Introduction

[NPC NPCOrion]

Hi everybody. My name really is Orion, and I'm looking to eventually do some freelance work for some rpg's. It seems that a couple of pro type freelancers hang on this board, so I was hoping to get an opinion on my work and perhaps a tip or two on how to start the freelancing thing. A sample drawing I did can be found at http://www.jade-king.com/images/imagebin/Lupe_72%20copy.jpg . Any comments would be appriciated.

[Rick Hershey]

Hi Orion,

Well, first i want to discuss your picture and then i'll move on to some of advice for breaking into this business. I'm sure a lot of these guys are going to give you advice and it's a good idea to keep all of it in mind.

The image was a simple "pin-up" pose and nothing to dramatic, the color was good. . . but sloppy. And you may want to pay a little more attention to detail and anatomy. The best aspect of this image is the design, or the concept of the girl. She looks kick-ass and that comes across well. I suggest you hold off on doing color work and concentrate on strong black & white images, that is where the majority of rpg work is. I hope that helps, and apologize if it comes across as harsh.

How to break into the Biz. . . I'm sure we all have different techniques on doing this, so I'm just giving mine and I'll let everybody speak up on what I miss. I think the most important and the first step is getting a showcase of your work. A website displaying your art is very important, and has been my major career support. You can find lots of free site hosts, start there and worry about buying your own domain later. Place your strongest peices online, and make sure to give contact info. The next thing I did was advertise my work, going to forums like this one and announcing my site is up and asking for opinions, a lot of art directors swim through these boards and check out the talent.
Another aproach is to go through the rpg company directory and hit each site, when you find a company that takes e-mail submissions send them a cover letter and link to your site. . . it's a good way to show some work. You may also want to keep your eye out for companies advertising for new help.
It's important to remember once you do work for a company to keep in good terms with them, you'll make great job connection and even better friends.

Well my last advice is harsh, and in the end the reality of this field. If you're looking to get rich don't bother becoming an rpg freelancer. The pay is poor and the field is over saturated, it's a hard market where you'll find yourself in constant vertigo. Idecide to continue in this field don't limit yourself here, work outside of it and play in all the different markets. Asside from doing rpg's I work for magazines, record companies, t-shirt companies, and the such. It keeps me balanced and food in my stomache.

I hope this helps, and I've finished my ramble for today. . . as always if you need to find me follow these simple directions.

Go down the long dirt road, you'll come across a dark house that looks abandoned. On the porch in the shadows you'll see me, i'm the one smoking the cheap cigarettes. Do not stray from the path.

Rick Hershey
www.homestead.com/rickhershey/one.html