Frequently Asked Questions

Please read these Frequently Asked Questions. Youmay find the answer you are looking for here.

If you send me a message and don’t see an answer within a week, there is a chance you might have my email in your spam folder.

 

Can I get a signed copy of your books?

I sign all the books available on my online store (Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas, I am Ruby Bridges, My Hair is Poofy and That’s Okay, The Golden Girls of Rio, World Cup Women).

For all the other books (The Artivist, Born on the Water, Black Panther Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, That Flag), I only sign them at live events. You can purchase a copy at an event or bring your own copy. I am always happy to sign your books in person!

Whenever I travel all over the US, I always stop by bookstores and sign any available copies of my books, so always check to see if they have the “Autographed Copy” at your local bookstore.

Many of you ask to ship books to me to get them signed personally but unfortunately I don’t do that.

Do you do School Visits? 

I do. Please send me an email with all the information about your school, location and grades of classes you want me to speak to. My school visits are different depending if I am visiting a preschool/elementary/middle or high school. I do story times, talks, workshops. I usually do several schools/school visits in a trip. Please email me to know more. My manager always gets back to all requests, so if you don’t see an answer within a week, please check your SPAM inbox.

Do you do speaking engagements?

For speaking engagements, please email me with all the information about your event,  dates and location, your organization/company, the audience and send along any helpful links. My manager always gets back to all requests, so if you don’t see an answer within a week, please check your SPAM inbox.

Do you do commissions of personal artwork for other people?

Unfortunately, I don’t do commissioned family portraits or personal tributes.

Do you design Logos?

I very rarely design logos. I think graphic designers are better at it and I suggest you look into those who do that for a living.

Do you create commissioned artwork for companies, non profit organizations?

Send your inquires to theartofnikkolas@gmail.com with the following info:

  • Tell me about you, your company/organization

  • Tell me about the project

  • Tell me about what you are specifically looking for from me

  • Tell me about schedules/deadlines

My manager usually writes back to let you know if I am interested in furthering the conversation or not. If you don’t see an answer within a week, please check your SPAM inbox.

What are your rates/fees? 

Every project is different and requires a different amount of work, alas every project has a different fee for me. There are many factors that I consider into budgeting an artwork. I don’t share fees upfront unless I am interested in a project and I have all the information to engage in the conversation.

Many artists decide if they may consider working on a project first and they don’t automatically say yes, so please consider not asking about fees or rates before you have introduced yourself and your project properly.

Can you illustrate my picture book?

I only consider projects that come through publishers. I don’t consider any self published books.

Can you animate something for me?

I'm not an animator and there are incredibly talented people that specifically do that.

Can you review my book or my portfolio?

I wish I had more time for that, but unfortunately I can’t.

Can you help me get my book published?

I am not a literary agent and I recommend you look into one if you are serious about getting into this industry. You can also learn from the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators.

Do you know other illustrators that can help me with my book? 

I suggest reaching out to artists who state "open for commissions" on their social media profiles or on their websites. There are also many boutique agencies that represent artists and you may want to reach out to them and inquire about a collaboration.

Where can I buy your books?

Most of my books can be found everywhere books are sold. I recommend you support your local bookstore.

Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas and My Hair if Poofy and That’s Okay can only be found on my online store.

Where can I buy your artwork?

My online store is available at www.NIKKOLAS.art .

Most of my prints and products are available there.They are made to order through my amazing print shop Static Medium in downtown LA.

I then pick up the printed artwork, I stamp and sign every single print and package it carefully. I am not as fast as Amazon so please read all the terms in the description of the items you are buying to see how fast it will take to receive any order.

I also sell calendars, greeting cards, magnets, mugs, stickers and tee shirts. 

Not all of my pieces are available for sale.

Do you have the original for sale?

If the art was painted digitally, I don’t have “the original” as the original is a JPEG file. My acrylic on canvas are original pieces and the ones available can be found at this link:

https://www.nikkolas.art/canvas-art

How do you paint?

I work digitally in Photoshop with a Wacom Pro tablet or a Cintiq. I sometimes  paint on an iPad Pro. I also paint acrylic on canvas.

You can get a Wacom Pro Medium tablet at this link and get a 15% discount using the code NIKKOLAS15.

Do you have any tutorials?

I have an Artivism: Create Inspiring Art for Change class with Skillshare that you can check at this link and get a free 1-Month Skillshare trial http://skl.sh/nikkolas

You can also find some live painting I have done with Wacom and Adobe at these links:

How to Create Painterly, Semi-Abstract Speed Paintings | Nikkolas Smith Webinar

Drawing Semi-Abstract Portraits in Photoshop with Nikkolas Smith

Digital Speed Painting with Nikkolas Smith - 1 of 2 | Adobe Creative Cloud

Digital Speed Painting with Nikkolas Smith - 2 of 2 | Adobe Creative Cloud

Can I share your artwork?

Yes, but there are guidelines:

  • NO CROPPING

  • NO FILTERS THAT ALTER SATURATION

  • NO ADDED GRAPHICS /TEXT/LOGO on the image

  • GIVE CREDIT IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE IMAGE AND TAG ME AS THE ARTIST IN THE IMAGE. 

Can I use your work on my website/blog?

You can share my artwork following the guidelines but none of my artwork can be used to promote your website.

Can I use your artwork in textbooks/book?

Please send me an email telling me about the project, the book, the publisher and if I agree, we will discuss a licensing fee specific for your publication. My manager always gets back to all requests, so if you don’t see an answer within a week, please check your SPAM inbox.

Can I print your art/ put your work on t-shirts, bags, merch?

Any of my illustrations are not to be used for commercial use or changed to be used for the same. Products with my artwork cannot be created or sold without my permission and/or without a license agreement.

Replicating online art is illegal under US Copyright Law.

More questions?

Send me a message through my contact page