Sketch cards... the complete guide?

[Barnaby]

Hey, boys and girls!

I might have a chance on working on Sketch Cards with some Marvel characters. I was thinking of doing those mainly for exposure... so, I'm interested in knowing all I can about this sketch card thing.

How does the whole process works?

- The artist receives the cards, draws/paints the cards and send them back, right?
- You get to chose the characters?
- Is there any screening process by Marvel? If so, how tight is it?
- They sell the original cards or prints?
- Are deadlines 'comfortable'?
- Should you paint the card or penciled/inked cards are just fine?
- How's payment? What's the usual rates (I assume the company producing the cards sets them)? You only get payed by approved card, right?
- You get some Artist Proof Cards... what's that for? Commissions?
- Any advice on materials? Inks, paints, markers, ...?
- It's been worthwhile for you?
- Any advice...?

Thanks for your time!! I guess this can also be useful for future generations...

[Tanja]

Have you read through Jessica Hickman's sketch card blog -- "Sketch Card Art"?

http://sketchcardart.blogspot.com/

As a sketch card artist for the past few years, I'm very interested in the creation of artwork on such a small scale, the backgrounds of the artists chosen to work on sketch card sets, and the companies themselves.
Thought I would start up a blog talking about sketch cards and interviewing the people 'behind the scenes'. -Jess

[fbwash]

Originally Posted by Barnaby

Hey, boys and girls!

I might have a chance on working on Sketch Cards with some Marvel characters. I was thinking of doing those mainly for exposure... so, I'm interested in knowing all I can about this sketch card thing.

How does the whole process works?

- The artist receives the cards, draws/paints the cards and send them back, right?

* Yes and No - Yes you are sent cards yet it really depends on the company that is doing the set. Some will let you hold on to your Artist Proof cars but you still have to send scans of the artwork done on them for approval by the license holder. If they're not happy with what you've drawn. You might have to mail them back the the AP and they'll replace it with a new blank.

- You get to chose the characters?

* The companies usually send you an agreement and a sheet explaining what you can and can't draw in regards to their characters.

- Is there any screening process by Marvel? If so, how tight is it?

* It can vary but my experience is that it can take up to a month or a little over before you hear anything back in regards to whether your cards have been approved or not.

- They sell the original cards or prints?

* They add your original sketch cards to their trading card packs and sell them that way. Collectors spend the money to buy packs or boxes in hopes of getting a sketch card from a popular artist. In most cases, Collectors flip the cards as soon as they get them. Here are some of my cards that were pulled from sets and being sold by collectors : http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...tegories<br />

- Are deadlines 'comfortable'?

* LOL - NOPE

- Should you paint the card or penciled/inked cards are just fine?

* Whatever you're comfortable working in do that and get really good at doing it.

- How's payment? What's the usual rates (I assume the company producing the cards sets them)? You only get payed by approved card, right?

* The payment isn't a lot and you benefit more if you're a popular artist, since you can sell your Artist Proofs pf Artist Returns for a lot more money.
Pay varies from company to company but the reality is that you shouldn't look at sketch cards as your only means of making money. Unless your artwork is so amazing that the collectors immediately desire it. There's a huge "IF" in there so I suggest looking at sketch cards in a realistic term.
Comic Book Artist can be defined by their artwork and if people like them they can have a loyal following. There are so many sketch card artist now and coming in that the companies can easily find a new artist without breaking a sweat... And Yes, you do get paid for approved cards but each company is different in how they handle un-approved cards.

- You get some Artist Proof Cards... what's that for? Commissions?

* Yes- AP's are cards that you can draw on or use for commissions.

- Any advice on materials? Inks, paints, markers, ...?

* I tend to use Sumi Ink, Copic/PrismaColor Markers & Micron Pens.

- It's been worthwhile for you?

* I'm already a freelance illustrator with 20+ years working in animation, film, print and currently advertising. I looked at sketch cards as a new corner of the art business, I hadn't known about. I use my sketch cards as a form of "business card" - Which has helped me to get other gigs like "storyboarding".
My artwork has improved because of the size restraint of illustrating at 2.5 x 3.5 - So I'm happy that it's part of my portfolio

- Any advice...?

