[dc]A[/dc]s I worked on a new batch of sketch cards the other night, Stephanie looked over my shoulder and remarked, “How is it such cute, adorable things can come out of your dark, tangled mind?”
No one has ever done this joke before.
I merely shrugged. I go with my instinct, be it a cutesy watercolor cartoon of Chewbacca or a comic strip about a mutant corn dog. I am a complicated man, and unlike Shaft¹, even my woman doesn’t understand me.
Aw jeeeez.
My two attempts selling sketch cards at shows taught me a couple of things: Cute sells, and funny sells. Since photo-realistic drawings are not in my skill wheelhouse, cute and funny it is for my sketch cards.
I know from my experience as a comic convention attendee, I’m more likely to buy something which is ‘different.’ Meaning, a cartoony watercolor Boba Fett² is more likely to get my attention over an on-model ‘serious’ piece. But, that’s me. People like what they like, so there’s no reason not to try the cute and/or funny route.
Case in point, I’m selling a new print this weekend at the Cherry Capital Comic Con, based on an older comic.
Actually, he really hates football. Cricket is his game.
I have another version, with Ohio State in place of Michigan State. I made a similar sketch card, which always gets attention (and laughs) at shows, so I decided to try it as an 8.5 x 11 print. I didn’t just blow up the card image, I drew and painted a new full size drawing.
At the very least, this print makes for a good ‘eye catcher’ and gives me something to talk about with guests. Ice breakers are good to have on the table.
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1 Shaft!
2 Which I actually own. I have one by Katie Cook.
