Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge?

Generally I charge a flat fee per project instead of an hourly rate. Every project is unique and custom-designed to meet your specific needs. Costs will vary depending on several factors such as the complexity of the art, what rights are being purchased, and how the art will be used. Let’s talk! Tell me about your project and I’ll be happy to discuss options for meeting your needs and budget.

I love your art! Can I use it?

Thanks, I’m glad you like it! All artwork on my website is protected by copyright. Some of it is owned by my clients which means I don’t have the power to grant permission for use. For the rest I charge a licensing fee for usage. Costs are negotiated depending on several factors:

  • Usage (i.e. A small project vs. a large, high-profile campaign)
  • Duration (How long do you want to use the art?)
  • Exclusivity (If you want to be the only one who can use the art, the fee is higher.)

Tell me more about your project and I’ll be happy to give you some options. Let’s talk!

what is your policy on using ai?

AI is not going away, so I am learning to adjust and adapt to the new realities it brings.

 

On the one hand, my ultimate goal is to deliver solid work that meets the client’s needs on time and on budget. As such, I am not necessarily opposed to using AI as *one step* in the overall process, especially if it makes me more efficient and gets the client a better end result. For example, clients often bring me concepts that were developed by them with the help of AI, and I can work with that. I have also experimented with using AI to help with ideation, reference, and preliminary planning.

 

On the other hand, I also believe it is important for creative expression to be authentic and human. Although I may use AI as one tool in my toolbox, ultimately the work I deliver to my clients will be made primarily by me not by a robot. All of the sketches and final artwork I deliver will be created by hand. 

 

There are also practical reasons I would advise my clients not to lean too heavily on AI. AI imitates what it sees which means the results can be derivative and boring. AI can help you follow a popular trend but it won’t help you make anything truly unique that really stands out. Also, AI understands pixels not meaning, which means it struggles with intuitive direction like “make the character more friendly”.  Finally, AI images are not built with layers or in vectors which makes them difficult to edit and frustrating to incorporate into production workflows.

 

I see AI as a tool that can help us create better art, but not a replacement for true human expression.

Do You Accept Rush Jobs?

Yes, if I can fit it into my schedule. If I can’t I will tell you up front and try to recommend another illustrator who may be available. Or, if you’d like I am sometimes able to subcontract some of the work (with your approval of course) to ensure your deadline is met.