* Just be realistic about it and as I tell any and all artists I come across. The art field is a lot bigger than comic books and sketch cards. If you want to make a career in being a professional artist/illustrator you'll need to have a portfolio that isn't limited to one section of the field.
Ex. If you only pencil, learn how to ink and color your own work.
If you only do traditional painting , it might be good to learn how to do
digital painting as well.
This is about making your way as an professional in the art field. You never know if someone may want you to do storyboards or gaming art or toy design.
Your portfolio should contain a varied degree of samples that will make a Creative or Art Director pause and consider you for the assignment.


Thanks for your time!! I guess this can also be useful for future generations...

I wish you well in your endeavor and continued creativity.

[Renae De Liz]

Oh boy SKETCH CARDS Answers below, apologies if they're already answered.

Originally Posted by Barnaby

Hey, boys and girls!

I might have a chance on working on Sketch Cards with some Marvel characters. I was thinking of doing those mainly for exposure... so, I'm interested in knowing all I can about this sketch card thing.
How does the whole process works?

I did many sketch card sets for years. I found their primary benefit for me was the PRACTICE, not only in drawing but in marker coloring as well (or whatever you color with). You have to draw quickly and if you continually push yourself to draw something different each time instead of the same pose, you'll learn that much quicker.

There is a core community of collectors, many of whom are wonderful, and many of them like to get commissions. So it's a great place to get your foot in the door for sure in the art world.

- The artist receives the cards, draws/paints the cards and send them back, right?

In my experience, yes. You get the boxes of cards, along with a contract stating how many you're to do and by when.

- You get to chose the characters?

In the contract there's usually a list of what NOT to draw. Like "No Marvel Zombies". Everything else usually goes.

- Is there any screening process by Marvel? If so, how tight is it?

Usually there's not much interference, though I have heard of Marvel actually choosing not to have certain artists on the sets due to their style even after completing ALL their cards, but that was a few years ago. But really, there's not usually much interference.

- They sell the original cards or prints?

Originals

- Are deadlines 'comfortable'?

Sometimes yes, a lot of times no. Often you'll have 30 days to do like 500 cards, which can be difficult depending on who you are. It actually helps you get better as an artist in some ways though!

- Should you paint the card or penciled/inked cards are just fine?

Almost all sets now require full color. The only sets I worked on where pencil was fine was for Upper Deck or Topps, and they paid far less. You don't have to paint them, you can use marker, color pencils, etc if that's faster.

- How's payment? What's the usual rates (I assume the company producing the cards sets them)? You only get payed by approved card, right?

For regular cards I've been paid anywhere between $1 - $7. Though $5 seems to be where the average lies. You get paid for each approved card.

- You get some Artist Proof Cards... what's that for? Commissions?

Yes, because of the extra rarity of them, they often go for higher than regular cards. So sometimes taking a job that pays less in lieu of extra artists proofs can be worth it.

- Any advice on materials? Inks, paints, markers, ...?

I work with Copic markers, with white gel pens for highlights. Here is a video of me from years ago drawing a psylocke card with the same stuff. You really need to just find what works for you, every artist has their own technique! Working quickly on sketch cards affirms that you'll learn you're own way quickly

- It's been worthwhile for you?

It is depending on what you're after. It's especially beneficial if you're looking for a "boot camp" type experience on your art, or are looking to get your foot in the door, art-wise. There's a great base of really nice collectors. If you're already established in comics it's a nice break to take a sketch card job every now and then for fun or just to do something different, or to get some practice in.

For me personally after a few years I got severely burnt out. It's HARD drawing that many cards, that fast, all the time. I prefer comics by far, but sketch cards are still really fun, and are worth the venture if you're into it!

- Any advice...?

I hope this doesn't sound funny, but once you're into sketch cards, keep a cool head about you! There are some people that seems to think drawing Marvel cards means they're "working for Marvel" and introduce themselves as such ( in which it's drawing for a third party, not for Marvel). That with a super nice supportive community that can make you feel like a superstar, sometimes people end up with a big head because of it, which only makes you look bad in front of publishers and editors in comics. DEFINITELY not saying you would, or anything like that, just saying I've seen it happen too much, and I feel artists put themselves into a corner that way and never branch out past sketch cards. Accept sketch cards for what they are, and awesome opportunity to draw characters you love, to learn more about drawing, and to meet some cool people in the sketch card community, then move on when you're ready (or stay in Some people truly love working on them as their main work, which is cool too!!)

