Khary Randolph on Earning A Living As A Comic Book Artist - The Comic Archive

There are many of us who dream of a career as a a comic book artist. Here Khary Randolph talks about some of the realities of trying to earn a living as a freelance artist.
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[@dng455]

Thanks for the honest talk. I do animation and would love to draw comics for a living, but there's not enough money to live a life, doing it. I keep my dream alive with animation during the day and comic projects at night, but I can feed myself and pay my rent.

[@realmdudormir]

dng455 hey so do you get animation jobs often?

[@dng455]

Knock on wood, 15 years and I've only been out of work when I didn't want to work. And I've only had to look for work once in the last 10 years. I've been lucky.

[@qqrk1372]

Appreciate the honesty. It truly IS a jungle out there!

[@williamrasoanaivo5381]

So true : I make these drawings because I have to pay bills... I know how it feels.

[@Po4to]

Yeah, it takes some cojones to pursue an artistic carreer instead of a safe -- if mind-numbing -- 9 to 5 job. I wish I had the guts and determination to go freelance like that. For now, I do webcomics and video games in my spare time -- though I do put in crazy hours sometimes. And there's no shame in having a blue-collar job as a college graduate. If it's something simple enough that you don't have to stay focussed on the job at all times, you can let your thoughts wander -- and then, when you go home, you sit down at the drawing board with your head full of new crazy ideas!

[@rockabillylaker]

It's a "grass is always greener" effect. I too, freelance as an artist and from time to time I think "shit, maybe I should've stuck to a steady income, 9 to 5 job.

[@blahblah3726]

I'm fortunate enough to have a job where I can basically draw all day. I work night staff at a correctional facility. So when the clients go to sleep around 11 pm( I clock in around 8pm) I can basically draw until they wake up around 7 am. I work 4 times a week, and it's usually in my sketchbook for studies and such. And then on my off days, I can tackle bigger projects using my laptop.

[@theexistenshield]

good video, thanks

[@IronMan-pm2rn]

great video hey i love your work i have two friends and myself that have 3 different comic books and we cant draw can i ask how much u would charge us

[@ahodnett1]

How can I find a artist for two stories I have?

[@Ultrakints]

What kind of stories?

[@petemarquez8759]

You can find a lot of artists at deviant art.com, you can see their portfolios and contact information.

[@ArtofLunatik]

seems like doing tattoos make better, especially if your able to draw realistic portraits. you can easily charge a 1000

[@marcoalonzo1311]

lunatiksAlterEgo Exactly, my dad got a small music note, like just simple music note and he was charged $50 for it

[@NoogaJack]

Not so much..i was a tattoo artist ( professionally ) for 12 years . taxes...equipment...licenses...

[@tagone05]

lunatiksAlterEgo tattooing isn’t easy.

[@iOnRX9]

draw faster

[@iTheNem3sis]

= shit drawings