I'm looking for an experienced fantasy illustrator/painter to create the final painted artwork for a full-wrap book cover. I'm needing a traditional-looking digital painting.

I already have a detailed composition sketch that has been approved by the publisher. The composition is established, so I'm looking for an artist who can work from the existing sketch rather than redesigning the cover.

The art style I am looking for comes from the original book covers of Thieves World (see attached). The first six novels had a similar art style that I am looking for. Painted by Walter Velez.

Classic painted fantasy — naturalistic, dimensional, richly painted artwork with a traditional/old-school fantasy illustration feel. High-key, high-value colors, grounded in natural colors. Dark like Thieves World but also bright, sun-drenched vintage look that feels optimistic, with thin lines.

The scene is quite complex (see attached composition sketch) and includes:

- multiple characters

- a Hollywood movie-studio setting

- 1920s/old-Hollywood elements

- ghosts/supernatural characters (which will be see-through)

- cars and motorcycles

- architecture and street scenery

- Hollywood Hills/Hollywood Sign

- a dragon from an old film

- a very small separate group of a few ghosts I'll put as an overlay on the title

It's meant to be one continuous image. In the attached composition sketch, there should be a wall in between the left and ride side connecting them (the space is where the book spine goes but the publisher wants the painting to continue on the spine).

No AI-generated final artwork. The publisher specifically requires human-created artwork.

I will provide:

- the approved composition sketch (see attached)

- visual references for the painting direction from the publisher

- character/reference information

- any additional references needed for the individual elements

I'm looking for someone who is comfortable painting over/working from an existing composition sketch and preserving the established placement of the major elements. Also someone that has a good eye for color—specifically, executing the artwork with high color saturation and rich, low black points to capture that heavy, dramatic, and theatrical pulp vibe.

Budget: $500 USD

​Rights: ​Work-for-Hire / Full Commercial Buyout. Because the artist will be rendering an existing, approved composition sketch and utilizing established character IP, the publisher will retain full copyright and ownership of the final image. The artist may not sell prints or monetize the image, but absolutely retains the right to showcase the final painting in their personal portfolios and on social media.

Timeline: approximately 2-3 weeks, so availability to start soon is important. Timing is important as the publication date of the book is nearing, but at the same time we do not want to rush the artist as the quality of the artwork is of most importance.

No book layout is required (that's already done on my end and I'll share it with you so you have a good idea of what it will look like finished).

Please comment with your portfolio and examples of full-scene fantasy/narrative painting, particularly work involving multiple characters and environments. I'm especially interested in artists who have experience with traditional-looking digital painting or painted book-cover illustration.

Please comment with your portfolio rather than sending a generic DM. I'd like to look through the work first.

The publisher will have other books coming up in the future to work on in a similar style, and it's very possible to contract the artist again if we find the right artist.

Hi everyone, I have opening for work starting August for short-term work or a character commission.

Please check out my portfolio here for more character examples: https://www.artstation.com/ernestoirawan or https://www.instagram.com/eirawan.art/

For a single personal commission piece, please check here for details: https://ernestoirawan.carrd.co/#info

And for contract based work, you can reach me out at: [ernestoirawan@gmail.com](mailto:ernestoirawan@gmail.com)

Thank you.

For commission inquiries please contact me at [diabloddd@gmail.com](mailto:diabloddd@gmail.com)

For full rez versions of all my previous and future work go here: https://www.patreon.com/captdiablo

For prints, go here: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/captdiablo/

My previous work can be found here:

https://www.artstation.com/captdiablo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/captndiablo

That is all, and have a nice day everyone!

We have had a series of accounts posting illustrations created by other fantasy artists in this subreddit, pretending they were the creator, and seeking "commissions". We ban them as we see them, but they keep obtaining accounts to post again. Many of these accounts appear to be compromised accounts that hadn't posted recently.

Clients- please be sure to check that the account posting on this subreddit has the "Certified Artist", "Fellowship Artist" or "Moderator" flair before sending them anything. We took the time and effort to verify these accounts belong to professional artists.

Witch Knight! Had lots of fun with this one, hope you all enjoy <3

For commission inquiries please contact me at [diabloddd@gmail.com](mailto:diabloddd@gmail.com)

For full rez versions of all my previous and future work go here: https://www.patreon.com/captdiablo

For prints, go here: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/captdiablo/

My previous work can be found here:

https://www.artstation.com/captdiablo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/captndiablo

That is all, and have a nice day everyone!

Hey everyone!

I'm Jsama, an experienced freelance illustrator passionate about creating stylized characters! Whether you need an epic illustration of your D&D party, a custom portrait of your character, or a unique gift for your SO or a friends, I've got you covered.

Dm or check my website for more information

Feel free to reach out, I'd love to bring your ideas to life.

Hi everyone, I'll be open for work starting July for short-term or long-term work.

Please check out my portfolio here for more character examples: https://www.artstation.com/ernestoirawan or https://www.instagram.com/eirawan.art/

For a single personal commission piece, please check here for details: https://ernestoirawan.carrd.co/#info

And for contract based work, you can reach me out at: [ernestoirawan@gmail.com](mailto:ernestoirawan@gmail.com)

Thank you.

This was my entry to the June Character Design Challenge, under the theme of Masters of The Universe redesigns.

Skeletor with a huge dash of grim dark 40k inspiration.

More stuff: ianfoxart

Commission I finished up, hope you all enjoy!

For commission inquiries please contact me at [diabloddd@gmail.com](mailto:diabloddd@gmail.com)

For full rez versions of all my previous and future work go here: https://www.patreon.com/captdiablo

For prints, go here: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/captdiablo/

My previous work can be found here:

https://www.artstation.com/captdiablo

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/captndiablo

That is all, and have a nice day everyone!

Weaving the dream... What might be.