[jasonN]

I got an email today from this guy wanting me to do some illustrations for his graphic novel.... It's like a comic book or something. I'm just very wary of con artists and people that rip you off. He said I could have a share in the 'profits'.

Has anyone else out there ever taken up an offer like this (where a person emails you asking you to do some art for them)? What precautions did you take?

[sahripper]

I have never done anything. But just from an average person, it sounds fishy. Even if he is honest, suppose it sells nothing. If I were you, before I did anything, get it in writing to make it legal.

[Flinthawk]

Having just gotten into taking similar offers, I've got a few things to say.

I've already had some dealings with a so called fan site that wanted me to do some illustrations for them so I drew up some samples of what they were looking for. They said they were great and that I was the man for the job so they wanted to know my rates. I told them the rates, modest by most standards, but I never heard from them for about two months. Then they e-mail me asking me to do three illustrations based on a piece of fiction they sent me. I said I'd do it but that I have other clients asking for my services and that I have to know what they're willing to pay and to see something in writing before they'll see a single stroke from me...I haven't heard from them in more than a month now. There was always something fishy about them anyway.

Right now I'm doing character portraits since I've gotten numerous requests. The way I work it is I start out by sketching out thumbnails for a few different compositions, poses, etc. and have the client choose which suits their tastes best. At that point, before I start the actual painting, I ask for a deposit, a flat rate but it comes out to about a fourth of a typical commision. This lets me know who's serious about going through with this. If at that time they decide they don't want to go any further then I've lost a half an hour to an hour of work that I can chalk up to some practice anyway. Funny thing is it was one of my current commisions that suggested the deposit.

Advice from me would be to get something in writing and don't send them anything that directly relates to what they want you to do meaning don't do anything finished or near finished that is specifically for their needs because there are people out there that will figure why buy the cow when the milk's free. Send them samples of similar work to show what you can do but don't let them get you to draw up anything to their specifications, even as a 'trial', until you see paper, be it money or a contract.

This is my personal experience gathered over the last few months so I don't have much experience in this. There should be other people on this board who've got their own methods and stories to tell. Hopefully they'll have more to add to what I've said. Hope this helps.

-Flinthawk

[EviLToYLeT]

Hrmm....never happened to me before.. i wondere why *grin and glances at horrible artwork* But anyway, the first thing you should do is ask how much compensation you'll be given. And also make sure that they are having profits..... their profits could be $0. Anyway, if you do go ahead with the illustration, just be careful. Ask for a deposit first. And also, you may try watermarking it.visible ones Or simply just write some words across the hwole image.()

[Rinaldo]

http://www.topcow.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=6967

thread on the TC message boards dealing with this stuff. specificaly aimed at comic shtuff.

my suggestion would be to avoid it. get together with a writer (pref a friend). but at least someone you know, or get to know by aproaching them.

the profits rarely ever happen. the situation doesn't really make sense from the point of view of making profits. there is a lot of dreaming going on mostof the time make sure the guy has a business plan and a costing sheet. if it's going to be printed ask for costing etc, make sure it's all worked out (even if it is there's still no garantee but if they haven't then don't even think about it). but really, you'll probably get stuck with doing something you might not like, to a deadline, and it will never see the light of day.

It IS good practice. but you'd be better off trying to go intoa deal with a friend and work out somethign that you're both interesed in. if it's for a graphic novel you could be up for a bit of work and you will most likely get nothing out of it.

and then you ahve the added problem of the person screwing you over if it does go big (or even go at all).

this is more specific to the graphic novel thing. if it is a full blown thing as in sequentials you will be there for a long time. if it's just a cover or a spot Illustration then it's more of a gamble.

there are nor precautions really. you are not being promised anything. unless this person is quite good at doing the stuff needed it will fail and you will get nothing out of it. if he is good then IMHO I doubt he would be working this way.
you will be left with nothing more than a portfolio piece.

if you do decide to go ahead, make sure you see the script before going into anyhting at all. talk to he guy. it won't work if there's not much interaction between the two parties anyway. so if you're not totaly pumped about the whole thing and willing to do it for nothing with a very low chance of it going anywhere then I would forget it.
just being the "illustrator" on a thing like this could be very boring if it's not proffesionaly organised (and it sounds like it's not).


hmmm hope that helps.

[jasonN]

Hi Guys,
That was great advice thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna do it. The guy that emailed me is just a teenager like myself and he sent me a sample of work from another artist he had working with him... The picture wasn't that good. It was worse than me and I don't consider myself anywhere near having commissionable ability.
Me thinks it's just a bunch of hopeful guys trying to make it big... But I think they're dreaming...
Thanks again, Rinaldo, you're advice was especially helpful.