commissions

Below you'll find a bit of a run down of what it is I do and how it is I do it. If your question isn't answered just contact me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

to put it succinctly I draw stuff.

I've catergorised the most popular sorts of drawings I do, but if your idea doen't fit into the four catergories on the homepage, please don't run off – send me a quick email and explain what it is you're after (no matter what it is) and hopefully I can help you out.

And if it's something I really can't do (like traditional 16th century architectural modelling) I might be able to put you onto someone who can.

What I use to create your artwork for you depends on what you're after. Mostly I use a WACOM digital tablet. This doohicky plugs into my computer and means that I can draw directly onto my screen with all the nuances of traditional medium, but without all the mess (much to my wife's satisfaction).

While the digital tablet is a terrific tool it doesn't draw the artwork for you. So rest assured that your artwork will be hand drawn, only in the way that sci-fi movies from the 1960s intended. I also use a lot of different traditional techniques to make up for anything that the digital tablet can't do and this gives my artwork the unique look that it has. While I try to avoid my artwork looking too computer-ish, as that's just not my thing, if it's what you need I'm sure we can figure something out.

The extra advantage of working digitally means that artwork can be sent to you to review instantaneously via email, saving me stamps and (you) trips to the letterbox.

let's talk about money

As fun as my job is I do need to get paid for it, but I'll give you the best deal I can.

Now, there are a few factors that come into play when it come to giving you an accurate quote, these are:

How much detail will the artwork have?
How long it's going to take me?
What is the artwork going to be used for- is it for a privately commissioned caricature, or is it going to be the new mascot for your companies international branding campaign?

If the art is for comercial purposes there are a couple of extra questions I'll have to ask.

How long you would like to buy the art for. Is it for a couple of years, or forever?

Copyright is the biggest cost factor. If you want to buy the assigment of the artwork's copyright, this will incur a larger cost.
(Copyright is automatic to the artist, and needs to be 'bought out' for extra cost if you would like to have it assigned to you or your business. Most often this won't be necessary, but if it's deemed essential by your bosses boss then we can discuss what this will cost for your artwork).

I will be as accomodating as I can with changes, but there are some instances where additional changes might add to the fee. If this situation arises I'll consult you before proceeding so we can work out the best solution.

If you are based in Australia add GST to the price. International clients are not charged tax.

now about those details

the more details, the more easy ( I'm undecided if that's going to be my motto...).

The more information you can give me the better idea I can get of what you're after and the smoother the whole process will go.

No matter what your ideas are just let me know and I will sift through them all to bring your vision to life. If you are looking to get a caricature done or to book me for some live caricature work there are forms on those respective pages that desribe the information that I need and will send it straight to me so I can give you a quote.

If you're looking for some cartoon work or an illustration I've put a few pointers below to help you provide me with the information I'll need.

Who are you and what are you doing here? Let me know who your company is and what you do. If you have a website include it in your email so I can have a look and get a feel for your business.

What are you hoping the artwork will do for your company? Let me know what you need done and what it will be used for in the business.

What are you hoping it to look like? A lot of people will say “I'm no good at visualising things”, hogwash! Have a look at my sample work and see if any of the examples match the look you're after. Feel free to choose a couple and say “kind of like this, but with a little of this added as well...”. If I haven't put an example of the exact style you were hoping for shoot me a link to an image that has caught your eye, and I'll be able to tailor your artwork to use some of those stylistic cues.
That said, I won't copy other people's work. I mean, between the two of us, we'll be able to come up with something way better.

Who is your target audience? Who will the artwork be aimed at and what are we trying to get them to feel?

Exactly what will you need me to deliver? Please be specific about the number of artworks you need done? Are they to be colour or black and white? How big do they need to be? For example, “I need a male and female cartoon character in business attire with no background.” Or, “I need a full colour detailed picture of a rooster breaking out of an easter egg” (don't baulk, have a look at the final artwork here).

What is your budget? If you can let me know a ball park figure I can tailor the solution to match your budget and give you the best artwork at the best price possible.

When is your deadline? Please note that ASAP is not a deadline (people's idea of asap varies greatly) but if you can let me know when you need the final artwork I can tell you if I can get it done in time. I work fast and can do rush jobs, but if it is a deadline I can't meet I won't stuff you around.

