Actually, I 'm thinking 3d is gonna save you loads of trouble in the long run. Especially if the artist makes each body component interchangeable. And use same reference for animation.
Both 3d and 2d can make something like this without too much trouble; but 3d can expand on the characters much faster.
http://armoredkangaroo.deviantart.com/art/Ogre-Battle-64-Classes-142235265
Put an ad up on a forum like polycount or deviant art, and then ask people who are interested what their price would be. Find someone who's price is inline with what you can afford, and then negotiate with them.
Simple: Some hobbyists will do it at no cost. Some intermediate semi-professionals will do it very cheap. A full time professional will charge the equivalent of $30.00 USA dollars per hour or more (40 - 60 is more typical but can go into the hundreds per hour for world class artists), though you may be able to negotiate payment deferred until release or even royalties in a few cases.
There are hobbyists who do actual professional quality work, so be encouraged to seek such by advertisement. Some good artists are looking to get experience and references, so you may find them, too, at low cost. You will have to be aggressive to seek them.
Make only reasonable claims and promises to artists.
Clinton
Personal life and your private thoughts always effect your career. Research is the intellectual backbone of game development and the first order. Version Control is crucial for full management of applications and software. The better the workflow pipeline, then the greater the potential output for a quality game. Completing projects is the last but finest order.
I have not seen a small or one-man indie team produce nice 3D graphics.
The good 3D artists are much in demand, largely because it combines tough skills in 2D, 3D, general art skills, and understanding of game design into creating content. I actually have seen a few in small or indie organizations, but they are indeed going to bigger ones which pay better in general. Hey, I read about a 3D artist (sorry, don't remember the names) who earns a 6 digit income per year, though he supplements his movie 3D rendering with game content in the between times.
Clinton
Personal life and your private thoughts always effect your career. Research is the intellectual backbone of game development and the first order. Version Control is crucial for full management of applications and software. The better the workflow pipeline, then the greater the potential output for a quality game. Completing projects is the last but finest order.
