Stainless: Not really interested in buyers of 3D meshes, now if you were buing 2D concepts... might be interested. ; )
TheNut: There are three good reasons for me to keep the full rights to 50% of the creatures. 1. I'm making "sure" that 50% of what subscribers receive is unique to MonstersByEmail, and nothing they can have later by purchasing another product featuring my creatures. The majority of subscribers will be role-players and artists, rather than publishers. 2.If I want to I can sell the rights (exclusive, or non-exclusive) of 50% of them later on, at another price, perhaps at the best bid. 3. If I want to I can make sure that a future product of my own (like a book) features fairly exclusive content).
Royalties are more or less unheard of in the illustration business, unless you team up with someone who can't afford to pay for your work, and hope for good sales. When it comes to buying my time, I'm not closing that doorway. However, paying $35 per hour is another ball game. Illustrating a creature of this detail and quality takes about 16 hours. 16 multiplied by 35 is 560 dollars per creature. MonstersByEmail offers the non-exclusive rights to 2-3 creatures for $2.50, and that's the reason why this offer is attracting interest. While some might be able to hire an artist, most developers do not.
rouncer: Yes, I could probably learn more of Z-brush and do a decent job as a 3D artist, but I don't enjoy moddeling as much as painting. Thanks!