Commission Examples and Pricing

The following are examples of the various prices for my commissioned pieces along with a synopsis of the pricing.

All commissions include 1 8x10 print and 1 4x5 print (or comparable sized based on client preference). Larger prints may incur additional fees. Signed images cost $15 extra which includes an additional shipping charge.

$25 commissions

• $5 downpayment plus $20 on completion
  
• Single character
  
• no background or simple pre-made background
  
• limited props
  
• portrait images

$50 Commissions

• $15 downpayment for dual characters + $35 upon completion
  
• dual character portraits
  
• simple constructed backgrounds
  
• additional props

$75 Commissions

• $20 deposit for three characters + remainder due on completion
  
• Two or more complex characters
  
• Extensive props and background work

$100 + Commissions

• $15 deposit + $5 per additional character and remainder due on completion.
  
• Multiple characters
  
• Large scale scene
  
• multiple props and complex lighting
  
• Commercial character concepts with multiple renders

Copyright Agreements: For shared copyright agreements in which both the client and myself are able to sell the finished images for commercial and promotional I charge an amount equal to the finished piece. This means that for shared copyrights on a $100 piece, I will require a payment of $200. Upon the completion of a signed agreement sent to the client with the finished commission I will mail a DVD containing the print sized image files, DAZ files and instructions for use, purchase information for products used in the image, and watermarked images for use in promotions. Full copyright transfer to the client, meaning that I may not sell the finished work but the client is purchasing with the intent to redistribute commercially, will result in a charge of twice the commission cost. This means that the final cost of a $100 commission will be $300. Upon receipt of payment a written contract releasing copyright to the client must be signed and returned to me after which I will mail a DVD as above. I reserve the right, even in the event of complete copyright transfer, to display the image in my portfolio as a completed commission. I will also maintain the original files to allow for future commissions at a discounted cost. Clients may email me at any time to work through fine details and full contact information will be provided to clients on the completion of a project.

Available Services and Commission Prices

Available Services:

I am available to work on a variety of 3-D projects.

• Product testing in DAZ|Studio
  
  • For those who want to test their products capabilities in DAZ|Studio, I will provide final renders to examine textures and functionality of characters and props, and will provide information as to how to possibly better the performance as necessary.
  
  
• Book and CD covers
  
  • For those who would like to showcase their work with high quality 3 dimensional imagery. I work in many genres, from popular goth to romantic to suit your needs.
  
  
• Advertisement Renders (for use on sites such as Renderosity and DAZ3d).
  
  • For those who would like to offer examples of their products functionality in DAZ|Studio to the public for promotional uses
  
  
• Personal character images
  
  • This is the bulk of my work. I pride myself in being able to assist writers, role-players and others in bringing characters to life for use in their own work. I will provide final images in either portrait or full body form. Depending on the needs of the client I can also provide multi-angle images to be used as reference for another artist. These may be full scenes or simple, figure-only images. Prices vary depending on the complexity of the final image expected.

Requirements:

Before I begin a project I will require the following:

• A full written description of the character's looks according to the client. The more information, the better. Please include any items that should be included in the image, how you feel the character should (or should not) be dressed, and if the character should be in a single image shot, multiple-angle shot, or full scene. Any indications to the personality of the character will greatly help my ability to bring that out in the image.
  
• Full scene images should also include a description of the scene.
  
• For CD covers, I would like a sample of the music so that I might be able to get a feel for the imagery. This can help assist me in creating a cover that will suit the work.
  
• For Book Covers, please provide a synopsis of the book, or a full description of the image desired.
  
• COMMUNICATION! I rely heavily on communication with my clients to ensure their satisfaction as the work progresses. This is especially true of character commissions. Clients should expect to receive multiple emails and sample images for review until they consider the commission finished or until an agreement is reached at which compensation would be paid for services rendered in the amount listed below.

Commission Prices:

My commission prices vary depending on the type of work expected, however all of my commissions, with the exclusion of product testing and promotional images for tested products, will require a non-refundable down payment to cover the initial setup costs, character creation and preliminary test renders. Additional costs incur with multiple characters, large scenes, posable props (such as wings) or object heavy scenes.

