Freelance Illustration 101: Scheduling

Apr23
by on April 23, 2014 at 8:57 am
Posted In: Blog

Hi Daring Adventurers,

The other critical aspect of the proposal is the schedule. You should have calculated your estimated time for the completion of the project while doing your pricing, but that is not the only aspect to scheduling. You should also include specific milestones to be met and payment that will be due per milestone met. Typically, these milestones may include concept sketches, character designs, preliminary sketches, and completion of individual illustrations when the project contracted is for multiple illustrations. Often there will be a schedule devised for the proposal, but a finalized version should be included with the contract. Usually you would want to avoid giving specific dates in the proposal schedule; instead you would give a number of days after the contract has been signed that the work would be due. This will insure you do not begin work prior to a finalized agreement, and if the client needs a quick turnaround it will motivate them to work toward finalizing the contract. Sometimes, you will be working on multiple projects at once and must have good organizational skills to balance and meet all clients’ needs. It may be wise for you to set up a personal weekly work schedule detailing what times and days you will be working on your concurrent projects to insure none fall behind and that the contracted schedule is met.

 

– Anthony Summey

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Toni Dare: Page 1

Apr18
by on April 18, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Posted In: Blog

Hi Daring Adventures,

I am sharing my progress on the Toni Dare original graphic novel. This should be the first of many update to come each Friday keeping you apprised of how the Toni Dare graphic novel is coming along. I have this planned to be a year long project, and the graphic novel should be done and ready by Summer 2015, but see how things work out. The plan is do do it full color, but I hope you all enjoy seeing how it develops here.

– Anthony Summey

ToniDarePage 1

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Freelance Illustration 101: Pricing

Apr16
by on April 16, 2014 at 9:00 am
Posted In: Blog

Hi Daring Adventurers,

Today in our Freelance Illustration 101 post, we are going to discuss pricing, when you are bidding on a project. Typically, illustrators and artists devise a standard price list for their work. This is not only beneficial to the illustrator when pricing for freelance work, but to potential clients. Besides giving the clients a price, it also lets them know the type of work you typically produce and if that coincides with their needs. When creating a price list or pricing out a project, you must consider the amount of time the project will take to complete and the cost of the materials needed. Most illustrators underestimate their time. They do not factor in the time it may take them to gather references or the time they will spend on preparatory drawings that will be needed prior to the final illustration. It is only after they have signed the contract that they realize the amount of time the project will consume. Sometimes realizing they could have made more money at a minimum wage job for the time spent working on the project.  A general rule for illustrators at the beginning of their careers is to double the amount of time they think a project will take.  You must also consider your material cost. This is not just limited to your expenses on canvas, paint or paper, but can include a number of things. If the artist is working digitally, he should factor in an estimate of the electricity you would be using and a fraction of the cost of the hardware and software being used. Also, if models or props will be needed to hire or purchase, you will need to include these expenses in your proposal. Typically, you will want to factor in all cost you foresee in the estimate, so the client is not confused about charges on the invoice that were not included in the original proposal. Unforeseen expenses do arise from time to time, so it is wise for you to include a statement in your proposal making the client aware of this fact. It is best to communicate with the client and explain the extra expense prior to proceeding forward with the project. This may require an addendum to the contract, change order, or some other written documentation.  Finally, you should consider the amount of rights to the work that the potential client is asking for. The more rights granted the higher the price. You must realize early on that the right to reproduce and make derivative works is where the most potential to generate revenue resides in your work.

– Anthony Summey

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Meet Toni Dare

Apr11
by on April 11, 2014 at 8:55 am
Posted In: Toni Dare

Hi Daring Adventurers,

This week I’d like to introduce you to Toni Dare Intergalactic Police woman. This is an idea that has been floating around in my head for the last few years and I’ve decided to go a head a begin work on her story. No never fear Suzy Samson is not going any where. I just have so many stories to tell, and I have to start getting them out of my head or I’ll go mad, and I have been wanting to do a very Wally Wood inspired Science Fiction Graphic Novel, and I think Toni Dare is the perfect intellectual property for me to do just that. Here are some images of Toni, and expect to see more from  her OGN here very soon.

– Anthony Summey

ToniDare1

 

 

 

ToniDarePrint

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Freelance Illustration 101: The Proposal

Apr09
by on April 9, 2014 at 8:25 am
Posted In: Blog

Hi Daring Adventurers,

This week we are starting a series of blog post about being a professional freelance illustrator, and there is no better place to start than the proposal.

Often the first step of any project is getting the project. At the beginning of your illustration career you will have little or no client base, so you will likely be competing for jobs you find either posted on online job boards, through word of mouth, or by soliciting work from publishers. Regardless of how an illustrator finds any specific opportunities, you will need to prepare an estimate or proposal for the potential client.  You will be competing with other artists for the job. Budgetary concerns may affect whether you will be commissioned to do the work. Many illustrators often underbid their work, because of the fear of their proposal being rejected. Remember price is not the sole concern of the publisher/client, but is included with your ability to deliver a quality product and meet their publishing schedule. The proposal document should include not only the price, but an estimated time of completion with certain milestone to be met. You should also devise a numbering system for your proposals in order to maintain your records. Typically, you will be bidding on a number of jobs at the same time and may have multiple proposals outstanding. The numbering system should be utilized to help you develop your working schedule and help you keep track of proposals that are still outstanding or have been rejected. Never forget that freelance illustration is a business and you should treat it as such.

Until next time Daring Adventures, keep creating and pursuing your artist careers,

–          Anthony Summey

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