Ozone mentioned the need for a thread about dumbasses asking people to do their work for them on another thread. So here it is.

Ok, now heres the problem. Every time any of us load up the networking and community pages, we see at least one new thread asking for the same thing, and artist to draw someone's comic. And it's always 'a really great idea for a comic, but I can't draw. I'm gonna publish this later too!' or some shit like that.

Now heres the problem, they don't want to pay the artists! And some people even bitch about how the artists want paid (EX: http://www.drunkduck.com/community/view_topic.php?tid=23405&cid=236 ).

Now that kind of pisses me off. Sure, writing isn't the easiest thing in the world, but it sure as fuck don't take long to write a fucking script for a page. Now for the artist though (who isn't getting paid, only the writer is), they may spend an upwards of 4-10 hours on ONE page!

What the fuck is wrong with these people asking artists to waste their time with a project so shitty that they won't even put money into it? Would it hurt them to learn to draw and do it themselves if it's 'such a great idea for a comic'?

Now don't get me wrong though, some people need help with minor things like coloring and shit. That's cool. I'm fine with the concept of someone just wanting something minor done if the comic is never going to make any money. Hell, on rare occasions I've been known to help out when it was something small.

But to ask the artist to do everything is wrong.

So to all you stupid fucks who want us to do all your fucking work for free, FUCK YOU!

Discuss, and bitch about the problem. I know you want to...

I don't think it's so odd to ask for an artists help for a fun, free comic online. Odds are the writer isn't going to make money off of it either and just wants some help with it.

I agree, though, that if you're just looking for an artist to draw your comic (as opposed to a partner to collaborate with on a project) then you should try and compensate them somehow.

I couldn't agree more. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

However, I do have a question. I'm writing a long-form comic story (twenty-four issues) and I don't quite have the artistic chops to pull it off. I can't really afford much in the way of actually paying for pages, but I've been crafting a contract giving all ad revenue and half of all future comic sales to the artist. I'm also including the stipulation that the artist is able to market images from the comic for their own profit. In reality, I'd only see money from comic sales themselves. There's a huge potential upside for the artist, but there's also a risk of this comic never seeing paper.

My question to you is, does that sound fair, or would you much rather see hard payment for pages? I've always been curious about this.

Well the topic that spawned this is here . (at the moment)
And there are three great articles concerning this that Hawk linked to here .

I've had plenty of people e-mail me asking me to do free work for them on various projects... (not web comic related). Sometimes they "know" someone who knows me and they want me to create their character for them, sometimes they want me to do character and background art for a video game (it's gonna be the next WOW) or fantasy card game (It's gonna be the next MAGIC! I've had a lot of those requests), and then other times they want web logos, free commission drawings, and stuff like that.

I'm never rude though. If they flatter me, I just flatter them back, but I still refuse or ask for money (which is pretty much the same thing). Only once did I really take on a project like that: it was a logo for a fantasy art website. I thought that if I'm doing their logo, even if it's for free, I'll atleast have the benefit of having my work up for all to see...
Basically it wasn't worth the hassle. I was doing it for free and this dumb fucker still had the nerve to ask very rudely for constant revisions and changes! Constantly! If I'm not being paid, I expect a little politeness... and I will NOT do heaps of revisions constantly either if I'm not being paid, it's a waste of my valuable time. SO I just dropped it and started ignoring his e-mails.

Collaboration work and doing stuff for other people that you think might be fun is different. But if you're a writer or an artist that needs a partner on your project, you should SELL your idea to them, show that YOU have something really cool to bring to the table, make them know you've got an idea worth helping with! Otherwise you tend to sound like a bit of a needy looser.

pshumate
My question to you is, does that sound fair, or would you much rather see hard payment for pages? I've always been curious about this.

That depends on you and the artist you make the deal with. If your collaboration relationship is good enough, then that contract will be fine. If they're just doing it with the expectation of a payoff with no real creative participation, or not a very close relationship with you over the project, then they'll most likely want money upfront.

I wouldn't mind seeing a thread (in net/comm probably) where people can post collaboration wants/needs rather than making lots of new posts about it. It could also start off with informative stuff, like "How do I get people interested in my comic?" and "How do I improve my chances of getting someone to help me?"

