What to charge for illustrations

oneblindmouse · Jan 11, 2010

If this is the wrong place to post this question, please post it elsewhere.

Does anyone have any idea what would be a reasonable price for my 19-year-old art student daughter to charge for 25-30 black and white illustrations she has been asked to draw by the author of a children's book aimed at 8-year-olds? The author likes her work and already has a well-known UK publisher, with the aim of publishing an entire series. My daughter is thrilled by the idea of illustrating children's books and is doing it more for the experience and contacts than the money, as such, and doesn't want to overcharge. The author doesn't want to give her royalties, but rather a set fee. Any input would be much appreciated.

Art_Sempai · Jan 11, 2010

[Rant]Sounds like the author just wants cheap labor imo.
If she's a good artist she should be paid well for it.[/Rant]

Check freelance sites, she can quote some of those prices.
25-30 is a lot pulse any revisions needed.

suki · Jan 11, 2010

I have no idea what would be a fair price or if this is a good deal for your daughter (ie, the finished product will be something she is proud to have on her resume/portfolio), but make sure in the deal it is explicit that your daughter gets credit as the inllustrator - I would worry the author intends a work-for-hire situation where the author is the only one who gets credit on the book.

~suki

oneblindmouse · Jan 11, 2010

Yes, I'm guessing the author is counting on cheap labour.

veinglory · Jan 11, 2010

What kind of black and white illustrations and at what level of complexity? It relates roughly to time spent, quality acheived, and expected profit-- but rates would bottom out around $100 each and go up from there. A good place to ask would be the forums at epilogue.ent where quite a few professional artists hang out. If the book is going to make thousands, the artist should make their fair share--with extra payments activated with new editions, online use, merchandising etc.

oneblindmouse · Jan 11, 2010

Yes, it's most important that her work is recognised and her name appears on the book.

Cyia · Jan 11, 2010

Does your daughter get any of the advance/royalties off the book? Not sure about UK publishers, but in the US, both are split by author and illustrator and the publisher handles the arrangements for illustrations.

Is your daughter sure that this publisher knows the author is contracting out the illustrations for the book? Without direct communication between her and the publisher, it seems very likely this author plans to pay one flat rate for the drawings and then submit them as her own (because they're her property) with only her name on the final product.

Smish · Jan 11, 2010

I have no idea about anything illustration related (except that writers usually don't hire the illustrator...), but if your daughter is serious about being a children's book illustrator, she should probably join the SCBWI (the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). Through SCBWI publications, she'd learn the norms and standards, and she'd also be able to network with more experienced illustrators.

Smish

Terie · Jan 11, 2010

Cyia said:
Does your daughter get any of the advance/royalties off the book? Not sure about UK publishers, but in the US, both are split by author and illustrator and the publisher handles the arrangements for illustrations.

Is your daughter sure that this publisher knows the author is contracting out the illustrations for the book? Without direct communication between her and the publisher, it seems very likely this author plans to pay one flat rate for the drawings and then submit them as her own (because they're her property) with only her name on the final product.

This is absolutely 100% correct and true of the UK as well. Publishers typically want to pair an author and illustrator themselves. (Excuse the poor grammar, but you know what I mean.

) They often put an experienced illustrator with a new author and vice versa.

And if the author has a publisher, this should already be clear. Which makes me wonder if the publisher is really a vanity outfit. If it is, your daughter needs to charge something that will be fair to her and then have an attorney who's experienced with IP law review the contract.

If it's not a vanity outfit, the author needs to speak with her publisher about this before going any further.

Good luck. I hope things work out in a good way for your daughter.

veinglory · Jan 11, 2010

I think it is not that uncommon for an artist to get a flat rate. But I agree with the skepticism about the publisher. Most commerical publishers would either select, or be hands-on about selecting, the artist. If it is indeed a vanity press the earnings side of the equation slides rapidly to negligible, and as a credit for her resume it might do more harm than good.

suki · Jan 11, 2010

veinglory said:
I think it is not that uncommon for an author to get a flat rate. But I agree with the skepticism about the publisher. Most commerical publishers would either select, or be hands-on about selecting, the artist. If it is indeed a vanity press the earnings side of the equation slides rapidly to negligible, and as a credit for her resume it might do more harm than good.

Actually, I think it *is* uncommon for royalty paying publishers who contract directly with illustrators. Maybe not so for in-house illustrators (employed by publishers on an as-needed basis) or for illustrators hired by small presses.

But regardless, the OP's daughter needs to make sure the final project will be a good credit on her resume/in her portfolio (a bad book, poorly produced could be worse than no credit) AND that she understands and accepts the terms of the deal.

~suki

veinglory · Jan 11, 2010

For the types of illustration I do (photos, RPG games etc) I have often taken a flat rate. I am sure children's books are different--but flat rates do happen.

oneblindmouse · Jan 11, 2010

Many thanks to all. I really appreciate all your input, and shall pass it on to my daughter. I hadn't thought that a badly produced book could actually do more harm than good on her resumé.

Torgo · Jan 12, 2010

suki said:
Actually, I think it *is* uncommon for royalty paying publishers who contract directly with illustrators. Maybe not so for in-house illustrators (employed by publishers on an as-needed basis) or for illustrators hired by small presses.

It isn't that uncommon. You would generally expect a picture book to pay royalties to both the author and the illustrator, yes, but illustrated chapter books, non-fiction or educational work might well be on a flat fee. It's really to do with the level of the artist's contribution to the project.

What to charge for illustrations

oneblindmouse

The new me

Art_Sempai

Writer

suki

Opinionated

oneblindmouse

The new me

veinglory

volitare nequeo

oneblindmouse

The new me

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

veinglory

volitare nequeo

suki

Opinionated

veinglory

volitare nequeo

oneblindmouse

The new me

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.