City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

I have no idea how to find an artist.

Bayani

By Bayani,
Posted on: 2006-11-14 20:20 in Multi-Media Fan Creations

 

Posted

I have no idea how to find an artist.

I have eight thirteen-page comics written and I am determined to get them on the interweb.

I can't find anyone to draw them though. How does a guy go about finding an artist?

I'm not super into the comics scene so I can only give a few examples but style-wise I really dig Chris Bachalo (pencils on X-Men) and Oda Eiichiro (One Piece).

I'm willing to pay an artist but I don't know how much is fair and etc... I'm only looking for black and white - no colors. My only special need is vehicles (cars, diesels) from the seventies. Timetable-wise I'd like to post a new issue to the site each week.

So yeah - any thoughts?

*This is a cut and paste from the Hero/Culture board because for some reason I completely missed this forum. *smacks forehead*

You know, just to throw this out there - I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They're just like pancakes, maybe even better.

 

Posted

There's a ton of artists right here (me included) but I'll be darned if I know what's a fair price for that kinda work. I'm strictly an amateur. That's also a serious time investment from the pros. Most of them seem to have a sizeable queue. All in all, I'm no real help then. Sorry.

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Posted

That will cost you quite a pretty penny, I'd say. An issue a week? 13 pages? That'd be practically a full time job, so be prepared to pay that much.

 

Posted

...have to agree with what Quake and Rowr mention. there are a buncha artists here...but be forewarned some do it for a living so if your looking for their work it'll definately be costly...especially given the scope of what you mention...

......that said...good luck with your project ~

...the sword is truth...

~whiteperegrine~

 

Posted

I think that's more then a full time job actually. If it's in full color and each is 13 pages that's atleast two weeks, maybe three per comic depending on how many people you have working on it.

 

Posted

And that means over $50 a page. If you could afford it, please post your comic when finished.

Good luck

 

Posted

Let's put the brakes on for a minute. Some of your responses are kind of going toward a: "yeah right, dream on" kind of thing. Honestly, you guys have got me a little on the defensive here!

Admittedly, I don't know anything beyond the very basics of the comics biz. I had no idea what I was asking was so super intensive - but it makes sense. Thanks for that.

If what I'm asking is not possible - then that's cool - I'll have to rethink things.

Thank you for the replies. I'm learning stuff and that's good.

You know, just to throw this out there - I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They're just like pancakes, maybe even better.

 

Posted

No offense here, but since I don't know how much you could afford, I just want you to have an idea how much you are going to pay if you want to get good quality commissions.

Commissioning 13 pages comics is a very large budget for me (half my salary, I tell you ) but since I am not you, you may be Mr. Rich in disguise...

...or TA's from elseworld.

However, there are people here who is doing free art works. You may try PM them and see.

 

Posted

...none of it was intended as an attack I assure you. we really are a nice buncha folks and basically just layed it on the line for ya sweet and simple. is it possible? of course it is...it is completely doable and I for one truely do hope that you can make it happen.

unfortuantely...the reality side being that if you are looking for the top end artists to do the artwork for the fledgling book then it will indeed cost ya. you yourself mentioned you have 8 13 pages books already done. this equates to a ton of time an effort put into it. I have no doubt you could find one of the top end artists willing to give it a go, but this in turn wont come cheap.

asking questions is a good thing...and personally I like seeing questions like this. possibilities that they hold are truely endless but one needs to keep one foot firmly grounded just to ensure ya stay honest with oneself.

blah blah blah....I know...hehe....really I do wish you the best of luck and hopefully you track an artist down willing to go in on this with ya....and when you do be sure to post a big rasberry for us here.....

in the mean time please stick around and enjoy some of the great art posted here. some really talents folks and to be honest this is really the only forum I frequent anymore...why you ask? well...besides the art....its the people...good folk all around. as such...enjoy the images they all care to share with us. ~

...the sword is truth...

~whiteperegrine~

 

Posted

Yeh, don't lett'em scare ya.

My que's 42 long and all free, other wise I might give this a shot. Still I'd like to see a script if ya don't mind, just to see how someone else scripts there work, cause I think a big failing of my last comic attempt was the scripting(or lack of).

-Cj

 

Posted

pappy drewit

 

Posted

Comics take a bit of time to produce. This reply isn't meant to discourage in any way... just explain a few characteristics of comic creation. The following is a small breakdown to give you a quick overview (keeping in mind that every artist is different);

In general, pencillers like to have about a day per page to create their pencils. That gives them about a month to draw (in pencil only) a 28 page story. Some are certainly faster, but a tight pencil page is the inker's best friend and there's little benefit to taking shortcuts unless the penciller will also be doing the inks. After a month on the pencils, the pages are shipped to the inker...

The inker ALSO likes to have about a day per page for the aforementioned 28 page story, so we're at the two-month mark. When the inker is done, he mails his stuff to the colorist...

The colorist ALSO likes to have a month to scan the art and color everything. This is an incredibly intensive stage and dozens of professional companies have sprouted up that assign multiple colorists per project. So really, coloring an issue is more than a month of man-labor. When they're done, they send it to the letterer...

The letter is given a month, but it usually only takes a week or so. The rest of the time is spent on getting the files in order and ready for the press, plus a little flex-time in case someone is behind. The entire process for a 28 page story is a 4-month turnaround and is dependant on everyone keeping to their tight deadlines. If even one step fails, everyone down the chain is impacted.

