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[Guert]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently looking for a contractual illustrator. Anyone knows a good ressource for that kind of stuff? Is there some kind fo guild or association I could contact? Also, have you ever dealt with contractual artists before? How did it go? For contractual artists, how much info do you need to do your job?

I'm looking around but I have no experience in looking for contractors so any help would be nice

If you know someone who would be interested, don't be shy to link Anyone in the region of Montréal, Canada would be fantastic

Thanks!

[Lurk]

It depends what style you're looking for. If you want slick hi-tech looking stuff, the Steambot guys are in Montreal (http://www.steambotstudios.com/).
I know of this other guy (http://www.nickorocart.com/), he has a very good reference process.
The pricing always depend on the person. I remember working with Sparth, who was doing some book covers in his spare time. He wasn't charging all that much because he did it mostly for his own enjoyement.
Depending on what style you're looking for, I might be able to put you in contact with someone, I know many concept illustrators in Montreal.

edit:
http://conceptart.org/forums/

Actually, you might have a fast answer by posting there(they have a jobs thread, I think).
Most of Montreal's illustrators hang out on these boards.

[jrjellybeans]

Are you talking about only in Montreal?  Or, can it be all over the web?

In any case, have you checked:
http://my.deviantart.com

You might also want to make a post on the gamedev forums
gamedev.net

I could have sworn that there were a bunch more, but my mind has gone blank...

In any case, some quick advice:
1.  Agree to a flat fee.
2.  Make sure that they agree to redo any work that you don't like
3.  It helps A LOT if you have a style in your head, go on the web to actually find pictures that match that style, and then tell the artist "I want it to look like that."
4.  DO NOT give any money up front (some people might argue on that, but we've gotten burned several times doing this...)

[Guert]

Excellent information gentlemen I need to get a bit more details from my bosses. Montreal would be best but over the web wouldn't be much of a problem. Unless my boss tell me otherwise. I'm meeting him this friday.

If anyone has other tips, don't be shy Lurk, I'll send you a private message once I get a bit more details Thanks

[dbb]

What kind of a thing is it for? A lot of illustrators specialise in a particular style or subject matter, so people might be able to recommend someone suitable if you told us as much as you can about the job.

I ought to pimp my own stuff at this point, too: it's mostly sci-fi stuff for magazines etc. but I have some other stuff in my portfolio, too. Mostyl I work digitally, but I can do traditional media.

I totally second Jrjellybean's four points, and would add that I personally prefer tighter, more specific briefs; it's a lot easier  for me to get the job done, and I''m more likely to satisfy the client, if I'm clear on what it is they want. And I'm always happy to do a few variations as roughs and let the client pick one.

As regards location, yeah, it's nice to be able to meet and talk face-to-face, and it's reassuring to both parties to know they're dealing with an actual real person, but I've also successfully worked with clients that I've never actually met.

[Tom]

Good advice jrjellybean, especially point 3 which imo makes it a hell of a lot easier for the artist (presuming they can adapt to different styles). However...

4.  DO NOT give any money up front (some people might argue on that, but we've gotten burned several times doing this...)

I have to disagree with this last point.

In most cases it's actually the other way round, in that most professional artists will not work without a percentage of the money up front. It's very unlucky that you've been burned, but more often than not it's the artist who gets taken advantage of. I've done a couple of small pixel jobs where I've delivered the goods and haven't heard back from the client. I really think you were very unlucky in your choice of artist, as I said, it rarely happens like that.

I guess it's completely up to Guert though. I don't think many artists are willing to sacrifice their reputation, and if they are, a simple google search should reveal anything shifty. 

[biomechanic]

Speaking of deviantart.com, how do you search for people in a specific geographical location?
I think it was possible a few years back, but I don't see it anywhere.

[Guert]

Right now, we're looking for manga-inspired artwork. Such as this, if possible: http://studioarchcraft.com/character.html

Montreal is nice but around the world works well too
 
As far as the contracts, it's not really in my hands, luckily I have someone who's taking care of that! Ah ha! Seriously, any artist who work with us will probably sign a contract and all. But like I said, I'm looking around but I'm not the one dealing directly with them business-wise. It always sucks when one side of a business partnership get's it up it's... Y'know.

[Over00]

4.  DO NOT give any money up front (some people might argue on that, but we've gotten burned several times doing this...)

I have to say like Tom on this.

Most of the time I wouldn't have get anything done without paying up front (my needs were always below $1000 so it depends if it's a bigger job). I never signed any contract either because honestly even if someone at the other end of the planet would break it I wouldn't have the money required to sue them...

I don't pay someone up front before getting some information on them though. Ask around (like you're doing here) and people will be happy to warn you about people with bad reputations (can't hide from the web...).

Once you found someone you like working with stick with him/her even if it sometimes means that this person is currently unavailable (if you can wait that is). There's nothing better than a good relation.

Over time if the relation's good it might be easier to get work done without having to put money up front as the artist will trust that you won't try to steal him.

A suggestion would be to start with something small (no risk) just to test. If that small job doesn't go well you won't lost a lot and will know that you must go look elsewhere.

[Fauxfox]

if your looking for artists conceptart.org would be the place since a lot of not most of the people their are game artists. Even myself looks their for freelance work. and its quite competitive.

[Guert]

Conceptart.org is indeed a nice place to search for artists. There's a lot of talent hanging over there.

For those interested, our searches are going forward. Although we haven't taken our decision yet, we found a few poeple that fit the style and direction we are going for. however, nothing has been signed yet so it ain't over yet

I'm not looking for that kind of artist but migth as well ask the question here too. You know, since we are already on the topic of finding good artists. Anyone know a good place to find pixel artists? Is there a big difference between hiring a pixelartist or an illustrator?

Thanks

[Tom]

Pixel Joint and Pixelation would be your best bet for pixel artists. Both have an employment/portfolio section. Shouldn't be a huge difference in hiring a pixel artist from any other, it's just another medium at the end of the day.

Best of luck with your search.

[Imagineergames]

Conceptart.org is indeed a nice place to search for artists. There's a lot of talent hanging over there.

For those interested, our searches are going forward. Although we haven't taken our decision yet, we found a few poeple that fit the style and direction we are going for. however, nothing has been signed yet so it ain't over yet

I'm not looking for that kind of artist but migth as well ask the question here too. You know, since we are already on the topic of finding good artists. Anyone know a good place to find pixel artists? Is there a big difference between hiring a pixelartist or an illustrator?

Thanks

Not all Illustrators and animators are familiar or experienced with pixel art. But if it's Static pixel art, I don't think any artist would have too many qualms adapting. Pixel art animation is a bit different though. Always be very specific. The artist will thank you!

[Craig Stern]

I just finished working with Heriberto Valle Martinez on overhauling the GUI for my upcoming strategy RPG. (I'm in the process of adding it into the game as I type, so you won't see any of it in the demo just yet.) Anyway, I really enjoyed working with him: he's diligent, attentive, reliable and talented. He's one of that rare breed of artists with a really favorable talent-to-pain-in-the-ass ratio. So here I am plugging him.

I found Heriberto when I stumbled onto a thread he'd posted here on the TIGS forums. I checked out his portfolio, which I liked a lot. So I sent him an email. I listed the specific things I wanted him to redesign, and together we decided that he would work in exchange for a lump sum payment at the end of the job. After we negotiated the amount, he took it from there, him sending me drafts and me giving him feedback via email. Ultimately, he went out of his way to do more work than I had originally asked of him, and did so on his own initiative. In short: great artist, hard-working, listens to feedback, highly recommended.