I want it to be a positive thread though, and this one kinda started out negative. :/

skoolmunkee
I wouldn't mind seeing a thread (in net/comm probably) where people can post collaboration wants/needs rather than making lots of new posts about it. It could also start off with informative stuff, like "How do I get people interested in my comic?" and "How do I improve my chances of getting someone to help me?"

That sounds like a cool idea. It'd prevent the constant posting of new threads about 'the next Garfield or Peanuts'.

skool
I want it to be a positive thread though, and this one kinda started out negative. :/

You can't say you're really surprised that a thread I made is negative.

This isn't just happening to comic book artists, either!

Even freelancing myself to people as their artist to provide graphics, creating customized toons, corporate designs, and other assorted stuff in different media and applications, I have many times been engaged with clients who, from the onset during preliminary negotiations, try like mad to get the most out of me for the least amount- but hopefully for free!

I remind the clients, "Would you go to Office Max (or Staples) and ask them to reduce their printing fees on documents you need done so you can save a buck, or ask them to print them for free? Or would you budget for the printing costs and, when ready, go ahead and pay for that store's services and fees as they have it listed (or wait for that store to have a sale)?". Chances are the answer is the latter.

Being a "human" commodity, we artists are exposed to promises of this and that if certain work is performed for our prospective creative services and "if" their product makes money. It's very, very aggravating and damn-right insulting to an artist- no, to a SERIOUS artist! Clients feed on our human vulnerabilities and naiveties (sp?). Up and coming wanna-bees tend to fall for the "Draw this comic and it will make millions and you and I will make lots of moolah!".

Most of the time clients do tell the artists that it's a risk, so we, as artists, are really partially to blame for submitting ourselves to this form of negotiation, making it harder for a serious artist (like myself and others in this forum) who gets paid (and paid well) to find ample work. Too many artists will draw for free, or next to nothing, based on the assumptions of promised, or implied, money to be made.

So, if you're an artist like me who is serious, dedicated, and feels like you are worth serious coinage for the awesome stuff that you can create, ask your client (if he/she dickers with compensation, or wants free work) if he gets mechanics to work on his car for free, or would he merely pay the bill as provided by that mechainc after the job is done? Or if he goes to a video store and expects to pay nothing for the movie rental? Or if he gets business cards done up by a design company and expects those cards to be free? Or...well, I think you get the picture!

Comic books are no different! It's a viable product and a collector's delight! The artists should be respected and paid for their work, and paid decent wages, not promises of wages "if" the book does well. That's just bad business- shows no class.

I would hope writers would approach this industry with better business pratices when it comes to the art of negotiation and compensation. Artists are valuable to your project, but as you would save money to buy a new car, computer, or other amenity, save a few bucks to pay your artist for God's sakes!

One last thing: I am also a published medical illustrator and I approached my medical client (a prestigious plastic surgeon and his publisher) with a rate sheet from the onset that he respected and pays me accordingly. THAT'S a client worth doing work for!

*sigh....sorry for the rant! Whew! This thread is awesome therapy!!! MY GOD, do I FEEL BETTER!

I'd like to be compensated for my time that I set aside from my already busy schedule. But hey, one might be lucky and find an artist who is willing to work for nothing. There are people like that. Very rare, but not impossible.

I can sympathize with wanting something done for free. I'm a horder of the money I have, and I try to save a buck every time I can. However money talks. And if someone really believes in an idea, they should be able to justify paying you.

I've done a lot of art that people have asked me to do for free, because it helps me to become a better artist. If I ever go pro*, I won't be doing things for free anymore though.

*Very difficult, but we'll see...

Hey now, I'm slightly upset now one of my comics is drawn partly by others who work for no pay, but that said I never intend to profit from it in any way and If I did I would happily split any income, do unto others eh?

Although that said I never claimed to be making anything but an amature project and don't expect anything to be produced to a particually high standard or within any deadlines and exactly how people draw pages is pretty open ended, except that occasionally there will be one INCREDIBLY specific panel in a page that I visualised and is the focus of the whole page.

I think writing can be as difficult as art, I don't manually draw, but making a page for something (particually in a new project I'm yet to put anywhere) takes about as long as writing one of the more specific pages of Error. it really depends on how exact what you want to communicate is.

I think what is important is that an artist must be aware of what they are agreeing to do, and the writer must remember that the artist is doing it either because they like your concept or as a favour, so eventually they will probably lose interest and stop doing it and you have no right to compalin if they do.

