Well tbh, and this is my personal opinion. The more time the commissioner gives the artist to draw, the better the end result will look. I don't understand why people ask you so much about image progress unless they've been waiting for 1 year or something. I personally would give you as much time as you need - I want the artwork to look good and not rushed after all. :)

Are we going to see a few more uploads right now btw? :)

Because if you pay for an image, and dont hear or even recieve a WIP for over 2 months, you start to wonder. Now imagen 15 people having the same issue. If you spend a good buck on something, you want aknowlagement that its under way, or in a line. When you dont recieve either end, you have no clue if the artist took the money and ran, and it goes for every contract with money.

I have plenty of artists who i trust and commission, who are very kind. But even tho they have that, giving an individual note back that its in line and or being worked on goes a long way.

Longest I waited was half a year, but I got notes from the person that ''Im getting there'' which calmed the thunder. Doesnt matter who you are, or how popular/wanted you are, you have to speak with your customers, we can't read minds, we can only assume. And the human brain is build to always assume the worst first.

I've been waiting 10 years. No, I am not joking. I have been literally waiting 10 years for my commission from him.

How is that possible?

I dunno, ask him. I had commissioned 2 color images, got one done (after a few years), but the 2nd image never made it farther than a prelim sketch. Both were paid for up front in full.

I gave up on ever getting the second vore CD he released, paid for it in Chicago years ago... last several times i've noted and left comments...zilch...
I mean, it's not like the thing just doesn't exist, other people have gotten their download keys or whatever... *shrugs*
I get that shit happens, so that is why I just quietly gave up...if getting what I paid for is too much to ask for I will just stop asking...It was less than what a tank of gas costs...

Just keep up the work! I'm sure you can get through all of this stuff.

Sorry to hear you are so stressed out! I know it can get a little over whelming to get constant messages asking for updates on how a commissions is coming along. Hopefully people will listen and cut back on messages to give you a break.

An idea to slow down the traffic of messages would be a public work Queue. I know a lot of artist use Trello and I use google docs! Its a great way to see what you have to do and show your commissioners what you have to do. I have drop down boxes for stages and areas for notes and would be more then happy to link you a copy of the system if you'd like to try it for yourself. I find it really cuts back on the stress as your commissioner can go and look when the image was last worked on. Even if the note is that you opened the file to update a ref or make a minor change it helps!

With the order issues you may want to make an order form and update your ToS. For example I require a flat colored image or the hexcodes for a character if an image is going to be colored. Even for YCHs where the image is already drawn I use this https://gyazo.com/76a249cde368aaf69d15121604951a44 to get people started as it can help them get the little details to you. Writing a detailed one is also an option and I know some artist even have automated systems to fill out in google forms that make a commissioner answer questions. It may not help you with your previous orders, but its something to think of for the future.

I do wish you the best! Hope things calm down and you have understanding commissioners.

Just happy to see you posting art <3