Comments on: All Talk in Ballyfermot

By: steve mccarthy

steve mccarthy — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:06:28 +0000

thanks so much for posting this, it changed the way i think about everything i do, and i pass this link on to anyone and everyone who’s in the same boat as me. generally alot of the work i get is from people i’ve met personally, and i feel compelled to give them a price which favours them( and not me). but i’ve gotten into the habit of charging a realistic price and DISCOUNTING to suit a friends/clients budget. they gawk at my rates, but i rarely get asked to work for peanuts again. thanks so much.

i will also be purchasing a large irritable pitbull

By: Kevo

Kevo — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:26:41 +0000

Yep. I’ve always found it hard to deal with money. The trouble is, I put myself in that position by trying to make my art into my work. It doesn’t really work for me; just makes me wish it all away. Many creatives that I’ve talked to feel this way, with only a few able to thrive properly. Thanks for all your comments guys. As I escape the orbit of illustration, I’ll write more on similar topics. I wish I knew all this crap when I was starting out!

By: Jennifer Farley

Jennifer Farley — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:12:47 +0000

Excellent article and advice Kevin. I think it’s most difficult when people are starting out because you just want to get some real world work, but as the old saying goes, work for free and you’ll always be busy.

Many creative types find it hard to deal with the money end of things but as Matthew suggests a big angry dog can help!

By: Matthew Griffin

Matthew Griffin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:10:35 +0000

Thanks Kevin.. it’s getting there anyway…

My membership application in currently under scrutiny!

By: Kevo

Kevo — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:48:16 +0000

Thanks Matt -that was very decent of the people in that agency to play fair with you. Most people you meet will be fair-minded, just be mindful of the sharks. Nice blog by the way…good work.
Are you in the IGI?

By: Matthew Griffin

Matthew Griffin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:35:33 +0000

Well said Kevin, every young illustrator should read this. Personally, I’ve had an uphill battle trying to get suitable rates. I arrived back from a few years in London, needed to make contacts and generate work, and have probably been a bit of a walkover. Once, years ago I got my first big storyboarding job. They asked me for a quote, and when I gave it to them they laughed. They said ‘Oh God no.’ I thought I had gone too high. They said ‘We couldn’t rip you off like that, here’s what we pay our illustrators’. It was twice what I had quoted. That was a rare case of generosity… Find out going rates, value your work, and play hardball. If all else fails, bring a really big angry dog to the meeting.

By: Kevo

Kevo — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:14:55 +0000

Of course, all of this is meaningless if you have nothing to sell…!

By: Karen Harper

Karen Harper — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:41:59 +0000

Well done Kevin…very wise words and you are right, the people that charge nothing are ruining it for everybody else, I will stop! From now on I am putting a value on my work.