Need artist or small studio

[GentFX]

I'm looking for an artist or small studio to do some comic book art for me. I produce small stage plays here in Chicago and my goal is to publish comics based on some of the characters featured therein (establishing a shared universe). My starting budget isn't very much as I'll only be able to pay $20USD per page (finished penciled and inked pages) but the more we do the more I'll be able to pay. Logo design and Web design skills/experience a plus.

If interested please send samples of SEQUENTIAL PAGES to novaboltcomics at gmail dot com.

[paramnesia]

Could you provide a bit more information, such as any style you have in mind, if the plays will cover any particular genre, and the size of the comic, i.e. approximate number of pages and commitment?

Might this fall under Small Freelance Jobs?

[GentFX]

Could you provide a bit more information, such as any style you have in mind, if the plays will cover any particular genre, and the size of the comic, i.e. approximate number of pages and commitment?

Might this fall under Small Freelance Jobs?

Sure.

The plays will range from suspence/thriller to superhero/crime-thriller to Victorian to 60's espionage (we've got a clever technique lined up to convey 'special effects'). I don't have a particular preference of style (but i do really like Andreyko's work on Torso). Since these will be in b&w, use of shadows will help.

Hopefully this will be an ongoing relationship with the artist(s) or studio we decide to go with so in the long run one will earn over $500. Please forgive if this should be in another forum.

Thanks for the reply.

L.

[magnut]

GentFX,

This really should be in the Under $500.00 section, as the time it would take to make this money will be stretched over several months, at least. But, that's up to the moderators to move this thread or not.

Everyone should keep in mind, $20.00 per page is simply a terrible rate, and it will feel as if you're not making anything for the amount of work you'll be doing.

Know upfront that for the time it would take to finish such a project, several months would go by. Whether you're paid upfront or upon delivery, this is an incredibly over-the-top amount of work for such a nearly non-existent financial return.

So, if you were to do work on this project, do yourself a favor. Commit to this project, not for the money, but for what else it may represent to you, such as a great portfolio piece that can be used to impress actual publishers to hire you.

You do not want to waste your time with this project otherwise. It isn't fair to you, or to GentFX. If GentFX is sincere in making a quality project, then so should you be. But again, know what you're getting into.

In other words, do it for the right reasons. Too many people don't realize the amount and complexity of producing a quality comics project. They underestimate the time it would take, and the difficulties of maintaining consistency with their illustrations.

So, if you're going to do this, accept that this job will last for a very long time, and will not pay any significant bills. It will not sustain your rent, food, or car insurance, let alone any other significant items.

GentFX, I hope everything works out properly on your project. I hope you find that one hungry person who is eager to make the greatest showcase piece for himself, which would benefit the both of you. Make sure you have an agreement in writing that covers the ownership of the visual creation of any characters in perpetuity. Be a good businessman. Otherwise, you'll have legal disagreements forever.

Good luck...

[Mirana]

Not to pile on GentFX, but there is a general problem with comic offers skating by the "Over $500" limit just because it's multiple pages...but then offering well below standard rates. *sigh*

As a general rule, if you are offering back-end pay--ie "I pay you when we're picked up" or variations thereof which do NOT guarentee pay in a reasonable amount of time for work done--it is considered a non-paying job on any art job board I've been to.

Good luck with your project, GentFX.

[GentFX]

Wow.

I know that I'm not offering very much per page which is why I said so up front.

Wasn't expecting to be harped on, I'm just trying to find someone out there in the world with whom I can establish a relationship with that would eventually grow to something lucrative.

I'll look elsewhere.

[thecrow]

GentFX you get what you pay for.
Save your money, get a solid artist, that is a pro and can meet your deadlines and give you the best work for you bang.
Crow

[S.C. Watson]

Moved.

~Oreg.

[magnut]

GentFX,

You miss the point, totally. No one's harping on you with the points we're making.

I hope your project works out very well. But it's not great pay, and that's true. No one's harping on you, and that's true.

EVERYTHING that was said on this thread was SUPPORTIVE OF YOU. That's also true.

You deciding to "look elsewhere"... well, that's on you. You should still stay here and try your best to get someone excited about working on a project that you could share ownership in. Or, you can make the case that I did about that it would also make a very solid portfolio piece for someone! These are legitimate approaches to take in getting your project off the ground.

I emphasized your point about the low pay of the $20.00 page rate (for pencils and inks) to everyone not as a jab at you, but to remind the newbies that when starting wages in comic books nowadays begin in the range of $100.00 just for the pencils, they should be aware of the contrast in pay. Too many people look directly to the amount of pay (over $500), and they sometimes don't think of the time involved to produce the work that will get them that amount.

This helps clarify that they should work on your job for the right reasons. It would not be fair to you for anyone to start working for you, only to get overwhelmed when they realize that they're not producing work for you fast enough to get the money they were expecting to in the first place.

GentFX, you have great passion for your work, and that's great. You can still find someone who can be interested in working something up for you.

Believe me, this is a good thing. It shows that you understand the difficulties of working on this project, and you're trying to put the nicest light on it by suggesting that someone can use it as a means to get work elsewhere.

GentFX, you'll have this same problem everywhere you go. So stick around, find someone who's hungry for good experience, and don't be so sensitive.

Good luck with your project! I hope it works out well for you. :)