ATCs originated in 1997 when Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann created an exhibit of over 1,200 handmade cards. He asked others to create cards, as well, so that on the last day of the exhibit he could trade his cards with them. The idea was a hit and turned into a world-wide phenomenon. Today, artist trading cards are used to share work, network, and practice creating on a smaller scale.
Rules
There are some rules to trading artist cards. Artist trading cards are pieces of watercolor paper, cardstock, or illustration board that are 2.5"x3.5" in size. An artist creates an original work of art on these tiny canvases and then trades them with other artists through groups and events. Trade is the operative word. Cards should not be sold.
Any medium is allowed on trading cards. Some examples of mediums that other artists have used is crayon, wax reserve, collage, gel pens, concrete transfers, watercolor, colored pencil, and pencil sketchings.
On the back of the cards, the artist should print their name, contact information (an email address is fine), the title of the work on the artist trading card, and a number if it is part of a series.
How To
ATCs can either be bought pre-made or can be made from larger sheets of paper cut down to size.
Strathmore has a line of quality, pre-made blank artist trading cards that comes in packs of 5 to 20 sheets. These cards come in 100 lb. bristol, canvas paper, 140 lb. watercolor paper, 246 linen paper for acrylics, 80 lb. textured paper, 42 pt. illustration board, and assorted packs. Strathmore also has envelopes for mailing individual cards.
To make cards, the artist should decide on what type of paper she will need for the medium she uses. The paper will also need to be durable to stand up to any handling it may receive. A soft pencil should be used to mark the dimensions of the card so that the paper will not be damaged. A mat knife works well to cut the paper. The artist may want to hold a ruler along the edge of the pencil marks to guide the blade for a straighter cut.
Protecting Cards
Once the artist has trading cards, he will want to protect them. The card may need to be treated with fixative if the medium is unstable. Pastels, charcoal, and pencil fall under this category.
Art trading cards can be protected using sports card binders, plastic sheets, and organizers. Many hobby shops carry these.
Trading
There many groups and sponsors, both online and off, that artist can use to trade their art cards.
The Yahoo Artist Trading Card Group has more than 3,000 members that trade cards and share their love for the art form.
ATCsForAll.com is a website that allows its members to trade, enter ATC contests, and more.
Strathmore Artist Papers hosts a global artist trading card swap where artists are encouraged to send in a card to receive a card from around the world in return. The entry form can be downloaded here.
ArtistTradingCards.Meetup.com is website designed to help artists find local art card trading groups. Visitors can type in their zip code to easily locate groups.
Even if the artist isn’t ready to trade cards, the members of these groups and sponsors can enlighten and inspire the artist in many ways.
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