The scratchboard stock library of illustrations is a selection of images that were either previously commissioned by past clients or were created for self-promotion over the course of several years. They are available for resale (licensing) to clients that either have limited time and want something quickly to fulfill their deadline. Some clients have requested a mixture of both customized images and stock images and what I call “semi-stock”illustrations.

The “semi-stock” illustrations are defined by the fact that they are derived from an original stock image with the client needing a slight adjustment to fit their specific needs. This classification falls halfway between custom illustration and stock illustrations. For example, a “cup of coffee” spot illustration can either be adjusted to fit with an added and newly illustrated doughnut (with drop shadow) on the side or made to have just the cup without the saucer and, yet, have a spoon drawn to be placed inside the cup. This can be adjusted to create a “new” illustration while keeping the integrity of the original illustration without it looking like a “collaged” and/or pasted illustration.

*No other stock agency or other 3rd parties provide this type of service (semi-stock) and the illustration is quickly and precisely adjusted to fit the needs of the clients especially if the client is in direct contact with the illustrator without interference from 3rd party agencies. The art direction is important as far as interpreting the precise flow of information that is often misinterpreted through an artists’ representative or agent. Time is of essence and this allows quick and easy access directly from the source including price estimates and final digital files.

“Stock illustration,” as described above in the first two sentences, is basically a collection of pre-existing illustrations that have been used or re-licensed for use by several clients depending on the specific image. A history of each image will be provided if a clients requests that information. Some clients may stir away from stock of it’s an illustration that they decide that they want complete “exclusivity” of that image and opt for a customized illustration.

A “customized illustration” speaks for itself. It is a process by which the client request a completely new illustration created from scratch. The illustration goes though several steps. The first step is an “initial” preliminary sketch and then two-three sketch revisions within the same concept. If the clients decides to change the whole concept, then an added cost is applied depending on the complexity of that revision. If the client goes on to request revisions beyond the originally agreed quota of two-three, then an added cost will be required depending on the complexity of that revision. If there is a small adjustment/tweak, then sometimes no additional costs will be applied.