Art pricing

[gds]

So, this is a really vague subject I know, but I'm just wondering...

I have a 200-or so page book, which will be digest size. I want some art - nothing fancy, just black and white line art of characters, locations etc. None of it huge or massively intricate. How much could I expect to pay for that? Of course it depends onthe artist, the quality, how many pictures, all that sort of thing, but as a really rough ballpark, what would be a possible range?

I have no experience of self-publishing rpgs, so I'd really like some feedback.

Any comments welcome!

Cheers,

Greg

[Eric Provost]

Hiya Greg,

I think the best way to figure out how much the art for your book might cost is to start contacting artists.  Check out some online galleries, grab some email addresses, then start dropping letters here and there.  Tell them what you're looking for.  Let them know what size art you're looking for, if it'll be color or B&W, if you want the original piece or if you just want an electronic copy, etc, etc.  Then ask them what their prices are for their work.  Every artist I've been in contact with has been more than willing to talk in detail about different projects and different prices.

Dig through the Contacts form.  You'll find plenty of Artist Looking for Work! posts.

-Eric

[gds]

Hi Eric,

I think that's what I'll do. Pending on some positive feedback about my game, I'll start putting some proposals together and see who's about.

Cheers,

Greg

[Ron Edwards]

Hello,

Here are some older threads which might help. Some of them start with other topics and then get around to points which are relevant to your question.

Artwork question
[publishing] Getting art
Interior art - how important is it? (this one includes links to still older threads)
What do you pay for X?
Cover art questions
Blurring the lines

To everyone: do not post to older threads. I've provided these links for reading purposes, not so they can be resurrected. Please note the dates as well.

Best, Ron

[Paul Czege]

Hey Greg,

For comparison, my own initial contact with an artist is usually more of a proposal than what Eric suggests. I usually introduce myself, describe my project a bit, explain what I like about the work I've seen on the artist's site, and why I'm thinking they're exactly the right illustrator for the project. I inquire if the project interests them. I also describe my requirements, giving a general sense of the artistic style I'm looking for, how many pieces I need, how big they need to be, the required dpi, and whether I want greyscale, black & white, or color. I explain that I'm only interested in using the artwork for the game itself (in print and electronically), for promoting the game and Half Meme Press (i.e. in advertisements, and on my website), and not for non-game ancillary products (like t-shirts), and that they retain copyright (so they can re-sell the artwork, or make their own t-shirts, art prints, whatever). And I state my deadline and budget.

I do it like this, putting my cards completely on the table, because no matter how talented they are I absolutely want them to decline if they don't have honest enthusiasm for the project, and because I don't want them to feel insulted or that they wasted their time discussing the project if later my budget doesn't match expectations.

Paul

[Eric Provost]

For the record, what Paul said is exactly what I would have said had I more experience to impart.  Thanks Paul!

-Eric