Hiring the right 2D game artist is one of the most important steps in creating a successful indie game. Whether you’re designing a platformer, RPG, or point-and-click adventure, high-quality 2D art helps your game stand out, tell a story, and connect with players. This guide explains how to hire a 2D game artist who can bring your vision to life.
If you want to see examples of comic-style, cartoon-style, and hand-drawn game art, visit my portfolio
Why Hire a 2D Game Artist for Indie Games?
Strong visual design gives your game a unique identity and helps players engage with your world. A 2D game artist can provide:
Bold, character-driven designs with personality
Hand-drawn backgrounds that build atmosphere
User interface elements that match your game’s style
Game-ready assets that integrate cleanly into your engine
For point-and-click games, comic-style and cartoon-style art works especially well because it enhances storytelling and makes environments visually rich without overwhelming gameplay.
What to Look for When Hiring a 2D Game Artist
When you hire a 2D game artist, review their portfolio carefully. Look for:
Experience creating assets specifically for indie games
Consistency in comic-style, cartoon-style, or hand-drawn illustration
Characters and environments that support narrative and gameplay
Work that fits point-and-click adventures, platformers, or story-driven games
An artist who understands how their art fits into your game — not just someone who creates nice images — will save you time and make your project stronger.
The Process of Working with a 2D Game Artist
Here’s what to expect when you commission 2D game art:
You provide a clear brief, including style references and asset requirements
The artist provides sketches or concepts for review
After your feedback, they move to line art, color, and final polish
You receive layered, clean files (e.g. PSD, PNG) ready for integration
To learn more about my process and what I offer, visit my services page
Licensing and Commercial Rights
Make sure the agreement covers:
Commercial use rights for your game
Whether the art is exclusive (important for main characters, branding, or key backgrounds)
Formats you’ll receive
This protects both you and the artist and avoids problems later.
Budgeting for 2D Game Art
The cost of 2D game art varies based on:
The number and complexity of assets
The level of detail
Style (comic-style, cartoon-style, hand-drawn art)
High-quality art is an investment in your game’s success. Especially in point-and-click games, where visuals drive much of the player’s experience, polished art is essential.
Conclusion
Hiring a 2D game artist is about more than finding someone who can draw. It’s about choosing an illustrator who understands how to create clean, expressive art that fits your game and helps tell your story.
If you’re looking to hire a 2D game artist who specializes in comic-style, cartoon-style, and hand-drawn art for indie games and point-and-click adventures, I’d love to hear about your project. Visit my contact page