you are wrong. Very, very wrong.

You may be really excited to meet other artists in person, but shoving your sketchbook in their face and demanding that they look through it is very impolite and awkward. Like I've said before, the point of Artists' Alley is for the artists to sell their artwork, not critique the artwork of others. If you want to share your art and get comments on it, do so through dA/Facebook/Tumblr/etc. Don't assume that just because the person sitting behind the table is an artist that they are automatically interested in seeing your art (especially if they've had a long, tiring day). Feel free to casually mention that you have your sketchbook with you, and if the artist is interested, they may ask you to see it. If they don't, then simply keep it to yourself

Something else to keep to yourself is your criticism. I have personally had strangers stand in front of my table and wonder aloud about my art "Ehhhh~ why are those characters drawn like that? " and another ask "What is that? An arm bone? Yeah, I don't think you drew that very proportionally." Wow. Why don't you tell me how you really feel?

I can guarantee that in any Artists' Alley you visit, you will see art that you don't understand or don't like. Use your brain though and think before you speak. That means waiting until you get out of earshot of the artist before you start discussing with your friends how ugly or weird you think their art is. Critiquing is a fine practice, but this isn't a museum, it's Artists' Alley. Save your critiques for a more appropriate setting, such as an art website or class.

In Closing...

Anime conventions are meant to be fun events, but be mindful of how your behavior impacts those around you. If you remember your manners, your weekend will go much more smoothly, and that artist you just bought a poster from won't duck under their table when you pass through Artists' Alley again