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artists in pink/commissioners in orange...DA RULES
15 years ago
After hearing some not-so-good stories from commissioners and what-not I thought it was time to write one of these...I feel the stuff I'm about to say shouldn't need to be said...but I am constantly shown that people are idiots...so....here we go...
Word of warning...this is gonna be long...But I hope it is, at least, informative.
Artists...Imma start with you.
Once you get the huevos to decide to get paid for your art here are a few things I think you need to remember.
You are not GOD.
Your art is not so good that you can treat people like crap.
You can be replaced by any other artist.
I hear more and more stories about YOUR commissioners coming to ME because you can't keep your $hit straight. Now granted, I like the business...No...I LOVE the business...so why go into the commission field if you're gonna pull stuff like....charging people extra to see a presketch, not correcting mistakes YOU made in the first place, making people wait DANG NEAR A YEAR for a commission they paid you in full? If you can't handle your work load you still owe the people who trusted you with their money the product you promised. And if you can't? Full refund. No questions asked. Appologize for your douche baggery and learn a lesson.
Message EVERYONE who messages you back about commissions...
Even if their vision is something you won't go anywhere near the least you can do be courteous and decline the business...Leaving your potential customers in PM limbo will do you no good and the customer will remember how you didn't have the time to say NO but plenty of time to rant about INKBUNNY.
Your prices should not depend on private or public commissions. If you send a finished product thru email or submit that here why should someone have to pay more? There's no postage...No packaging? No EXCUSE...
I think I'll touch back on the presketch bit...you're already gonna make a sketch before a finished product right? So why not let people see what they're getting so if there are mistakes...which do happen...you can correct them before tons of time is spent. And the customer will be happy to have the piece finished AND correctly done. If a piece you just finished looks NOTHING like your gallery it's like false advertisting...like pushing pepsi on a soda machine and getting mt. dew....I HATE THAT! A commission shouldn't be like playing roulette... there should be consistency in your quality. If I buy your cola it had better not be green!
Thank your customers....they DIDN'T have to come to you in the first place. For every artist like me there is probably someone better and cheaper so get off your high horse and stop acting like you're a self supported structure...you need your foundation (your fans) and the moment you neglect them you may as well close shop because word of mouth is powerful. It will bring and take business away much better than your journals advertising sales....
Harsh?
Oh commissioners you're next...
As an artist around here I have to say most of my transactions have been very smooth. No one has stiffed me and I think, overall, my customers would rate my service, at least, satisfactory. But I do have some gripes that I would like to share from an artists' point of view.
"I don't have money"
Ok...we've all done this one...myself included...but if you're really trying to run a business and you get this message all the time I have to ask myself....WHY? If you don't make a purchase I know you don't either have money or interest....and that's okay. I don't go into the grocery store, find the manager and comment how much I love their tomatoes but won't be buying today. *scratches head* I dunno....I guess this one is more of a pet peeve lol
If you're in the market for a commission you have your pick of the litter...and most artists that are open for commissions are probably going to want the same things I do when people ask me for a slot.
-If you are ready to get a commission state clearly your intentions in a single message. Explain the who/what/where/when/why. If you have a link to a ref sheet include it.
EXAMPLE:
Hello, ______. If you are open for commissions I would like a slot. I am looking to commission two characters (links to characters) hugging under a tree. Full color and shaded if possible. There will be no nudity. The clothing would be overalls without t-shirts. Thanks, (your name here)
Now...if the artist isn't a total dill hole they'll let you know yes or no. This formula also works for fetish commissions. Let them know EVERYTHING up front...no beating around the bush. AND ARTISTS? IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A REQUEST DON'T TAKE IT!
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the artist's FA page...most likely all your possible questions can be answered in one of their journals or right on the front page. Information like prices, paypal, and/or lists of products.
DON'T BE A BUGGABOO!
This is a BIG ONE...once you've reached an agreement with your artist of choice don't message them EVERY SINGLE DAY MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY asking if they've worked on it, if you can see it....etc... YES, as a customer you have the right to see what you've bought but don't kill your artists with constant badgering. Give them time. If your art needs a rush job you should let your artist know at the beginning.
