So, I often hear about self publishers talk about 'amazing deals' they get off Fivrr etc for their illustrations. While I won't say this is outright bad, I think there are more ETHICAL ways to think about hiring your illustrator off such sites.

A thread -

If you're looking for an illustrator as a self publisher, first do your research and make sure the person is not stealing art. When you find an illustrator, check which country they are in.

Now -

Go do some research on that country. How much $ does a person need a month? How much MORE would they need to live comfortably? Can YOU help the artist with your project, by paying them enough to make THEIR LIFE BETTER for the 3-6 months it may take to illustrate your book?

Artists in such countries do get EXPLOITED - they can offer cheaper rates but their local markets are also not well developed, and getting work with publishers/clients in other more developed markets is HARD for them.

So they turn to things like Fivrr. To make it work, they may have to take on multiple jobs. This is BAD for their health and/or their career - working that hard causes hand injuries, and takes up time that could go towards developing their portfolio.

YOU could make a real difference by PAYING THEM ENOUGH so they do not have to juggle bad-paying jobs to survive. It is also a confidence boost, and helps the artist understand their work is worthwhile, and they don't have to settle for being cheap labor for life.

Afterwards, help by telling people about what a GOOD ILLUSTRATOR this person is. That's it. Don't talk about what an amazing deal you got - that just signals to other people the artist is only worth so much. Help them build their career based on their talent -

& be thankful you managed to work with them while they had affordable rates.

And please don't tell people that artists in developed countries ask for too much money. We pay the same prices as you, for rent/mortgage, food and services, and that money has to come from somewhere.