How does an illustrator get paid?

[allgirls]

I've written a children's book and I think I have an illustrator. She's looking at it now and coming up with ideas.

So how do we work this with regard to payment? What's standard?

This would be her first book as well.

Allgirls

[cdmaze]

Ok, I don't have a perfect answer for you. But, I am an artist and have illustrated some things.

Currently, though I'm drawing 4 pictures for a professor at UC Berkeley- he's writing a paper and need some illustrations of tree to show a theory he's working on.

I did one, timed it, and figured to do the whole project at that same pace would take me about 10 hours. Then, the hourly rate is to be decided. I am charging him a little less than I should (he is my friends husband)- $20 an hour.

I hear "real" artists charge $50. In my case, just wasn't comfortable doing that right now.

Perhaps on an illustration project, the scale would be different?

I'm not sure if that helps you or confuses you!

[allgirls]

I think that's a good start! She's new, she's thinking this would be a good way to get a start in her portfolio. I"m new as well. I'll likely self-publish and we'll promote together. She's a cousin.

I think that's a good guide line to start.

I can't wait to see her samples