An ARTIST is NOT your slave...be friendly...remember...these folks have your money. Once you've okay'ed your artist's presketches, be kind...having an artist change everything over and over is just not fair. Our time is just as valuable as your money. Also remember, we have lives outside of this site and the fandom...we are not on 24 hour stand by. We are human and sometimes, between the artings, life happens so be reasonable. This is not an excuse for artists to disappear for weeks on end without any word to commissions in progress.
Which leads to another point...if you feel the commission isn't going the way you want don't sit and pout...MENTION IT! Artists are NOT mind readers and if you HATE the way a piece is going say so. It'll be better for both parties in the end.
Altering pieces...
while I don't have an issue with this many artists do. If your whole plan is to dissect the art once you get it you should probably ask for permission from the artist first before pen ever touches paper. This includes: coloring lineart, changing colors in photoshop, using it as a template to copy and make similar art.
Word of warning...this is gonna be long...But I hope it is, at least, informative.
Artists...Imma start with you.
Once you get the huevos to decide to get paid for your art here are a few things I think you need to remember.
You are not GOD.
Your art is not so good that you can treat people like crap.
You can be replaced by any other artist.
I hear more and more stories about YOUR commissioners coming to ME because you can't keep your $hit straight. Now granted, I like the business...No...I LOVE the business...so why go into the commission field if you're gonna pull stuff like....charging people extra to see a presketch, not correcting mistakes YOU made in the first place, making people wait DANG NEAR A YEAR for a commission they paid you in full? If you can't handle your work load you still owe the people who trusted you with their money the product you promised. And if you can't? Full refund. No questions asked. Appologize for your douche baggery and learn a lesson.
Message EVERYONE who messages you back about commissions...
Even if their vision is something you won't go anywhere near the least you can do be courteous and decline the business...Leaving your potential customers in PM limbo will do you no good and the customer will remember how you didn't have the time to say NO but plenty of time to rant about INKBUNNY.
Your prices should not depend on private or public commissions. If you send a finished product thru email or submit that here why should someone have to pay more? There's no postage...No packaging? No EXCUSE...
I think I'll touch back on the presketch bit...you're already gonna make a sketch before a finished product right? So why not let people see what they're getting so if there are mistakes...which do happen...you can correct them before tons of time is spent. And the customer will be happy to have the piece finished AND correctly done. If a piece you just finished looks NOTHING like your gallery it's like false advertisting...like pushing pepsi on a soda machine and getting mt. dew....I HATE THAT! A commission shouldn't be like playing roulette... there should be consistency in your quality. If I buy your cola it had better not be green!
Thank your customers....they DIDN'T have to come to you in the first place. For every artist like me there is probably someone better and cheaper so get off your high horse and stop acting like you're a self supported structure...you need your foundation (your fans) and the moment you neglect them you may as well close shop because word of mouth is powerful. It will bring and take business away much better than your journals advertising sales....
Harsh?
Oh commissioners you're next...
As an artist around here I have to say most of my transactions have been very smooth. No one has stiffed me and I think, overall, my customers would rate my service, at least, satisfactory. But I do have some gripes that I would like to share from an artists' point of view.
"I don't have money"
Ok...we've all done this one...myself included...but if you're really trying to run a business and you get this message all the time I have to ask myself....WHY? If you don't make a purchase I know you don't either have money or interest....and that's okay. I don't go into the grocery store, find the manager and comment how much I love their tomatoes but won't be buying today. *scratches head* I dunno....I guess this one is more of a pet peeve lol
If you're in the market for a commission you have your pick of the litter...and most artists that are open for commissions are probably going to want the same things I do when people ask me for a slot.
-If you are ready to get a commission state clearly your intentions in a single message. Explain the who/what/where/when/why. If you have a link to a ref sheet include it.
EXAMPLE:
Hello, ______. If you are open for commissions I would like a slot. I am looking to commission two characters (links to characters) hugging under a tree. Full color and shaded if possible. There will be no nudity. The clothing would be overalls without t-shirts. Thanks, (your name here)
Now...if the artist isn't a total dill hole they'll let you know yes or no. This formula also works for fetish commissions. Let them know EVERYTHING up front...no beating around the bush. AND ARTISTS? IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A REQUEST DON'T TAKE IT!
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the artist's FA page...most likely all your possible questions can be answered in one of their journals or right on the front page. Information like prices, paypal, and/or lists of products.
DON'T BE A BUGGABOO!