[Justice41]

Yeah gotta love the deluded people who state they work for Marvel as well as work for the Companies putting out the cards. But to be fair sometimes friends or family force that onto you. I have friends and relatives who kinda don't grasp the whole work for hire thing so for them they just say you work for this or that because you draw this or that character. People like simple.

[jedipencil]

Originally Posted by Renae De Liz

I hope this doesn't sound funny, but once you're into sketch cards, keep a cool head about you! There are some people that seems to think drawing Marvel cards means they're "working for Marvel" and introduce themselves as such ( in which it's drawing for a third party, not for Marvel). That with a super nice supportive community that can make you feel like a superstar, sometimes people end up with a big head because of it, which only makes you look bad in front of publishers and editors in comics. DEFINITELY not saying you would, or anything like that, just saying I've seen it happen too much, and I feel artists put themselves into a corner that way and never branch out past sketch cards. Accept sketch cards for what they are, and awesome opportunity to draw characters you love, to learn more about drawing, and to meet some cool people in the sketch card community, then move on when you're ready (or stay in Some people truly love working on them as their main work, which is cool too!!)

Fantastic advice, in my opinion...

[fbwash]

Originally Posted by Justice41

Yeah gotta love the deluded people who state they work for Marvel as well as work for the Companies putting out the cards. But to be fair sometimes friends or family force that onto you. I have friends and relatives who kinda don't grasp the whole work for hire thing so for them they just say you work for this or that because you draw this or that character. People like simple.

An associate of mine whose done work on Star Wars and Marvel brands for Hasbro said that he had a meet and greet with an CD at Lucas Art or some division of Lucas who didn't even want to look at any sketch card samples of Star Wars stuff.
Recognizable brands like Topps and Upper Deck are pretty well known so even the person on the street have an idea who they are.
I always say the name of the company accompanied by the name of the Licensing company.

[7ero]

It seems to me like some of the tools are really expensive--copic markers in particular. Is there a recommended starter set of supplies that can give me what I need to finish a set of cards?

[rendergee]

I started using a set of regular cheap marker from hobby lobby (100pcs =$20 +50% off) CHeck the older cards here http://ferah11.deviantart.com/gallery/23736835

[Justice41]

Originally Posted by 7ero

It seems to me like some of the tools are really expensive--copic markers in particular. Is there a recommended starter set of supplies that can give me what I need to finish a set of cards?

Watercolors over real ink are nice but a little slower and the cards will warp due to water. I'd say don't lock in any one media for every job as you'll find that each company has their own paper stock and not all of them take marker watercolors etc well. Right now I'm doing some Warlord of Mars cards and the stock is really good for quill nibs and real ink yet watercolors go on like crap. The colors look like garbage. So I tried Copics and Prismacolors and they look just as bad. So I'm probably going to have to scrap any future inks and use Gouache and Acrylics. Airbrushing the watercolors on was great but once I tried applying watercolors with brush huge fail. So be flexible and ready for anything. Copics and other Markers will smear india ink. Copic make a pen called a Multiliner that works really well but the line is like any other felt tip marker. But the Copic markers will not smear the multiliner linework. Copics are probably better because you can buy refills for almost all the markers you'll use. Upfront costs may be a bit expensive but once you have the base marker you can add color as you need. They also sell replacement tips for the markers and the multiliners. So overall abetter investment. Plus you can deduct the costs of all the supplies on your taxes.
Oh and I use regular sharpie markers for the simple base colors like red and blue and yellow and green. They work well and the colors are solid. Keep the expensive markers for the detailing and color tricks. Only drawback to sharpies is the smell.

[fbwash]

Originally Posted by 7ero

It seems to me like some of the tools are really expensive--copic markers in particular. Is there a recommended starter set of supplies that can give me what I need to finish a set of cards?

You really don't have to use Copics. Just find some markers that your comfortable working with and use them. It really comes down to your own creativity and skill to make a piece of art come alive.

Check Ebay as well- there are tons of people always trying to sell their old markers or other art supplies.

[Renae De Liz]

I agree. You can choose whatever you're comfy with using. Brent Engstrom (Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids, etc) for instance uses RoseArt markers ( those super inexpensive markers you find at every store) and he manages to make it look amazing. A lot of people prefer Prisma over copics too, they are cheaper by comparison to Copics. People use paints, color pencils, even crayon Anything flies in sketch cards!

