Just finished illustrating a book for a client. 2-weeks from brief to final work.

Jacob Davenport

Feel super exhausted, the author wants another book done but the pay was less than minimal wage. It doesn't seem like they have much experience working with illustrators. Not sure if I should sign on again, or move on to personal work. The work is also outside of my normal style, feels very commercial and not a big fan.

There were (14) spreads in total to illustrate. Here are a few of them.

StudioHannah

@Jacob-Davenport Those are all so cute This looks like a wild story haha

Mmm... if you say yes to them with terms you do not like, you might be saying no to someone else that has terms you DO like. I have always regretted taking on projects that didn't pay me well enough. Doesn't have to be a ton of money, just a fair amount, and less than minimum wage doesn't sound fair at all.

I'd say to move on to something else, unless you just genuinely enjoy doing the work for the client despite the bad pay.

Jacob Davenport

@StudioHannah Thanks for the input, totally right about receiving a fair amount. Definitely not looking to get rich, but would like to get minimum at the least.

I requested a rate increase to move on to the next book in the series, so I guess we'll see how that goes. Not super passionate about the style direction but it's always great to get paid to draw.

My thought is they'll pass on the increase, then I can move on knowing I tried to negotiate for better terms.

ArtistErin

@Jacob-Davenport Yeah, this is hard... because you have to pay your bills, and time is money. Even worse is the hit you take in your confidence, and you feel like you veered off course doing something you don't especially like. Not great all the way around! I have turned down alot of these kinds of offers. Nothing wrong with it. In fact, when you say no to something you don't like you make room for something you DO love, with the better pay. It just takes a really clear vision for yourself. Stay true to who you are and what you want, and the work does come.

Jacob Davenport

@ArtistErin Thank you, that's really encouraging. Don't think the author is going for the increased rate. But I'm going to focus on creating other things that speak to me.