For many artists, the distinction between work and play isn’t clear-cut, as it’s easy to spend days creating different pieces and experimenting with a variety of techniques. But for those who want to make a living off of their art, they will set a price point that lets them work as they wish, while still enjoying a decent income. It can be difficult for some aspiring artists to set their prices when it comes to different forms of digital art, but that means you can sometimes get a great deal if you’re looking to commission an artist to create something for you. But you may also take the risk of the art not coming out as you’re hoping for once the job is done. This is why it may be worth paying more for a more experienced artist who has a solid portfolio of previous work.
So, how much does digital art cost? Prices for digital art can range anywhere from $10 to around $250, or even more. The price depends on the quality of the product, the artist’s pricing model, the average market price for similar pieces, and the reputation of the artist. You may also have to consider the amount of time that will need to be spent creating the art, as bigger projects will likely cost more.
Here are a few things to consider wondering how much digital art costs:
The Pricing Model
As we’ve just mentioned, if you’re looking for a digital artist for hire, then you’ll need to take into account the type of pricing model the artist uses. That’s because, for digital art, there are barely any consumables like paint and canvas to include in the pricing structure, so some artists will charge a flat fee per piece, while others will use an hourly rate. If your chosen artist uses a flat-fee pricing model, be sure to check that you are able to make a certain number of revisions within that fee, as there are likely to be a few things you’ll want to be adjusted before the final piece is delivered.
If they use a per-hour pricing model, then ask for both a low-end and high-end estimate on how long they think the project will, so you’ll have a good idea of what your final cost is likely to be
You should also consider if you’ll order a single piece, or a series of pieces, as placing an order for multiple pieces at once can often be a factor that lets you negotiate a better price.
Follow the Market
Another great place to start when ascertaining a fair price is to survey what other artists are charging for similar art. This is often quite easy since the end product is digital, and you can find similar artists and pieces to compare the prices against.
You can browse the portfolios of different artists on freelance marketplaces, as we offer here on Guru, to see what the going rates are for different types of artists, experience levels, and styles. Most artists will have a solid portfolio of previous work for you to look through so you can see how the quality of their art compares to others in the industry at similar prices.
Consider the Artist’s Experience and Reputation
If you’re new to ordering digital art from a freelancer, it can be overwhelming when faced with so many different choices on who to work with and to know if you’re getting a fair price point. One way to mitigate this is to set your budget before you start to look at different artists – that way you know exactly what you’re willing to pay and won’t get distracted by how beautiful the pieces in someone’s portfolio are.
One thing to keep in mind is that artists who are looking to build up their experience and reputation will often charge less for their work, which means you can find someone who is highly skilled at their craft, but may just be starting out as a freelancer, allowing you to get a great deal. Low prices shouldn’t discourage you from hiring someone, as long as you can clearly see that the work they produce fits your needs.
On the other end of things, artists who are well-known in their industry or who are in high demand will charge much higher prices for their work. In some instances, this can be worth it, if you plan to publicize who the artist is that created your artwork, as a way to connect with potential customers. But if you’re just starting out when it comes to working with freelance digital artists, then it’s best not to break the bank on your first few pieces.
Summing Up
Hiring a freelance artist to create digital art for your next project can be an excellent way to help you stand out from the competition, but you’ll need to have the money ready to pay for it. Prices for digital art have quite a wide range depending on the type of art, the experience of the artist, and the pricing model used. That’s why it can be a good idea to define what your budget is before you start looking at different artists to work with. By doing so you’ll be able to find an artist who is within your budget and capable of producing high-quality digital art.
