Hi,
A publisher recently asked me for an outline of what I'd put in an activity book and one sample drawing. If they like it, I've got the job --which I very much would like. I've written the outline and just finished the drawing --a hidden picture drawing...
I'd like to put a frame --a box-- around the picture, and think a line that looks like it's drawn with chalk would look good.
How can I do that? I can't find it in clip art, and none of my supples makes the right kind of line... pastel, coloured pencil... chalk... they just look messy, which is why I thought of clip art.
I hope someone has suggestions for me!
Thanks,
Terry
A publisher recently asked me for an outline of what I'd put in an activity book and one sample drawing. If they like it, I've got the job --which I very much would like. I've written the outline and just finished the drawing --a hidden picture drawing...
I'd like to put a frame --a box-- around the picture, and think a line that looks like it's drawn with chalk would look good.
How can I do that? I can't find it in clip art, and none of my supples makes the right kind of line... pastel, coloured pencil... chalk... they just look messy, which is why I thought of clip art.
I hope someone has suggestions for me!
Thanks,
Terry
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Canada
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, November 24, 2007 - 4:48 PMI would try drawing it in photoshop. you could make a rectangle or whatever shape you wanted and then apply a crayon filter to it or any number of other art filters. I think that would work. -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sun, November 25, 2007 - 11:02 PMgood idea -- I don't have photoshop --but I can use my daughter's.
Thanks!
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Tue, November 27, 2007 - 12:53 PMHi Terry, photoshop is an amazing tool, expecialy for presentations and printed portfolio. Your question though is an inspiration, what do we do when photoshop is not around. My first thought was water colour, a big thick moppy watercolour brush (experimentation recomended) but finding the middle ground between dry brush and wet brush, maby even a wet on wet application, the chalk effect could work, oil pastels over top perhaps (hmm might be messy indeed...), I am off to the studio to try and recreate chalk lines, thanks Terry :O) hope the sample drawing went well and you have landed the job. Thanks too for the congradulations on Winter Garden.
Leah. -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, December 15, 2007 - 4:55 PMYou can do an original chalk line rectangle on dark paper and then scan it... -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sun, December 16, 2007 - 6:35 PMWell, in the end I sent the drawing off with just a heavy pencil line --if they hire me to do the whole book, I'll have the conversation with them about page design --which I'm not sure is up to me anyway. I love all your suggestions --the sloppy watercolour line would also be great!
I'm still waiting to hear from them, which is unlikely to happen until the new year now.
Thanks everyone!
Terry
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, January 12, 2008 - 8:56 PMHi,
Sounds crazy, but go old school. On a seperate page, make a wide scribble outline with white crayon. Then use a wide watercolor brush over scribbles. Now the cut and paste. Cut out your outline frame. Photocopy artwork, insert in the frame you just cut out, photocopy. Instant "filter" sans photoshop, baby! Good luck. -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sun, January 13, 2008 - 6:58 AMYeah!
Sometimes all this technology just gets in the way...
I sent the drawing and outline of plans for the other pages in December --so now I'm just waiting to hear what they think.... (ulp!)
Thanks Day -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, February 2, 2008 - 6:13 PMSo!
The editor just phoned me yesterday and I've got the job!
They're sending me some information and we discuss the contract sometime next week.
Now I'd like another kind of help!
Does anyone have ideas for what would be fair compensation for a 28 pg activity book
---in which I'm doing all illustrations and developing the concept.
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, February 2, 2008 - 8:51 PMCongratulations, Terry! :) Unfortunately I have no valuable advice to give on the pricing.
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sun, February 3, 2008 - 9:10 AMTerry.
In your original post you say that the publisher asked you to submit the proposal.
Seems to me... it will all have to be based on sales. if the book sells well you would want to have more income from it.
I do want to express one concern I have.
If I understand the situation right...
you were asked to submit a proposal for which you were not compensated for your time.
you put a lot of time and energy into that proposal... and the publisher knows it.
that is something he (the publisher) would never think of expecting from a more established artist.
now... you may need to balance - how valuable it is to get a work of yours out there for potential future work... and how much you need to earn for this work!
find out what they want to pay you... but also contact any local or national guilds that deal with or have information on "children's activity book".
Good luck and please do keep us posted.
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, February 16, 2008 - 12:50 PMThat's a really good point Tom.
I was just so excited that they approached me that the time seemed unimportant.
Then again --if I'd created a proposal and sent it in (unsolicited) --I would not have expected to be paid for the time I spent on the proposal.
Their packet STILL hasn't arrived!
I appreciate being able to discuss this here --thanks. -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sun, February 17, 2008 - 7:06 AMsure... absolutely... we don't get compensated for unsolicited work.
but, we have to be a little wary...
We as artists are extremely fortunate to be doing our live's love... following our bliss - living our passion.
and we just need to be aware, that even if - "I would be doing it even if I wasn't getting paid for it" - we need to be treated fairly.
when you visit the doctor - you don't ask him for free work - you don't ask him for free diagnosis - promising to pay him for the treatment only.
We are taken advantage of in some cases, not always for cruel or evil reasons, but, for the simple reason, that we sometimes don't know how to value our work.
or *because they can*.
It is important to get our foot in the door - to garner work experience - and to do so with eyes open.
never be taken advantage of - always get out of the work what you *need* to remain healthy and feel valued.
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Fri, March 7, 2008 - 4:10 PMyep... just to confirm your advice --they've offered me $500 for the whole book. --that's 28 illustrated pages for $500. After talking to me they've come back with the same offer, but added royalties...
I am very disppointed --I do want to do this job, but can't see working that hard for $500.
I'm trying to come up with a counter offer --but am not sure what to counter with in light of their offer.
Thoughts?
Terry -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Tue, March 18, 2008 - 8:32 AMWell, I countered with $100 per picture (I know, that's very low --but a big leap from the first offer) and they've accepted it.
So... *busy* here I come! I'll have to work fast to make this worthwhile!
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, February 2, 2008 - 6:35 PMAdobe illustrator has brush effects that look like chalk or a rough pencil. Also Corel painter. If you are wanting to do it digitaly. -
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Re: Artist in need of help!
Sat, February 2, 2008 - 6:39 PMsorry I didn't see the rest of this thread when I answered your first question. I would say 75 bucks an hour.
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