Commission: Black Dwarf Re-Imagine Page

[pandayboss]

Here's something I'm doing. It's still work-in-progress but just wanna share with you folks.

Media: Digital layouts & pencils using Clip Studio

[artsnake]

Up to your old tricks. Looking good.
The the digital approach seems to be getting more comfortable for you also.

[pandayboss]

Originally Posted by artsnake

Up to your old tricks. Looking good.
The the digital approach seems to be getting more comfortable for you also.

Thanks, my friend. Yes, I'm getting the hang of the digital pencils. At first I tried on different types but then I found the right one. I was happy with the product.

[pandayboss]

Here's the final version. Hope you enjoy it.

[artofrene]

Nice work, Dario! Will you ink this traditionally next?

[pandayboss]

Originally Posted by artofrene

Nice work, Dario! Will you ink this traditionally next?

Thanks Rene. The client have his own inker so to answer your question, no. But I might try inking it digitally later. I'm finding it hard to go back to traditional since I started on digital inking. I'm not sure why. I just don't feel confident enough.

[artofrene]

I feel you on that one, bro. I just recently jumped back to traditional inking and I'm glad I did. I was rusty, but getting back into it made me feel better. I'm enjoying getting to use my Winsor & Newton Series 7 brush again!

[pandayboss]

Yes. I think if I put my mind to it, it would be good to go back to the traditional work. I did one pin-up that was done in traditional. It feels good and it was praised by the client so I was happy.

Another client wants a cover done in pencil and asked me to do it traditionally which I said I will. I'm just trying to get my bearing again as it's an 11X17 size board. Haha. I'm actually faster on the board compared to digital. We'll see how it goes.

[artofrene]

My feeling these days is that if it's client work, it's digital. Clients are going to make changes, it's the nature of the beast. This is why for myself, I'm content to make all my personal projects traditional. Plus, I have originals I can sell. Now, if I can only wrap head around NFTs!

[pandayboss]

Yeah, that's true. I came a crossed clients that have multiple changes on the layout and I started with doing the layout on the the boards. I have to redo the pages as per clients and it's just too much hassles. I know they pay you for the work but they don't pay for the revisions which takes time too.

I've worked for Marvel & Dark Horse and my editors let me do my job. In a book there might be a couple of revisions but because the changes on the character designs, nothing to do with the script. On another client, he paid for the time I revised a panel which was per hour basis.

On my clients' changes are because they want it to look different as how they perceive it. It's almost like telling me that they are the artist not the other way around. So I basically told them that I'm not going to do the changes unless I get paid for the revisions. Eventually, I quit on them as I've let go on one or two occasions but it kept on revising the layouts. I handed them the ultimatum, that they should just draw their own projects, they don't need me. It's harsh specially for a freelancer but I won't let them treated me like I don't know what to do.

With the digital age and the advent of digital tablets and programs, I was able to do the revisions but I made sure that I get paid for my time if the client wants the revisions. It's just a proper treatment to an artist as well a good relationship between client & artist at that.

And also want to say, I'll eventually go back to doing the pages traditionally if the project is worth keeping the originals and there's an extra $$ for that. We'll see. Lol.

[artofrene]

Yeah, I had a client that I agreed to do a book for. Thing is, they sent me a screenplay and I had to break it down into comic book format, page by page. I go so far as to do thumbnails for them, but after that, the project fell through. At least I got paid for the thumbnails, which is something.

That’s so cool you worked for A-level publishers. Back in the day I wanted to do that, but was never good enough I guess. Closest I got was getting a phone call once from some editor at Marvel name John Lewandowski. But it was just to tell me I still needed to work on stuff, but I guess because I was sending in work every three weeks he called me. He called a second time, but I missed his call! That was sometime in the late 90’s.

You are your own client in some ways as a freelancer and you have to know your worth. And, what you will and won’t do. Yeah, it’s tough call to make, I’d imagine. Good job on being a professional, bro!

I do like digital cause it’s somewhat less difficult to make changes. I look forward to seeing more traditional pages. I feel that since I’m working independently, I try to think in terms of re-sale value. Kind of like taking a painting and repurposing the art as a print, calendar, play mat (mouse pad), etc. Hence, having original art to sale as well.

In my mind, working as an independent for independent page rates won’t cut it. It’s not enough money. Trying to 10X my art with merch, art books, etc. is the mindset I’m currently in.

[pandayboss]

Yes, true, my friend. The rates nowadays are low from independent publishers, totally different from the 90s, the golden time of comics for me. Unless you're hired by the BIG Guns, you wouldn't get your proper rate. With the independent publishers you're competing with a lot of artists around the globe. I find it their rates are unfair specially for us here in North America. Since they can hire someone as good with half the pay, they don't care anymore where you're from. Also everyone can submit work online. No more costly shipping of original pages, you can basically email a hi-res page to the editor or client. It changes the game now as frugal as the system is, it's a justification to cut the rates, I think.

I work for an engineering firm which deals with oil & gas and even the industry has become a global competing companies. They ship work to Asia from North America and it cuts in to the employment system. There are lots of people that are out of job who used to work in the industry including me.

It's what it is nowadays.