To me it doesn't look like you're taking the entire market. And I'm pretty sure if you get bombarded with commission requests, you'll limit yourself. The fandom is big enough for all commission artists to get a share.
But I'm probably not the right person to give an opinion, since I don't offer commissions myself.

Why not charge small like I do? I mean, sure...it's a bit cheap, but it's also fast money, and a good way to build up art rep.

I don't think there is hun and frankly as far as I know you charge pretty much on par with other artists. :o

Well maybe I will just have to give away more free things then! >:C

And all of them should go to be because I am the most awesomest guy in the entire Universe! :3c

Personally I don't think so. People go to you instead of someone else or vice versa because they like your style, or have previously done something that they likes. That, and you being open to wider niches in the community compared to other artists make you popular, but that's my opinion at least ^^

I don't see any problems with your pricing. ^^

But DO you have a problem with my weight? :o

Could be higher. ;)

I dont have a problem with your pricing.

The pricing is fine. If anything, that encourages competition. From what I've seen though, commissioners will go to the artist more so because they want their style and quality, pricing being second.

Word of advice though, when taking a commission with someone, if you don't understand what they're saying, it's better to say "what do you mean by ___?" to clarify or "so you mean ____" and reword it to make sure, instead of "you really need to proofread what you're saying." It comes across as a very defensive remark and doesn't accomplish much other than potentially sparking an argument.

Is this something related to an experience with me or just general venting?
But while we're on a related topic, some people need to realize that not everyone will know who Bakamon from season 4 of Mighty Monster Capture is, and need to elaborate beyond "Draw cartoon character X like when he did that thing in episode Y" X-)

And if that's the case, you can simply ask for a ref of said event or simply say you're not familiar with said event. And that's from an experience with you. Still love the end result, just the communication along the way sounded a bit hostile and defensive at times like that.

I like to think of it as passive aggressive, alternatively aggressively passive. |3

That's fine. I've said my peace.

$500 for any piece of art is a little too much for my taste, if you can spend that much on a piece of paper with a picture on it, good for you. it depends on the buyers/artists financial "comfort" zone, i'm always broke so to me $20-$50 for a commission or piece of art is a fair deal. i wouldn't worry about the other artists, the art industry is sort of a cut-throat business, you can't sell yourself short in it. keep up what your doing and you'll be fine

It offers some folks a chance to get art they wouldn't be able to otherwise
I don't think it's a bad thing. :3

Well, I've always felt your prices were affordable, and I've always gone with you due to the fact I like yer style and content!

To be honest, I once wondered the same thing... But when I think about it, ultimately those who price high and keep it high, they are high-profile and have WAY more demand as contrasted to the amount of content they can supply. They wouldn't have it that high if they weren't getting enough takers, I'd gander.

Those FA aristocrats need to get their art from somewhere. '3'

Suddenly I have this image in my head of some dapper-looking character in a monocle holding an excruciatingly graphic-designed pricesheet, stroking his chinfuzz all the while...

I just imagine a dapper-looking character looking quite blown up and full of himself.
I have such poor imagination ;w;

Let's go over your virtues here:
1) You're crazy good and I've quite literally seen you improve your art over the years we've been friends.
2) You charge what many view to be quite acceptable prices as, well, most of us aren't made of money. Yes, there are some in our fandom who spend an inordinate amount of money on commissions, but most of us just don't have that kind of scratch laying around. $20-40 for a commission is right in that acceptable butter zone.
3) You are unafraid to draw bursting. This puts you at more of a premium amongst inflation artists since, well, it is a minority of people who are willing to do so and put up with the "oh noes, why you killz them, you meanie" nonsense that inevitably follows from the loudmouths who can't understand that just because they don't like it that they then have to make you aware of that fact. Holy crap, that was a long sentence. Oops.
4) I've known you for years. You've gone through insane times. Many of which I've been aware of and some I haven't. You've never really pushed your prices up to match your dire situations. You're incredibly consistent and have a lot of personal and moral fortitude.

And finally,

5) You're a good man.

If someone gripes at you for lowering prices, that's their problem, not yours. If they want to overcharge by hundreds of dollars, let them. Could you make that money? Up to you on raising your prices or not. But it's not your fault for making incredible, well-drawn art that puts their over-shaded sparkledog hoohah to shame for how rich the picture can be in its simplicity and how much YOU enjoy making it.

You know me, I ramble.

Anyhow, no. You're good, bunbun. Keep doin' your thing. If you raise prices or lower them or whatever, I'm sure many of us who commission you on a regular basis will follow. If someone has a problem with it, they can go have their problem in their own little part of the internet. Draw and charge what you want because you enjoy it, not because someone else says you have to.

*hugs*

I brought this debate up not because someone told me it was too cheap/expensive, but because I empathize with those out there who doesn't have any other income then their art.
Tho to be fair when I look at those artists when they seem to be struggling isn't because they aren't receiving enough commissions, but rather they can't finish them up fast enough.

<hugs back>

Well, to follow on that thought, perhaps they struggle because they impose their own pressure, taking on too much and expecting far too much of themselves. That whole "I'll push myself thing" does work...but not for everyone.

As well, name brand is a thing in any community (hell, just look at LPers), but speaking personally, I'll always take quality over quantity. And I'll always take what is solid and well made over quick-and-dirty, cheap-and-easy, or worse, overblown-but-who-cares-it's-InsertArtistNameHere.

I'm a chump that way, I spose.

I'll join the band wagon that I think the market is large enough for folks to charge different things and it still keeps you at a well priced commission art drawer. I really love your style and the pricing allows me to keep coming back, where something more expensive would leave me either Savin for a while to get it, or finding someone who is more in my price range and can do something similar.

You are the best, and I actually want to commission you again. I'll send a note to get some ideas flowing.

When am I suppose to get that break I was planning to take? ;w;