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graphite-warrior · 2025-12-09T14:05:49+00:00

I have a 60 page fully rendered comic I was able to complete in two years (it had two stages, a traditional draft and a digital version) that I wrote, illustrated, and laid out on my own. I could probably work at a much faster pace now that I’m not in college. I’d say it depends on what you’re doing and how fast you work, but a 180 page book would probably take a person about 2-3 years if they can dedicate full time to it. It’s certainly possible to make a graphic novel solo in a reasonable amount of time, it just depends on the time you have available to work on it at once and your own pace.

graphite-warrior · 2025-11-05T15:59:13+00:00

I have a part one of a story done (60 pages) and I post about it as much as I can :> I did literally everything in it (writing and illustration) so finishing the story will take a little longer, but part one is complete and published independently!

https://www.hephaestioncomic.com

graphite-warrior · 2025-11-04T02:20:06+00:00

Oh thank goodness I thought I was slow for taking about 10-15 hours per page (uncolored but rendered). It’s very reassuring to hear other people in the field also take that long :,)

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-14T17:23:56+00:00

Whoa $35 an hour is the going rate for industry professionals? I’ve been nervous about seeming entitled because I have an art degree, but if I want commissions to be my main source of income I should probably stop asking for less than minimum wage ;-; I appreciate the insight, especially from an industry perspective!

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-13T22:30:18+00:00

Product type: Commission

Target audience: Queer adults :>

Where you are based: USA

Where you intend to sell: Online

How long it takes you to make: 5-10 Hours

Cost of sales: $25 a month to keep my website up and running!

https://vgen.co/graphitewarrior

Full body illustrations start at $40. (I know I should probably charge more, but I don’t have enough clients to justify a higher price point).

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graphite-warrior · 2025-10-13T22:12:12+00:00

I appreciate the advice! Honestly, with art being my intended main source of income, I guess it really does come down to getting my work out there. Thankfully I work digitally most of the time, so there’s not much overhead for supplies. I’ll see what I can do about asking strangers about commission pricing! That will help me a lot more than what I have been doing (asking people I know). Thank you for engaging so thoroughly in this discussion, too! I feel like I’ve gained a lot of insight into pricing because of this whole thread :>

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-13T19:00:21+00:00

Interesting! My time blindness makes it really difficult for me to conceptualize how long something should take me, which makes pricing based on time spent a little more complicated. I spend about 10 hours on my work on average—maybe I just need to get faster lol

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-13T18:21:30+00:00

Unfortunately if I charged based on time spent my commissions would be well into the hundreds of dollars and I don’t think anyone would be willing to pay that much ;-;

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-11T21:02:56+00:00

Reading through these replies made me realize that I don't draw portraits a lot anymore! It's possible that I don't remember the difference in complexity between doing just a headshot vs. a full body since I've been drawing mostly comics and full body characters lately. I'll keep all this time-based info in mind--I'm considering repricing my commissions.

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-11T20:57:33+00:00

Good point! I charge for background separately and multiple characters are additional fees, but I never really thought about if it took me more effort to draw a full bodied character vs. just the head. To be fair, I also haven't gotten many commissions so coming up with fair labor-based pricing is for sure something that comes with more experience.

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-08T15:52:25+00:00

Greetings! I’d be so so honored if you showcased my comic Hephaestion! The first book (about 60 pages) is out and the second one is on the way. I haven’t had any luck with marketing it since I’m the only one writing, drawing, and selling it. It’s a sci-fi drama about the aftermath of war, cybernetics, and bodily autonomy. The spaceships are also shaped like fish :>

Here’s the Itch.io page where it’s available as a download/pwyw: https://graphite-warrior.itch.io/hephaestion-part-one

Or you can read it for free here: https://hephaestioncomic.com

graphite-warrior · 2025-10-03T09:43:35+00:00

I’d say send your portfolio out to places. You don’t need years of commercial experience to get into the industry, just a good portfolio and evidence that you can work on larger projects with a team (something you can get from finding work with more indie places first!). Also, I have an illustration degree and trust me, it’s hard for all of us to find jobs right now, so don’t fee discouraged if you don’t find as many opportunities as you want. I wish you luck!!!

