Well, I'm sure they will understand.

Health before anything c:

Absolutely. I love doing commissions soo much, it's a great motivator! But when things go wrong (such as my computer committing suicide for 3 months) I become panicked and stress takes over. I've been utterly terrified about not getting everything done. Frankly, there is a lot on my plate and not much reward.

- Why do so many commissioners do art for $30, when it takes them 2 days to complete?[i]

Because when everyone and their (non-anthro) dog is doing stupid-detailed art for $5-10, it's hard to compete unless you're uber-popular :/

[i]- Do you think current trends are encouraging people to take advantage of young artists?

Yes. Consider the above - most of the $5-10 artists are (or at least seem to be) young and new to the fandom, and think that they can "make their break" by selling super-cheap art, when all they're really doing is getting swindled. They can't raise their prices because people will piss and moan about how they're "charging too much," and carry on about how no one will buy from them if their prices go up... so they keep their prices low to appease "the customers," screwing themselves and other artists (who can't compete with their prices) in the process.

- Is it fair?

I don't think so, no.

- Discuss.

Hmm, not much to discuss, I don't think. Pricing art is a big problem, not just here on FA but everywhere - even in more professional venues - because so few people truly value art and the time and effort that goes into creating it. So inexperienced artists get pressured to sell lower, and lower, and lower, which makes it harder and harder for more experienced artists to keep their foothold and still turn a decent profit.

I agree with everything you have said. I think pricing has become a problem everywhere, even in the real world- You get the young artist, working their butt off and barley being able to pay bills, and then you will get the social climbing artists who manage to sell their art for millions (which honestly, it's a bucketload of money, but good on 'em for being able to make their living that way!)

I think it is a massive problem. Especially online, and the furry fandom seems to be one of the worst culprits for it.
I think part of the problem is due to the massive unemployment rate among furries, coupled with the gigantic demand for art. When $10 is all a typical furry can afford per artwork, that's all they are willing to pay. And artists get undervalued for it.
The concept of saving to buy art at a fair price is extraordinarily rare in this community.

Aw, that's a shame. There's just not enough hours in the day are there?

Totally know how you feel. My Mate Juindalo struggles with the same thing. He has a job, and wants to still do art and use his degree, and is almost always forced to do commissions for some extra scrap. It;s a never ending battle trying to balance. I hope everything works out well with School and your personal art. And I am sure it will :)
Juindalo and I were trying to get money together for a good nice fancy commission for you to do, but we haven't been able to yet. But no worries :)

To answer your lovely questions.


- Why do so many commissioners do art for $30, when it takes them 2 days to complete?
I actually charge less then that even. I have sold my paintings to earn money for my mate's rent in a pinch for $10. It;s because no one on here wants to pay jack shit for good art. They want it awesome and cheap. Hell my mate has it worse then me when it comes to the time involved vs money. He has had people get away with full animations for $25. Just luck of the draw. But the bottom line is, no one wants to pay what the art and the artist's time is REALLY worth. They all hold a stalemate and just make the artists lower their prices.

- Do you think current trends are encouraging people to take advantage of young artists?
As long as both parties do the trades. I personally LOVE doing trades, but half the time I am the only one that keeps up my end. Sometimes they do just fine, but there are like 2-3 people in particular that have yet to do anything for me as my end of the trade.

- Is it fair?
This is completely unfair. I am not nearly as good an artist as you are, but I think I am decent, and deserve the pay for the amount of time it takes me ti digitally paint a picture. So I am basically just not doing anything for anyone (aside form this practice work to get back in the saddle after the surgery) Unless they pay the proper price.

Some charge cheap because of the competition. Supply and demand. But there are those would would take cheap commissions because it's a side job. They don't depend on it for this rent or bills, they do it for a bit of mad money. Also, some may work on multiple commissions at one time so while each commission may take two days, they are also doing 3 other ones in that time span as well.

Is it taking advantage of the artist? Honestly, I don't think so. If the artist offers the commissions that low, then they are taking advantage of themselves. Many artists work part time as well to make ends met until their artwork is worth the amount needed to live on it.

Is it fair? Yes and no. It's not fair that really good quality artwork is undercharged. However, who's fault is that? Sometimes it's fair, other times it's not. On the other hand, if everyone here was charging more, there would be less of a market and many people would still be struggling. Life's not always fair, mean as that sounds.

Hello, I'm new(ish) to FA and just stumbled upon this post going through your little corner of FA. You are very talented It is sad to hear you sound so overwhelmed, hopefully things are running a little smoother for you these days.

As for your questions.

- Why do so many commissioners do art for $30, when it takes them 2 days to complete?

I do commissions for free, but only if I like the concept of the pic. Though, these should probably be classed more as requests than commissions, though I am only new to FA and haven't done many yet. For me it is about the art, not the money.

- Do you think current trends are encouraging people to take advantage of young artists?

Sadly many people with trades, art or otherwise, seem to be taken advantage of, like other comments mentioned, supply and demand, cheaper prices will always seem more appealing to the buyer. I know this isn't really positive but it is honest...

- Is it fair?

No, many good artists I have seen on this site and other sites (Yourself included) do incredibly good art, but once again, people more often than not want cheap.

Hope things turn out better for you (Personally and with your art) in the future.

Keep your chin up and keep up the good work.

- Mav083

I know this is extreamly old But i was scrolling through random art work and saw your page :)...

IN all if a viewer does not like that you quit drawing for your health sake and mind set..then they themselves are in the wrong..all of what you explained is hard on the body mentally and physically..I do hope to some day see more of your art so i'll have a +watch on you..
Be well~

As for this...-

For the sake of curiosity, to all other artists out there:
- Why do so many commissioners do art for $30, when it takes them 2 days to complete?
I agree with the above comments..a lot of artist do cheap as can be art...just to try and get a name for themselves...

- Do you think current trends are encouraging people to take advantage of young artists?
I do..its sad..i've seen people try and sell art and seen them torn down in a live stream...something that was 5 dollars was made free due tot he complaining..i mean..everyone wants art..but do not deminish the value of their art...

- Is it fair?
Not at all...I feel horrible seeing artist with such talent get pushed down on the value..i really do think this website its self is a bad starting point...its full of greedy no job people...some who do have a great job and make 15+ on their daily job..its sad seeing people fluant their 2000+ fursuit they bought but will not pay 5bucks for art.

- Discuss.
In this fandom yes their are people who make money and the ones who do not..i honestly feel if you do not have money do not go begging for free art unless they are doing a contest or something to the same matter...i honestly hate seeing art under 15 dollars...
it indeed will not ever change due to the high volume of what people think they deserve..some never give tips...