This is a BIG ONE...once you've reached an agreement with your artist of choice don't message them EVERY SINGLE DAY MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY asking if they've worked on it, if you can see it....etc... YES, as a customer you have the right to see what you've bought but don't kill your artists with constant badgering. Give them time. If your art needs a rush job you should let your artist know at the beginning.
An ARTIST is NOT your slave...be friendly...remember...these folks have your money. Once you've okay'ed your artist's presketches, be kind...having an artist change everything over and over is just not fair. Our time is just as valuable as your money. Also remember, we have lives outside of this site and the fandom...we are not on 24 hour stand by. We are human and sometimes, between the artings, life happens so be reasonable. This is not an excuse for artists to disappear for weeks on end without any word to commissions in progress.
Which leads to another point...if you feel the commission isn't going the way you want don't sit and pout...MENTION IT! Artists are NOT mind readers and if you HATE the way a piece is going say so. It'll be better for both parties in the end.
Altering pieces...
while I don't have an issue with this many artists do. If your whole plan is to dissect the art once you get it you should probably ask for permission from the artist first before pen ever touches paper. This includes: coloring lineart, changing colors in photoshop, using it as a template to copy and make similar art.
I just wanted to point out, personally, when I go something akin to, "I love your art but have no money but I wish I could commission you!" it was simply as a show of an appreciation for their style, the piece they have posted, and my longing to be able to commission them. You're not the first artist to have posted this though, and I've been doing my best not to do it anymore >.>
People do that? Oi......
Admittedly, I've been a lurker most of my time on here, but even I commented a lot more than just "I have no money" x.x
when you get comments like that you're like....O....K? thanks for letting me know?
seriously...i think Imma start a fad...if someone posts a journal about commission slots (friends only of course) I'll tell them how much I like their tomatoes and reply "good day sir"
I think charging extra for corrections isn't the wisest method, but charging if the commissioner wants something changed from their previous request (ie: pose, clothing, etc), then yes, because it's not a mistake on the artists behalf, and it's extra time to redo everything.
I hope I've never upset a commissioner in any way, and now I feel inclined to go asking. XD; I try my damnedest to make people happy in that regard, especially when taking something I'm not comfortable with. :<
I think if you're worried you're probably not the type of artist I'm referring to...those are the ones who don't worry and treat people like a means to an end...effort shows and from what I've seen you do in your streams and gallery I would seriously be surprised if someone had something negative to say
meh...I'll leave it out...but yeah...commissioners....trust your artist....I guess that would be the jist of it lol
Remember guys! they don't have to do this for us...ask for your work check in every so often but don't badger the person. Don't pay in advance! i know sounds odd BUT as some one, who had once piece totally not what i asked for and never having gotten it righted by that artist, i paid in full ahead of time never asked for a sketch so take it from me! ask for a sketch if want payment up front in full i'd negotiate something like pay for a sketch and then color once happy with sketch.
really boils down to...be civil, be reasonable, don't be afraid to ask for things and don't be annoying and respect each other both ways. Be sure get work right with in reason... and communication is key! and yes yes read journals! i'm very bad about not getting all info requested in, because i read to fast or miss something... but really as a customer if your rude to me i'll go else where... seriously and works both ways... if your rude to the artist by god they don't have to do crap for you...
good post! i think something both sides needed to read!
On that note i do believe some incentive for doing art is always a must, be it half, or just paying for sketch first and then rest once your happy with the sketch is really way to go! and gah i know i'm so wordy xD i can't help it!
AMEN!!!!!!!! PREACH ON SISTAH!
Also, this goes for both parties, don't be a dick :/
<3
But I do agree on what you have said, both sides of it and I know I have caused some artists a bit of headache especially when I had my first commission asking constantly if it was done or what I could see of it, just like some deranged jack Russell terror being all eager and anxious.
I have tried not to be a problem but I know some out there will likely not draw for me again due to my past, thanks again for posting this up here, maybe some artists need to read this too since so far I have 2 outstanding commissions that have been about a year each and still not complete.
Thanks very much for the honest words spoken here. *Hugs*
I agree with you about artist makin their commissioners pay extra for sketches and changes in the beginnin. Also artists that charge extra for not havin a picture shown are retarded. Its not like havin one picture is gonna stop the art world from knowing about you. D:<
I've tried taking commissions. I simply don't have the temperament for it.
(I'm very proud of nipping an entire rant in the bud)