Now, how does this apply to you?

13 pages would take someone an average of 13 days to pencil. Now, there are people who can go a lot faster if they use shorthand, or know the inker, or just don't do a lot of detail. Certainly 13 pages *could* be done in 2 days, but you'd probably get some rushed work and the product would suffer. If you use the same artist to ink his own pencils, you could shave additional time because he might not even need to do more than a few chicken-scratches before he started to ink his own work. Whenever I ink my own stuff, I'm able to read my own pencil shorthand and get right into a finished piece with a minimal of time.

In a nutshell, I'd think 2 weeks at a minimum for an artist to pencil, ink, and letter 13 full pages, and that's assuming he's working a fairly solid schedule... maybe 6 hours a day?

It sounds like an intriguing project and I'd love to see what you come up with.

 

Posted

Yeah, wasn't trying to be discouraging or say it's an impossible dream, but from what you posted that you -wanted- it's bound to be a daunting project. You know the saying, you can have it fast, good, or cheap. Pick two. :P

 

Posted

Okay! Thanks again for the replies. Thank you for taking some time to explain the basics DarkJedi.

Yeah, it's not so much what you guys told me - it's how you said it. Understand that I've been pouring my soul into this thing since July and this is my first time trying to see what it will take to make it happen.

I commissioned an artist last night to do some character work. We'll see how that goes. It looks like I'm a good distance from seeing the first 13 page issue realised- but if it takes two grand to make it happen then I'll just have to get two grand.

Yeah, I feel the need to add that I'm not like a 13 year old dreaming here - I'm a 30 year old with a modest income. I love this story and the characters I created within it. I've had about half a dozen people read it and they went bonkers. There are 3 more people awaiting in line to read it.

Sadly, it's meant to be an ongoing epic - the 8 13 page issues I have created thus far are only the tip of the iceburg. To see the story through to completion it would be more like 75 or 100 issues.

...yeah

I need someone to back me financially. Or you know, get a part time job at the Sizzler to help cover the costs.

You know, just to throw this out there - I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They're just like pancakes, maybe even better.

 

Posted

I dunno but Sizzler is awesome!!!!!!

 

Posted

mmmm...sizzzzler.

...so if you do get a part time job there can we get a discount ~

...the sword is truth...

~whiteperegrine~

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
I have no idea how to find an artist.

I have eight thirteen-page comics written and I am determined to get them on the interweb.

I can't find anyone to draw them though. How does a guy go about finding an artist?

I'm not super into the comics scene so I can only give a few examples but style-wise I really dig Chris Bachalo (pencils on X-Men) and Oda Eiichiro (One Piece).

I'm willing to pay an artist but I don't know how much is fair and etc... I'm only looking for black and white - no colors. My only special need is vehicles (cars, diesels) from the seventies. Timetable-wise I'd like to post a new issue to the site each week.

So yeah - any thoughts?

*This is a cut and paste from the Hero/Culture board because for some reason I completely missed this forum. *smacks forehead*

[/ QUOTE ]

Go. Hunt. Kill Artist.......I mean...FIND Artist, find artist....

Easy as pie-

"I'm not scared of anyone or anything Angie. Isn't that the way life should be?"
Jack Hawksmoor, The Authority.

 

Posted

I can point you in the direction of a company who might be able to help you out with regards to getting something published, but I'm unsure of how it would be received here, so if you're interested, PM me and I can get you in touch with some artists who may be able to help you out.

That's quite a big task you got. I'm working on a third Bayani script and hoping to get about 18 pages drawn and lettered by the end of 2007 as my next big art project.

 

Posted

I always respect those who is willing to go the extra step to make their dream come true. Try to get your first issue done and show us. If it is good, maybe, just maybe, we might finance you for some pages.

Right, guys & gals?

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
I always respect those who is willing to go the extra step to make their dream come true. Try to get your first issue done and show us. If it is good, maybe, just maybe, we might finance you for some pages.

Right, guys & gals?

[/ QUOTE ]



*Counts money* *Notices he has no money* I got nothin'....

 

Posted

Here are some Sites where you may be able to hook up with an artist.

http://forum.deviantart.com/
http://www.penciljack.com/forum/
http://digitalwebbing.com/talent/

In most cases it's a good idea to specify "pay" (with the amount you decide on) or "no pay" along with a description of the job. Use Darkjedi's suggestions as a guideline for your expectations. Free or low-paid work may take longer. On the other hand, I think DJ was describing a traditional print comic. If this is a web-comic, you may be using a smaller horizontal layout and fewer panels which might take less time to produce.

If you have a good looking Website featuring professional grade character sketches it will help attract artists to your project.
See what other people are asking and offering. Just try to represent yourself and your project as objectively as you can.

Good luck!

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Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Holy canoli! How much does Sizzler pay?!

[/ QUOTE ]

I can't give any numbers- but they "take care of their own" if you know what I mean.

Anyhow, I'm really pleased that I posted this now. Thanks to everyone who posted links. I'll definitely hit those resources. Getting this going seems quite difficult but I want to see this happen- even if just a single issue.

My short term goal is a slick website by the end of the year with a synopsis and some character art and profiles. I'm going to contact a guy about some original music for the site. Heck, I may even have those fancy scroll bars!

You know, just to throw this out there - I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They're just like pancakes, maybe even better.