I do original art in alcohol markers. I'm planning to sell some at a con this year, it's the first time I've ever sold my art. The markers I use aren't lightfast, though. I'm trying to figure out the best way to inform potential customers of this so they don't accidentally ruin their art ;_; At the same time, I don't want to sabotage sales . Am I overthinking this all- do people buying original art generally understand this is a risk and they won't be bothered by my disclaimer?
Kiriska: Most markers aren’t lightfast, and there’s plenty of material available about how Copics and other alcohol markers were never intended for use in “fine art” or other pieces that are supposed to last forever.
Still, in my experience, marker work can last for a good long while, even in slightly less than optimal conditions (some direct light exposure, some humidity, some heat, no UV protective frame).
A small mention of how to care for purchases would never go unappreciated by a customer, but I don’t think you need to word it as a disclaimer. An informative “care sheet” or similar would be sufficient.
After all, many other tools aren’t archival or lightfast (the recently popular Posca markers come to mind) and some materials vary greatly depending on brand (watercolor lightfastness is highly variable between colors and brands, professional-grade or otherwise).
I wouldn’t assume collectors necessarily know this, but I also don’t think it’s entirely your responsibility to educate them if they don’t. All original art is fragile in its own way. A customer who doesn’t understand at least that probably isn’t one to buy originals in the first place.
Nattosoup:
I agree with most of what Kiriska has said, but I disagree on the notion that it is not your responsibility to inform customers to potential risks with their new art. When someone spends a chunk of change (let’s say $25 and up, but for younger con attendees, that $25 is a huge investment) on a piece of original art, they’re going to want it to last. Prints come and go, but originals have lasting significance- perhaps it’s a favorite character, maybe an original character, or perhaps they’re a fan of the artist. I’ve purchased marker commissions from other artists of my OC Kara that have hung on my wall for years, and I’d be quite disappointed if the colors shifted drastically in under a year.
Many young convention customers don't understand the difference between lightfast and non lightfast. I too sell originals, often Copic/alcohol marker originals, and I just casually mention that they should display their art out of sunlight. I also bag my nicer originals in UV protective archival bags, since many customers just thumbtack their art directly to the wall. Some brands of markers color shift MUCH faster than others (cheaper brands will colorshift in under a year, fading and turning yellow), but I've had Copic pieces that are 5+ years that are still color true. It's worth mentioning, as a courtesy to the customer, but not something worth fretting over unless they're purchasing a larger/higher quality piece of art. You don’t owe them 100 year lightfast art, but you do owe them honesty.
