Subscription based Stock Art

[rick_hershey]

I've been playing with the idea of offering subscription based stock art. It would be a year subscription (most likely between $100-$200) and you get 3+ images a week. The subscriptions would be broken up by subject (fantasy, monsters, modern, etc.) so you could subscribe to what you are most interested in using.

After purchasing, I'm thinking of running the actual downloads through a private forum that customers would have to sign up for. With this method they could preview each image finished without blindly downloading and can offer requests and feedback in an easier form then e-mail.

My question would be if this is an interest to anyone? I mean, it wouldn't be worth it to have only 2-3 people subscribe. Any thoughts?

 

[rick_hershey]

I got a PM asking some questions and I thought I'd answer them here.

- Color or Black & White?

Simple answer, both. Some will be colored, some just B&W. Colored versions will have line art separate.

- File type?

300dpi Tiffs

- What will be produced, I don't want to get stuck with a years worth of item artwork.

Well, let's say you get the "Fantasy" subscription. It will include classic and original races/classes, items and equipment, and locations/scenery. Also, periodically I would do full story-driven illustrations.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know.

 

[Morrus]

For publishers, you mean? I dunno - I certainly wouldn't interested in shelling out $300 and not knowing what I'm getting. I generally have very specific needs for the art in the products I produce.

 

[rick_hershey]

It would be for publishers, also geared towards those who most likely don't have a budget to hire artists on a regular basis, or produce more generic products.

That said, even at $100 a page B&W, you are only getting about 12 1/4 page images for that $300 bucks. With the subscription you'll get those 12 images and more the first month.

You would also be filling a library for future products, and you have the ability to make requests (although they couldn't be too specific)

 

[Angellis_ater]

100-200$ and if payment is available to be split up could definately be interesting, considering that we've had good co-operations before. 300$ is a little steep as Morrus said for unspecific images.

 

[Morrus]

With the subscription you'll get those 12 images and more the first month.

Well, no, that's the thing - I'd be getting 12 other images. A goblin is useless ot me if I'm producing an adventure about sahuagin, and I can't depict the King as a kobold.

 

[rick_hershey]

Well, there are problems with the subscription model that I just can't get to work. One being the blind purchase problem, and not knowing what you are getting.

The other, and a big risk for me, is the cost versus production. Something like this would require a large subscription base in order to cover my costs for production.

Another idea brought up to me was the idea of "ransom" packs for models. Meaning that various sets were proposed (example being Goblin Tribes or Nobles) and then a voting system would determine what set was produced. That would give some control to production and providing clients needs, and the purchases would be limited to a single set, not a full years subscription. With this model, it's like a group of publishers pitching in to hire a single artist.

Now, that model comes with it's own set of complications.

 

[pawsplay]

100-200$ and if payment is available to be split up could definately be interesting, considering that we've had good co-operations before. 300$ is a little steep as Morrus said for unspecific images.

Honestly, even $3 is too much to pay for a single image of a known subject if I haven't seen the piece or know the artist's work well already.

 

[lmpjr007]

Well, there are problems with the subscription model that I just can't get to work. One being the blind purchase problem, and not knowing what you are getting.

The other, and a big risk for me, is the cost versus production. Something like this would require a large subscription base in order to cover my costs for production.

Another idea brought up to me was the idea of "ransom" packs for models. Meaning that various sets were proposed (example being Goblin Tribes or Nobles) and then a voting system would determine what set was produced. That would give some control to production and providing clients needs, and the purchases would be limited to a single set, not a full years subscription. With this model, it's like a group of publishers pitching in to hire a single artist.

Now, that model comes with it's own set of complications.

You might want to try something like a people can bid on a piece of artwork and get exclusive useage rights for 6 months or to a year. After that time limit, you (the artist) could sell the art as typical stock art. It is a win-win. You (the artist) gets money upfront and on the back end, long term. The buyer get a exclusive piece of art that only he has for a while that will most likely be cheaper then what he might normally pay for it just due to the bidding process.