Commissions
Illustration for magazines, books, packaging and walls. Tell me what it is for and when you need it; you get a quote and dates within two working days (sample).
Kinds of job
Every fee includes the drawing and a licence for the use you describe in the brief.
Editorial
Spot illustrations, full pages and covers for magazines and newspapers.
One drawing, three thumbnails, one round of changes on the rough
From $350
1 to 2 weeks
Cover art with back and spine, or a whole book drawn page by page
From $1,200
3 weeks to 6 months
Artwork set up for print in your colours, files for every size
From $900
3 to 5 weeks
A scale drawing, the paint, two to five days of painting
From $2,400
4 to 8 weeks
Example prices.
What the fee covers
You pay for the picture and for a licence to use it. I keep the copyright, so the price depends on where the picture appears and for how long.
Use
For example: one magazine issue, print and web
As in the brief
Term
Book covers: the life of the edition
Usually 2 years
Territory
Worldwide
Extra uses
Posters, adverts, merchandise
Quoted
Changes
Further rounds $60 an hour
One round on the rough
Example terms.
How a commission works
Five steps. The days are for a single magazine picture; a book follows the same steps for each spread.
1
Brief
You send the size, the text or story, the deadline and where it will be printed. I reply with a quote and dates.
Day 1
2
Thumbnails
Three small pencil sketches with different ideas. You choose one, or a mix of two.
Days 2 to 4
3
Rough
A full-size drawing of the chosen idea, with the colours marked. One round of changes is included.
Days 5 to 8
4
Final art
Inked and coloured in two or three spot colours, or in full colour for print.
Days 9 to 13
5
Files and licence
Print-ready files, the invoice and a short licence that says where and for how long you can use the picture.
Day 14
Questions from art directors
How much notice do you need?
Two weeks for a single editorial picture, a month for a cover, and three to six months for a picture book. Ask anyway: short jobs sometimes fit (sample).
Do you work in a house style?
My own: pen line and two or three spot colours. I can match your publication’s colours in the final files.
What files do I get?
Print-ready PDF or TIFF at the final size with bleed, plus a web version. Layered files on request.
Can I see work in progress?
Yes. You see the thumbnails and the rough before any final art is made, and nothing goes to print without your yes.
Do you sign contracts?
Yes. Every job has a short written agreement with the fee, the licence and the dates. Publishers’ contracts are welcome too.
Have a picture in mind?
Send the size, the deadline and where it will be printed. You get a quote and dates within two working days (sample).