I am an artist working on a project with a writer and I am seeking a colorist (sounds like we're on a dating site right now I know) to help speed up production of getting the first issue out there. Originally I had planned to do it myself, but to keep this indie project somewhat released on a decent schedule, it will help big time to have someone on board for the long term just like I am. I know how time consuming making art can be, especially when most of us who do it for limited pay have a day job. Which is why I wouldn't be asking for someone to jump on board such a big project with no promise of pay (at least for the first couple of issues) if I didn't believe in it myself.
So hopefully someone is reading this and is already interested, below is a Q&A.
What is this project?
The books working title is Dead Living. It originally started out a few years ago as a couple of screenplays, then a novel and now comics (which it should have been all along in my opinion). It is a zombie Apocalypse story set in the future but in the real world, with interconnecting story lines, following 2 main groups of survivors in 2 different states of America. The story is shown through flash backs, flash forwards and the current (no sideways thankfully, Lost was confusing enough). This has been inspiring in this way by LOST itself to the writer and I am also a big fan of Lost, just putting it out there. We cover the downfall of the society as expected and day to day survival but there is also a lot of conspiracy regarding the government and what the zombie virus is, how it was made etc to be explained down the line. Certain things like concentration camps and the mentality around that is in there too. For a better explanation I will link a couple of videos from the writer at the end who is also a huge zombie fan and Youtuber.
Who is the writer?
Ronny Haze, the creator of the Make A Path Presents youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/makeapathpresents/
Whats the deal?
We do have a long term plan for this book, with eyes for crowdfunding, publishers or self publishing. No matter what this book will be made with obvious hopes of getting more and more people on board for our take on the genre.
There are currently 67 issues outlined, the first issue is nearly complete (21 of 24 pages), we'll be taking care of the art and lettering minus the needed colorist.
It will be released digitally no matter what, and color print to which we will crowdfund or pay for ourselves, either way this book is being produced. We have the quotes for printing and rough numbers of the first issue to produce.
Again I understand the amount of time this takes (I'm juggling a full time job with the art duties) and I would like to have the first issue ready for print by end of August.
We will crowdfund via kickstarter only when the first issue is printed because we don't want people to back risky promises. We want to show we are committed of providing a product to those who want it.
In terms of money, we will be putting in a quote that covers some of the time taken for producing it myself, Ronny and the selected colorist. But the priority for crowdfunding is to cover the print and distribution to our UK and US fans first and foremost. This first issue will mainly just cover the printing and shipping costs worldwise. We have a couple of publishers to contact and I will be floating it around my local conventions.
What kind of colorist am I looking for?
Ideally I'm gonna need someone who is quick enough (subjective I know) at least for this first issue as it is the launch point for all of us. Someone who can color in a similar way to me which is heavily inspired by Dave Stewart (the man is a living legend) what I really want though is someone who is better and more experienced than I am. I love the texture look of Dave Stewart and similar artists as it feels more traditional, I dislike the smoothness of mainstream super hero comics so many cut and grad coloring on them. That being said similar to me and Dave Stewart isn't essential, if there is something better then I am all for it. Our book is a horror book so a more gritty coloring style suits it best. Below are some samples of the pages and various color pieces for the project I have done and below that are some examples I really like of Daves.
All you need to do is reply with some samples of your work. I'm not asking for samples using my artwork unless you really want to. Oh and if it helps get you on board I can do some of the flatting on some of the pages while you color. There is just a bunch of things for me to do while we have a colorist working on the completed pages.
Dave Stewart
I hope that is enough information for now, if you need more email me at jamesmilnearts@gmail.com
Video links:
Zombie Beginnings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e07L4jl0C8
What is Dead Living https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdz2Tq6spzk
Dead Living https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcXOWFUSPQA
Thank you everyone.