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Help from artists?

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September 22, 2010 - 2:16pm — Spyrre
I´m sorry for bother you guys, but there´s a a thing I can´t make up my mind of. <_<

So, I got a request from DA from someone who says he´s a member of a band that would like to use my art on their cd-cover. I have never really done stuff like this, so can´t decide if I should give a permission or not, but since they´re not asking a custom-painting but just use of a existing one I might consider it. They did not mention of offering money of it and even if they did, I don´t have a paypal and don´t know about how to arrange things like that from outside of my country.
Ugh, I´m so useless in organizing stuff like this...

Is there someone who has done things like this before? I´d really appreciate some opinions on this, and I kind of trust you guys since I know there are brilliant artist and many intelligent people in this community. I have heard of some kind of scams where some people "cheat" art for them to use, but not sure at all how threatening such a thing is. =/
Any opinions are appreciated.

Will be deleting this later....
September 22, 2010 - 2:46pm — Sluggs
Sluggs's picture

If it's legit, then damn,

If it's legit, then damn, what an offer! Of course, they should pay you something for that!

Does DA have forums? If so, I think it would be best to ask there also, see what they say, then get in touch with this band. Don't go giving them permission just yet! Smiling

PS. It was wise of you asking about this first, very wise!

PPS. I don't think you should delete this blog, as someone may ask this same question in the future, but of course, that's totally up to you! Smiling

All the best!
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September 22, 2010 - 3:27pm — Spyrre
Spyrre's picture

Sluggs, I guess DA has some

Sluggs, I guess DA has some kind of forum, but I have never used it before. =/ I don´t think they´re anything famous if they really have a band, and need pictures for whatever a "EP" is. I figured they need a cd-cover, but not really sure about anything. *shrug*
Ugh, I´m so confused by these things. <_<
Thanks for answering, I´ll need to think about this and maybe I´ll be a little less confused. ^^;
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September 22, 2010 - 3:34pm — Terabetha

Sounds like a fun

Sounds like a fun opportunity!
If you do want to do this I would recommend having them sign (you can do this digitally, e-mails count too) a written agreement on a few points;
-They are only allowed to use the one image you have agreed to let them use.
-This image will only be used for the current album.
-They must ask again if they wish to use your artworks for future projects.
-You will be credited (your name on the list of credits inside the CD) for the artwork used.

This contract, while most-likely over-kill for something like this it still gives you a legal foothold if they end up printing shirts with your design, using it for web site layouts, making loads of money off it or not crediting you correctly ex. The points I typed up are just examples, you should think about your own contract requirements and how you would want your art used (or not used as the case might be) but I would make sure (especially if you don't know the people asking for your art) to make up a written agreement.

I hope I didn't scare you off with this, I really think this could be an awesome thing for you if it's something you're wanting to do! Smiling
September 22, 2010 - 8:19pm — Kiraki
Kiraki's picture

What Sluggs and Tera said so

What Sluggs and Tera said so far is really good advice ^^

It's a good opportunity for you even if they are not that well known a band, as long as they give you credit then it's still good Smiling You can always take a look at their website/DA page as well to see the type of feedback they get.
Just decide what you would prefer and make sure that you have some form of permanent record of what gets agreed on, such as email, just in case a problem pops.

Btw you know you can set up a basic paypal account for free? Easiest way to do this type thing really.

Most scams involve stealing art/ not paying someone for commissions/ making profit off of someone elses work. Basically just make sure you reserve the rights to your work and don't go selling it off to someone to do whatever they want with it Smiling

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September 23, 2010 - 8:27pm — Harakka
Harakka's picture

Wow, wow. Such an

Wow, wow. Such an opportunity, I'm so envious...!

As said, make up an agreement. You could earn big if it sells well... (an EP is like a 'minialbum', less songs) This is also commercial for yourself, if it goes really well you could turn big and maybe even have more requests! This is really good for you. And the more things they would want to use the picture for, the more you will need to get payed. Yet overall, I don't know how to manage these things really, but just don't be afraid of talking to them, if they are serious about this they should be eager to help you out with your questions too. Just ask on.

(I'm really interested in what band it is, do they have a myspace page? ♥)
And don't delete this!
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September 23, 2010 - 9:01pm — Spyrre
Spyrre's picture

Thank you so much everyone

Thank you so much everyone for your advices... to tell the truth, I´m actually a bit freaked out of stuff like this, but I think what you said gave me a bit of courage. I should probably mail them and ask more stuff, and maybe consider of getting a paypal.... though, I still am a bit unsure if I should trust them or not, their account on DA is empty, and looks like they have done it only to be able to write comments.
I´ll paste the message they wrote to me in here for those who are interested. Has anyone ever heard of this band?



"Hello Spyrre.

First of all, sorry for my bad englisch but i try, haha.

Well, i'm the drummer from a stonerrock band called Huana. Where' from belgium. At the end of october we bring out our first EP. I whas in search on deviant for some artwork that's reflecting our music/lyrics/style. And your paintings reflect them perfectly!
We would like to you use some paintings of the 'Dream' collection.
We would use them for the booklet in the cd, the front, back en cd himself...
In the booklet it will say that the artwork is coming from your hand, and, if you have a site, or something the adress of the site will be on it and your contact-adress

Sow... that's about it. Good enough for you?"




Heh, "stoner-rock"? I can kind of see why those paintings appeal to these people, they are kind of... trippy. <_<;;;
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September 23, 2010 - 9:09pm — Terabetha

As said before, you should

As said before, you should ask to check out the band's website/webpage/wherever they've been getting the word out about their EP...if they aren't publicizing themselves anywhere, I would have serious doubts about them being able to put out a CD. It is understandable that the band might not have a DA account, but they should be somewhere credible on the web, otherwise the chances of that DA account being a scam is a possibility.
September 23, 2010 - 9:23pm — Sithrim
Sithrim's picture

Heh be very careful with

Heh be very careful with that, I'd say. Well, it's already a good thing they asked and did not steal your art so... yeah. Make sure they'll credit you at least, even if you don't feel like making them pay for it.
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September 23, 2010 - 9:29pm — Spyrre
Spyrre's picture

Thanks for warnings... I

Thanks for warnings... I thought too that since they´re atleast asking first and not just trying to take them they might really be doing something like a cd.
Actually, I found something that might be them: http://www.myspace.com/huanastoner
Somehow I´m a bit amused now. =)
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