RPG Artists
- Thread starter tleilaxu
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Chain Lightning
First Post
I have two friends that have done art for RPGs. Each of those little illustrations you see in the book don't pay that much. Even way less if they're doing art for smaller RPG publishers. Most artists I know do it for the fun of it and to pick up a little extra income. They have their day to day job (which may also be art related) and then they have freelance assignments for RPGs. They do those when they get home and on the weekends.
I actually have a lot of artists friends who would like to do more RPG related stuff. But I noticed that a lot of time, they get turned off by the amount of money they'd be paid for it. Again, most that do it, do it for the love of RPGs and their genres.
The only way I can see an artist making a living solely on RPG work, is if he has a steady stream of assignments from a big company. I know of a guy (I don't know him personally, he's a friend of a friend) But when he was doing painted cards for CCGs from WotC, he was making enough on just those only. But I think if you're only doing the side margin black and whites maybe only once or twice a week, you're not going to make enough money for a living.
Another odd thing I found out, the painter/illustrators that do covers for even some of the biggest fantasy novels don't get paid that much actually. I want I mean by 'much', is enough to pay bills and stuff for the length of time it takes you do paint it. Most such illustrators take on multiple assignments to make ends meet.
I actually have a lot of artists friends who would like to do more RPG related stuff. But I noticed that a lot of time, they get turned off by the amount of money they'd be paid for it. Again, most that do it, do it for the love of RPGs and their genres.
The only way I can see an artist making a living solely on RPG work, is if he has a steady stream of assignments from a big company. I know of a guy (I don't know him personally, he's a friend of a friend) But when he was doing painted cards for CCGs from WotC, he was making enough on just those only. But I think if you're only doing the side margin black and whites maybe only once or twice a week, you're not going to make enough money for a living.
Another odd thing I found out, the painter/illustrators that do covers for even some of the biggest fantasy novels don't get paid that much actually. I want I mean by 'much', is enough to pay bills and stuff for the length of time it takes you do paint it. Most such illustrators take on multiple assignments to make ends meet.
Arcane Runes Press
First Post
Well;
My advice would be this:
Head to the freelancer's forum at RPG.net.
There, you will find quite a diverse collection of pro and aspiring pro artists. They will be happy to share their knowledge, as well as offer leads on jobs and knowledgeable critique of your work.
Patrick Y.
My advice would be this:
Head to the freelancer's forum at RPG.net.
There, you will find quite a diverse collection of pro and aspiring pro artists. They will be happy to share their knowledge, as well as offer leads on jobs and knowledgeable critique of your work.
Patrick Y.
hellbender
First Post
There are quite a few factors involved in the field of pay in illustration.
1)The company: Pay varies drastically from company to company, and not just the scale. Unless you have worked with a company for a length of time, be wary about receiving a check (and even then, there are companies that duck out of obligations). Art (exterior and interior) often sell products, but paying illustrators isn't always high on the priority list.
2)The market: With the d20 event, work is much more prevalent in the rpg industry, obviously, but the ccg market is usually much more lucrative and fairly steady if the game is a good seller. I know people who have bought houses off of checks from ccg art, and people who work a square job and spend their spare time working for rpg companies.
3)Factor X: The ability to deliver quality on time is very crucial at the beginning stages. It is always of utmost importance to be able to understand how to create concepts, how to work neat and on time and to be sure of your own limitations. This is a field that is lucrative if you are good and able to adapt, for example, why work exclusively in the rpg market? You will find that many, many artists and illustrators work in various fields in the same or similar genres. And luck and timing never hurt. The money is there, but you have to think of your own long term goals and dreams as well.
hellbender
1)The company: Pay varies drastically from company to company, and not just the scale. Unless you have worked with a company for a length of time, be wary about receiving a check (and even then, there are companies that duck out of obligations). Art (exterior and interior) often sell products, but paying illustrators isn't always high on the priority list.
2)The market: With the d20 event, work is much more prevalent in the rpg industry, obviously, but the ccg market is usually much more lucrative and fairly steady if the game is a good seller. I know people who have bought houses off of checks from ccg art, and people who work a square job and spend their spare time working for rpg companies.
3)Factor X: The ability to deliver quality on time is very crucial at the beginning stages. It is always of utmost importance to be able to understand how to create concepts, how to work neat and on time and to be sure of your own limitations. This is a field that is lucrative if you are good and able to adapt, for example, why work exclusively in the rpg market? You will find that many, many artists and illustrators work in various fields in the same or similar genres. And luck and timing never hurt. The money is there, but you have to think of your own long term goals and dreams as well.
hellbender
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