I think it's okay not be in it just for the money with a partner, y'know, someone who's in it with you as much as you are, but if it's just a guy you're paying to put down the pretty pictures you think up, then some sort of compensation should be involved.

I've colored comic covers that have gone out to printing,
did a cover for a small circulation punk magazine http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/subcultured2/digital%20inks/metra4.jpg ,

a concept art for a game mod of hl2 http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f251/subcultured2/painting/berserker.jpg

I usually don't ask for money if its one page. i only ask they give me credit. and for the magazine I got a deal with advertising space for my website.

but if its a comic...that requires a crazy ammount of time investment. Single pages are easy because I can make those in no time, but being able to tell a story and keeping quality consistency is hard.

Years ago I built character models for games, just for fun. Upon making one moderately successful and popular model, suddenly I was contacted regularly by people who wanted me to make models for their games. They would of course be indie games that would take off, and soon the money would pour in. I learned early on not to waste my time with these guys. Most of them were secretly teenagers with a videogame idea. EVERY gamer has a videogame idea.

If you really want to network on Drunk Duck, I seen nothing wrong with trying to find an artist to help you tell your story. But the thing is, you really need to sell them on your story... because the only way I see an artist doing something for free is if they want to work on it just as badly. If you just beg for an artist for your "great story idea" without any further information, you don't deserve a response.

This raises good points.

Some artists WILL draw for the fun of it- excellent! Chalk it up as experience garnered.

It is indeed a case-to-case scenario between writer/producer and artist. If an artist goes into such an arrangement knowing compensation is nil, or understands and agrees that he or she will accept payment only if the compilation sells, then fine- Then those artists shouldn't come back later in a rant and rave exclaiming monies should have been paid for their work, especially if that compilation doesn't sell.

What is troubling is the mentality of creative slavery artists are subjected to, or are expected to endure, for their work; creative work that fall upon empty promises, or attempts by people to hire artists for mediocre or no pay. My own history in freelancing has countless stories of such experiences. As an amateur, years ago, my art was crude but marketable to some people and I was hungry to have credits for having done this and that all over the place (I would have loved the money but my own inexperience, ignorance, and immaturity in this field at the time were my demons). As I developed my skills over the years and entered the 'profesisonal' category, my experience told me my time and skillset is worth something. But, in retrospect, I wish I had've had more balls to demand my money's worth for graphics that would have commanded hundreds, if not thousands had the clients gone to a professional studio for the same product.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here- if you can plan to save money for other amenities in life (like a computer, stereo sound system, or other), have some respect for the artist you are seeking to employ and save some coin to pay that person reasonably. Otherwise, find free clip art online or hope to find someone who will invest their time and talent for free. Top quality artists are hard to find, but some are out there who don't care about money and will embark upon their journey as a visual collaborator without payment.

What do you say to a person who buys a car for a very cheap or outrageously inexepensive price? "What's wrong with the car?". The same can be said for the artist- "What's wrong with the artist's work?". Or better still, "What's wrong with the artist's business ethic that he or she would undersell him/herself?".

I've actually had a few clients who paid me TWICE my requested rate because, as savvied business people, they felt I was indeed underselling myself and THEY helped inspire a better acumen in this field for me.

Artists: Don't undersell yourselves. You have value. You have worth. Seek compensation and respect for what you do. You ARE a valuable commodity, reflect that in your performance rates and salary expectations. It's all about sound business! If a writer is putting together a comic book, then SOMEBODY has to pay for its marketing, printing, distribution, etc....and that isn't free (unless one knows somebody in that industry and will print the stuff, market it, or distribute it for free, which is unlikely). So why should YOU, the artist, provide your hard-trained and developed artistry for free? You do yourself, and the artistic community, great injustice for helping to perpetuate the notion that artists can be manipulated to work for nothing. (This obviously doesn't apply to those artists who DO enter an arrangement where they are willingly providing their skills for free. That's you're own trail you're blazing and all the power to you if it makes you happy).

If you look at the reasons they ask for artists, the main one is that they say they can't draw.

It would be better if all those who want artists for their comic actually worked on their own art skills (by using tutorials, tips from other artists or experimenting with their art style), and improved enough to put those ideas into an actual comic.

It's how all artists improve, and how the community works.

