Compensation for Artists

[Sir Edgar]

I am interested in knowing more about average compensation rates on for artists. I know it's like asking how much the average doctor makes (it varies!), but I guess I'd like to get an idea what the pay ranges would be for a talented amateur, semi-professional, and professional artist.

For example, would I be right if I said something like the following:

Cover art for hardcover book
amateur: $250, semi-professional: $500, professional: $1000+

What about small illos and big illos? Do you charge less if it's an adventure or smaller project or a new company? How about just doing all the artwork for a single adventure or sourcebook? How often does one artist do all the work for a single product? Do you accept fixed rates when doing so? How does one "commission" art? How do you communicate with the publisher/writer on what he/she wants? How long does it take for you to do each kind of art? Also, do you send samples or portfolios to companies by hardcopy or electronic format? Finally, what percentage of artists are "full-time" and do not have day jobs?

I know these are a lot of questions, some of which may seem a bit personal, but I'm just curious. Thanks!

 

[Malessa]

Hate to tell you, but the pay isn't that high, as far as I know. I could be mistaken, but most artists like us are pretty poor. My hubby is writing a D20 source book, and he gets his art free (me), lol. Alot of competition out there......But good luck, hope you find what your looking for, and get paid your worth!

 

[Sir Edgar]

I still don't have any idea what the compensation range is like.

 

[Genysys]

Ok, I don't know too much about what fantasy/d20 artists get paid, but I know the averages for comic book pencilers:
A beginner usually averages about $45-$65 a page, while the prima donna pros can top out at anywhere between $100 to $250 dollars a page on a well-read book. Cover artists can pull more if they are well known. I realize that this might not help, but its the only art comps that I know.

 

[alsih2o]

pottery is a little different, so i won't bore you with that, but i do have some illustrator friends who use decent rules of thumb i can pass on.

a woodcutter i know charges $300 a square foot, $300 minimum.

an inker i know charges $36 an hour.

ymmv