forewarning I am looking for free cover art
Y'know, I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't mind people looking for free art. Heck, back when I was in a different site, I gave out free art all the time. So yeah, I ain't schoolin' no one on it; I'm poor, you're poor, we all poor - I can understand 100%. I won't get mad at it.
The only thing I find very curious in SHF itself is how nobody's who's asking for art is actually
specifying what they want in the post itself. It's always either "read my story" or "DM me for details" - and that's far too broad, unfocused or draws far too much of a blank for an artist to be
inspired to draw anything for. It's that moment of inspiration that can make a difference between a requestor receiving something or not, imo.
So... word of advice because I
had been in a mood to drop surprise art on someone - it's not a bad idea to just put in a post, "I'm looking for art of an anime guy with purple hair in lavender crane robes. He's a crane god with a pretty face and long sleeves like birds' wings" and see who bites and what you'll get. I mean like BAMMM I could have immediately made initial concept art for it, no questions asked. Alterations can be done later on when you're looking for proper art from an actual artist you're commissioning - but then you'd already have a base to play with and you'll be able to request for other versions more easily next time. Think of it as development - multiple versions of the same thing can inspire a final look. Many characters - right down to their styling and garments - take time to develop to their full state.
I do kinda bum around in the forums now and then during festivals and holidays looking for illustration requests to fill - I'm pretty sure a few of us do at least. The idea here is to have at least a minor description to
entice or inspire someone to want to make it on the fly. If it's a BL request, the chances are significantly higher to get one from me; if it's up my alley I'll likely nibble with a sketch. If it's a futa request it might inspire a futa fan to draw it. If it's a request to draw a waifu, a waifu fan might fill the request. Therefore I feel it's a good idea to specify things a little and create some focus.
Anyway, whatever it is, good luck. It doesn't seem easy to get art on the forums here. I'd recommend posting on Twitter or Reddit to get some.
