Let’s Talk About Art, Baby!

By Sydni Lynn

This article is part one of a new series by author, Sydni Lynn, where she covers her journey of publishing her first book. The original post can be found here on Sydni’s blog.

When it comes to book marketing, there’s no shortage of ways to draw in a potential reader! An immediate attention grabber shaping up to be a long-standing tactic? Character art.

Character art is a visual concept, most often drawings or illustrations, depicting an author's character and/or scene. The artwork can be as simple as a half-body concept of a favorite character or a detailed moment from the book. Authors typically commission character art pieces or, a personal favorite of mine, are gifted artwork from readers.

Commissioning character art has always been on my author bucket list. So when I decided to self-publish my first novel this Fall, I didn't hesitate to wade through the trenches to find the right artist for me. Choosing an artist comes with many things to consider, and maybe a little bit of over consideration on my part though I am thankful for my background in graphic design. Add to that my own personal worries and the shared stories from peers whose experiences of their own interactions with artists have been hit or miss, and I definitely ‘er on the side of caution.

That being said, every artist is different in the way they approach a client, from their process of creating to following through on the deliverables. I may have some thoughts on how an artist should be doing business, but I meet their capabilities with grace (e.g. communication through DMs vs email, putting down a deposit with no contract, etc.).

Everyone’s experience is different (I cannot stress this enough). There’s no wrong or right way to work with an artist, though there are some precautions to always consider and put in place for your own protection. On the heels of hearing about a not-so-good transaction between an author and artist, I was lucky to have had a good first experience, all things considered since I ignored some of my own best practices and educational background!

Here’s what I plan to do next time...

Ensure there’s a contract in place.

As the client, you always have agency over your own business dwellings. If an artist does not offer a contract, you can provide one. It should consist of details such as a timeline of the creation process and deadline, pricing, and the rights you and the artist have over the work created. A contract sets the tone for a professional transaction and clear expectations. It protects you and the artist and upholds the obligation of an artist following through on providing a service (i.e. character art). Never be shy in presenting one, and remember, the more detailed the better.

Stay (consistently) connected with the artist.

While it’s understandable that creating art may not be an artist's full-time gig, or they have a full plate of clients, or, ultimately, life happens—a commitment was made. There should be a constant flow of communication between the artist and the client. If you haven’t heard from the artist you’re working with, send a message with zero guilt! But with that being said, don't hound your artist.

Speak up.

Whether it’s a round of revisions or the final product, never hesitate to speak up. It should be expected that there’s a certain back-and-forth in revising a design (a detail that should be noted in the contract). If you’re uncertain about something or don’t like the direction in which the artist is taking the art piece, say something. Artists aren’t mind readers.

Slow down, take the time needed.

Don’t rush the process! When the artist sends a draft, take your time in looking over the artwork and take note of the things you do and don’t like (then follow through with speaking up as mentioned above). Even once you receive the final product and settle the butterflies in your stomach because, OMG, that’s your story come to life! look over the art with a critical eye. There’s nothing like wrapping up a project with a designer only to realize something needs to be adjusted. 

Things happen, people make mistakes, and hopefully, you have an artist willing to tweak a finished project depending on the ask but that doesn’t mean opening a door in which the artist is taken advantage of. It should be noted that adjustments should be made during the revision process, along with an agreement of just how many rounds of revisions, and a clause for what should occur if, on the off chance, you’re not happy with the final artwork. Every aspect of working with an artist should be paced. Slow down, you'll thank yourself later.

There’s so much more that can be said, however, these are my four biggest takeaways—not just from my own experience but from the many that have recently transpired around me. It may seem like a lot of work or too over the top, but implementing these best practices will help in the long run. What may be agreed upon now, could always change later and the last thing you want is to find yourself wading through legal troubles. These four practices are beneficial to ALL parties involved. If you happen to ever come across an artist who refuses to comply with even one of them, then it may be best to move on with someone else.

To continue reading more in this series, check out Part 2 that covers best practices!

And to learn about Sydni and her work, visit sydnilynn.com

Blog photo via SydniLynn.com; Art by comic artist, Gabriel Picolo