Base commission cost for character images are $25 ($10 downpayment and $15 upon completion). This includes a single character image on a plain white background and a final prints in 8x10 and 4x5. Cost increases vary upon the complexity of the character, number of props included and time taken to achieve results to the satisfaction of the client. Images created for use by businesses, authors, etc. will be considered on a case per case basis depending on their intended use.

Unlike some commissioned artists, I will continue to work on a piece until the client is satisfied as opposed to offering a finished image based on artistic license. I do not charge a huge markup over what my own costs are for prints. I may however charge an additional fee for specifically requested items necessary to complete a commission (within reason and not without permission of the client) and will charge per day beyond the second day of working on a commission or until an agreement can be reached with the client that the piece is no longer desired. The client can contact me at any time in the future for additional images at a discounted price.

Reserved Rights and Copyright:

As an artist, I reserve the right to use any images created as part of my portfolio with credit given to the character owner. Upon completion of the commission, contracts will be sent to the client outlining agreed upon conditions of commercial sale of prints by myself through my galleries. As the character is the property of the client, I will not sell prints of that character without permission.

Likewise, No images created by me are to be used commercially by the client without purchasing a transfer of copyright in the amount of twice the final commission cost ($$ of image + $$x2 for copyright). Shared copyright agreements allowing both myself and the client to use the images commercially results in a final payment of the commission cost times 2 ($$ of image + equal cost for shared copyright).

A final outlined bill of sale will be issued upon completion. Shared and transferred copyright also include a DVD with all files and instructions for use. This does NOT include base files needed to recreate the characters and scenes, though will include a list of items and programs needed to recreate it. It will also include the final print size images along with display sized images containing dual copyright watermarks to be used on websites.

For further questions and explanations please feel free to email me.

Help bring your characters to life in 3D!

As an artist and a writer I sometimes had trouble envisioning the characters I would write about. Their images were constantly changing in my mind, and with that their personalities. While sometimes this brought on a wonderful evolution that I came to embrace, at other times it became heavily troublesome.

This is why I sought to bring my characters to life in 3-D.

Through 3 dimensional imaging I could not only put a face to my characters, but also give them depth and look at them from all sides. I could more easily transfer them into new environments and instead of having a two dimensional image of them, I could instead produce what could pass for a photo of each character in my works, creating a portfolio of their lives. This is something I have become passionate about in the past five years. I would like nothing more than to pass that knowledge and experience along to other writers and creators to have their characters laid out before them in digital or print images as well as cover art for their novels.

Some of my favorite works have been commissioned pieces, as I love being able to pull the characters out of peoples heads for them. These may be simple character pieces or elaborate scenes that portray their characters in dangerous settings. Usually writers simply need to have their characters come to life for them and one or two images of a character are enough.

I also love creating fantasy images for role-players of all genres. I myself have played Dungeons and Dragons for over twenty years, and now campaign with my teenage son and my husband. Having created images of all of the characters within our campaign world, it adds a greater element of realism to the game than one could through simple description. Being able to look at an image of the barkeep leaning on the counter can give a much better impression of his attitude, demeanor and intention than simple narration.

This of course is not meant to discount or lessen the written or spoken word, but to enhance and reinforce it. For some it is the creation of a chosen deity made in the image their mind sees them as opposed to other popular imagery that doesn't seem quite right. For others it is a favored character from a book or movie who had always had a different face. To others, a self portrait in the surroundings they wish they could touch, or with loved ones they have lost or left behind. Any number of personal ideas can be brought to life, or a semblance of it, through 3-d imagery.

If you have a desire to bring your written works into a different view; to put a face on a role-playing character or to solidify some imagery that you had not been previously able to pull from your minds eye, I would like nothing more than to help you achieve that goal. The bulk of my work can be viewed through my deviantART gallery if you would like to see further examples than are listed here. My prices are reasonable and my main goal is seeing that your image is done to your satisfaction, even if that means working a few extra hours 'off the clock'. I will always be straightforward and never charge more than quoted without first discussing the reasons and goals with my client. I am staunchly opposed to price gouging, and while I charge to cover my costs, and to make a living, I do not believe in the 350% percent markups that some people charge for services and products.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments regarding cost, mediums or to discuss the possibility of further works. I will be more than happy to discuss any projects with you before any actual work is done.

Best wishes,

~V. Nicharico