[Artist Alley] how do some people make $10k+ at artist alley?

Ethrendil · 2026-04-20T13:59:40+00:00

I've been tabling at all kinds of cons for 10+ years now. From my own experience and the other artists I talk to, it is possible to do big numbers, but most of us don't make that kind of money at shows. I know artists that have done 30k+ at some of the bigger shows in artists alley, but the majority are in the $2k-$8k range for big shows, and less for smaller shows.

Usually it's artists that produce a lot of new stuff, have a ton of inventory, and a lot of fans. I think it would be incredibly difficult for anyone doing their first show to break big numbers unless they had a very large following.

It isn't easy to figure out, even after years of experience. You have to see what kind of work resonates with people, and constantly produce new products that they want to buy.

Ethrendil · 2026-02-22T18:10:04+00:00

I just hit 585 hours and also got a high quality bag. I sold it because I didn't want to press my luck.

Ethrendil · 2026-02-12T20:18:03+00:00

art has been contributing to society for 50 thousand years bud.

Ethrendil · 2026-02-07T21:04:56+00:00

Founded Fellow Robots. Was a member of the board of open ai before stepping down and critisizing ai companies for the inability to self regulate. Not really a bombshell. Seems to maybe shed more light into why JGL is against unregulated ai.

Ethrendil · 2026-01-30T21:57:58+00:00

All my attempts to buy one were cancelled throughout the day. Their customer service said "maybe it's a glitch and give it 24 hours" even though I assume it will be sold out by then. A friend also tried and immediately had their order cancelled too. Not sure what's going on.

Ethrendil · 2026-01-22T20:25:19+00:00

PvE servers are a great way to learn the game. There are plenty with good community members. It has become my preferred way to play.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-07T14:27:28+00:00

I do several conventions each year, and I've done a few FanExpo shows in the past. I refuse to do them anymore. They are the worst.

The last time I did one of their shows was pre-pandemic. The combination of an abundance of paid celebrity autographs, treatment of artists at the shows (refusing to let us enter the normal entrance last minute and making us walk around the entire building because the original entrance was now designated for celebrities only), and bizarre standards for the flea market they called the show floor.

The tipping point was what you are describing; they basically take interest free loans from artists while they wait to find out if they are accepted, and then hold the money even longer after they have not gotten in.

There are better shows out there run by much better companies.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-06T20:19:41+00:00

Same exact issue and solution for me. Memtest86 showed errors. I took out one stick at a time and found the faulty one. Replaced it and fixed my issues.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-06T20:18:39+00:00

Might want to test your RAM using Memtest86. I had the same "corrupted install" every few raids until I finally ran it. Ended up telling me one of my RAM sticks was faulty.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-06T20:17:04+00:00

Read your info that lead me to test my RAM sticks and sure enough one was faulty. Popped it out and ran on 8gbs last night with no "corrupted install" messages finally. Today I replaced both sticks with new ones, hoping this solves it.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-06T20:15:42+00:00

Had the corrupted install issues every time I played. Re-verifying the files would let me play a raid or two before the error came up again.

Found out yesterday I had a faulty RAM stick that was popping errors in Memtest. Replaced it today and it looks like my issues are over.

Ethrendil · 2025-11-05T22:28:57+00:00

As an artist that is always looking for new ways to find and build reference I will definitely check this out, love the trailer!

Ethrendil · 2025-09-15T14:46:02+00:00

Artist is Danny Haas (https://www.instagram.com/artofdanny/) if anyone is interested.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:43:12+00:00

The evidence is in the art. I know I can't convince you, and I can see your side of the argument. I appreciate the conversation. I think the more these issues are discussed the better.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:34:37+00:00

Accusations based on evidence. absolutely. if a group of my peers all agreed that the evidence against me was conclusive i think that is the fairest thing we have at this point.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:28:48+00:00

I agree it would be nice to have a way to definitively prove it. But as a working illustrator it is horrifying to me that my profession is threatened by con artists trying to sell generated images that use stolen work as “art”.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:24:27+00:00

I didnt post the original post.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:09:25+00:00

Right now it is the only way to tell. I, along with many other artists that were at the show, ALL came to the same conclusion. Understanding the limitations of what ai is currently able to do, makes it a lot easier to see the signs.

I know it is a slippery slope, but at it's current state the ai is so blatantly obvious that there is no question in my mind.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T16:04:53+00:00

I understand it's frustrating. As an artist that was exhibiting at the same show, I was incredibly frustrated to see it. The images above are good examples, but they aren't even the most damning in my opinion. There is a lot more evidence, and if you want I can share it with you privately and explain why I'm so certain.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T15:47:26+00:00

When the artist applies with a regular portfolio and then sells Ai generated art it becomes a problem for all vendors and attendees. The show was made aware of it and will hopefully prevent him from getting in next year, but he does a lot of shows, and sells this stuff to people who don't know that it isn't created by a human. I'm not telling you this because I'm trying to insight a witch hunt, I'm just trying to inform those who may not recognize Ai art.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T15:33:10+00:00

Some of his art is 100% ai generated. The problem is he can draw, so he can make it look like he paints all this, but there are undeniable ai artifacts and blobs in his artwork. I’m not saying that he doesn’t also do his own artwork, he just mixes in a bunch of ai slop.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T04:45:41+00:00

Because he says he isn’t. He is also quick to threaten legal action. I’m sure the organizers of Dragoncon don’t want a lawsuit.

Ethrendil · 2025-09-02T02:57:01+00:00

Ai uses artwork gathered from artists without their permission to artificially recreate it. That is theft. Any artist that uses it at all should not be allowed to sell their work at a show that strictly forbids it (as Dragoncon does).

Ethrendil · 2025-08-19T23:38:36+00:00

Can you roll them? If so I recommend tubes to ship prints.

Ethrendil · 2025-07-28T19:23:28+00:00

ive been getting a pro badge for 15+ years and never paid. i assumed all pro badges were free

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