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How to Commission an Artist at a Convention
12 years ago
This is a somewhat lengthy article, but it may be helpful especially to those who are not used to commissioning artists at conventions. Read it in the spirit of goodwill in which it was written, and comments are certainly welcome!
See you at Midwest Furfest :)
Marci
How to Commission an Artist at a Convention
So you're going to a convention, and you're excited to meet your favourite artists. You can't wait to commission them for your very own piece of art. That's terrific!
Now how can you ensure that you get something you love? After all, it's not like ordering on ebay, or even like ordering a sub at Subway.
Chances are, you've put some thought into your character. You have an idea of what they look like, you know their personality, you may even have a detailed background
written for them. How can you convey this to the artist who will be giving them life on paper? Your imagination and the artist's imagination are running on different tracks,
but you can help them sync up by keeping in mind the following tips:
1. Have a reference sheet printed out. This is the Holy Grail. It shows all the details of your character (including that heart-shaped spot on their right hip), eye colour, hair style,
fur patterning, accessories. All you have to tell the artist is what you have in mind for this character in their hands.
Note 1: Try to have your reference sheet printed out, but if it's at least available on Furaffinity or elsewhere online, the artist may have a chance to look it up (though internet
connections are unreliable).
Note 2: Second Life printouts do not count as reference sheets, and annoy artists to hell (they're way too hard to figure out markings from), so please don’t include them!
2. Written description. If you don't have a reference sheet, this is the next best thing. What to include:
• Species (if your species is anything more unusual than a fox, photo print-outs are very helpful)
• Markings
• Eye colour
• Head hair (if any)--colour, length, style (curly, spiky, etc)
• Accessories (piercings, glasses, favourite clothes)
• Basic personality (shy, mischievous, bouncy, seductive)
• The pose or situation you have in mind
• What not to include: I know this is very meaningful for you, but the artist doesn't need to know the character's background, and as many artists are very busy,
talking at length about your story may only serve to make them grumpy.
3. Concise details help artists figure out what you want, and artists really do want to make you happy! Too many details tend to be overwhelming, and if you're specific
down to the last fingernail with how the character is to be posed, you may end up stifling the artist's creativity. If, on the other hand, you tell the artist, "Oh, just do
whatever you want--have fun with it!", know that you are rolling the dice. Conventions are busy, stressful places for artists to work (many of them work alone at home!),
they're under deadline, and it's not the ideal time to create high art just because they're given creative freedom. If you'd rather have a white tiger, and not end up with a
hamster in a cookie jar, just say so!
4. Convention art is a souvenir. Time is limited at a convention, artists generally charge less for convention sketches than for commissions taken at home, and artists are
working hard to give you a lovely remembrance of the convention. There isn’t time to show you a work-in-progress, and if your character has super-detailed light markings
on dark fur or is all black, you will probably be expected to pay a little more.
5. Please respect the artist’s time. If they’ve given you an approximate time when your art will be ready to pick up (like “tomorrow morning”), coming back several times
today won’t light a fire under their butt. Some artists are only able to get artwork done in the evening, away from the chaos of the Dealer’s Den (and you can be sure that they’re
working their butts off at night!). Also, if they’ve told you your art will be ready to pick up Sunday morning, but you don’t come to get it until the Dealer’s Den closes Sunday
afternoon, this is rather stressful. Just sayin’!
6. Remember that, as god-like as they appear to be, artists are only human. They don’t work faster if you come to check on them every half an hour, they can’t read your mind,
and they sometimes need to use the restroom and grab a coffee. They also need positive feedback, as a plant needs sunshine. If you love the art, say so! If you say nothing and
walk away, the artist will think you hate it (and that makes them sad). You don’t have to gush—a simple smile and “thanks” are enough. Tips are gratefully accepted :)
Keeping these tips in mind can give all of us in our furry community a wonderful con experience… and you’ll end up with a beautiful piece of art for your collection! Now don’t be shy—artists
are happy to see you. And if you buy some prints or other goodies along with your commission, you’ll be taking home a little piece of the artist’s soul (but not in a creepy way, you weirdo).
Have fun, and stay furry!
Marci
Marci McAdam’s furry art can be seen on her website: http://furries/frithcat.com
and on Furaffinity: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/marcimcadam
This article was written with ideas from Heather Bruton, Shinigamigirl, and Ursula Vernon—thanks a bunch!
See you at Midwest Furfest :)
Marci
How to Commission an Artist at a Convention
So you're going to a convention, and you're excited to meet your favourite artists. You can't wait to commission them for your very own piece of art. That's terrific!