Great post Ferretshark!
We should point out though that all this applies equally to writers as well. They've a specialised skill that's also open to exploitation.

ozoneocean
Great post Ferretshark!
We should point out though that all this applies equally to writers as well. They've a specialised skill that's also open to exploitation.

Thanks, Ozoneocean, and my God, yes- you are absolutely right about writers. I was speaking about artists as that is where this post was focused.

Yes: Writers, illustrators, anyone with a developed skillset and talent in these fields, deserve a respectable salary or compensation for their efforts. Forgive me for excluding artists of all realms. If artists of these types stop looking at their worth and value as being almost dispensible to the point where they would freely give their time and talent (if just to get their wares out there), then this topic would not even be in discussion.

We provide a service (writers, artists, etc.), much as any company would. We have a price value same as companies have fees for their own services. We should not be regarded as pawns in any light. There is great value in our abilities. We all need to acknowledge our worth and expect a valued compensation package to reflect that.

To Outofline: The same can be said about illustrators who do not feel they can write. Hence the need for a writer and illustrator collaboration. If what you say is true, then illustrators should also need to learn how to write, train themselves to be good storytellers too. It works both ways. But that is an ideal solution, not one that is practical in the world we live in today where writers and illustrators often collaborate on projects (open most comic books and view the credits and 9 times out of ten the writer and illustrator are two separate collaborators). The issue is justifiable compensation for work performed, be it writing, illustration, or what have you.

I wouldn't mind working on something with a friend. I wouldn't mind working on something with someone like pshumate, who has demonstrated in the past that they can do the work and are willing to put the sweat into making something good. (I still don't because it would mean I'd have to abandon my own projects) But most people looking for artists seem to me to be people who simply aren't willing to put in the work to do the comic on thier own. Sure, maybe their art doesn't live up to what they'd like it to be, but that doesn't stop so many other comickers who do what they can and us MSpaint or Gimp to try to fiddle with their rough handdrawn art. And there isn't anything stopping someone from going back and re-drawing their early comics once their art has improved (hell I'm doing it now, and I haven't spoken to a single webcomic artist who wouldn't love to if they had more time.)

The reason I don't like MOST requests for artistic help is because it often means the writer simply doesn't love the project enough to put in the time to do it all themselves. There are the exceptions (like pshumate) where they've demonstrated their talent in the past and they just don't have the time to take on another project in full without abandoning a current one. Hell, I have another comic I'd love to work on, but I barely have the time for the one I'm doing now. To those people I usually chime up and let them know I would be interested if I didn't already have something big on my plate. Who knows what the future may yeild? But if you want someone who is going to sacrifice for your vision they need to be someone who you are willing to work with, not someone who is going to work for you, and if they're good enough to bring great art, then you need to show you can bring something to the table too.

Well said, kingofsnake.

The comic that I am writing (as well as doing the backgrounds for) is in conjunction with my "partner", a fellow animator like myself who believes in the project and is willing to invest personal time, skills, and investment to see this project through. That is an exception to the rule in regards to the nature of this post.

If you are working with someone in producing a book and co-sharing all- or some- elements of its production, then compensation is only the reward you hope to reap at the end, if the sales come through. Other than this, in our case, we are doing this for the fun of it and to see one of my old ideas go from being a mere concept into a reality. But if my partner had have been my boss, or my client, so to speak, then I would have negotiated terms for compensation whether this comic made money or not. But we are BOTH producers and artist on this comic so we stake only our own time and money towards this. Needless to say, if we need the added assistance of a third party to join in order to see this come to fruition for some reason, then we will sure as hell budget for it as we would intend on paying that person for his or her involvement.

I've had, and still have, a huge problem with friends who want me to do grafics, illustrations and all sorts of things. They ask me if i can just "please make this one small drawing" etc etc. They don't realise it can take hours to make a good concept logo or drawing and that i just cant spend that amount of time on stuff like that.

Hell, just recently a friend wanted me to do a quick drawing of a tatoo for him. It started out as a simple symbol but as we talked it quickly became much more detailed. I spent 2 hours on that thing and in the end he choose some other tatoo from the shop.

