Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Every 10 Years Forum ARTIST GETS ORGANIZED!!!

For those of you who have known me for a while, via the DC boards, the yahoogroups, and here, you know that I've talked a lot about wanting to do my art for a living, but not really having the time. Well, lately, I've found more time! I've finally come to the conclusion that I want to do more with my artwork than just post here, for fun. I do want to pursue the possibilities of pecilling comic books and doing commission pieces. So, I'm getting the art that I've already done, organized, and I'm working on new stuff.

Currently, this is what I have as a "portfolio." These pieces are physically bound in a nice binder, and would be presented in a (future)website.

*A 7 page story about a time travelling woman (named Krystal) who possesses the bodies of women in the past, trying to prevent bad things from happening to them. The sequence I drew is set in 1888 London, the time of Jack the Ripper. It's a dark and moody story, with a violent ending. I did the pencils, and I can show them alongside the finished inked, colored and lettered version.

*I also did a full color pinup of Haley. She looks like an angel in space.

*A 24 page premier issue of a super hero team book. There are probably dozens of characters I designed for this series, superheroes and regular people. I drew lots of different settings: a lab, an office, a football stadium, the Rockies, a home in the 'burbs, NYC, the Pentagon, a ficticious city, the team's hq. I drew a rocketship, police cars, a riot, a gang of terrorists, an airport lobby. Lots of stuff.
This was never inked or colored or anything, because the publisher quit. Still, it was great experience for me.

*I did a color promo piece for this series. It looks like a cover, so really, I could say that it is the cover.

*I did a color cover of an indy character called Robotina. She's a redhead in a school girl's uniform.

*I did the pencils for a cover for another indy character named Krystal. She's flying over the city at night, carrying her injured friend. It's an emotional piece, with lots of detail. I'd present a copy of the pencils, as someone else did the inks and colors.

*I have tons of character drawings (mostly Legion) that I consider "commission sketches." These are mostly what I post here, and used to post at LegionPics and LSH-Pics. I have a stack of pencilled drawings and a stack of inked drawings. These serve as portfolio pieces and items up for sale. Which leads me to....


I'd want a place on my website to promote my commission rates. After doing research, comparing what pros charge and what non-pros charge, and the quality of such pieces, I've come up with the following:

8.5" x 11" pencil drawings-- $15
11" x 14" inked drawings-- $35

Colored art would have to be negotiated. There are a lot of variables. In fact, I'm sure I'll be all about negotiation. Like I said, I have a ton of sketches already done. I was thinking about getting a table at the next local convention, and see if anyone'd be interested in buying them there. I'm sure I'd work all kinds of deals...

I also want my portfolio to have some sequentials that feature some higher profile characters, like Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and characters from Marvel, like Spidey and the Hulk.

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You all, my friends at LegionWorld, are a great resource to me, because so many of you are really into the comics scene. Does this portfolio sound interesting? Do the commission rates seem appropriate? What do you think?

Woot! Go Dean! Reach for your dreams!

I really want to be a pro penciller too, but I 've decided to wait until I graduate, before putting together something like this. I wish you the best of luck. You definately have a great chance!

Great commission rates, by the way. Not too pricey. I'm almost considering to buy a sketch...

Sell your work for more matey, it's definitely worth a lot more than that.

Dean,

I, for one, have admired many of your sketches. Personally I think you are one of the most talented people on this board. One of your sketches even inspired me (and I'm just a hack, really) to do a custom action figure of a character I hadn't even considered. (I'll let you know when it is finished.)

That being said, I have several ideas I'm tossing around in my head since you have expressed an interest in doing commissions. I'll have to okay it with the wife, but I think your style will sit well with her. I'll send you an email so that we can discuss it off the board.

As for your portforlio, its hard to offer an informed opinion without actually seeing it. It sounds good, but there is huge difference between reading about it and seeing it. What I have seen of your sketches, I like though.

hey Dean !!!

your porfolio and ideas sound great !!!

and your commission rates are very fare !!! you could probably charge a bit more !!!

i'm tempted to get you to do an ULTRABOY pic for me .... i'll let you know !!!

Matthew.

Dean, I've been a huge fan of your art for years, so I'm thrilled for you! Your portfolio sounds extremely interesting!

Dean: Go for it! You have the talent to go very far. The portfolio ssounds great to me but I would include some more of the more "higher profile" characters (might I suggest some X-Men & Teen Titans, they seem to both be about as hot as they get!)

As for the prices, I know nothing about how they compare, never having bought this type of artwork. However, the prices seem very fair to me and would make me want to take a look since they are affordable.

Best of luck!

I echo the others here Dean. Go for it. In fact when you are ready I'd like to commission you to do a full inked version of the Lightning Lad you did for my site's banner. You remember the one? I can post the pic if you need a refresher.

Dean, don't forget us li'l folk when you hit it big, baby!

You gotta make it happen. You WILL make it happen!

Dean, I don't know anything about the market, but I've seen your work and I think your prices are really low for the quality that you provide. Are these prices for originals or prints? Maybe for mass produced prints, but never for originals. (I'm probably going to get killed for having said this. Everyone was probably lining up to get your great work at rock bottom prices.)

Go for it, Dean! I hope I get the chance to do the same someday.

Have you checked out Elfwood yet? It's a free site that promotes original fantasy, SF, and comic art (and fiction.) You can't conduct business on it or discuss price, but you can announce that you do commisions. It's a really cool site.

Dean, you should check out this article at CBR. I think you might find it interesting.

This is great adventure you've started on, Dean. Let us know how the journey progresses!

Yes, school first! (Unless you can do it all!)
I think these are reasonable rates to start off. They may change in time. We'll see. Thanks for the response.

Thanks so much! That's the ultimate compliment.

Thanks for the response! I'm getting the material for a website organized. My wife will build the site for me. Probably after Christmas...

Thanks, Matthew. I like drawing Ultra Boy!

Thanks Cobster! When the website's ready, you know I'll post the link...

I figured that since I'm new and un-published (so far), the rates I chose seemed right. I may play the "supply and demand" card, if I get busy.

I definitely need high profile characters in my portfolio. Marvel actually accepts un-solicited submissions, but they want to see their characters. I've done sketches, but I need finished sequential pencils. That's on my list of things to do.

The one where his arms are spread apart and his eyes are whited out?

Email me!

Lash, you were there when I first started sharing art online and you've inspired me in many ways. I have time now, so it's different now! Who could forget Lash?

Wow, Semi, thank you. I'll be continuing to keep an eye on this.

Hey, thanks for the link! I'll check it out!

Thanks, I'll get back to you when I read it.

I will. Thank you, FC!