Equestrian Earth - Recommend an Artist for a large Commission?

So uh, you know that one cover art that was going to happen for Equestrian Earth but took way too long to do and that the artist lost all motivation to do anything MLP related?

Actually I already said the bad news. Either way, the dream cover art for Equestrian Earth the MMORPG is now placed on standby and now I have to look for another artist to help me accomplish said dream. But there are a few issues I have.

One - I don't have a job yet, so I'm walking on a budget here. I need an artist would - and I'm not proud to say this - work for cheap... Yeah I'm not exactly happy with saying that, but this picture is really huge. I'm afraid that it'll go over the budget I have now. If it does, well I guess my options are limited.

So uh, here's an artist I'm looking for:
~ has plentiful experience drawing fantasy armor and weapons
~ has experience drawing MLP in show accurate form. I don't want any kawaii cutisie style for this coverart.
~ Extra character price is $10 or less. I'm not worried about the base price (unless its like over $30 for a full color and shaded for only one character), I'm more worried about the additional character cost as that's is where the big chunk of my budget is going to. We're talking about the Mane 6 + Spike here. Decently large picture, yes.
~ has experience drawing environments/backgrounds.

If you know an artist with those qualities and stuff above, let me know.

EDIT: Well I found someone to aid me with my dream coverart.

Comments

[Eagle Heart]

You should try Atryl, he's known for being able to do many different kinds of styles. Not sure if he's open for commissions though.

[Chaotic Note]

2460268
I'm ok with his style for this coverart. I've been following him since 2012 and his Quest for Harmony series is a big thumbs up. Only problem now is that I have no idea what his commission prices are. He just closed them, so I'm left in the dark when it comes to Atryl, and I imagine that his prices aren't for cheap.

[Masterweaver]

...would you accept pencil sketches?

[Chaotic Note]

2460305
I have a ton of those, but they don't exactly complete one picture. They're individual concept designs for the Mane 6 and Spike.

But uh if I can have a detailed pencil sketch of the cover art, that might be fine?
Idk. I'm hoping for color as well. Maybe I should forgo the shading in hopes of lowering the cost.

[Eagle Heart]

2460302 Pretty much all artists aren't going to be cheap judging by what you're asking for.

The majority of artists are highly overpriced anyway.

[Chaotic Note]

2460407
Yeah... I know. I'm just hoping at this point.

[Masterweaver]

2460352

When would you need this sketch?

[Chaotic Note]

2460464
Well uh, I've waited for about 10 months for the cover art to be finished until the artist couldn't continue.
So I'm sorta hoping for sometime by the end of November.
Why though?

2460485
That would be incredibly nice if you would do it. If you want, I can show you the sketches and completed pictures for reference.

[Chaotic Note]

2460496
Alright. Here's a link to the DeviantArt stash.
The BETA sketches are the latest designs while the ALPHAs are the first concepts.
The BETAs are more important but the ALPHA is worth while to look to I guess.
The completed artworks are obviously important as well as they are the finished designs of the characters.
We'll discuss a lot about Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Spike obviously as sketches can only explain so much.

[Masterweaver]

2460493

...eh, I'm kind of desperate for money now. I'm not a bad artist, but I'm not a professional either... some of my stories have handdrawn covers, if you want a reference. Masters of the Enemy, Fifteen Galaxies out, and Flame and Desire....

[Chaotic Note]

2460588
They're pretty interesting, but unfortunately I don't think you might be the person I'm looking for. If you take a look at the sketch references I have, you'll understand why I think so. Sorry.

Either way, it seems I have someone else willing to do it.

[Midnight Sonare]

I could do it, too bad I'm late and someone else offered to do it. Though if you need my help do not hesitate in asking me, I'll be willing to do it.

Yeah, I know I didn't made your last request, but I was really busy back then, I even stopped writing and any other project I had. but I'm more available now.

So, if something happens and you still need an artist, just tell me.

[Chaotic Note]

2461119
Well, I know your artistic skills are really topnotch, but 2460496 seems to really wanna try this out...
Hmm...
How about I propose this, you two.
Take this sketch of Spike and draw a clean lineart or sketch of it. No color, nothing else.
Here's a description of what's the picture really all about, which is quoted from the previous artist.

Alright, I've come up with a design. You said to keep it simple, so I decided to go with a coat without major decoration.
To start off, since I'm not great at MLP's dragons, I drew a pony base to bounce ideas off of. That resulted in this guy sta.sh/#/01zy47hlpio
He has a pretty plain coat, which was mainly inspired by the style of coat Sebastian wears static.zerochan.net/Sebastian.… from there, I decided to leave a little similarity to Twilight's outfit (I mean it's Spike and Twilight, they're bound to match somewhere) so I gave him similarly laced boots, however his end in a steel toe. To match it to his coat, I added the same type of lacing to the front of it.
From there I tested out the tail of the coat a bit. I started out with it ending in a simple point, but then changed it to a rough, spiky edge to look similar to dragon spines. Then, to make the transition in the coat at the waist to look a bit more natural, I added a belt and a pouch to give him more of a rogue look (Rogues are never seen without pouches, you know?) Then I decided to give him those annoying sleeves with the wide cuffs (they're annoying because I've worn them and know from experience) After that I decided to keep the feather idea from the last costume and just gave him an earring with them, which may or may not have been because of the fact I was watching Fairy Tail in the episodes with this guy static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__c… and got the idea for it from his earring.
Anyway, after designing all that, I drew Spike and dragged the ideas over sta.sh/01uoj878qfry I didn't draw his left arm so you'd be able to see the whole costume. Anyway, with that done, the only thing I really changed was where the pouch sits.
Oh, and I might mention now, for colors I had in mind brown for the majority (like the body of the coat, etc) and either two shades of green or a green and a purple for all the accents, plus silver for the soles/toes of the boots.

