How much should my friend charge for this artwork?

May 1, 2008 3:12 PM

A friend of mine is a freelance illustrator fresh out of school, and he's been approached by a colleague of a former teacher of his. The teacher is retiring, and the colleague would like to commission a cartoon as a retirement present for the teacher. My friend is a brilliant artist, but lacks professional experience, so he's got little reference for what to quote for the work. Can anyone provide a good frame of reference for quoting this kind of job? Details inside! (I'm asking for my friend, of course, who isn't a MeFite but really should become one.)

Pertinent details:

- The cartoon would be a single-page, 8 to 10-panel comic with approximate dimensions of 11"x14".
- Including proof sketches, research, and actual penciling and inking time, he estimates three working days to deliver.
- He typically works with 300-grade Strathmore smooth bristol and Winsor-Newton waterproof India ink.
- He's won a couple of awards for his illustration work, so people who work with him know he's talented, but still green professionally.

I can provide any other details if anyone has questions. This isn't my profession, so I wasn't able to give him a better answer than, "What do you think your work is worth?"

posted by Mikey-San to work & money (4 comments total)

Oh, he resides in the Seattle area, relatively. (If we want to factor in cost-of-living for his area.)
posted by Mikey-San at 3:16 PM on May 1

In the commercial illustration and photography world, frequently, fees are contingent upon usage. If the final art was to be in a printed in a consumer ad campaign, for example, it would not be unusual for fees to be around $10,000 or higher (with the ownership/rights remaining with the artist). This sounds more like a fine art transaction than a commerical one. My recco would would be for your friend to look in gallerys or sites with similar work for comparitive work. Without seeing the style/complexity of the illustration, I'd say aboutin the $700-1000 range.
posted by pmaxwell at 8:14 PM on May 1

Your friend should pick up a copy of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines which will serve as a great frame of reference for those questions.
posted by gyusan at 10:55 PM on May 1

Passed on the suggesions, and I think he's going with the range you suggested, pmaxwell. As for that handbook link, he tells me he's already got it! I'm not privvy to its content, so perhaps there's something inside that will warrant a re-read for him.
posted by Mikey-San at 10:30 PM on May 3