Finding good 2D artist, suggestions please.

#1 I just sent you an email Phil.

Matt

#2 Phil you are lucky in that you have some advantage of weight behind you :)

I'm sure you've heard the saying before, You can have it fast, good, or cheap -- pick two :D Its the bane of startups I tell ya. We've been looking for an unpaid 2d artist (concept and texture work) for 6 months now with no luck :(

#3 Ok, I'd go for good and cheap right now :) and good and fast later :)

#4 www.renderosity.com has a ton of artists.

#5 Unfortunatley them rascally artists know they're in demand :) Very hard to find one willing to do spec work now a days. I remember when programmers were in demand, nowe we're a dime a dozen :(

#6 Hmm, not sure about renderosity. The kind of artist who uses poser a lot for stuff is either cheesy, or a programmer :)

#7 Well, an artist devoting alot of time (ie, working FAST.. as you requested) is hard to find if you're not paying her anything.

#8 Yeah, but its not like I'm asking for any more than I'm prepared to put in myself.

I want a partnership rather than a worker, ya know?

I guess I'm just too used to having friends to work with, but it doesnt all have to be "want work?? pay me!" crap.

Obviously its for a share of profits, which sucks, but I used to work with loads of guys (back in the days of shareware) where we did exactly the same.

I guess its just more mercenary now. Or artists are just too tired of being messed around :)

#9 Are you actually looking for a fine artist, a digital artist or a pixel pusher? Because there is a difference.

An fine artist usually uses traditional tools like acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, ink. There are a bajillion examples of these, and I am sure everyone knows what I am talking about.

A digital artist uses digital means to manipulate the work through vector, 3D and raster imagery. Sometimes the work starts out painted, then its scanned and manipulated.

A pixel pusher actually moves pixels around like the old days. Henk Neiborg is such an artist- and although he probably isn't availble for this kind of work, his work is a perfect example.

Of course all three of these can be mixed- a good pixel or digital artist is usually well trained in fine art (at least they should be). I've also seen some brilliant tilework that was done in watercolor. So it really depends on the look you are seeking.

#10 Good luck Phil :]
I think good artists are all very busy.

Christophe
www.frogames.com

#11 I think good artists are all very busy.

Or very broke.

#12 I was kind of looking for a bit of a jack of all trades, but one that knows how to do pixel art to a high standard.

Pretty much like my old mate Dan Cook (ex tyrian artist), he's the ideal. fast worker, great graphics, great game designer, great artistic "eye" etc.

Actually, thats what I want, someone with "the eye". Some people are technically good at art stuff, but they just dont have the eye. I want someone with the eye :))

And yeah, i know theyre all taken or busy. Just wondered if anyone had some nuggets of a good place to visit. :)

#13 Phil, you're a cool guy and all, but I only give the "eye" to women. ;-)

lol... just razzing ya.

Is this for your space game? It almost sounds like for a 2D one.

#14 Hehe.. I didnt mean THAT kind of eye :)

No, its not for the space game. Its for some 2D work.

Although the space game definitely needs some interface/2d lovin...

#15 What kind of stuff are you after?

-Z-

#16 An unholy mixture of stuff. 2D interface stuff, 2D sprites and tiles, website graphics, you name it.

As for examples? well, I cant really give you any, because I'm not an artist :)) hahaha.. ok..

Ideally, I'm after a few character sprites.. sort of 45 degree view, with 8 direction walk/talk/whatever animation cycles etc.

Plus map tiles (and maps)

Plus interface stuff

Plus website stuff.

Basically, I'm after someone who wants to partner to do some 2D game stuff, possibly help on the 3D stuff if he's interested etc.

If youre interested let me know and I'll brief you on the project. As its kind of unusual.

#17 The easiest way to do this, is to simply search this site and elsewhere for an artist that fits the profile you are looking for, then contact them directly (cold calling). While unsolicited email is usually shunned, most artists actually enjoy it when a person seeks out their talent and recruits them based on their body of work. This might require that you actually know something about art though, and capable of seeing what the artist is capable of achieving, even if they lack evidence of the specifics you require.

If you lack the ability to cold call, maybe you need someone to do that kind of search for you, like a headhunter. Someone that knows artists, where they hang out, etc.

The work you are asking for isn't difficult, but it does require a specific skillset.

#18 Cold calling? nasty. I guess I'll do that once Ive solidified what I need a bit more..

But I could still do with recommendations on WHERE to find them. :)

#19 Charles' suggestion about Rendoristy worked well for us. I posted on thier help wanted forums and have received a few good responses. With luck we'll have a 2d artist before the week is out. Finally!

#20 Im a good pixel artist mainly 3d and would like to help i dont care if pay or no pay just want to get in more projects