This is a very general start point and articulation of things I have found and seen to be useful. There are many fine smart people out there and I encourage your comments, questions, thoughts and corrections. I have further blog posts stewing that approach this question and related aspects from different angles. Mike Luoma wrote an interesting post recently on how to get an indy comicbook out into the world that includes a section on how to find an artist within a broader context. There was also an interesting discussion of Mike’s post in the Comic Book Business for Creators and Creations in LinkedIn, with many views worth taking in.

Future posts I have percolating include “the targeted approach” and “how to get an electrician to work on your house for ‘free’”.

How to find a comics artist 1 – the general callout approach

Recommended prep: go to comic creator hangout spaces. I recommend you find a few comics places you will enjoy participating in, there are lots of them. Participate in the forums and learn about the industry/community from a variety of places. Do not accept any one voice as gospel. If you do not have time to do this sort of thing you may need to hire an editor/project manager/comics consultant as going in blind could be very unpleasant. Industry knowledge is important.

1) Pitch your idea and ask for quotes. Digital Webbing is an interesting place to start, it has many job ads you can look at to inspire your own ad. Look at the ads you like and consider why. Look at the ads you dislike and consider why. Once you place your ad it is a bit like drinking from a firehose as you will be swamped by more applications than you can poke a stick at. Generally the more thoughtful your pitch, the more seasoned pros you will get in the mix.

The process of putting together a good ad is a valuable, clarifying experience. Think about what the important things are, the critical components (project must be completed by 1 April, or must be able to draw detailed backgrounds and convey subtle emotions), the things you like (eg artists or artistic styles you adore), the things you don’t want (eg if vector art gives you convulsions). I recommend you mention things that artists might not enjoy (eg detailed art direction and lots of revisions) it’s important to warn potential artists up front. Mention how how rights will be managed (or if you’re open to a number of scenarios). Be prepared to pay more if you are not sharing rights and be aware that asking for all rights in exchange for a small amount of money is offensive to some people. If you have a maximum amount you can spend make it clear in your pitch so you don’t waste people’s time.

Other places to put ads include LinkedIn and Ronin Studios, but there are many others (put your favourite places in the comments). All these places have interesting conversations in them and are good places for your prep work anyway. You may wish to ask for feedback on your proposal before placing the ad proper. Drawing on the knowledge of your peers can be a very useful thing.

I also have a small list of artists I can forward job ads to (paying gigs ONLY). Drop me a line if you want me to do that and we can discuss.

2) Go through the many applications you receive and put together a shortlist. Don’t be shocked that some people ask for real money. This is reasonable. A new creator might be happy to be paid less, but comics are a really difficult art-form and it might be worth paying more for experience. You need to weigh up what will work best for your project. Look through the range of applications to get a feel for what is out there and to help you decide what is the best match for your story and working style. If you are new to the game I highly recommend going with someone that is either supported by a studio or someone who has done commissioned/collaborative work before. Sometimes cheap costs you more in the long run as projects have to be ditched and restarted. Like anything where money is exchanged, expensive does not guarantee quality, but it does increase your chances of getting quality. Take time to look through samples, ask questions, look at previous work and poke around their website.

3) You have a shortlist, now it’s time pick someone. Advise people if they are shortlisted, advise people that they did not make the cut (this can be time consuming, but good to do if at all possible). Follow up questions to the people on the shortlist can be handy and help you get a feel for their voice, responsiveness and work style. Some people ask for test pages, if you have the budget to pay for that it sounds like a rockin’ thing to do. If you are asking people to do test pages for free you will probably discourage seasoned comic creators from working with you.

I also recommend running a search on the artist’s name. If you find lovely posts by them, interesting artwork, joyous clients you know you’re onto a winner. If you find angry interviews, unhappy clients and ditched projects you may wish to flee!

3) You’ve found your artist/studio. Talk to the artist in detail about how the process will work (for negotiation and communication tips check out Katie Lane’s Work Made for Hire). Discuss milestones, hopes, ambitions, expectations, rights, preferred communication styles, preferred methods of payment and so on. This is a great opportunity to get a stronger feel for who you are collaborating with and identify any problem areas before they become major issues.

4) After discussing the process write up an e-mail that articulates what you’ve agreed on and check in with the artist that this is ok. This e-mail will form a baseline to return to.

I am once again talent scouting for an educational comics company, pencillers only this time round. If you have sent stuff to me previously keep drawing, but please don’t submit to this round. My client does not want to see any names he has seen before.

Style must be DC/Marvel realistic, tight clean pencils that can go straight from pencils to colour. Must be professional quality (of the two that got through last time both have done pro work for major players). Must be able to commit to doing 24 pages over a reasonable period. Must be able to work from photographic references and depict people from diverse backgrounds. Must follow artistic direction well, there will be a lot of corrections at storyboarding stage (storyboarding is paid for).

Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.

Submission info:
Please do not attach samples of artwork, send relevant url that shows your mighty awesomeness. As a general note please don’t make your website so wanky I do not know which links to click or have to click through outdated stuff you did in primary school before I get to the good stuff.

Final decision on who gets gigs will not be made by me. If I think your stuff has potential I will pass it on to the man who makes the decisions. Depending on the number of submissions I may be slow to respond. Follow up e-mails to see how things are going are fine.
Tips on what I’m looking for here: http://lizargall.com/2008/12/artist-search-over-for-now/

e-mail liz@lizargall.com

Melbourne Anime Festival is back in 2009 celebrating its tenth year. We are currently searching for an artist to make all of our art for this year. The skills you will need if you wish to attempt for this role are:

* Able to produce both Vector and Raster based art, preferably in Adobe native formats.
* Be able to get work done on short notice, as in as little as 3 days.
* Be able to take criticism.
* Work with the design and create additional work.
* Create multiple designs from a single brief.

The role will involve working closely with members of the Manifest Organizing Committee and taking instructions on where certain things may need to be changed. Artwork that you will be required to make could be used for:

* Posters
* Postcards
* Badges
* Program Book
* Online Promotion
* Other Promotional means

The remuneration for being selected is $2,000 plus the opportunity for bonuses for providing high quality images within certain time constraitns. The closing date for submission is January 19th at 9:00AM. You may be required to meet with members of MOC

In order to be eligible you need to present at a minimum:

* 5 pictures
* 3 Must include Peppa-chan
* 1 Must include a Male character
* 1 Must incorporate how you will stylize the celebration of the 10th Manifest
* 3 Must have been made within 12 months of the submission date
* Original computer files must be provided for at least 3 images (In order to understand how you use programs, Eg, layering methods)
* Of these computer one must be vector and one raster

Please submit your pieces of work as well as the following details:

* Full Name
* Address
* Email address
* Phone Numbers
* A description of what makes you believe you would be the best for the position
* Any possible issues that you know of that may present themselves over the year. Eg. Leaving the country or general unavailability

Either electrionically to manifest.branding@gmail.com or physically send it to
P.O. Box 21036
Little Lonsdale St
Melbourne 8011

In terms of getting over the line things I will be looking for in pencilers will be:

• strong technical skills, good proportions, perspective etc
• faces faces faces faces… good facial expressions, proportion, variety of people, variety of ages. There are books of people showing different emotions out there, have the best emotional vocabulary you can.
• tight clean pencils
• detailed backgrounds
• good panel composition
• talking scenes, not just action scenes

Colourists

• rich colours
• detailed backgrounds and textures
• successful applicants generally show skills smoothly combining photo references into their work rather than just flat planes

Happy holidays… next post I shall rave about musicals, education and other exciting things.