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On Commisions
12 years ago
I get asked every once in a while about doing commissions and I always say ‘no’. But, I always kind of feel bad when I do because I feel like I never do a good enough job of explaining why. I’m going to throw up some of my reasons here and then maybe that’ll make me feel better.
… Here we go.
Basically, the problem is this: I'm worried about drawing becoming too much like work. Accepting payments adds a level of responsibility and accountability that I don't really want to associate with doing art. Right now, I do it entirely for my own amusement and I share what make because I think other people might enjoy it. I like the idea of contributing back to a community that’s given me so much enjoyment from over the years. I'm worried that doing commissions will drain some (or all) of that fun out of things. Involving money automatically pulls issues of accountability, scheduling and response times into things. None of these things are fun.
Secondly, setting up payments and stuff is a pain. For my day-job I'm self employed. I already spend too much time doing accounting, invoicing, payment tracking and taxes. I'm completely anal when it comes to that kind of stuff, and I really don't want to do any more of it. Accounting work isn’t how I want to spend my free time, I have a job so that I can do the things I want to do when I’m not working. I don’t want to turn my hobby into a job.
Does that mean I don’t want to ever do art for other people? Absolutely not. I just don’t want to do art that I don’t find interesting. I understand that sounds quite mysterious, but let me put it this way: There’s TONS of characters out there that I love that I haven’t drawn (there’s even a few that I have!). If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve seen some of them. I love it when people suggest things for me to draw. Feedback is always amazing. People are amazing - they have way more ideas and creative juice than I ever will. I’ve never had anything suggested to me that I’ve straight up dismissed out of hand. Sure, there’s been things I didn’t draw, but honestly, they’re few and far between.
So what does this mean to you, Mr. (or Mrs.) internet user? Let me know what you want me to draw. Sure, there’s a chance I might not draw it but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. Pretty much the worst thing I’m going to do is ignore you.
… Here we go.
Basically, the problem is this: I'm worried about drawing becoming too much like work. Accepting payments adds a level of responsibility and accountability that I don't really want to associate with doing art. Right now, I do it entirely for my own amusement and I share what make because I think other people might enjoy it. I like the idea of contributing back to a community that’s given me so much enjoyment from over the years. I'm worried that doing commissions will drain some (or all) of that fun out of things. Involving money automatically pulls issues of accountability, scheduling and response times into things. None of these things are fun.
Secondly, setting up payments and stuff is a pain. For my day-job I'm self employed. I already spend too much time doing accounting, invoicing, payment tracking and taxes. I'm completely anal when it comes to that kind of stuff, and I really don't want to do any more of it. Accounting work isn’t how I want to spend my free time, I have a job so that I can do the things I want to do when I’m not working. I don’t want to turn my hobby into a job.
Does that mean I don’t want to ever do art for other people? Absolutely not. I just don’t want to do art that I don’t find interesting. I understand that sounds quite mysterious, but let me put it this way: There’s TONS of characters out there that I love that I haven’t drawn (there’s even a few that I have!). If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve seen some of them. I love it when people suggest things for me to draw. Feedback is always amazing. People are amazing - they have way more ideas and creative juice than I ever will. I’ve never had anything suggested to me that I’ve straight up dismissed out of hand. Sure, there’s been things I didn’t draw, but honestly, they’re few and far between.
So what does this mean to you, Mr. (or Mrs.) internet user? Let me know what you want me to draw. Sure, there’s a chance I might not draw it but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. Pretty much the worst thing I’m going to do is ignore you.
And don't forget the most endangered species of all, in many ways: humans. Having a critter suddenly go pink and bipedal is something not a lot of folks are doing these days!
As far as what I like to see from you? well honestly one of the reasons I loved your art when i first saw it years back was you already had great subject matter; you can never have too many dragons or dinos or other scalies imo! But one thing I really liked was your video game based TF's mainly because games are my highest go to for personal entertainment and yeah, zerglings are rad (although i really need to play natural selection, go gorge!) So yeah, any time a cool creature peaks your interest, odds are it'll already perk mine.
Sorry, got a bit carried away there.
I totally understand your points about not accepting commissions; I've never done story commissions and probably never will (despite numerous requests and attempts to persuade me for 'just one'). The difference between work and fun is that work is what you HAVE to do, fun is what you CHOOSE to do. Signing up to do a hobby to a schedule for money makes it work; and I've got enough to do already.
Heck, I don't even like trades, unless I'm seriously sold on an idea (it does happen, but it's rare for it to be externally generated); on a few occasions where a trade's gone a bit wrong, it's tended to hang over me and kill off other avenues of creativity too - pursuing them just makes me guilty I'm not doing what I said I'd do, and I hate that pressure. Commissions are a whole different ball game: it's an expectation that anyone can throw money at you at any time, and in the name of fairness you have to accept it (and give up your free time to do so). It's not a pleasant can of worms to open unless you have a lot of free time and want something to fill it with!
Most of my stories do indeed involve hot kobold action... though not all of them! They all do seem to involve reptiles and copious TF, though, with the notable exception of Catharsis (written as a challenge to *not* do scaly TF) and Prima Facie, which oddly was one of my favourite stories to write.
I don't know what you should draw, there's so many interesting critters out there... as long as it's humans transforming, I'll be happy.
Carry on. I've been your silent fanboy for many, many years.
It also probably takes me 10 times as long to make something 1/2 as good as most people out there, at least judging by the amount and quality of work I see around here and the frequency it gets posted. Who knows how long it would take me to do something that I was happy with giving to someone for money ...
But you've also got a great point about money matters making things more stressful; furthermore, they can rob you of what enjoyment you get from art (check out the overjustification effect for the reasons why). I've certainly felt that before.
Or, I see you accept suggestions. Hmmm, well I'll post some of my characters here, if you're interested. I think they'd look neat in your style.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7797431/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11897216/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12367950/