Tattoos, portraits and sketches

**8bit** · 08-13-2009 04:39 AM

Hi my name is Andrew,
I have noticed that although every tom dick and harry seems to be setting up a graphic design business, the industry is saturated with hundreds of freelance graphic designers. I have never noticed a service offering actual hand drawings and sketches such as a sketch of a family photo or a portrait, drawings of wedding photos, custom tattoo designs and the list goes on. I can't tell whether the reason no one has done this is A) because it is a stupid idea or B) just no one has really thought of it.

I will post a few of my sketches, can you tell me what you think? These are from my grade 10 book (about 4 years ago now) so my work has gotten better, my newest sketchbook is on display at my previous school but I will try and get pictures of them.

http://i27.tinypic.com/1r6yar.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/sdeiwh.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/1z312cj.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/1z66yp5.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/10pd4rd.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/2hwee14.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/c0we8.jpg

Please comment if you like the design and/or if you think the idea may work.

Regards
ABurchell

**myfayt** · 08-13-2009 09:17 AM

You are very very talented. You can go a long way with this. You should buy a website and post a portfolio of your work on it and keep it updated. Most of your business will come through there. I wouldn't limit yourself to just one or two types of work. Be open to whatever the person needs, like if they want a bulldog face for the newspaper do it, if they want an angel for a book cover, do it. Graphic artists make good money.

**inle** · 08-13-2009 09:38 AM

In my home country, artists don't earn at all, unless you are really very very good..

**8bit** · 08-13-2009 09:48 AM

Thank you very much, I really appreciate that, its always an honor to have someone compliment my creations! I was thinking of making a website to upload my portfolio but just dont know whether there are many people out there who want drawings of my style. Your right about not limiting myself to a few niches and that I should broaden my services, this would help a lot.
All my teachers at school tried to get me to study exterior architecture but I just love recreating photos, unfortunately Im not good enough to start selling artworks in galleries so the next best thing I can think of is custom small pieces for individuals and businesses, such as primary tattoo design and artwork reproduction.
Any thoughts anyone?
Regards
ABurchell

**myfayt** · 08-13-2009 10:31 AM

There is actually a very large market for your style. Consider this guy Jeff Gaither

Jeff Gaither Home Page

He makes horror art and makes thousands on his work. I've purchased from him before, he made me a very good deal because I had a little tiny budget and 1 single graphic costs me $200.

I know many people who would buy your art, like the tattoos. You need to consider who your market is. BMX riders are big into your style of art, they put skulls on their helmets, skeleton tattoos, snakes on the bikes, etc. I know dozens of BMX riders (I used to be a skateboarder). You can also subcontract to car graphic companies, you design a graphic, sell it for $1,000 and they put it on peoples cars.

**Aletheides** · 08-13-2009 01:34 PM

Licensing t-shirt designs

**8bit** · 08-15-2009 03:29 AM

I love jeff Gaither! Ive seen his work before and think he is one of the best in his style. Licesing TShirts is a good idea, but soo many people do it I just dont know whether its worth trying to compete in such a saturated market. I would LOVE to have designs put onto hoodys but cant find a good company to provide them. Ive even searched cafe press but they only have sweatshirts and I would want my own label on the tag.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks a lot
Regards
ABurchell

**myfayt** · 08-15-2009 11:10 AM

Start your own clothing company and do your own graphics? Would cost about $50k for all equipment + rent.

**8bit** · 08-15-2009 12:05 PM

Ive always thought about doing that, my girlfriends father owns some of the top avante-gard and gothic brands in Japan under his company, so I have access to cheap production in china and raw materials. I just dont know whether there is a market for it. Im bias and feel that lots of people would want my designs on a hoodie etc but dont know if people actually would.
Would any of you buy something like that if you saw it in a shop?
Thanks again

**inle** · 08-17-2009 01:47 AM

Who are you targetting at?
You need more than good designs to run this profitablely..

**8bit** · 08-20-2009 04:21 AM

Yeah of course, products dont sell themselves unfortunately haha. You cant really pinpoint a target market for the designs I would do as they would be appealing to a large array of age and social groups. I would start marketing towards teenagers especially skater groups. This is just a pipe dream at the moment, and I haven't even thought about starting this up yet.

**myfayt** · 08-20-2009 06:56 AM

I was a skateboarder for 9 and 1/2 years. I know the trends and your graphics would do great. Also to answer your question, yes I would buy something from you.

**8bit** · 08-21-2009 12:46 AM

Thank-you that's really encouraging! Im starting to take quite a shine to this idea, I may print off a few 'prototypes' to show people to understand how they feel. If I can perfect the designs etc, I know a family friend who is A) a sponsored skater and B) writes an article for a skate magazine, I cant remember the name though. I spoke to him about the idea and said he would love to get a story about it there

Thanks a lot for all your help guys, Ill update everyone with pictures and news
Regards
ABurchell

**myfayt** · 08-21-2009 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by 8bit

Thank-you that's really encouraging! Im starting to take quite a shine to this idea, I may print off a few 'prototypes' to show people to understand how they feel. If I can perfect the designs etc, I know a family friend who is A) a sponsored skater and B) writes an article for a skate magazine, I cant remember the name though. I spoke to him about the idea and said he would love to get a story about it there

Thanks a lot for all your help guys, Ill update everyone with pictures and news
Regards
ABurchell

Yeah keep us posted, would love to see more of your work.

**8bit** · 08-21-2009 07:30 PM

If theres anything you want custom drawn (for free) just drop a post into this thread, I'm trying to expand my portfolio and instead of wasting my time drawing pictures that will never be used by anyone apart from in my portfolio, I might as well draw some things that people WILL use for something else constructive at the same time!