Pricing Question: Album Covers

[Jacob Kobryn]

Hi,
My friend has joined up with a bunch of other musicians and has formed a black metal band. Being a fan of metal and the only artist he knows, he wants me to do the cover art for their album they're currently recording. My issue is I don't know what to charge. What we worked out is a charred skull with liquid fire dripping out of it's nose, eye sockets, and behind it's teeth with a fiery pentagram and satanic scroll work along it. (Please don't turn this into a discussion about religion!) I figure it would take me about 4 hours or so to complete.

This would not be charged like a "real" album cover for the following reasons:
He's my friend.
He's my age (either 14 or 15) and money isn't easy to come by.
Who knows how long this band will last.
They aren't pros and neither am I.

Can I please have some help? I've done T-shirts for $20 for some kids at school before but $20 seems too little for this.

[HunterKiller_]

He's your friend and 15 years old, and you want to charge him?

[Jacob Kobryn]

Well... yeah.
I don't want to seem weird but If i'd charge him if he was an adult then why not when he's a kid you know? I'm just thinking what would he do if in my position and I know he would charge me. He's not a very close friend, I see him only 3 times a week.
I don't want to seem cheap, greedy, weird, etc... it's just... you know? Ermph this is difficult to discuss. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm trying to make at least some money from my art and school's the easiest place to do that. Once I get better I'm going to do portraiture in the town square or in SF to try to earn some money but schools fine for now.
Besides, I doubt my parents would let me do it for free anyway.
Hoy! I don't know why typing this makes me feel so bad. :(

[Jacob Kobryn]

Heres a quick sketch I came up with of what I'd do.

[daveneale]

I know what it's like charging friends for stuff....I try wherever possible not to-on the one hand you want to be fair to them, on the other hand you don't want to dick youreself over. You say $20 seems to little, the best guide your gonna have is to think "what am I happy with charging, and what can the band reasonably afford", if your 14/15 you don't have to be too worried about the exact science of it, just go with your gut

[Qitsune]

Or charge them 20$ + other goodies they can provide you with, promo, references, cd's, if they make your stuff into flyers or shirts, ask for a handful of extra copies. Use them as life models, that can be worth more to you than money and make it easier for them. Trade and barter ftw!