Copics are by far my personal choice, mostly because of the brush tip (sketch version) and I find the color choices much nicer, AND they are refillable, cutting back on further costs. If you do choose Copic, it does take time to pick up a bank of colors to use because of the costs. They're usually cheaper HERE or HERE is the same price but right now there's a 15% off promo HERE

In case it's helpful, here are my personal choices for what to buy first. Remember this is only my own choices for my own way of doing things!

- Grays: at least get a level 3, 5 and 7 of one shade of gray( and 1 if you can afford an extra, it works great with skin tones, for example J. Scott Campbell uses a level 1 gray on all skin tones). They Grays to choose from are A) Warm; goes well with warm colors like red, orange, yellow, browns and skin tones not so well with cool colors B) Cool; Works well with blues, greens and pinks, not so well with warm tones C) Tonal or Neutral; which is somewhere in between. These are okay, I don't have as much experience with them though

If you can only get one shade of gray, get Neutral or Tonal, If you can get a set of both Warm AND Cool grays, that is preferable and probably the best place you could spend your money. That way you can shade almost any color to the desired shade, be it over prismacolor, or any other marker brand. You can use both to either bring colors to the forefront (Warm) or push back into the background (Cool).

-Skin tones: namely I like Skin White; Fruit Pink ( or pale fruit pink); for darker skin tones I like Brick Beige or Sand. For skin undertones I use Mauve Shadow, or sometimes a light pale blue (along with grays where needed). Pink goes well over these as well in some spots, and the brush tip helps a lot to keep things looking more natural.

- Light Blues; The light blues are hard to find good tones in other brands. There are a few colors in Copic I like that I buy a LOT of, like Pale Blue or Baby Blue.

Some other useful colors I can't really find elsewhere:

Manganese Blue: a darker blue that is more gray, I love it
Ocean Mist: A blue-green that is very nice
Cool shadow: a much lighter version of Ocean Mist
Buttercup Yellow: Better for coloring blonde hair
Atoll: I use this for many backgrounds, it's like an orangey/sunset color
Dark Red: Or some other Burgundy type color it has many uses

The rest of the colors you'll need, like the more primary shades reds, greens, yellows and blues you can find cheaper with Prisma if needed.

If you need white gel pens, I use:

Yatsutomo White: These dry into a less bold white line
Gelly Roll White: These dry into a bolder white
Elmer Paint Pen Whte: for bigger white areas.

I usually smear the white with my finger for effect, and sometimes go over the white once dry with more copic if needed.

Anyway, that's just what I do I look forward to seeing how your own method develops!

[fbwash]

Originally Posted by Renae De Liz

If you need white gel pens, I use:

Yatsutomo White: These dry into a less bold white line
Gelly Roll White: These dry into a bolder white
Elmer Paint Pen Whte: for bigger white areas.

I usually smear the white with my finger for effect, and sometimes go over the white once dry with more copic if needed.

Anyway, that's just what I do I look forward to seeing how your own method develops!

I actually still use Pro-White with a brush but have started using colored gel pens. I love the vivid, neon colors that really pop out. Prismacolor white pencil can also add a nice efx on black ink.

[7ero]

Thank you all for answering my question! That's really good information.

[Biofungus]

Originally Posted by Renae De Liz

I hope this doesn't sound funny, but once you're into sketch cards, keep a cool head about you! There are some people that seems to think drawing Marvel cards means they're "working for Marvel" and introduce themselves as such ( in which it's drawing for a third party, not for Marvel). That with a super nice supportive community that can make you feel like a superstar, sometimes people end up with a big head because of it, which only makes you look bad in front of publishers and editors in comics. DEFINITELY not saying you would, or anything like that, just saying I've seen it happen too much, and I feel artists put themselves into a corner that way and never branch out past sketch cards. Accept sketch cards for what they are, and awesome opportunity to draw characters you love, to learn more about drawing, and to meet some cool people in the sketch card community, then move on when you're ready (or stay in Some people truly love working on them as their main work, which is cool too!!)

To be honest, part of this is perpetrated by the companies themselves (Topps in particular). They actively encourage artist participants to claim themselves to be official first party (Marvel, Lucasfilm Ltd., DC, etc.) artists. It makes the card company look good. But obviously the license owners frown upon it.