FA+
Shop
Commission news and updates! Also, I need your suggestions!
15 years ago
General
Hey everyone! [: Hope you're all doing well!
I just wanted to check in and finally make some official news about commissions and what not since I've been getting a few notes and emails lately about them. As you can see, I hope, I've finally picked up somewhat of a productivity streak again and have made myself some sort of schedule to work on a commission or two per day. So far this is rather successful, and I think it's mostly because I found myself a new motivation. Which, I wanted to talk about!
So, as most of you know, my commission list is rather long right now and I'm just now finding the inspiration to start plowing through them. Mostly got the help from my mom, who's finally come to terms with the fact that I really want to stay here in Florida. xD So she's all for that, as long as I help support myself with some sort of income. Not only that, but I also I have some side projects I want to start working on, but my mom also told me I'm on my own for that...so I need income for those as well. SO! Realizing this was enough to kick myself in the ass and start getting things done. I'm aiming to have a good majority of my list done before the Spring, and to be completely done by the beginning of the summer.
Another good motivation I found, is that I would really like to start holding auctions for a single commission only after good chunks of my list is completed. You know, kind of like "goal points" if that makes any sense.
I've already marked down the auction spots here on my list.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1953643/
As you can see, the first one is coming up very soon once my icons are all finished.
I figured this would be a good way to have some sort of income coming along, since from what I've learned, there's always going to be those times where I need money for something...whether it's for art supplies for class or a bill that needs to be paid, and I just don't have it and have to take in a few small commissions. So instead of taking in tons of commissions and adding on more to my backlog and getting stressed out about it, I figured I'd just hold an auction for one slot and one only. That, and to open that one slot, stuff on my current list will need to be completed in order to hold said auction. So, hopefully this benefits us all haha.
I hope this all sounds good! Because I'm rather excited now to start plowing through my list! I just need to figure out what to hold auctions for. That's where I need you guys' suggestions. I already know I want to hold an auction for reference sheets and digital pieces in general, but what would you guys be interested in getting from me? Let me know so I can start planning that out!
Another thing I wanted to say is that come this summer, my commission tos and prices are going to be completely revamped since I'll be needing to do commissions for a good chunk of my income now. So yes, this means that I will be raising my prices, but not to anything insane. Most of my prices will probably only go up by $5-$10 at the most. If anything, I will probably check in and say "Hey, are these reasonable to you guys or not?" fff.
So yeah, that's all I have to update on. C: I'm back in school now, but this semester is going to be pretty laid back, so I can stick to my commission schedule as it is now, especially if I can get Fridays off.
I just wanted to check in and finally make some official news about commissions and what not since I've been getting a few notes and emails lately about them. As you can see, I hope, I've finally picked up somewhat of a productivity streak again and have made myself some sort of schedule to work on a commission or two per day. So far this is rather successful, and I think it's mostly because I found myself a new motivation. Which, I wanted to talk about!
So, as most of you know, my commission list is rather long right now and I'm just now finding the inspiration to start plowing through them. Mostly got the help from my mom, who's finally come to terms with the fact that I really want to stay here in Florida. xD So she's all for that, as long as I help support myself with some sort of income. Not only that, but I also I have some side projects I want to start working on, but my mom also told me I'm on my own for that...so I need income for those as well. SO! Realizing this was enough to kick myself in the ass and start getting things done. I'm aiming to have a good majority of my list done before the Spring, and to be completely done by the beginning of the summer.
Another good motivation I found, is that I would really like to start holding auctions for a single commission only after good chunks of my list is completed. You know, kind of like "goal points" if that makes any sense.
I've already marked down the auction spots here on my list.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1953643/
As you can see, the first one is coming up very soon once my icons are all finished.
I figured this would be a good way to have some sort of income coming along, since from what I've learned, there's always going to be those times where I need money for something...whether it's for art supplies for class or a bill that needs to be paid, and I just don't have it and have to take in a few small commissions. So instead of taking in tons of commissions and adding on more to my backlog and getting stressed out about it, I figured I'd just hold an auction for one slot and one only. That, and to open that one slot, stuff on my current list will need to be completed in order to hold said auction. So, hopefully this benefits us all haha.
I hope this all sounds good! Because I'm rather excited now to start plowing through my list! I just need to figure out what to hold auctions for. That's where I need you guys' suggestions. I already know I want to hold an auction for reference sheets and digital pieces in general, but what would you guys be interested in getting from me? Let me know so I can start planning that out!
Another thing I wanted to say is that come this summer, my commission tos and prices are going to be completely revamped since I'll be needing to do commissions for a good chunk of my income now. So yes, this means that I will be raising my prices, but not to anything insane. Most of my prices will probably only go up by $5-$10 at the most. If anything, I will probably check in and say "Hey, are these reasonable to you guys or not?" fff.
So yeah, that's all I have to update on. C: I'm back in school now, but this semester is going to be pretty laid back, so I can stick to my commission schedule as it is now, especially if I can get Fridays off.
As for the auction itself, I'm drawing a blank on anything specific/special you could do. Possibly a fun theme of sorts. All I know is a ref sheet by you would be the most delicious thing ever.
