The Luminary: Digital Concept Artist
ABOUT THE PROJECT
We are seeking an artist for our dark fantasy novel series. We are currently producing a full-cast audiobook, featuring recognizable talent, original music, and sound effects. Once complete, we plan to release five-minute visual episodes on YouTube. Each episode will feature a stylized text box with character portraits, expressions, voice-acted dialogue, and background artwork to set the tone of each scene. A rough mockup is attached to show the visual format. Those of you that remember old school RPG character text boxes will understand what we're trying to go for. In addition we will be producing documentary style lore videos for our channel as well that also require artwork.
PROCESS
In most cases you won’t be starting from scratch. We will provide a reference image to guide you. Either a generated base image created using MidJourney and Krea or real photography. Either way, these images will be thoughtfully and carefully produced and will be delivered in 2K to 4K resolution. We understand that some artists use references differently. You can paint directly over them or use them as a separate reference, whichever you prefer. The final result just must show clear artistic output.
Most base images we provide will already have the right lighting and mood. Your job will be to fix visual problems, focus attention where needed, and add new elements as required. Finished work must be submitted as layered PSD files. Foreground, middle ground, and background should be separated where possible and applicable. This allows us to apply basic after effects like parallax or light flicker during editing. If you offer this as well, please let us know as it would be considered an advantage and may lead to additional pay.
TONE & STYLE
This is a dark fantasy book series, so tone would be along the lines of an Elden Ring and perhaps Game of Thrones. A Dark Souls version of Lord of the Rings if you will. Realistic, mysterious, but contrastingly beautiful at times. As far as style we’d ideally we’d like to go semi-realistic. Unity, Unreal Engine 5 look, Something akin to the pre-rendered CG in the Dungeons and Dragons short on the show Secret Level on Amazon. We will of course try to provide reference images for you as close to this style as possible.
You must be working with a professional graphics tablet and a system that handles large layered files. We expect experience in digital painting software such as Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or equivalent. You must be comfortable with color, lighting, composition, and visual storytelling. Clean brushwork and consistency across scenes are important.
EXAMPLE JOB
A mock example AI image is here with edit notes. If it were real, you would receive a clean high-resolution file along with the task notes describing adjustments. From there you could use the clean image as a reference or to do an overpaint. Whichever you prefer.
PAY STRUCTURE & MEETINGS
We pay $60 per image. Currently we need around 20-25 images each month, which totals $1,200 - $1,500 per month. If you can show steady quality work, we’ll likely give you more than this. This role is for an artist who is creative, efficient and able to deliver artwork consistent with the author’s vision. Bonuses are available based on individual performance and team milestones. Full-time hours and pay increases are possible over time based on consistency, reliability, and quality.
This is an independent contractor position; allowing you to set your own schedule to accomplish projects. Aside from our meetings you're free to work at the location of your choice. No taxes will be taken from your pay, you will be responsible for your own taxes and benefits.
This job can be remote or hybrid with team meetings taking place at our office in Salt Lake City. If you are in the USA we can pay for your travel and accommodations for meetings if we deem necessary for you to be present. This would be rare. Most of the time Zoom or Facetime will suffice for attendance.
RIGHTS & OWNERSHIP
We retain full ownership and copyright of all artwork upon final payment. You may display the work in your portfolio or on non-commercial sites like ArtStation, with proper credit. You may not resell, reuse, or repurpose the artwork for any commercial use.
GROWTH POTENTIAL
This is a long-term project with significant expansion plans. As our series grows in popularity, more work will become available across episodes, lore content, promotional materials, and other media. This is a rare opportunity to get in at the ground level of a developing IP with recurring work and increasing creative scope.
HOW TO APPLY
Please include a resume and a tell us why you think you’d be a great fit. Also if you have a portfolio showing overpaint work, layered concept art, or dark fantasy images with the tone described, we’d like to see it. We are building a long-term project and want someone who sees the value in contributing to something serious. Please send all applications to careers@brightstonebooks.com with the subject being “The Luminary Application”. Please note, due to the number of applicants, we will only respond if you've made the second round per below.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Our hiring process consists of three rounds, with candidates being narrowed down at each stage. Applications will be taken until April 30th, 2025, but we may end it sooner if we find the right candidates. You will be notified if you have made it to the second round. Additional details about our fantasy series and specific projects will be shared with candidates who advance to the second round. If you are not contacted by the 30th then you did not make the second round.
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR OF OUR NOVEL SERIES
Over 25 years ago I started imagining the story of my novel series gazing at amazing art on various websites like the ones many of you create. Your work is inspiring. It inspired me. To think I might be able to see my story come to life by your hands is humbling. Thank you for considering working with us.