
Book Illustration Commissions
For Authors, I will work with you to visualize and bring to life your favorite novel scenes. These differ from classic commissions because they will be delivered as a digital file and are all about crafting a visual story that looks like the would you have already written and has been imagined by your readers. The most popular use for these illustrations are for use as promotional materials and special treats for devoted fans. Readers can already visualize your world through your writing, but seeing it and having a snapshot to keep of that precious moment keeps them in your world in a more powerful way.
Character Illustration Examples
Process
Have a look at my rates, initially I'll need you to email me with a description of your vision. What kind of painting you are looking for? Tell me about your ideas, don't shy away from any specifics especially if you have already written the scenes you have in mind or have drawn inspiration from your own sources. I want to hear the full story. I'll also need to know if you have a deadline (eg. Book release). Then I can send you a quote of what I expect the project to cost.
Then I'll fill in those details in a contract and ask you to send me reference imagery that would be useful. I can guide you in what is most helpful to me and let you know what I need from you in terms of images. I will likely ask for a few especially if it is an image that needs "puzzle piecing together".
Once we are both in agreement I will ask for 50% of the payment up front. Then I will start work I many need to do a few sketches and get your feedback depending on the complexity of the image. Afterward I'll start painting. I will need at least a few weeks and you will be allowed to make one or two small changes along the way (adding or removing details).
Lastly I will allow it to dry, scan it and notify you when I am finished. I personally like to use a hybrid approach of using traditional media for color and texture and then filling in those special details with my digital drawing pad. At the finish line I will ask for the remainder of the payment (50%) and get ready to deliver it to you via email or drop box. Then we're finished, and I'll be so excited to see how you use them.
Rates
I charge $250.00 as a flat rate per illustration assuming that there are only one or two characters in the scene. I charge $50.00 for each additional character with a maximum of 5 in the scene.
Each illustration includes:
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One final digital file with two fully rendered characters
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2-3 rounds of initial sketches with 2 rounds of feedback from the author
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2 small alterations to add details (optional)
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Consent to use the images you commission in any promo material you want so long as I am appropriately credited (eg. postcards, bookmarks, end pages of special editions).
FAQ
Why does it cost so much money?
Translating your ideas into a visual story that matches the visuals, emotions, and story of that scene is a lot of problem solving. I love it, though you should know I need to spend easily 10-15 hours of work per illustration to develop it into its final form. The cost is representative of the hours I spend, expertise I have, and communication style I use to get us there.
What counts as a small alteration?
Details that don't alter the composition of the painting. Adding scars, changing accessories, adding facial hair are all examples of small changes. An example of a large change (which is not acceptable) is changing the entire appearance of the character or position. For example, changing a small nerdy goblin boy into a large elven woman with thick hair and 4 arms is a very large change. Changing from a character lying down and relaxing, to being shown standing up and dancing is also a very large change. To be clear, in the initial sketches this is okay to ask for, but after I've started painting the final work it's no longer acceptable and I will have to charge it as being an entirely new commission.
Why do you charge more for additional characters?
The more characters are in a scene, the more challenging the dynamics. Not only must they be smaller to all fit but I must now make sure that they all make sense in relation to each other. This can be through proportions, how they look at one another and what emotion they use in their look/posture. Simply put, there is a lot more to think about.