Commissions/Rates

Need some art? I am open to commissions of my art, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am also interested in discussing future illustrations with publishers, editors and other interested parties. Please contact me to discuss what needs you may have.This page describes the general ideas behind my commission rates, and lists out not only the rates but sample ideas of what I’m talking about. For further samples, just check out the rest of this site or my gallery site at www.rhdickerson.com.

A few caveats, first, before we get into the actual rates. My very first and most important point is that I want to work with you on your art, to get you what you want. However, I also have certain styles (which is why you are here), and certain ideas with art, and I do commissions with that freedom in mind. Also, these rates are starting points, and I would love to have further discussion with you.

• Commissions can be from anyone, anywhere, whether you are an individual or an organization doesn’t really change anything.
• I like to pass sketches back and forth, so that we all agree on what the end result should be. But I don’t expect to do 10-20 sketches, unless you are willing to pay a little more for that service. Part of the idea behind sketches is to agree on what the final work should look like, and if we can’t agree by then, then perhaps I’m not the right artist for you.
• I use contracts, and I have a discussion of that very thing on my site here (opens in a new window). Check it out (the full contract is on there), and, while there are slight differences between an individual and an organization, they are pretty similar.
• I welcome commissions from publishers, and we can discuss what rights you need for your publication (or other need). I can work with ebooks, traditional printing, whatever you’d like. I usually just ask for my name/copyright to appear somewhere in the book, if not a credit line with the art itself (we can discuss that).
• Physical art commissions do not give you any publishing rights, be they for prints, inks, acrylics, or any other kind of physical creation of mine. Sure, we can discuss that and discuss higher fees for more rights, and I’m happy to do so. But if you get physical art for me, you can not turn around and use it for anything other than we agreed on in writing.
• Both of us should stick with the schedule agreed upon, though a little wiggle room on both sides can also be a good thing. Life happens, occasionally things get in the way, and I understand that. But establishing when you need something is very important.
• As much information as I can get, the better off it will be. I appreciate samples from my site, the “I like such and such piece” discussion, because then I know what you are expecting from the final art. It also matters what final size you need it at, final resolution (if that matters, it does for any publishing), and those sorts of things as well. Communication is everything.
• We can talk about payment. I can accept credit cards through my Paypal account (and, well, Paypal payments), and if you need to pay otherwise we can talk about it. For larger paintings or more expensive works, I’m open to discussing limited payment plans as well.
• Last but not least, I never give away “all rights”. If you need exclusive rights, or rights for a time, those kinds of things, I’m happy to discuss them. But I reserve “all rights” for myself.

Ok, since that’s out of the way, here are my commission rates. They are based on the typical work for the styles listed below, and I have a sample or two next to each rate as a general idea of what I mean.

Grayscale sample

Digital Illustrations

Much of my work is created digitally, which can then be passed on as whatever file type you need. Size isn’t as big an issue as it is with traditional media, as I still tend to create things at 12″ x 16″ at 400 dpi and just crop accordingly. Unless of course what you need is sized/oriented completely differently, in which case I’m happy to alter that.

I would expect with digital art to transfer a final “flattened” version of the art to you through email (or other digital means, in whatever format you need), and, if requested, send you a letter-sized print of the art as well through the mail.

Still, if you need something far larger physically or in resolution, or if your idea is extraordinarily detailed (either in actual art or in specific details like science or history) the rates will change.

A good example is creating a 100% accurate recreation of the Battle of Gettysburg, down to the correct buttons on the uniforms and correct fauna in the foreground, at 30″ x 40″. That kind of precise need would change the rate. I normally strive for as much accuracy as I can though, no worries there.

Color Sample

Grayscale illustration
For grayscale (black and white if we were talking photography) art, I normally start in the $100 range. Gray art doesn’t have the issues you run into with color art, especially when it comes to the print production side.

Color illustration
For color art, I usually start in the $250-$300 range. If you need more of a layout idea, such as a wraparound book cover, or something that’s more detailed, let me know.

Unpublished or previously created works

I do sometimes have folks ask about licensing pieces that I have posted on my website, and whether they can be used for covers, interior art, and various other uses. The piece in the previous section above, captioned “Color Sample”, is a great example of one that was created only for me, then I licensed the use of it for a book cover.

I do charge a fee for licensing previously created works, and it depends on what you want to use it for. Licensing fees start around $25, and just go up depending on rights requested, usage, or if I have to manipulate it any to work for you. Contact me if you see a piece on my site that you’d like to use for your needs.

A quick note: there are some pieces that I wouldn’t allow usage of for various means. Some of the fan art inks, for example, I don’t own the reproduction rights to (thus, “fan art”). Other pieces are specific to a publisher or author, or other need, or contracts might not allow it to be used for anything else. But just ask, I’m happy to talk about it.

Foil designs/vector art for publishers

I have created vector designs for foils/stamps for published books as well, and is a service I provide. The design at the top of this page is a foil stamp for the hardcover version of author Weston Ochse’s Multiplex Fandango, released in 2011 from Dark Regions Press. You can see more of my foil designs here.

Vector designs can vary quite greatly, between very simple and very complex designs. Simpler designs might start in the $75 range and up, while much more complex images can start in the range of $100 and up. Let’s talk about it, and let me know what you need.

Ad sample

Graphic Design

Graphic design is fully based on your needs, whether they are very simple or complex. I have created banner and magazine ads for authors, cover design and layout, and many other pieces.

Let me know what you have in mind, and I can let you know what I think the rate would be. I hover around the $60 an hour range, but that said only I know how long it will take and often a flat quote will give you a better idea.

Ink Art

Ink Sample

With ink art, I am under the assumption that you are looking for a physical media piece, and not digital usage. The idea would be that you are commissioning ink art to mat/frame, or have on a wall. The prices listed below are for the physical commission of the ink art.

That said, I am open to doing ink art as, ultimately, a digital file, where you wouldn’t get the physical art and only the license to use it (for publishing and so on). Publishers, especially, often use ink art in their books, and I’m happy to discuss that. Since I haven’t had published ink art in a decade, just ask me what that might be rated at. I would imagine it’s near the grayscale art price, maybe a bit more, but I’m open to discussion.

Ink art is based mostly on the physical size you need. Not only does the actual price of materials go up for me, but it also means a lot more work and a lot more lines (A LOT, if you’ve seen my inks). Again, these are “starting point” rates, if you need something more specific or detailed then let’s talk.

These prices would be for crosshatched/standard inks. For color inks, ink washes, or other work, we can discuss how the rates might increase. If you need larger than 9″ x 12″ too, that’s great, just let me know and we can discuss it.

Acrylic Painting Sample

Acrylic Painting

Acrylic painting commissions, like ink art above, are assumed to be for the physical piece and not digital licensing. Again, if you want to use a digital version for something, just let me know, I’m happy to discuss it.

Painting rates listed below do not include framing or other fees, they are simply the straight painting rate. They are based on a standing rate of $2 per square inch, so if you have a different size you’re thinking of that should give you a good starting point.

Listed below are just some of the common sizes of panels that I have. I usually paint on canvas panels using acrylics, but if you would prefer regular canvas, or wood panels, or other media, just let me know.

Mixed Media and other items

Mixed Media Sample

Some of my art pieces don’t fit under a single media listing , so they are a little harder to rate for commissions. For example, The Lost Nightmare used scratchboard, ink and ink wash, acrylics, and even pencil to create it.

I would also count digital coloring of one of my ink pieces with that as well (or other digital manipulations of traditional pieces).

Just let me know what you have in mind, and we can talk about it.