Time Frames & Prices for Book Illustrations?
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@MuttsGraphix That helps a lot to hear your time frame! I can't even imagine how the artists who are taking these gigs are able to get 15-30 full color illustrations done in 1 month! I typically take 20-30 hrs for a full color piece too... I'm so glad I asked here because seeing those job postings, I was feeling really discouraged. There are a ton of postings where they're asking for full book covers for $20-30! I'm thinking they have to be taken by people in poor economies, where that amount is a lot of money.
I hadn't even though of my material costs (I can't believe I didn't!). I'll definitely remember that from now on as I'm looking through the job listings.
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@Lee-Holland Thank you Lee! What would be a reasonable price for a complete newbie to ask for a book cover or internal illustration?
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In my day job I talk to clients constantly so I have really good phone skills. But I find most people would rather converse over email and I don't think I come off very well that way. I'm always wondering "wow, did what I just typed make me sound like a jerk?" So, that is a hard part for me.
As far as how much you should charge being new. I think that is a very personal thing. I've listened to Lee White and Will Terry talk about this stuff and there are a lot of factors to consider. Me myself I did my first job for a self publisher for $125.00 a spread and that was about 6 years ago. It was super low and I didn't make any money...but I also wasn't very good and it was great to be able to say I did finish a book. And it was good to learn how to work with a client. The sites you are looking on like Freelanced tend to be garbage sites. They are pretty much set up to screw artists. Artists are all competing against each other for table scraps. I wouldn't go that route. Do your personal work for your portfolio or your own project. Get yourself out there and advertise a bit (post cards and mailers contact some agents if you want to go that route) when you think you are ready. (Your work is amazing. I can't see you not getting any bites if you do some advertising)
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@amberwingart I do have a children's book agent but When I got my first job It was only $700 for a 10 spread book which was very low and I didn't feel great doing it, also this was 5 years ago. but i was new to children's book so i did it to gain the experience. But I think that for a first book I wouldn't go lower than $150-$200 per spread.
I am still new to children's book but last year I got 3 baby books to illustrate. I got $8.000 each for 2 of them, and the other one was a baby counting book and I got $12.000. also I got 6 text book covers to illustrate for $1400 for each one.
So $200 is terrible.
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@amberwingart Unfortunately there are those who don't value what we do but I'm glad I was able to help!