It's just very hard to say no to friends that "just want this small favor" (and if i DO say no they get grumpy. )

I tell ya, it's VERY frustrating. :(

VegaX
I've had, and still have, a huge problem with friends who want me to do grafics, illustrations and all sorts of things. They ask me if i can just "please make this one small drawing" etc etc. They don't realise it can take hours to make a good concept logo or drawing and that i just cant spend that amount of time on stuff like that.

Hell, just recently a friend wanted me to do a quick drawing of a tatoo for him. It started out as a simple symbol but as we talked it quickly became much more detailed. I spent 2 hours on that thing and in the end he choose some other tatoo from the shop.

It's just very hard to say no to friends that "just want this small favor" (and if i DO say no they get grumpy. )

I tell ya, it's VERY frustrating. :(

Wow, you mirror my own conundrum- Friends and family asking for drawings, not realizing the degree of work that goes into a decent sketch or design. Honestly, I think people assume we're friggin' creative laxative machines and can just sh!t the stuff out our arse!

Ferretshark
Honestly, I think people assume we're friggin' creative laxative machines and can just sh!t the stuff out our arse!

You mean you're not? Cod liver oil + paint = instant pollock. Problem solved.

My close friends all realize I'm far too busy with the comic to draw them anything, a couple of them lived with me so they know how long I spend on art. They don't even bother asking. My regular friends, who I don't see as much ask occasionally, but they usually realize the reason we don't hang out more is because I'm constantly working on art. Those people I just agree to help them out off handedly but never follow up on it.

VegaX
Hell, just recently a friend wanted me to do a quick drawing of a tatoo for him. It started out as a simple symbol but as we talked it quickly became much more detailed. I spent 2 hours on that thing and in the end he choose some other tatoo from the shop.

OMG, this so happened to me with my boyfriend. I spent nearly two days drawing a character picture for his DnD character, with him sitting over my shoulder constantly making changes. (which is a surefire way to piss me off quickly). I swallowed my anger tho because I love him dearly, but when I finally finished and presented it to him he said, "Oh, its okay, I found another picture."

I can not tell you how ENRAGED I was. I have not, to this day, drawn another picture for him. And that was nearly 4 years ago. I simply refuse.

Unfortunately there are a LOT of people out there who take advantage of/swindle artists in all forms. Musicians, writers, visual artists, etc. Even legit sounding jobs can become a legal headache when a client decides not to pay you, even if you've delivered the work. I know a professional children's book illustrator who's been to court so many times to collect payment due from deadbeat clients.

I personally, as an artist, look at it this way. If they aren't willing to pony up the money, up front, in cash, they aren't serious. If people are serious, they will put their money where their mouth is. My time isn't cheap. Its hours, days, months of my life ticks that I'll never get back. Why should I wasted it on a deadbeat client with no hope of renumeration? Especially one who doesn't apparently know what they are asking?

As a graphic designer I have to deal a lot with people who don't understand the value of art and design. I spend a good deal of time educating said people. I have to explain how it can take months to refine a good logo, what all the technical considerations are, how much blood, sweat, and tears goes into it. The most recent logo I did was for the University Athletics team where I work, and it took nearly 6 months of strait work to get it done. Came out great tho. But I've got litterally stacks of hand drawn sketchwork for concepts. I must have presented at least 50 concepts. But they pay me, so its all good.

But the reality is, a lot of artists don't have the confidence in themselves and their work to tell these deadbeat clients to get lost. I'm not without my own scars when I was dazzled in my younger, less jaded days, by promises of wealth, fame, and fortune. Not to mention the flattery of someone likeing my work. But, now I know better. And as long as there are gulible artists who undersell their services, there will be people who continue to treat artists as 'art slaves', and undervalue our services.

VegaX
I've had, and still have, a huge problem with friends who want me to do grafics, illustrations and all sorts of things. They ask me if i can just "please make this one small drawing" etc etc. They don't realise it can take hours to make a good concept logo or drawing and that i just cant spend that amount of time on stuff like that.

Hell, just recently a friend wanted me to do a quick drawing of a tatoo for him. It started out as a simple symbol but as we talked it quickly became much more detailed. I spent 2 hours on that thing and in the end he choose some other tatoo from the shop.

It's just very hard to say no to friends that "just want this small favor" (and if i DO say no they get grumpy. )

I tell ya, it's VERY frustrating. :(

Next time a "friend" asks for a "simple" drawing, ask them for a "simple" payment of (your rate per hour here).

