Now Hiring: Illustrator

UPDATE: This project is canceled. I’ve moved on to something smaller, easier to hire for, and frankly a lot more fun. 

Are you are artist looking to sink your teeth into an amazing project? I’m currently seeking an experienced illustrator to collaborate with on a graphic novel.

This is a 21-page black and white comic—the first installment of a 90-page graphic novel. The artist is responsible for pencils and inks, but not lettering.

This is a self-published work, with the intention of finding a publisher for distribution. I’ve worked with many artists before and have self-published several books on my own and as an editor. I love the collaborative process and can’t wait to see what the right artist can bring to this story.

This is all out of my own pocket for now, so the budget is small. But this is paid work for a serious project – so please, serious inquiries only. Page rates are commensurate with skill and experience.

Requirements:

• Experienced comics artist with at least one prior work of significant length (24+ pages)
• Willing to commit to a long-term project with realistic, manageable monthly page goals
• Able to work collaboratively with a partner to bring a story to life

Some notes about style and tone: The story is realistic and has just a handful of characters. It is set largely in the woods and in a New England seaside town. Atmosphere is everything in this story, so an artist that embraces heavy stylization could be perfect. This is a black & white book.

Man, I hate listing influences. You can only sound like a pretentious asshole. But on the other hand, it’s useful shorthand for getting on the same page about the look and feel of a story. For this particular project, I’m looking for an artist who enjoys the comics of Lilli Carre, Gilbert Hernandez, Dan Cowes, Jeff Nicholson, Emily Carroll, and Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Also, a healthy appreciation of Twin Peaks and vintage Mad Magazine would be helpful.

If this sounds like you, please send your name, contact, and a link to some sample work at dave @ davekender.com.

I’ll be happy to send you the story summary, script, and we can set up a time to talk.