I'm always interested in helping people out for pay. I'm chaotic good like that.
Also: prices are always discussed in private, since we're all essentially working black market here. 
I wouldn't know; I'm new to this whole section of the boards. Pop me a pm with some past examples of your work if you're interested.
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
I'd like to get as many people to choose from as possible, if I didn't make that clear before. ^_^ And the deadline won't be July 26th, it'll be decided between myself and the artist I choose.
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
Go to the Network link at the top of the art forum stickie list... you'll find dozens of artists available for commission work.
Tyvm, but I was hoping more along the lines of someone would have an idea to offer me, since I know almost nothing about art in general.
By idea, I mean some kind of picture of what such a piece would look like in their head from reading my description.
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
No offense, Kyo, but you're approaching this as if you were shopping at a mall. Artists (the ones I've known, anyway) don't work like that. What's more, the really good ones already have queues of work waiting to be done. They aren't going to jump and sketch up an idea for you on the chance that you MIGHT want to then pay them for a full-blown illustration.
Heck, most artists will charge a few bucks just for a basic sketch.
If you really want to make this happen, then you are going to end up investing a fair amount of energy just into researching it and deciding what it is that you want to see and what styles you like. Follow LadyJudgement's advice - Check the network thread, browse some samples of artists' work, see if any styles click. Then pick the one you like and approach that artist with your project. Then be pepared for it to take some time, at least if you expect quality for your money. There are some talented folks here who might be tempted to do a rush job for you if you waved enough greenbacks at them, but ten days is approaching the "never gonna happen" area, IMO.
From what you're describing, are you saying you don't even have a concept in mind. I believe the way many artists approach this is on 2 levels, or I can tell you how I work that is...
If the client just wants art, they can send the screenshot, and what they get back is the artists concept with NO input from the client. It's a here's cash, then you get art deal.
The other often more expensive way, is the client and artist send back and forth ideas and maybe 1-2 sketches which the artist agrees to finalize to the end. Payment is usually on either a half now half later deal or all up front in order to protect the artist. Some like the latter some like the former. But the client usually has an "idea" from playing their toon, how they visualize a scene in their life, or a scene from the game.
The artist will try to convey that idea into form. Another concept is that many artists have their own niche. Juggertha is very prolific and does complete character pages based on the old Marvel pen and paper handbook. Some artists do mock magazine covers, those are slightly more elaborate and costly than the standard screenshot/cash/final art deal, but you get a unique end piece.
My advice would be to go to the big collectors and look at the many ways they have had their toons done, from their OWN thinking. The top 5 to me would be:
Thor's Assassin
Invincibelle
Rowr
Turboski
Comrade Hero
You can do a search on Deviant Art for them, and their galleries will have extensive "versions" of work.
Now in your case the second costume would probably appeal more to an artist because of its more superhero nature. Or if you wanted some kind of GQ fashion shot, then the suit lends itself to those kind of pieces. All in all it WILL take some research and brainstorming on your end.
Any relationship with an artist is a give and take one, unless you are buying a print online.
Myself, I occasionally like to do celebrity likenesses in my pieces, I often use them for reference even unintentionally, just for mood you know. SO if you had someone in mind, you should tell that to your respective artisan.
Many collectors have "reference sheets" made up for their characters - listing their bio, their correct colors and costume pieces, as well as any extras they'd want that the game can't provide yet. For instance a specific weapon or costume piece they've seen elsewhere. These sheets also have very good and or large screenshots of their toons, and close ups of their faces.
And as I mentioned some even suggest actors who might play their toon, this will all help your end result. Back Alley Scrapper on Deviant Art makes an exceptional reference sheet... Infact he does several versions of the same toon. Also Comrade Hero sends an artist a clear and concise file of what the toon must include.
While your guy seems nothing more than a brown suit and spikey hair, he could be depicted in numerous styles: anime, cell shading, modern comic, retro comic, and or fusion (a cross between anime and animation) these are just some examples.
Good luck with your researching...
LJ
Noted both, and ty for the help! Like I said, I have no idea what I'm doing...but let me elaborate on two points. By "no idea" what I mean is, I'm willing to throw two characters out there with a general idea and tell you to have fun. I don't expect a sketch or anything of the sort because I know how much work art is. I'm always amazed watching other people work, I just can't draw a straight line... Anyhow, if you can say, "I have an idea", generally that's it. I'm a very trusting person that way, mostly because I can't picture things in my head... xD And I've gotten good results from doing that on a few roleplaying sites. And the deadline is -not- the 26th, the deadline is "when you think you can have it done by".
I will take your advice on looking at different styles and such, though.
And the reason I chose the suit is because his armor is so darn complicated and looks impossible to draw.
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
Thanks for the help guys, I've got a few leads to check out now...still not totally sure on what I want it to look like but like I said, I'm a trusting person. xD Thanks again!
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
I highly recommend these artists for a humorous or cute tone:
http://drunkfu.deviantart.com/
http://funnyfacedesign.deviantart.com/
http://starchasm.deviantart.com/
You should be completely upfront on your character's personalities and backstories. Remember that we don't know anything about your characters at all from just a screenshot.
Make sure your reference shot shows Front, Back, Side, and Portrait shots. Also if any detail can't be done with in-game graphics tell the artist about and be as detailed as possible.
You should also write down any ideas you find humorous for the piece as well. pick your favorites from that list and submit them to the artist. It's important to give the artist options but not too many options and certainly don't let them come up with the entire piece all on their own (this ends very badly sometimes and sometimes doesn't)
Most of us artist types also have DeviantArt accounts in our sigs that have lots of example pieces and even pricelists.
It'll help you narrow down for sure.
[ QUOTE ]
Most of us artist types also have DeviantArt accounts in our sigs that have lots of example pieces and even pricelists.
It'll help you narrow down for sure.
[/ QUOTE ]
Foo is just trying to trick you into walking into Deviantart version 6.
I actually have a DA account. I just don't -use- it for anything other than storing screenies for my stories. xP
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
[ QUOTE ]
I actually have a DA account. I just don't -use- it for anything other than storing screenies for my stories. xP
[/ QUOTE ]
Heh. That's more then I use mine for. 
Let's see if we can keep this thread a secret, shall we? ^_^ Not that he won't find it anyhow...probably...but he'll find it a lot less quickly if nobody tells him it exists, since he doesn't frequent this part of the forums.
I'm looking for an artist to do a piece for Steampunk Charlie's birthday (7/26/08). It wouldn't have to be a hugely intricate thing, I was thinking something along the lines of Charlie in his casual outfit (the brown suit, not the armor; I have posted screenies below) either relaxing in the base or else explaining something to his faithful sidekick (again, screenies below). I would be willing to discuss payment in some form via private messages-I will not discuss that publicly-and also other details of the piece. If you'd be interested in helping me out, let me know. Thank you very much!
Professor Charles Winthrop III:
http://www.defendersoftime.com/?page...;g2_itemId=182
http://www.defendersoftime.com/?page...;g2_itemId=131
Kunoichi Kyo-chan:
http://www.defendersoftime.com/?page...;g2_itemId=311
http://www.defendersoftime.com/?page...;g2_itemId=299
I also have (and/or can get) more screenies, if needed; these are just as examples.