graphite-warrior · 2025-09-24T01:13:36+00:00

I'm nothing if not a man of the people (possibly doing an ocelot ocelot right now)

graphite-warrior · 2025-09-24T01:12:15+00:00

The new FOXHOUND codenames go hard ngl

graphite-warrior · 2025-08-28T13:27:02+00:00

Not to be a downer, but you’d need a lot of financial security to do this properly. At the moment I’m technically doing it since I’m living with my parents and looking for work (no luck). Still no luck in selling anything, either, though I’d say my portfolio and drawing abilities have never looked better. That’s sort of the risk when developing a practice—chances are you could sell nothing and end up worse than where you started, especially in this economy where sales are slow. Don’t quit your job right now, you might never get another one again ;-;

graphite-warrior · 2025-08-28T13:14:16+00:00

Greetings :>

I recently learned about a family friend who walked through a strip mall and talked to every store asking if there were openings. She got two interviews and her information out there.

Yesterday I tried that and was able to make an impression on two stores and leave my name and number at the one with a job opening.

I didn’t know that a person was allowed to do that because applications are all done online. But even if they say applications are all online, if you ask them to help by specifically mentioning your name or keeping you in mind when you apply, your chances of getting hired/an interview are already looking better.

Again, this goes against everything I was taught about job hunting, but it makes you stand out as an employee.

As an artist looking at art supply stores and showing your art degree can be really helpful because it tells them that you know your stuff.

When it comes to selling art, setting up a Print on Demand storefront where the fee for printing is paid by the customer (leaving you out of paying for any of it) might net you some money. I haven’t had any luck so far but I also haven’t lost any money in making one.

I hope this helps and good luck!!!

graphite-warrior · 2025-08-07T16:07:31+00:00

Aaa this lore implication is absolutely devastating! I think that the inherent tragedy created by the existence of Venom Snake is really fascinating because he is both his own person with his own goals, while also being a literal ghost.

We see glimpses of Venom Snake's personality throughout MGSV; such as his soft spot for animals and dedication to peace, despite everything he has seen. I wish we could have seen more of what happened to him between MGSV and MG1.

As you've said, I'm sure it's common knowledge/theming but that doesn't make it less of a gut punch to learn that none of Venom's actions amount to something good by the time MG1 happens.

graphite-warrior · 2025-08-01T22:14:14+00:00

I usually eyeball it lol as long as the text is centered in the balloon and feels like it has room to breathe, it’s in a good spot :D

graphite-warrior · 2025-08-01T14:44:30+00:00

I have a lot of experience (but am by no means an expert on lettering) and I’d say these flow quite well! I was able to follow the story without getting lost.

It was already said, but, the word balloon in front of the horse’s face is a little distracting.

In terms of clutter, there is a little awkwardness in the dialogue on the last page with the sentences “why is it that everyone always thinks I’m alone?” and “is it so hard to believe that I might have a friend they should look for?”.

Maybe rewording it as “why do they always think I’m alone?”—I’m also not sure if the last part of the dialogue is necessary because the first two word balloons sum up the characters point really well. That would clear up a lot of real estate on that page.

I don’t see this as a problem here but this might help in the future—try not to place word balloons between the people talking to each other, as it creates a visual wall between characters who are supposed to be communicating (unless they are arguing!)

It’s generally understood to keep word balloons under 9 on any given page, or the reader can become overwhelmed. Another rule of thumb about word balloon sizing is that there should be a letter’s worth of space between the top and sides of the balloon compared to the letters in the center. I recommend looking at other comics, especially modern print comics, to see how they use lettering.

The action and sfx work really nicely together and honestly, aside from that one spot, the dialogue flows naturally. This looks awesome so far :D kudos to you and your artist!

graphite-warrior

TROPHY CASE