Looking for an Artist for a Dark Otome Game

[Malevolent]

Heya! I need a Sprite Artist for my game (although an artist willing to do both sprites and CGs would be amazing). I'm currently 11000 words into the project, and have been working fairly diligently on it for a while, now. While I will have lulls in my progress, I can assure you that I fully mean to finish it--especially after what I have so far. Because the project is going to be fairly large, there will be 14 major-enough characters that will require sprites. While a couple of different poses would be nice, I can settle for one pose per sprite as long as they have a multitude of expressions. I'd prefer the characters to be 3/4ths visible, although I can do waist-up perfectly fine. The main character would need bust shots only.

As I don't have the story completely written, CGs are up in the air, which means if I get an artist wiling to do those, it would have to be a long-term business relationship as I hammer out appropriate CG scenes. In terms of the deadline for sprites, the artist has quite a bit of time, as the game will take a while to be fully written.

The storyline is thus (and I can give more details to people who are serious about the possibility of working with me, I just don't want to spoil everything):

Thrust into an era of war, assassination, and political intrigue, life has never been normal for Michiyo Ameshita. Granddaughter of one of many daimyos, her life was to be one of contemplation, marriage, and support of a politically convenient husband. Though she was reared with the etiquette fitting of a lady for her station, her grandfather raised her with equally conflicting skills. Since a young age, she was taught the art of war, strategy, and tactics, something he might bestow upon a male heir. Though many villagers in Oshimatsu were intrigued, none dared to question their Lord's will.

In the wake of a horrible drought, Lord Ameshita and bordering daimyos are placed in a vulnerable position, and are forced to form a tentative alliance. From the beginning, the alliance is threatened through old grudges and existing rivalries. But when it is Michiyo and not Lord Ameshita that is poisoned, things become tumultuous. Barely surviving a large dose of a deadly poison, dark rumors begin to circulate, and Michiyo becomes the symbol of the clan's ill fortunes. Fortunes that sour still with the lingering promise of war...

In terms of payment, I am fairly broke, so there won't be a lot to offer, and am thus looking for someone willing to do it for free. But if that isn't your cup of tea, I can offer a little bit. I can do a variety of things, such as offer my writing skills out in exchange for some work, or even do an art trade. My style is more American Comic Books, and I take forever to draw and my muse is fickle, which are the three reasons I am not at the helm of this project (I can link you to examples on request). I can also offer as much as 75 dollars total (though that would be my max), and maybe even more in the event I manage to acquire some money in the foreseeable future. If I can get a background artist, I can even go commercial with the game, and offer a percentage of sales.

In terms of style/quality, I would like the characters to be distinguishable from one another other than hairstyle and outfit, so I would like slightly more facial detail on the characters. All the characters in this game, with an exception of a few, will have black, or very dark brown hair, with dark eyes, which is why some level of facial detail is desirable.

I have a few other game ideas after I've completed this one, so I actually wouldn't mind forming a team with someone!

[Ziassan]

In terms of payment, I am fairly broke, so there won't be a lot to offer. I can do a variety of things, such as offer my writing skills out in exchange for some work, or even do an art trade. My style is more American Comic Books, and I take forever to draw and my muse is fickle, which are the three reasons I am not at the helm of this project (I can link you to examples on request). I can also offer as much as 75 dollars total (though that would be my max), and maybe even more in the event I manage to acquire some money in the foreseeable future. If I can get a background artist, I can even go commercial with the game, and offer a percentage of sales.

No offense but you should edit your post and remove the "hiring" part - if it's for a paying kind of work, you'll never find anybody with that kind of offer, really - even more seeing the amount of work you ask ("14 major-enough characters" etc.)

I've no idea about your situation, but either try to earn some money on your side to offer something realistic, or look for a person willing to team with you for free, or reduce a bit your ambitions.
Not a blame, but an advice.

[AshenhartKrie]

I don't mind not being paid. I really like the sound of this game, becuase I'm interested in feudal japan, which is where I'm assuming this is set, judging from your description. I'm not professional artist, but I'm not terrible. I know some people get annoyed when I link to my DA account, but that's where all my art is, and that's what you're interested in. If you like my art just drop me a pm. http://inuyashaisawesome.deviantart.com/gallery/
and here is the *only* character sprite that i have online somewhere, mainly cos I haven't drawn the others. I'm still at a basic level with colouring though, so I probably won't be a big help with CGs.


YES he is wearing a dress in the second one. Please keep in mind that this isn't actually the final versio and I've been practising arms, so they're much better now, but still not perfect.
oh wow... sorry about how huge the images are XD

[harleesayshey]

I can help you with this. I can't do backgrounds but I'm fairly experienced with characters, animals, etc.
Would you like to hire me? I require no pay, I'm happy to do it completely free as long as I'm credited.
here's a example of my art.

Usually I'd charge about $10 for 2 characters with full expressions but I've been out of work for a bit sojust this once I'm willing to do art for free
Not quite related to your project but here:

[CtrlAltLee]

Hey, I just got into VNs this month and am making my own. So, yay, first post. So, yeah, you are asking a LOT for how little you're offering.

However, for $75 I will do two characters with six expressions. If you can use those assets for a short demo and send it back to me, (to prove you can code and finish something in a timely manner) we can talk about working more and a percentage split on a full commercial game. I actually minored in Japanese ( でも、私はすこし日本語を話します。。。）so I definitely have an interest in the subject matter. As for BGs, I know how to use Google Sketchup to do architecture before going over it with Photoshop, or printing out bluelines and doing an ink and watercolor deal.

But like I said, for $75, all I can do it the two characters. That's going to be between 4-12 hours of work and it's not really fair to expect more from anyone blind like that.


(Waaah, it's kind of embarrassing my best samples are fan art currently, but that's what I've been doing outside of life studies in art class. X3)

Anyways, I understand if you don't dig my style of whatever, but please reply! :3 Thanks for sharing your ideas!

[okiness]

Well if you mean dark as in kind of messed up, I have some examples.

[Roiya]

i wish i could help you for free but for such a big project and the historical context designs i would only be able to do 5 character sprites with torso length and one expression for $75
heres my style of art if you are interested. more is only DA
paint style:

flat style:

[TrishaYuu]

Hello,

As what the others have mentioned before me, the work you require the artist to do for this project is huge. For one thing, the artist has to do a lot of research (assuming he/she also has to design clothes) when designing your characters - Roiya's right. Also, most free English VNs are usually set in modern times since its easier to find references for clothes and places or backgrounds. You also require a lot of character sprites. Be reminded that for each character sprite, the artist also has to create a set of expressions and poses (optional) for the character, so actually creating just around 5 characters complete with just basic expressions and poses is relatively quite a heavy workload.

Then again, there may be some who would be willing to do the job for free. I know of a few artists in this forum who does high-quality character sprites and backgrounds just for their enjoyment. However, I think it would only be fair to your artist if you pay them for their efforts or at least give them some sort of incentive given the bulk of this project.

[thadeus]

I could do it. In exchange, can I enlist your help with a Scavenger Hunt I'm doing (that starts in a week - the 29th)? PM me, and we can work out the details.

Here's examples of my arts:

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z46 ... ireaux.png
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z46 ... y1/Eli.png
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z46 ... /mugen.png