1. How do you get your cartoons into your computer?
First, I sketch out the cartoon very loosely on paper. I usually have
a good idea in my head of what I want, but if I have to illustrate a
clients' idea, it may take awhile before I get the idea across in a
composition we both can agree upon. Then I tighten up the sketch and
depending upon my mood, I will ink it on the paper or overlay a type
of tracing paper called vellum, on the drawing and ink on the vellum.
Once the cartoon is inked, it is scanned and cleaned up with Adobe Photoshop.
Then I convert it to EPS format with Adobe Illustrator or Streamline and import it
back into Photoshop where I color it using a web-safe palette and then export
it to Gif89a format.
For a more detailed coloring demonstration, click here.
2. Why are you letting everyone use this great stuff for free?
Well, there's loads of ordinary clipart already out there in the world
that people can buy and use, but it's not mine and it's pretty ordinary.
I like having people see and use my work. And if they appreciate it,
I'm glad to let them use it for free... non-commercially of course. 3. Where do you get your ideas for these 'toons from?
Many come from the alt.binaries.clipart newsgroup that I lurk in.
If someone mentions a need for something that I have, I let them know
about my site. And if I see a lot of requests for a particular cartoon,
I'll work one up when I have the time. Others come from past work
that I have done for clients.
Some of the ideas
come from very odd places. I was driving behind an old truck with
a rusty bumper one day, and one of the rust spots looked to me, very
much like a rock singer. The image stuck in my head and this was the result. If I had to draw a rock
singer again, I certainly wouldn't put him in this awkward position!
4. Can you draw a ( insert cartoon image here ) for me?
Sadly, the popularity of my websites and the resulting increase in
freelance work for me has made drawing cartoons for free a thing of
the past. I still have a substantial list of cartoons that people
have asked for in the past and I will make every effort to get to
them when I am able.
5. Do you have clipart of ( insert cartoon image here )?
If you do not see it listed on my Clipart List or the CD, probably
not. I do have a number of cartoons drawn that are being witheld for
the time being, so that the clients they were created for can use
them on a temporary exclusive basis. Everything else in my collection
is available for download from my website or on my CD.
6. Can I use your cartoons on my ( newsletter/ christmas cards/
etc. )?
Yes. As long as it is not in a commercial ( money making ) manner,
please feel free to use them. However, I do ask that if there is any
convenient way at all for you to do so, please credit me and put
my URL on your project so others can find this site too.
7. How long does it take you to draw a cartoon?
Usually a few hours or so depending on how inspired I am or how detailed
it is. If I have to research the subject a bit, of course that will
add to the time. But many times I deliberately won't research
a subject and instead, just go with my impression of how it ought to look. Then I'll usually end up with a more "cartoony" look and
feel.
8. How long does it take to learn to draw like this?
I have been drawing ever since I can remember. Much of my ability
is probably natural, but there is a lot of practice behind
the work you see here.
9. How much do you charge for your work?
Since every project is different with respect to copyright issues,
usage, etc., please email me with details of your project and I'll
get back to you right away. I think you'll find my prices very reasonable
for the quality and customer service you receive.
10. If I commission a cartoon from you, who owns the copyright?
What does owning/not owning the copyright mean to me or my business?
Since most of my clients do not require outright ownership of the
cartoon that they would like me to draw, I usually give a quote that
does not include the transfer of the copyright. What that means
to you as a client, is that you may at a later date, see that cartoon
available for download by visitors to my website, included in another
clipart collection by me or even licensed for resale on a shirt, mousepad,
coffe cup, etc. As a courtesy to you and to provide a measure of exclusive
use to you, I usually withhold publishing , reselling or relicensing
your commissioned cartoon in any fashion for 6 months from the date
I send you the finalized cartoon. At any time during that 6 month
window, you may also elect to purchase the copyright if you wish.
Since I can't guarantee that the copyright will be available after
the 6 month timeframe, I encourage you to consider it as soon as practical.
If you're looking
for a logo for your business that will be exclusively used by you,
then you should purchase the copyright to the image that I create
for you. That will mean that the image and the exclusive right to
create derivitive works from it, T-shirts, coffee cups, calenders,
etc., will belong only to you. Remember though, that because the potential
of these derivitative works can be quite lucrative, the purchase price
of a cartoon with all rights is quite high.
Because I understand that many small businesses have very tight
budgets when starting out and paying a large lump sum of cash to a
designer isn't always feasible, a choice of alternate payment options
can be made available:
Option 1: A licensing agreement. A yearly, renewable licensing
agreement with the payment of a small annual fee will insure that
your design remains exclusive to your business without the high cost
of obtaining the copyright. As long as the licensing agreement
remains in effect, your custom design cannot be made available to
anyone else.
Option 2: Monthly payments. Arrangements for regular payments toward
the purchase of the copyright can be made. As long as payments are
being received, the design will be held in reserve and not be
considered for sale, rent, license or release to anyone else for any
purpose.
11. I need a custom cartoon. What is the procedure? How long
does it take?
Please email me with a general description of what you'd like. I'll
get back to you right away with a quote. I require 1/2 of the quoted
amount to begin a project and the remainder is due upon completion
and delivery.
Then I need you to tell me approximately what you'd like - character,
colors, size, whatever you think is relevant and helpful to me to
draw what you need. After I receive your check or money order, I will
email you a sketch of your request. You are free to make any corrections
you like, then email them back to me. I will make a new sketch incorporating
your corrections and email the revised sketch back to you. We email
back and forth like that until you are happy. Then I'll ink the approved
drawing, color it and send it to you for any color corrections you
may have. As you can see, the time frame will vary from client to
client depending upon the number of corrections needed, but usually
takes only a couple of weeks from start to finish.
12. Can I pay for a custom cartoon or logo with a credit card?
I now have an account with PayPal.com and my experience with them
has been extremely positive. If you would like to purchase a Wizard
of Draws' cartoon, sports logo using a credit
card, here is the link to Paypal.com.
13. Do you have a collection of your clipart available on disk?
Yes! Click here for more information.
14. Your prices are outside the limits of my budget for this
project. Will you draw a cartoon for me in exchange for exposure and
a link?
I'm very sorry, but the demand for my work has forced me to limit
my time and efforts to "revenue generating" projects.
15. Do you have a mailing list to notify me when cartoons are
added to your website?
For various reasons, among them respect for the privacy of my visitors,
time, and spam avoidance, I have elected not to maintain any mailing
list. However, I do Twitter every time a new cartoon is posted, so you can receive updates in that way.
16. I would like a cartoon of (Mickey Mouse/Bugs Bunny/Road Runner,
etc.) for a tattoo. Will you draw it for me?
I'm sorry but this would be copyright infringement and unethical of
me to do.
17. Are the
cartoons that I see on your website also included on your clipart
CD?
No. For a list
of the CD contents, please click here.
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