Once I have all of this information and the quote has been accepted I'll make a start. I believe in a strong preliminary sketch stage, which will give you an idea (or two) of how I see the artwork looking. I'll do a bunch of sketches to eliminate anything that isn't worth showing you and then I'll send you the best idea(s) for you to review.

Because this is just the preliminary stage it's easy to make changes and they will more often than not be included in the quote. So this way we can get the preliminary artwork just right and then when I finish it off it should be spot on.

After I've finished a piece of artwork changes are a little more complicated and time consuming. I'll be as accomodating as I can and hopefully the change won't be a big deal. That way I can have the ammended artwork back to you pronto and it won't cost you a cent. But every now and again something crops up that is a big change and if it is going to effect the cost I'll let you know straight away and we can proceed from there.

deadlines

I don't like the idea of missing a deadline, so I don't. Making a deadline is a two way street and I'll have all stages of the artwork to you in a timely fashion and prompt client input is greatly appreciated to make it all run smoothly.

details, details, details...

I think that's about it with the words, time to make a beautiful art baby together.

So I'll need all the details mentioned above, plus I'll need some business details for invoicing. That'll be your/business name and address. ABN/ACN if applicable, phone number and email of the contact I'll be dealing with.

If the artwork is for commercial purposed I'll need a 50% deposit, I'll send through an invoice as soon as I get all of your details. Final artwork files are delivered 'C.O.D style' - only after final balance has been received and processed.

If you need my details for you own system or for a purchase order please let me know and I'll have it through to you straight away.

If you are booking me for a live caricature event I will send through a booking confirmation sheet as soon as I have your details and we've agreed on a price.
Direct bank deposit is the preferred payment method, but we accept Credit Card (credit cards are charged through paypal and will incur a 3% surcharge), money orders and cheques (if you are paying by cheque, please allow extra time in your deadline for processing).

If you cancel the project before completion, there is a 'Kill Fee' of 50% of balance owing. Please keep in mind that I'm putting a lot of time, effort, materials into your artwork and if your situation does (unfortunately) change, just before I finish it, it doesn't mean I can absorb the cost.

fine print

credit
Client agrees to include a credit to the Artist in connection with the Work.
If you are going ahead with a project or illustration please email me if you have a written agreement you need me to sign before we proceed.

copyright, rights and licensing
Client acknowledges that Artist (Luke Watson) is first and sole owner of all “copyright” and shall retain intellectual rights of all Illustration(s) and/or Artwork(s).

Under international law, copyright and intellectual property always belongs to the Artist (Luke Watson) unless copyright is assigned to the Client (yourself) in the form of a 'Copyright Assignment'. Copyright can be purchased if required, but usually an 'Exclusive License' is the best option.

An Exclusive License allows the client full priveliges of the artwork in specified regions and agreed applications/purposes (ie. TV, Web, Print, T-shirts etc.) for a specific time period (ie. two years).

All usage rights are void until full payment has been received.

The Artist is entitled to use all Illustrations or Artwork for self promotion purposes or to enter into any contest.

Reassigning of Rights : Client may not assign or transfer this Licence or any part thereof unless authorised in writing by the Artist.

No modifications, changes or alterations may be made to Illustrations or any part thereof, directly or indirectly, without the Artist’s prior written consent.

All original artwork sold is subject to 'No Reproduction Rights', meaning that if you buy an original sketch or drawing that you do not have the right to copy or reproduce the art in any way , including online or in printed matter without the express written permission of the artist, Luke Watson.
Delivery of Artwork

Commercial Artwork is delivered in electronic medium (Final artwork can be sent via email, uploaded online, or sent on CD ). Private commissions will be sent as hard copy (at the predetermined size) via regular post unless otherwise agreed.
Sketches and previews are sent via email

Artist’s Copies

Client shall furnish the Artist with two copies of all published work upon publication.

Clients can not pick up artwork from the studio, sorry public liability issues and all, plus I mostly wear pyjamas during the day and I don't want to ruin the suave veneer my website provides...

where possible I support local businesses in my area. I have a local ink guy, my paper people are down the street, and my frames are made in town. hopefully you guys can support your community as well.