/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

>>3568750
There is no set level of skill or time that you need to surpass in order to make a finished piece. In fact, I genuinely think its detrimental to your growth to do nothing but studies. The ability to see work through to completion is undervalued here. Studies are useless without application. Studies & practice should be supplemental to your finished work - not the other way around. I think a good progression is to do 'finished work' -> studies -> 'finished work' -> studies, etc. etc. Please note that this isn't to say that your finished work has to be good - if you're a beginner still your finished work may still be a little wonky, but that is totally fine.

>>3568785
This is exactly how I feel these days - I improve more by finishing work and working on making those better than simply grinding raw studies. I feel like I could have written this exact comment.

>>3345353
Sorry - didn't see this. Thought the thread was dead.

A few different factors go into this that you didn't specify. Probably the biggest one being how big the brand is. For the sake of this example, lets say that this is an elaborate illustration that is to be used on beer cans, bottles + boxes for a new beer. This is for national distribution, but lets also talk about regional and local distribution too. Keep in mind that you should assume that the same amount of work is required to make the artwork across all scenarios, and that the only variation is who is commissioning it and how it will be used.

A large, worldwide beer brand that wants to launch a launch a limited run beer in US supermarkets (for example) will pay the artist more for the same reach (say, 300 stores) as a smaller brewery would, because you are contributing more value to a brand that is worth more.

I think that for a larger, well known brand, you could probably charge anywhere from $40,00-$20,000. The wide variation is influenced in part by how well known you are as an artist. A highly successful industry veteran will be able to demand more than a newer artist. Another big factor is how significant the new product is - are you creating artwork for a redesign of one of their flagship products, or a smaller line of limited edition beers?

PBR runs a yearly design competition for the selected artwork to be used on many of their tall boy cans, and the artist gets $10,000. Given the size of PBR's brand, I think this is in line with what you could charge if they directly contacted you for a commission.

For a smaller, lesser known brand doing a national product run, you could expect to get $2,000-$5,000. For the same amount of work, you could make anywhere from $500-$2,000 from a more local brewery doing a regional run (maybe in their state or surrounding states).