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*TTRPGs General
Self Publishing: What's An Artist Worth?
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<blockquote data-quote="GreyLord" data-source="post: 7768759" data-attributes="member: 4348"><p>So, that long paragraph above doesn't really answer your question, of which I'm sorry, because there is no REAL set answer. Just as your article states (though not the rates), it's almost impossible to pin down.</p><p></p><p>It depends on the artist. </p><p></p><p>LUCKILY...if you are dealing with someone who is EXPERIENCED (which also probably means they are dependable), they will know their rates already. You can see their reviews and many of the webpages for freelancers will have a listing where you can see their rates and compare it to others who are also out there.</p><p></p><p>For someone who is new, it will boil down to how many illustrations do you want, how detailed do you want them, and when you want them.</p><p></p><p>Let's put a general price of $100 per illustration (just an average to make it easy...so smaller illustrations should be less, bigger illustrations more...this is the whole kit and caboodle). If I need 50 illustrations, we are looking at $5000 easy. </p><p></p><p>They should probably be given at LEAST 3 months to fulfill such an order. If they require 6 months...that's probably going to be acceptable. If they start stalling and saying it will take LONGER than 6 months...that's where you start negotiating. At a year mark for 50 illustrations...I'd start wondering how quick they can work and how dependable they are.</p><p></p><p>Now let's say I want those illustrations in a month rather than 3 months. That's going to rachet it up a GREAT deal. IF (and that could be a big if) they can pull it off, you probably should at least triple if not quadruple that price to at least $15K to $20K. It could be more than that, even for a new artist.</p><p></p><p>Another factor, let's say that you want all those illustrations to be full color full cover illustrations. That should then ratchet it up considerably. I'd probably say $250 on average, though $500 is probably not a bad askance for in this situation...and at least 6 months of time if not more. For 50 illustrations you are looking at $25K at least, and if you want it under that time period...let's say in three months it probably should be something like $50K to 100K.</p><p></p><p>Just some rough guesstimates.</p><p></p><p>Most beginning artists probably are not going to get these types of contracts and if you are looking at this type of money to be laid out...I'd probably go looking at the experienced artists who have some work under their belts, know how fast they can work and what they typically can charge for that. </p><p></p><p>For a writer I'd say look at getting a few black and white sketches for the interior at around$25 - $50 per sketch. These are not as great detail as a full on illustration, as they are quicker, but normally they are passable. For the cover, look at spending $500 to $1000 for it. You'll want a great deal of detail, full color, and all the pizzaz. You'll also want it with layout which will cost you another amount (covered in your guide already). </p><p></p><p>Just some thoughts that more officially answer your question, though it's still sort of out there as actual prices are very nebulous regarding how much you could or should pay.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="GreyLord, post: 7768759, member: 4348"] So, that long paragraph above doesn't really answer your question, of which I'm sorry, because there is no REAL set answer. Just as your article states (though not the rates), it's almost impossible to pin down. It depends on the artist. LUCKILY...if you are dealing with someone who is EXPERIENCED (which also probably means they are dependable), they will know their rates already. You can see their reviews and many of the webpages for freelancers will have a listing where you can see their rates and compare it to others who are also out there. For someone who is new, it will boil down to how many illustrations do you want, how detailed do you want them, and when you want them. Let's put a general price of $100 per illustration (just an average to make it easy...so smaller illustrations should be less, bigger illustrations more...this is the whole kit and caboodle). If I need 50 illustrations, we are looking at $5000 easy. They should probably be given at LEAST 3 months to fulfill such an order. If they require 6 months...that's probably going to be acceptable. If they start stalling and saying it will take LONGER than 6 months...that's where you start negotiating. At a year mark for 50 illustrations...I'd start wondering how quick they can work and how dependable they are. Now let's say I want those illustrations in a month rather than 3 months. That's going to rachet it up a GREAT deal. IF (and that could be a big if) they can pull it off, you probably should at least triple if not quadruple that price to at least $15K to $20K. It could be more than that, even for a new artist. Another factor, let's say that you want all those illustrations to be full color full cover illustrations. That should then ratchet it up considerably. I'd probably say $250 on average, though $500 is probably not a bad askance for in this situation...and at least 6 months of time if not more. For 50 illustrations you are looking at $25K at least, and if you want it under that time period...let's say in three months it probably should be something like $50K to 100K. Just some rough guesstimates. Most beginning artists probably are not going to get these types of contracts and if you are looking at this type of money to be laid out...I'd probably go looking at the experienced artists who have some work under their belts, know how fast they can work and what they typically can charge for that. For a writer I'd say look at getting a few black and white sketches for the interior at around$25 - $50 per sketch. These are not as great detail as a full on illustration, as they are quicker, but normally they are passable. For the cover, look at spending $500 to $1000 for it. You'll want a great deal of detail, full color, and all the pizzaz. You'll also want it with layout which will cost you another amount (covered in your guide already). Just some thoughts that more officially answer your question, though it's still sort of out there as actual prices are very nebulous regarding how much you could or should pay. [/QUOTE]
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