Haha aw, I kind of have my mind set on the first auction being for a reference sheet, but I just wanted to check in with everyone and see what everyone's interested in first before I make the final decision. [: If that's the case, I'll need to finish a ref sheet commission I already have so I can use that one as the example.
Ahhh, I'm excited for youuu
I bet a few folks would love to have a full traditional piece from you as an auction. The animal portrait you did a while back with acrylics was really beautiful, that could be something to try maybe (though perhaps not until auction 4 or 5, after you know how your auctions in general are fetching sort of deal). The only downside might be the cost of materials, however, you'll have to factor in and think about that one a little. You already have references down, which is great - those usually go really well.
Looking forward to you reopening once everything is completed - I'd love to grab something from you once time allows it haha.
I agree with Phantasmagora in that a traditional illustration of some sort would undoubtedly be popular. Reference sheets are also an item not often offered, so they'll likely be very much wanted as well. Not to mention that yours are typically detailed and fascinating to look through, not to mention the variety of expressions that you draw.
At any rate, the auctions sound like a great way to earn a little extra cash for the endeavors you're planning. Best of luck to you in pursuing them! :D
I might have to creeper stalk your auctions when the come around :B
Glad things are looking up for you! :D
I am aware you have set it out as easiest commissions come first, however I have been waiting since 2009 and am near the bottom of the list (as with a many others although I don't know their ordering time.) Yet badge commissions from mid-late last year and sketches from a bit earlier are higher upon the list.
As much as I want you to have the freedom to work through them the best way for you, I believe it would have been better if you sort it out entirely based on who has been waiting the longest, to newest This is coming from someone who has sat through many "I am on holidays, I will work on commissions!" and "Taking more commissions!" journals, and is still yet to see hers plus has not complained to you about the wait, until now.
I wouldn't understand why you would want to do heaps of icons, then heaps of badges etc in blocks anyway. It may just be me but swapping and changing between styles. techniques and types of commissions is what helps me no become stale or artblocked- which in turn causes none to be done
Another small thing but IMO based on how you have handled your commissions over the past few years, as much as art for money sounds great I don't think you should be relying on it as an income until you have completed school. A part time job somewhere, no matter how horrible is more reliable. Many people work and go to college/uni/school and I think it should be an option for yourself. If it already is though, I would encourage it greatly, even if its a few hours a week or something, its still money in your hands that doesn't rely on you having the inspiration to be creative.
/novel
However, as I stated in the journal about that to-do list, I said I would be skipping from category to category, and going in order. I'm still sticking to that, I didn't say I was going to go in this direct order. It's just, when I have a section completed, that's when an auction will be held.
Basically, if you have been feeling this way about your commission all along, I really wish you had noted me about it sooner. I constantly tell everyone to keep in contact with me about their commission, especially since I'm in school. I understand how you feel though, and I do agree, my performance with commissions is pretty unprofessional and ridiculous, basically really shitty and has been getting worse ever since I've been in college. I had been taking in more than I can handle, and now it's gone a bit overboard. I guess I've been so used to taking in that many though because I used to be capable of going through long lists like this? However...that was back in highschool. College is more of a serious level obviously. I'm working to improve the way I handle commissions, and this is the first step towards that.
I would really love a part-time job right now, believe me, I actually have to get one for the summer to help pay for my apartment so I can stay here. It's just, during school I can't have one because of how my schedule runs. I actually just went through a local joblisting site to see what they had up for grabs and none of the shifts work with my schedule. :/ So I can't really manage a job until I'm off for school in May. I know a lot of students work and go to school, and I would love to as well...but with how Ringling works, well, they make it pretty difficult to have a job and go to school. There are on campus jobs, but even those conflict with my schedule too. Mostly because I have morning, afternoon, and evening classes all in one day on multiple days of the week. It's tough. A lot of us here would love to manage a job and go to school.
So, with that aside, if you'd like to, we can set up a deadline for your commission to be completed in a timely fashion. I'd actually like to get the most outstanding commissions off my list as soon as possible so I'm only dealing with people who commissioned me recently. If that sounds good to you, we can work out the rest of the details via a note. You can even change up characters, change the commission type, etc. Whatever you'd like to do so both sides can be satisfied.
I actual misunderstood that part at the top and now I gave you a lecture. Apologies, I seriously saw it as going through each chunk-but whos been waiting longest to shortest in that chunk then auction, rinse, dry then repeat
I've never known how college works in the US, I got into Game Art this year at TAFE (pretty much Australian college) and the earliest I start is 9:30, the latest I finish is 4:30. Its a shame they don't make it easier to live and do education there? At least from what I see you do get loans which is something I've never heard of down here.
I know I could have spoken up sooner I just never want to come off as impatient, rude or stress an artist out (no matter how long the wait)! I have people commission me who ask after a month whats happening, why its not done and I sometimes I lose the inspiration to do it because of pressure etc. Somehow I just think OH LOL EVERYONE WORKS THIS WAY. We artists are the same don't pressure or stress or bug us we are fragile and crumble!
I only speak up now because as said before, I totally misunderstood and thought I'd be waiting till most of everything else was done so yay for me at jumping to conclusions.
anyway I will send you over a note then!