Sooo, while I'm working away here (got four commission sketches going, just alternating between all of them to keep the momentum going) I find myself facing a dilemma that cropped up back in May. I keep avoiding this topic, because it makes me feel like a jerk.  aliasi as always, has been a good source of logical rationale, and keeps reminding me to just do the math and stop screwing myself.

I blame all my time spent at call centers being brainwashed to make sure the customer is happy. All of you people are great people, still when I count dollars from commissions, I go into customer service mode. I like to think that this helps me with commissions a little more, making sure I deliver the best/most accurate product I can for a person's cash.

This is the dilemma though, I'm running into 6+ hours on a $15 commission, because while I'm spending time trying to figure out the sketch and work the anatomy, I'm not doing something that's making cash. I keep trying to argue it this way and that. I can't ignore my rather, touchy, financial situation.

I'm either looking at a part time job to supplement my income and relegating art to a side hobby. Or up the rates I charge for commissions to make more money off them. It's not something I've taken lightly, I'm two months down the road and I still feel like it would be highway robbery.

Sooo I'm going to fish my small little following for suggestions, comments and ideas;

How much would you pay?
Don't worry so much about time involved. Just figure if you had some disposable cash, what would you be willing to spend on commissions of similar style & improving quality?

1 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/564804/

This is a truer form of a 'digital painting', no actual line art. This is what I'm leaning towards with my regular efforts.

2 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/690836/

More traditional lineart & blended color job.

3 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/657517/

Simple, concepty sketch thing.

Sooo, for 1, 2 & 3, respectively, what would you people with your generous wallets and purses pay? Please, ask your friends, I'd love to get back to taking commissions at a reasonable rate for everyone involved.