I've been thinking about hiring a colorist

[Zyephen]

Hello everyone, Zyephen here. I'm sorta new to tapastic, but I've been thinking about partnering with a colorist for my comic, Chaotic Nation, but I'm a little apprehensive. I already do it with full gray scale shading, so I'm not sure if coloring will even be an viable option for my comic files, plus... I'm a little weird about someone else working on my comic, but I wondered if I could get some opinions on the matter. Do you think coloring the files will make it more attractive to audiences or is it fine as is? How much would you guys pay per page?

Appreciate any feedback,

Thanks,
Zyeph

[LindseyLeeMiller]

I took a look at your comic, I'm not sure how much you should pay per page but I guess getting quotes from different freelancers wouldn't hurt if your interested. Personally I like the cool gray scale shading you are currently using over color. I wouldn't know if coloring would be a viable option for your comic, please give me the file types and if you still have all the original PSD (or equivalent layered files available). It would be easier for a colorist if you had a true black lineart layer (not attached to a white background) and perferably on the K spectrum of a CYMK file (not RGB as you upload it for online viewing). Also its best if your original files have 300 DPI or above for your lineart.

Especially since your comic is already formated for full page it would be more cost effective to print in the grayscale you are currently using rather then color and may make it more accessible for your audience if you ever wish to print it. Just my added 2 cents though. I do admit I also actually have a bias for black and white or grayscale comics over colored too though, haha. ^^

[Zyephen]

I have MOST of the files , but unfortunately for my chapter 1, I only have the flattened print files. Hard drive failure sux. But the rest are all 300 dpi psds and they do have the isolated line layer. I currently do have printed gray scale volumes. I'm still a bit on the fence about the coloring thing. I think it would be easiest just to put flat multiply colored layers over the shading layers, but I suppose I'd have to play with it to see how it looked, and find someone who would do that for 320 pages.

Thanks for the response. I'm glad you like the gray scale at least.

[revisionstudios]

So your comic looks really cool as is, but I feel like color certainly wouldn't hurt it! Especially if you're already doing shading--it honestly wouldn't take much more to just be a full colored comic. Just number wise, colored comics tend to sell better than black and white.

If you want to keep doing the shading, you could always pay someone to only do the flats. It takes out the tedious parts of coloring, costs less, and you really wouldn't be adding any more work on your end. That doesn't mean you HAVE to retroactively color all of your pages though, you could always just start having it in color from the next chapter onwards or something. Maybe get the old ones colored only if you can afford it.

I totally understand how it might make you feel a little weird to have someone else work on your stuff. It's kind of odd at first and having been in control 100% for so long is hard to let go.

But, as someone who works with a small team (5 people, including me), it's completely worth it! The great thing about working with other people is that sometimes they're stronger at a skill than you are and it enriches the product in a way you couldn't. Pick someone who is equal or better than you in choosing colors, and, if you decide to have them do all of it--better than you at shading. As long as both parties respect each other, it tends to turn out awesome. I wouldn't be where I am today without my team.

[SleepingPoppy]

Color can help gain an audience, but your art and shading is very polished, so I don't think it will make a huge difference. I doubt you're loosing out on anyone with the quality of art you're putting out by your later chapters. You could find a colorist and try them out for a few pages or one chapter and see how you like it. Or leave the comic as is, but hire a colorist so you can release a special edition PDF or print volume, if you are inclined.

That said, something that might help you on tapastic is not mass uploading the way you're doing. If you want to upload a chapter in one go, that's fine, but you're getting less exposure every time you upload a new episode in the same day (three chapters, three episodes, all on the 26th, for example), because you only show up in the fresh section once. Just spacing your uploads to once a day will build your audience faster. Though of course, this is unsolicited advice, so do whatever suits you best. It's just something I noticed.

[Zyephen]

Hm.... I see what you're saying. Yeah, maybe I'll go ahead with it then. I suppose it's worth trying on a few pages just to see how it goes at least. Thanks a bunch for your input.

-Zyeph