Now how can you ensure that you get something you love? After all, it's not like ordering on ebay, or even like ordering a sub at Subway.
Chances are, you've put some thought into your character. You have an idea of what they look like, you know their personality, you may even have a detailed background
written for them. How can you convey this to the artist who will be giving them life on paper? Your imagination and the artist's imagination are running on different tracks,
but you can help them sync up by keeping in mind the following tips:
1. Have a reference sheet printed out. This is the Holy Grail. It shows all the details of your character (including that heart-shaped spot on their right hip), eye colour, hair style,
fur patterning, accessories. All you have to tell the artist is what you have in mind for this character in their hands.
Note 1: Try to have your reference sheet printed out, but if it's at least available on Furaffinity or elsewhere online, the artist may have a chance to look it up (though internet
connections are unreliable).
Note 2: Second Life printouts do not count as reference sheets, and annoy artists to hell (they're way too hard to figure out markings from), so please don’t include them!
2. Written description. If you don't have a reference sheet, this is the next best thing. What to include:
• Species (if your species is anything more unusual than a fox, photo print-outs are very helpful)
• Markings
• Eye colour
• Head hair (if any)--colour, length, style (curly, spiky, etc)
• Accessories (piercings, glasses, favourite clothes)
• Basic personality (shy, mischievous, bouncy, seductive)
• The pose or situation you have in mind
• What not to include: I know this is very meaningful for you, but the artist doesn't need to know the character's background, and as many artists are very busy,
talking at length about your story may only serve to make them grumpy.
3. Concise details help artists figure out what you want, and artists really do want to make you happy! Too many details tend to be overwhelming, and if you're specific
down to the last fingernail with how the character is to be posed, you may end up stifling the artist's creativity. If, on the other hand, you tell the artist, "Oh, just do
whatever you want--have fun with it!", know that you are rolling the dice. Conventions are busy, stressful places for artists to work (many of them work alone at home!),
they're under deadline, and it's not the ideal time to create high art just because they're given creative freedom. If you'd rather have a white tiger, and not end up with a
hamster in a cookie jar, just say so!
4. Convention art is a souvenir. Time is limited at a convention, artists generally charge less for convention sketches than for commissions taken at home, and artists are
working hard to give you a lovely remembrance of the convention. There isn’t time to show you a work-in-progress, and if your character has super-detailed light markings
on dark fur or is all black, you will probably be expected to pay a little more.
5. Please respect the artist’s time. If they’ve given you an approximate time when your art will be ready to pick up (like “tomorrow morning”), coming back several times
today won’t light a fire under their butt. Some artists are only able to get artwork done in the evening, away from the chaos of the Dealer’s Den (and you can be sure that they’re
working their butts off at night!). Also, if they’ve told you your art will be ready to pick up Sunday morning, but you don’t come to get it until the Dealer’s Den closes Sunday
afternoon, this is rather stressful. Just sayin’!
6. Remember that, as god-like as they appear to be, artists are only human. They don’t work faster if you come to check on them every half an hour, they can’t read your mind,
and they sometimes need to use the restroom and grab a coffee. They also need positive feedback, as a plant needs sunshine. If you love the art, say so! If you say nothing and
walk away, the artist will think you hate it (and that makes them sad). You don’t have to gush—a simple smile and “thanks” are enough. Tips are gratefully accepted :)
Keeping these tips in mind can give all of us in our furry community a wonderful con experience… and you’ll end up with a beautiful piece of art for your collection! Now don’t be shy—artists
are happy to see you. And if you buy some prints or other goodies along with your commission, you’ll be taking home a little piece of the artist’s soul (but not in a creepy way, you weirdo).
Have fun, and stay furry!
Marci
Marci McAdam’s furry art can be seen on her website: http://furries/frithcat.com
and on Furaffinity: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/marcimcadam
This article was written with ideas from Heather Bruton, Shinigamigirl, and Ursula Vernon—thanks a bunch!
I found out the hard way to print out ref sheets.
Tho I do find it more enjoyable to commission a artist at a con than over the internet.
Its just something about that in person part that makes it have that little bit more to the piece.
Sometimes people print these out at home, while other times, I've seen them get done profressionally too. And sometimes, they're on cards that are bigger than a business card, but still small enough to pass out to artists, or even post on message boards at conventions too. It's an ingenious idea, I think :)
Also..on respecting the artists time..thank you so much for respecting the commissioners time and business. Each time I, or someone I know have commissioned you, you have always been very prompt on getting the artwork done on time. Being respectful in any business transaction is always a two way street :)
Yes, looking forward to seeing you too! See you at the con!