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Comic art

luminocity

11:28 / 19.08.08

I tried searching but this question doesn't seem to have been asked before.

I'm looking to buy some kind of comic art as a gift. I have no idea where to go or how this stuff is generally sold. I imagine that there should be a reasonable market for original art commissions, and for high quality lithographs or giclee prints.

Can anyone suggest where or how I should look for this?
I started looking with the idea of buying art of some traditional comic book hero, but by a modern artist. But now I'd be interested to see any outlets whatsoever - I couldn't find anything much on the internet which sells with any reference to the artist or print quality involved.

Any suggestions or recommendations? And has anyone else had the same difficulties? Do you have to be fan enough to go to conventions to get access to proper comic art?

luminocity

11:29 / 19.08.08

Sorry, obviously I meant to post this in Comics.

Whisky Priestess

11:36 / 19.08.08

Moderated for a move.

ONLY NICE THINGS

11:39 / 19.08.08

I'll agree that - if it disappears, it's moved.

In terms of comic art - I think if you have something specific in mind it's often customary to contact the artist directly - Paul Grist certainly does this to sell pages his work-ups. I'm not sure if those are the property of the artist or the company in creator-owned projects.

For an actual commission... I think the same applies. Most artists will have websites with contact details.

■

19:21 / 19.08.08

Be careful with eBay kind of goes without saying. One thing to bear in mind is that a lot of older comics (pre-digital colouring) will have gone through a lot of steps before the finals and you could end up with nothing more than a photocopy with colouring instructions. Not that I have ever done this, of course. Oh, no.

Signifier

22:24 / 19.08.08

I'd agree that contacting your friend's favorite artist directly is probably a really good idea. Many cartoonists do commissions, although many don't; doesn't hurt to ask.

For published original art, I've had very good experiences buying stuff via comicartcollective.com (which is actually just a Web storefront for the artists themselves), and from The Beguiling's art store. There are a bunch of other original art dealers listed at http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/commentary/11310/ , about a fifth of the way down.

Contemporary artists' stuff is, naturally, the easiest to find. Pre-1990 original comics artwork is increasingly scarce and expensive--if you want a classic Marvel-era Jack Kirby page, prepare to pay something in the five-digit range--but I've bought some incredibly nice pages of original art by some of my favorite artists for well under $100.

luminocity

09:31 / 22.08.08

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Eek! A Freek!

10:16 / 22.08.08

try comicartfans.com
Lots of links to ebay, but they are usually legit. Lots of private collected portfolio's and ways to contact people, too...

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