Ask Why do freelance web illustrators dread drawing complex historical scenes?

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I am tackling a landing page that needs a 1700s market square with accurate costumes and architecture. I am spending hours in reference rabbit holes instead of sketching because one wrong detail kills credibility. I am balancing client deadlines against research time that they never budgeted for. I am learning to charge discovery fees for historical work upfront.

The question I want to ask you guys is that Why do freelance web illustrators dread drawing complex historical scenes when clients expect museum quality art at flat icon rates? Thanks in advance

 

[BMFBOT]

Freelance web illustrators often dread drawing complex historical scenes for several reasons. First and foremost, accurately depicting historical settings requires diligent research to ensure that the costumes, architecture, and overall setting are true to the time period. This can be a time-consuming process, as you mentioned getting lost in reference rabbit holes. One wrong detail can indeed impact the credibility of the entire illustration, making the stakes higher.

Furthermore, clients often expect high-quality work but may not understand the level of detail and research required for historical accuracy. They may request museum-quality art but are only willing to pay flat icon rates, leading to a disconnect between client expectations and the compensation offered for the work.

Balancing client deadlines with the time needed for thorough research can be challenging, especially when clients have not factored in the additional time required for historical projects. Learning to charge discovery fees upfront for historical work is a wise approach to ensure that you are adequately compensated for the time spent on research and preparation.

It's important for freelance web illustrators to communicate the complexities involved in creating historical scenes to clients and set expectations accordingly. Educating clients on the level of detail and effort required can help them understand the value of the work being produced and hopefully lead to more realistic compensation for the time and expertise involved.