[Midnight Sonare]

2461372
Well, here it is the sketch.
Though if 2460496 really want it I'll feel bad stealing the job.

[Chaotic Note]

2461836
Looks great. Although the earring is missing.
And uh, well I dunno about apuppy120. He made it sound like he is gonna draw something regardless.

[Midnight Sonare]

2462724
Well, if you say so. You can still do some fan art.

2461857
How could I forget that? Here, that's better.
Then, if I'm going to do it send me a PM with every detail possible. I'll try my best to do it.

[Chaotic Note]

2463011
That looks pretty good.

2462995
That's better.

But uh ye, I guess I might depend a bit more on Midnight for this coverart. I'll send you the details now.
Apuppy if you want, I'll send you a PM too.

[Chaotic Note]

2462995
Let me know when you got the first PM and I'll send out the others individually.

[Midnight Sonare]

2463091
I got the PM. Though Twilight design link took me to Fluttershy.

[Chaotic Note]

2463156
Oh. Well here's twilight's
I'll send the rest after dinner

[Midnight Sonare]

2463202
Ok, I'll wait

[Chaotic Note]

2463393
Huh wow that's pretty good.
Oh and uh just for accuracy, the neck piece is where a pink butterfly gem brooch should be. Its where her Element of Kindness goes.

[Chaotic Note]

2463495
Mmh. Anyway, do you really want to do this? I was gonna have Midnight do it.

[Chaotic Note]

2463746
Mmmh.
Well I guess I'll start you off quick and give you what is ready.
fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/259/c/8/applejack_by_violetdragonian_d71f3c5_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wq.png
fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/2/6/fluttershy_by_violetdragonian_d7ckvjf_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wm.png
th06.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/259/4/4/twilight_by_violetdragonian_d6w6047_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wf.png
fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/259/4/2/beta_sketch_of_rarity_4_by_violetdragonian_d6ux9ew_by_chaoticnote-d7zg50l.jpg
fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/3/f/beta_sketch_of_spike_1_by_violetdragonian_d76852y_by_chaoticnote-d7zg508.jpg
fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/8/b/beta_sketch_designs_of_rainbow_dash_and_pinkie_pie_by_chaoticnote-d7zg51f.jpg

[ConfusementIsKey]

*sniffs the air* Ah~
I smell an emergency involving an artist....

[Chaotic Note]

2469417
you wanna try out?

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469464 Mm yes, I frankly have nothing to do today. What do I have to do to "try out?"

[Chaotic Note]

2469469
Look at these designs and see how well you do. Pick one, or choose all. Idk. Oh, and it has to be a different pose and background too.
fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/259/c/8/applejack_by_violetdragonian_d71f3c5_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wq.png
fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/2/6/fluttershy_by_violetdragonian_d7ckvjf_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wm.png
th06.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2014/259/4/4/twilight_by_violetdragonian_d6w6047_by_chaoticnote-d7zg4wf.png
fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2014/259/4/2/beta_sketch_of_rarity_4_by_violetdragonian_d6ux9ew_by_chaoticnote-d7zg50l.jpg
fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/3/f/beta_sketch_of_spike_1_by_violetdragonian_d76852y_by_chaoticnote-d7zg508.jpg
fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/259/8/b/beta_sketch_designs_of_rainbow_dash_and_pinkie_pie_by_chaoticnote-d7zg51f.jpg

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469515 *pops knuckles and neck* No problem. Anything else?

[Chaotic Note]

2469521
Uhhh also pick an existing location of Equestrian Earth for a background I guess.

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469592 *smiles awkwardly* ...Oops...

[Chaotic Note]

2469596
Opps? Well whatever background you pick, i'm sure it's fine

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469632 Phew. I've already started it, but it's my fault for asking the excetera diologue...

[Chaotic Note]

2469638
excetera dialogue?

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469656 There isn't a spell check and I have a dumb way of describing things. -____-
Anywayyyss~
Are you only posting the admission on this site?

[Chaotic Note]

2469662
i guess.

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469664 Hm. Okay.

[Chaotic Note]

2469675
Oh uh I forgot to mention that I already have someone else doing it. That's why I'm a bit confused on why you asked.

[ConfusementIsKey]

2469733 You said something about trying it out...

[Chaotic Note]

2475104
Well, keyword is try. I mean you don't have to do it if you don't want to. The last person I told that to said they wanted to do it anyway cause they felt like it. Whatever you want to do is completely up to your freedom choice.