I would say after 2 weeks ask them about it, if they dont answer try one more week. But I say a month, unless of a good reason

I think it depends on the type of medium being used in making the commission. Digital art usually takes a few days while a full-scale portrait on canvas takes weeks.

Well, for me it depends on the situation and the artist. If the artist has good reason for being slow, such as recovering from surgery or something, then a delay is understandable. Also, communication is very important. I know of whom you are referring and I can tell you there is a long line of folks waiting for art from him. Since he already mentioned he has something like 150 pieces he is working on that have already been paid for, I think the wait is going to be quite long.  tiptoe has been waiting since MFF 2010 for a piece from him and requested a refund months ago. Since the artist spent the money, he can't give any refunds. I'm waiting for two pieces from him since MFM 2011 and  holliehyena is as well. I think it is incredibly irresponsible this artist also goes to MANY furcons each year (as well as having an Executive Suite for him and his friends to stay in at Further Confusion this year) and keeps taking on commissions, but is not making much progress in getting his queue cleared out. I gave up asking about my pieces and am just waiting to see what happens. Considering the many thousands of dollars this artist has taken in on commissions and the sheer numbr of pieces he needs to finish, it will take probably years for him to catch up.

150 Commissions in queue? The words "greedy" and "stupid" come to mind.

Well, those are two words that come to mind. I have some others, but I'm trying to keep my replies on the cordial side.

I know who you're talking about, but he's not the subject of this journal.

Ah, my apologies for the inference. My comments still stand and I hope you are able to resolve your situation in a manner which works for you.

Communication is indeed key, you should always be getting a WIP or at least an email from the artist/writer about your commission if you paid for it already.

And I also have to agree, the artist/writer shouldn't spend the money straight away.. not till the work is done, I dunno though I have a feral dragon reference and I was told it would take up to like 6 months to complete it >.<

Also noting the artist in the artist beware is a good way to keep people from making the same mistakes.. if its just a simple art piece you shouldn't have to wait more then a month, if so I would demand a refund or place them on artist beware.. lord knows I don't want to commission whoever it is your both talking about >.<

Tried requesting a refund for one of the pieces, but the artist set it up through a friend that is no longer in contact with the artist.

At that point in time I would have put them on artist beware hun >.<

Thats rather underhanded if you ask me, seems a bit too suspicious as well

I would think it underhanded, but the guy's still really active on this site.

Depends a lot what kind of art it is. Sketches, B/W, Flat colors, etc. But in any case I'd say 1-2 months tops, unless said artist has a large enough queue (and in that case, he shouldn't be taking any more commissions, or taking the money until he's near your place in the queue)

In your case, have you tried Artists_beware on livejournal?

It's going on 33 months for a pencil sketch. And I've never heard of artists_beware before.

http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/
I'd recommend yo uair your grievance here if he stopped replying to you, plus you'll warn other people not to commission said artist.

THANK YOU for posting this. I had heard of it from one of the FA Admins when I asked about what recourse there was with respect to artists not fulfilling their obligations, but was never given any more information. This is extemely helpful.

You're welcome!

Longest I've waited was a year for two different artists, one finally just refunded me (only half) and the other gave me some half-assed piece of art and I only asked him three times over the coarse of a year about it, so its not like I bugged him. Though I'd say a month at max, depending on what you get though and how long of a waiting list there is. I think many artists make the mistake of not creating a list for all to see and they just keep taking in commissions, sometimes finishing off something they just received without touching something someone commissioned six months ago.

I would ask for my money back by now. If he doesn't respond if you paid for it through paypal I believe you can get it back for "services not rendered". If they still do that. I know sometimes being pushy works, took me threatening to put one of the two artists I had issues with on the artists beware site.

I would say that it depends upon what sort of situation the artist is in. Bt more importantly, how much/well they communicate with you during the wait time. If they keep you updated with the reasons for the delay, it's a lot easier to be understanding.

Like I said, the artist has stopped replaying while still being active around FA. I'm running short on non-belligerent options.

Well....it's your money. If you're down to the point where belligerent options are your only recourse....do what you have to do.

Honestly I hate waiting more then a month, but I think a commission shouldn't take anymore then 3 months, and the artist should keep their queue small and managable.

And one major peeve I have is that an artist will open for commissions, tell you that it will be done soon, and instead open up for MORE commissions and end up doing theirs instead. Doing stream s and just totally putting you off. This has happened to me a couple of times. And yeah, its abit discouraging.

Its like..seriously. Thats my fucking money.

Currently, my longest wait is about 5 1/2 years and counting. I've all but forgotten about it, actually, and should really just write it off. I'm not angry with the artist, heck, it's been so long ago, I don't even miss the amount I paid. That, and it was an extraordinary set of circumstances why the commission wasn't done.

As is apparent from the above, I'm a very patient person when it comes to waiting for commissions; mainly because I know how Real Life ™ can get in the way sometimes, and how things can get pushed to the back burner.

I've had one paid for and waiting for about. Four months now. With almost no communication, I feel like that's way too long. If they'd just give me an update once a month I'd understand, but i'm starting to wonder if I should take action soon. Years though? I would have been pissed!

Well, here's the thing I've been dealing with and stuff I've seen.

Almost 2 years ago I commissioned an artist. The picture I admit is something really complex, and the artist told me it was going to take a while. A couple months later, he closed commissions citing a few issues and refunded money to everyone except two persons, one of them was me. He wrote me a note explaining his situation, and he told me he could refund me and call it off, or if I wanted to wait for a while after solving some problems. Honestly I have had commissioned this artist before and have never been dissapointed with his work. So I agreed to wait. Recently he showed a WIP and told me is almost done. The picture is looking better than I expected and should be completed soon.
What I liked is that he made it clear was going to take long, but meanwhile kept in touch when possible. And also during the time, this person did not uploaded any work of his, to this means to me he was truth on what he explained was happening.

The other case is that I did a trade, and commissioned another artist. My side of the trade was done a year ago, and this artist kept mentioning he was working on my picture several times. It was until late last year that I got to see sketches (and honestly not really impressive) and again the claims they will be get done soon. About a month later the artist did several mentions of being working on them and well, so far up to today, nothing. And he has been submitting other artworks and keep opening more commissions. On this case, what upset me is the lies he's been telling me about getting stuff done.

As you see I don't mind time at all, I mind communications and what they keep me updated or not.

I'm starting to believe that a timeline should be set when a commission is taken on. A timeline and possibly a down-payment plan. I currently have 2 on the fly, both were supposed to be done within a few days, one is bordering on a year the other is a holiday theme that has passed.

I do find it irritating that a person has to work first then gets paid where artists here take a full sum of money, use it, and take their time on the work (if it ever gets started that is). I would suggest getting in contact, set a timeline, and if it goes any longer, refund then blacklist.

Hope you get your piece.

one full season. AKA 3 months.

Longer if said person has a day job or school.