"Look at ME, "friends", I've worked all these years to develop my drawing skills to a higher, more marketable level! Now I can draw FREE sketches for EVERYONE even MORE!".

*whoa....feeling that need to attend anger management.

Ferretshark
Next time a "friend" asks for a "simple" drawing, ask them for a "simple" payment of (your rate per hour here).

I would love to do that.
Problem is that they would think im a complete ass. Therin lies the frustration.

For some reason when people learn that i like to draw they think that "like" includes doing whatever people ask me to draw. I mean since i like to draw, why wouldnt i like to draw whatever a friend asks me to draw, right?

Well, perhaps it's because i'd rather draw MY own artwork than drawing something that doesn't interest me a bit. Even more so when i know they usually say "thanks for the drawing" and then just put it in some drawer or throw it away.

VegaX
For some reason when people learn that i like to draw they think that "like" includes doing whatever people ask me to draw. I mean since i like to draw, why wouldnt i like to draw whatever a friend asks me to draw, right?

LOL- YES! I get that too!!! People will ask me to draw a popular cartoon or something.

"Hey, can you draw Goofy?"

I'd say, "Sure, if I had a good model sheet of the character in which to practice and get his proportions right!".

Honestly, people think we have photographic memories or something! I have to educate most everyone in my travels when this situation crops up! And then they get that blank stare on their faces, like I wasn't skilled enough if I couldn't draw Goofy from the top of my head!

A musician friend of mine did that to me once and that's how I had replied. And then I turned around and asked HIM, "You play guitar. Can you play like Hendrix?". He'd give me a dirty look and say "No", to which I replied, "But if you STUDIED and PRACTICED playing like Hendrix, do you think you could do it?". Obviously his answer was "yes". Ultimately he got my point and the subject was dropped.

Sheesh.

I guess that's a demon that comes with our territory. Man, it is so funny to hear so many others are just like me when it comes to stuff like this. And I know what you mean, why draw someone else's already successful toon when your own work is striving for publicity.

But seriously, just tell friends and family you are more interested in paying gigs so you can pay your bills, or at least to supplement your income. If they balk at that then that is their issue, not yours. Chalk it up as "tough love".

VegaX
I would love to do that.
Problem is that they would think im a complete ass. Therin lies the frustration.

And therein lies the problem. You shouldn't feel like a complete ass to ask for compensation. If you don't want to ask for money, when someone asks you to draw something for them, just say " Okay, what are you going to give/do for me in return?"

You shouldn't feel obligated to give them something for nothing. Its not being an asshole, its being fair. You are doing THEM a favor, they should do you a favor. Its simply equal trade. If you don't learn how to do this, people will walk all over you forever. If you chose to give them something its one thing, but if they are asking you to do something for them its only fair they should be ready to give you something in return. Just because you enjoy drawing doesn't mean you enjoy drawing for other people's pleasure.

If they are really friends, they will respect that stance. It might seem bitchy, but yes, I do charge my friends for artwork. I'll give them a discount cuz we're friends, but I still demand something in return for the grief they are going to put me through on a commission and my precious spare time they are eating having me work for them.

Oh, and on a note of caution, get whatever it is they promise you up front, or at least half. Most people will agree and then try to welch on the deal when they get the drawing. So don't give anything to them until you've got your compensation in your greedy little paws.

I concur with shadowsmyst's comments.

Ferretshark

VegaX
For some reason when people learn that i like to draw they think that "like" includes doing whatever people ask me to draw. I mean since i like to draw, why wouldnt i like to draw whatever a friend asks me to draw, right?

LOL- YES! I get that too!!! People will ask me to draw a popular cartoon or something.

Honestly, people think we have photographic memories or something! I have to educate most everyone in my travels when this situation crops up! And then they get that blank stare on their faces, like I wasn't skilled enough if I couldn't draw Goofy from the top of my head!

That has happened to me so many times and it consistly bugs the crap out of me.

Is asking someone to do your coloring for you on the same annoyance level? I've been really busy lately and haven't had time to color my comics properly. It'd be my art and I'd be inking it still, but someone else would use Photoshop and do the colors/shading for me.

It's the sort of thing I need, but can't really pay for. (I'm applying to colleges. Wallet drain.) Should I get someone else to do the coloring for free or would that be just like having someone do the art for free?