not an artist so this is from the perspective of a commissioner but it kinda feels validating if someone gets off to the stuff I commission or they fantasize about doing stuff with/to my characters.

the only exceptions is when they fantasize about stuff I would never commission or don't like (cub. Gore, etc). Or they see a pic they like and then they go from liking that pic/my character to liking and wanting to fuck me irl despite not knowing me or what I look like and saying I'm sexy and this that and the other. It's just weird to me and doesn't make sense, doesn't help they tend to be overly horny and have really awful social skills

Awww that's awesome!! I do agree that it can feel just as good to have people doing it to the stuff you've commissioned yourself! Especially when they want to be with your character, that's like one of the biggest compliments of how well-designed and visually attractive your character is ☺️
Ooh!! Yeah I can understand how people wanting to see or thinking about your character in uncomfortable kinks would be the exact opposite. Like your characters are a part of you, it's not right putting them in situations that you would never want to see them in, it's disrespectful to you and the character themselves.
And yikes on that last one!! That sounds not just uncomfortable but really terrifying too. I can't imagine people thinking it's okay to get sexual with your real self just cause they like your character... That's intrusive and disrespectful honestly as well. I hope that hasn't happened to you much.

unfortunately for the last bit it's extremely common. I would say 30-70% of dms I get would fall in that category. the range is so large because I don't respond if all someone says is "hello" or some other simple greeting, or they just send an image or a sticker and don't say anything. so it could be higher or lower if I started responding to those again

Wow that's really creepy and I can't believe people are so inconsiderate to just poke you about such sensitive (and honestly harassing) stuff like that. Yeah I wouldn't respond to those either, who knows what uncomfortable stuff would come from it.
I've been lucky to have less weird interactions like that but I have been in a few and it's incredibly uncomfortable, so I really sympathize with you on that. It'd be nice if respecting boundaries was a wider practice.

As a viewer and editor ((part-time artist)) I can say with confidence that this is in a sense... It's hot. Just knowing that a person liked the work and gets "special pleasure" from this work gives me even more inspiration for the next works. Often the OC is like a representation of the character himself and that he wants to try or experience ((within reasonable limits of course)) in a way, it makes him fall in love with your work. As well as a nice bonus, sometimes it's nice to hear praise about how much someone liked your work. In general, my assessment can be said to be more than positive.

Aww this is a lovely (and very deep) outlook on it! I love it and I agree. It really shows how much someone actually likes what you made when seeing it causes them to want to do that while looking at it. You're right in that it's almost like they're falling in love with it on a higher level, which as far as compliments go, that's huge ❤️