What do artist charge for magazine illustrations?

Question

I need some illustrations for a magazine. It is a university magazine and our circulation is about 70,000. I need one cover illustration and three inside, all 8.5x11.

I don't even know where to begin.

Answer 1

Depends on, both, the magazine and the artist.

Some magazine publishers set their own standard rates for illustration, often depending on the size of the image (the origianal, not the magazine page size).  Publications with smaller circulations will, of course only be able to pay a lot less than one with a larger circulation.

On the other hand, artists can charge what they want for their work.  A more well known illustrator can ask a LOT more than another, who is not so well known.  The quality of the artwork is NOT a significant factor.

So, it should be clear that some artists can price themselves beyond what some magazines can pay.

To help you figure out where you might stand in this hierarchy, I suggest you find a copy of a book titled "Artists Market."  It is published annually and can be found in bookstores and public libraries.  It offers a pretty substantial list of publishers and agencies that are know for buying from freelance artists.  Find a listing that compares to your magazine, and, if the listing does not show their rate, then it WILL give you contact information so you can ask their art director, directly, how much they offer.