Any drawfags or people with industry knowledge, I'm curious. If I have a story, plot, character designs, etc. but want a professional artist to draw the book, how does it usually work? Most artists I've talked to want paid on a per page rate but are they then also entitled to credit and a share of profits if they are paid up front? Ideal situation would be a collaborator who shares credits and proceeds but everyone seems to want paid up front (understandable). Problem is that this would come out of pocket for me as I need the finished product to get it sold. Anyone with experience doing an indy book?
How does it work for artists in the industry?
Colton Brown
Jayden Ward
In this situation you would draw up a contract that stipulates payment to the artist and details any creative credit/profit sharing towards the artist.
Dominic Smith
I've thought about that, but I'm not sure what standard practice is or what's customary. I personally feel that if the artist is paid up front for their work they should not be entitled to any creative rights or proceeds/profits from the work, is that unfair?
Evan Cruz
hi there.
you can try looking for a true collaborator on "help wanted" sites and forums, such as digital webbing etc. by that i mean someone who will work for free, i.e. for back end. you can split the profits 50-50 or 60-40 for the artist, because art is more time consuming. the problem is there will be no profits. there is no way an indie book can earn a decent amount (say, a couple of thousand dollars) in the current system. pros know it and will not do it. amateurs and new artists may but they also may simply disappear midway when they get bored or get a paid offer elsewhere.
the second option is to do a submission. pay an artist to do 5 pages plus a cover and submit it to publishers. unless either of you is well-known, it's highly unlikely this way will pay off. if the pitch fails, use the pages to try crowdfunding and harass your friends and family on social media to fund your project.
the third option is to pay the artist (never upfront, work in stages). dont worry about royalties, there wont be any to split. offer whatever they ask but keep the rights, e.g. movie and tv. offer 20-30 there too, just as a sign of good will. that is the only way to make money. even optioning is bad nowadays.
if you can afford a pro artist, its the best way to get your story out there. you get what you pay for.
Dominic Carter
Im working with an author on a children's book right now, it depends on what you both want. I'm right out of college and Its my first industry job so I'm ok with just getting money up front. With the next books (author wants to make around 15) we do together, I will be getting royalties.
Andrew Evans
>third option is to pay the artist
What's best way to do this to ensure I don't get fucked? Say the guy says $200/page, do I pay once I get the page or do a deposit?
Christian Lee
thats a lot for an indie book so you can find an established artist with experience and online presence. some artists ask for money upfront because theyve been fucked themselves. i'm against it. even if the artist delivers, he might be less enthusiastic when the money is already in the bank. my advice is to work in stages: finish the layouts first, then the pencils... pay him because you can use those, i.e. someone else can ink them if needed. if working digitally, those translate to roughs. pay stage by stage. other option is to pay page by page, but you might end up with 5 or 15 pages in one style, which are useless without the rest of the book.
Isaac Sanchez
I'm willing to pay for a whole book if I can get a decent product on time. I wonder if doing a digital imprint would be worthwhile to give others a voice as well.
John Sullivan
What's your art style?
Ian Cook
> I personally feel that if the artist is paid up front for their work they should not be entitled to any creative rights or proceeds/profits from the work, is that unfair?
Better learn to draw then user