Are there actually artists in search of writers?

[joe_galindez]

I feel like I'm searching for cryptids here. "Sasquatches of Tapas, who are you and why do you never wear shoes?"

[Lennart]

Well, at some point in my life i was, but that time was a verrry long time ago, i was already developping my ideas a lot, i have several comic books in my head and written down...

As you maybe imagine my drawing style takes me hours to achieve single panels, i may be able to lighten the stuff i'm doing to advance faster in the story tho and free some time for illustrations on the side.

But one might be aware that the extra stuff might not be up to par with the quality of the main story i'm working on, mainly less hatches, less shadowing etc, if i had to draw panels for a second comics while i'm doing my stuff too.

That's the reality of it for me at least.

It really depends if someone just needs illustrations, or a full blown story / comic panels on the side. (illustrations would be more worked / fine artwork but panels might be on the light side of things )

I'll add that if the writer can provide quick storyboard work with it's writting it might even be faster. (even with some kind of stick figures representing close ups, situations, etc )

[NanettesClouds]

There are, I’ve been one, and I’m about to work with some. But I doubt you’ll find many here on tapas TBH, most people who do comics already have stories in mind/are already working on some other project. You’re more likely to find a freelance illustrator looking for a writer, because they aren’t already doing a comic on their own for whatever reason, and those sorts of people are easier to find on tumblr/deviantart/reddit(?)

In the case where I was the artist looking for a writer it was with a good friend of mine on a premise/genre that sounded really fun to draw, but that I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle the writing for, in the cases where I’m going to work with other artists it was also other people that I know, but none of them are already comic people for various reasons.

EDIT: if you’re looking for someone to colaborate with (read: unpaid) I would say your best bet would be to reach out specifically to someone you already know on some level. “Hey so and so I really like you and your comic and I’m wondering if you’d be interested in working on a project with me?” The key is leaving what the project is kinda open ended, you can give a specific pitch, but since it’s a collaboration the person your working with should have a lot of say in what the project is

[keii4ii]

I'll add that short stories tend to be much more appealing to artists. A comic that will take 10 years to draw is a massive commitment, not something an artist would actively seek out. Every "artist seeking writer" thread I've seen is either someone looking for a quick project for practice, or a sole creator seeking an editor.

[Croik]

Actually I feel like in the last few weeks we've had a lot more artists looking for writers than when I first joined this form. At least 4 or 5 that are semi recent.

[Hodge]

Yes, but I got uhh quite the response. Not really on tapas but on r/comicbookcollabs and it wasn't easy choosing a writer. And if it's for a long term project then I'm rather picky. Also I do have my own ideas that I want to work on, and i've tried to collaborate with writers on those but if it's not their own baby then they lose motivation quickly.

[joe_galindez]

I've made fun of other writers when they did this. I know exactly how insulting it is, to be asked to do unpaid work. So, I'm a hypocrite for posting this.

But I'm stuck. I've got this story and I can't get the word out. It's a good one. At least, I think it is. I've bet everything on it being a good story. But nothing's happening.

I need someone to believe in it just as much as I do.

[Lennart]

Gonna say the most generic thing but also i think it's true for a lot of people...

Aren't we all desiring so much that people believe in our own story as much as we all do ^^

I believe you have some talent for writting, but if you want someone truely dedicated 200% to your story heeehhh, that's a liiittle bit, a little bit of an utopia, (but i think you already know that, either that, or it would be a paid artist, or someone that really, really is into the saaaame exact thing than you with the same kind of ideas out of the gate, that's pretty rare, very very rare) i don't say it cannot exist, but if it's a comic artist he might already have some ideas and project, you are not into making comics if you are not a little bit creative and writter in your mind to begin with...

It's my boring two cents on it, i'm sorry ^^

[joe_galindez]

I guess that means I'm looking for a pure illustrator.

[Lennart]

that's stupid but, i begun to do this for you as some kind of "fan art" but i don't know if the character illustrated for your story is even what you envisionned for him xD

[joe_galindez]

I appreciate it, @Imaginalex.

[Croik]

Are you talking about Patchwork Paladin?

[joe_galindez]

. . . I am. . . .

[Croik]

I don't think I commented at the time, but I did read the first few chapters of PP when you originally promoted it here on the forum, up until Abe and El Gato take on the bandit camp (and meet a cleaning ghost?). If you want I can DM you some thoughts on why you might not be reaching your intended audience.

[MGComics]

I am, but our work is valuable to just give It away for free. It takes time and effort and If we're gonna do free work we already have our own free projects I think

I need money and would be willing to work 100-120 hours a month. But paid...

[joe_galindez]

@Croik Sure!

@mgart1937 I know, I know. It's just that, right now it bothers me that the artist is assumed to bring most of the value. I worked hard on those books and I worked even harder to be in a position to write them.

[EdenStar]

Not what your looking for, but I've been there too. I cant really afford much but I do try to scrape together what I can, about $50 per page, which isn't anything, half up front half on completion and $25 for character studies. For a long projected I'd also offer half of patreon revenue and such but even offering a little upfront is helpful.

[375]

So actually there was an artist in search of writers and they choose my novel. However, they suddenly bailed and I've never heard from them since so now D: Now I feel like they are the rare ghost XD

[joe_galindez]

I'm starting to feel like this kind of arrangement wouldn't give me the level of creative control that I'm comfortable with.

[NanettesClouds]

yeah, for full creative control you really gotta offer $$$, but in a collaboration sharing that control is kinda an alternative to payment.

If you're looking to collaborate on a project based on Patchwork Paladin you might wanna consider doing a spin-off comic instead of a direct adaptation, this would also let you better take advantage of the strengths of comics as a medium (like conversations between characters & cool imagery), and avoid the things that comics aren't so good at (like inner monologues). & it might ease the sting of having to share creative control.