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I had this comic swimming in the back of my mind for some time now. Every time I up my prices ( once a year or every other year ), I would get some comments and messages from fans who are concerned that I'm charging too much for my services and they instruct me to lower my prices back down, if not lower more. Some others are from fans who wish to share their business experience with me, expressing that I don't know anything about art and business, and/or that my art is not worth the amount I charge. The list goes on. There are times when they just straight up attack me for raising my prices ( even if its just $5 or $10 ) and say rather odd insults towards me. Do I emotionally crumble over these messages? No, I just read them, save them, and not reply. This happens a bit too much to the point where if someone complains about my prices/business in an insulting way, I just ignore them.
The Little Stinker comic is a melting pot of comments and messages I managed to save during my many years of raising my prices and freelance business ( and yes one guy did compare my artwork to NFTs... ) What gave me motivation to draw this today was because I've been hearing so many stories of artists being treated the same way, and these artists charge too less for what their art is worth. It gets to the point where those who "wish to help" begin to insult the artist - telling them that they are wrong to increase the price, that their art is not worth the amount they ask, that they have no skill, etc. Seriously, it needs to stop because this kind of unwanted harmful negative feedback/forced advice discourages the artist to create and grow.
Freelance artists don't want to hear this kind of advice from anyone UNLESS they ask for it, and when they do, they will ask another artist that they know/trust who has have more experience in the field than them. They would even ask their community for help if they need it because they know that their community wants to see them grow as a creator. Everyone has different experiences, different business background, different education, etc. If an artist or crafter wish to raise their prices due to more work, labor and growth, they are allowed to no matter in any amount they want. Its their business and they are the one's in charge. If it works for them, great. If it doesn't then they will have to fix it on their own. If you see an artist do business that would be considered shady/unethical for the majority, then you should say something.
If you do get these kinds of messages whenever you increase your price, ignore them. Do not reply to them, do not talk to them, do not explain yourself to them. Your business is your own. Your prices are your own. Value your work. Your time is money and you should price it fairly and accordingly.
I do apologize for one thing ... I made the skunk too cute. I'm sorry.
artwork © 2022 Alex Cockburn
The Little Stinker comic is a melting pot of comments and messages I managed to save during my many years of raising my prices and freelance business ( and yes one guy did compare my artwork to NFTs... ) What gave me motivation to draw this today was because I've been hearing so many stories of artists being treated the same way, and these artists charge too less for what their art is worth. It gets to the point where those who "wish to help" begin to insult the artist - telling them that they are wrong to increase the price, that their art is not worth the amount they ask, that they have no skill, etc. Seriously, it needs to stop because this kind of unwanted harmful negative feedback/forced advice discourages the artist to create and grow.
Freelance artists don't want to hear this kind of advice from anyone UNLESS they ask for it, and when they do, they will ask another artist that they know/trust who has have more experience in the field than them. They would even ask their community for help if they need it because they know that their community wants to see them grow as a creator. Everyone has different experiences, different business background, different education, etc. If an artist or crafter wish to raise their prices due to more work, labor and growth, they are allowed to no matter in any amount they want. Its their business and they are the one's in charge. If it works for them, great. If it doesn't then they will have to fix it on their own. If you see an artist do business that would be considered shady/unethical for the majority, then you should say something.
If you do get these kinds of messages whenever you increase your price, ignore them. Do not reply to them, do not talk to them, do not explain yourself to them. Your business is your own. Your prices are your own. Value your work. Your time is money and you should price it fairly and accordingly.
I do apologize for one thing ... I made the skunk too cute. I'm sorry.
artwork © 2022 Alex Cockburn
Category All / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1128 x 2020px
File Size 786.9 kB
Listed in Folders
even if they're toooo high.. if a few people still buy the spots, then it not too high
ex:
Miles-df if I recall they sold a ych of a foot in the background of a larger piecefor like $400, and someone bought it. so that piece was worth it to that person.
realistically if people are buying it in enough quantity that you are making what you want to make then your price is fine, be it 6 $50 pieces or 1 $300 piece
ex:
Miles-df if I recall they sold a ych of a foot in the background of a larger piecefor like $400, and someone bought it. so that piece was worth it to that person. realistically if people are buying it in enough quantity that you are making what you want to make then your price is fine, be it 6 $50 pieces or 1 $300 piece
In cases like this, I feel like it was more a situation of 'let me help miles with his bills because I can' than 'this picture of a foot is worth $400'. I know in some cases people will buy things purely to give money to someone they like, rather than just because of the work in question. I've paid a friend more than I absolutely had to for some of their work simply because they were my friend and I wanted an excuse to give them money.
I'd also like to point out that furries in general are almost legendary for being irresponsible with money fairly often. xD I've heard more than one story of someone buying some art or a comic or game, then being without food or having to miss rent that month because of it.
I'd also like to point out that furries in general are almost legendary for being irresponsible with money fairly often. xD I've heard more than one story of someone buying some art or a comic or game, then being without food or having to miss rent that month because of it.
yikes. and i thought PacoPanda's prices were a bit high. i mean.... the guy is a brilliant artist and i wish i had the money to spend on a commision but WOW. I'll never think 120 for a full pic is even the slightest bit expensive again. ofc... i know nothign about art, and how much work it takes to make soooo i wouldn't be able to judge anythhing on time versus money gained.
I've known quite a few artists in the fandom closely enough to know that there is time, resource and other costs for making art, depending on the level of detail, number of characters and 'wiggle room' they're allowed (whether or not the commissioner lets them play with their own style and poses, or if it's a very specific request).
One commission of mine had the artist jokingly tell them I forced them to use up all their black pencils, while another too a whopping 13 YEARS to complete the commission, and ended up drawing something entirely different from what I requested. There are a lot of factors, but I would say most artists don't overcharge more than they really have to, but *some* will sort of 'trawl the waters' for people with more money than common sense.
One commission of mine had the artist jokingly tell them I forced them to use up all their black pencils, while another too a whopping 13 YEARS to complete the commission, and ended up drawing something entirely different from what I requested. There are a lot of factors, but I would say most artists don't overcharge more than they really have to, but *some* will sort of 'trawl the waters' for people with more money than common sense.
maaaaaaaaaan
I always get super anxious every time i raise my prices. I used to just raise things by a dollar or two and that was enough to make me fret. Recently I took the dive to REALLY overhaul some of my prices and I was scared I was gonna lose a ton of business. (art is my job, that would really suck lmao)
Thankfully most people were accommodating for it and I didn't get too much backlash ;0;
I always get super anxious every time i raise my prices. I used to just raise things by a dollar or two and that was enough to make me fret. Recently I took the dive to REALLY overhaul some of my prices and I was scared I was gonna lose a ton of business. (art is my job, that would really suck lmao)
Thankfully most people were accommodating for it and I didn't get too much backlash ;0;
TBH, it is scary to raise your prices. I try to raise mine at least $5 or $10 here and there while lowering others, just so there is "balance". Raising your prices means that you have the risk of scaring off clients who were able to afford your artwork before. But you need to take care of yourself. All artists have bills to pay and food to buy, and you need to raise your prices just a bit to meet your monthly quota.
If you are worried about losing business because of a small price increase, offer discounts here and there from time to time
If you are worried about losing business because of a small price increase, offer discounts here and there from time to time
Besides, if people are going to pay for that new price, then nothing is wrong. After all, you've got people literally vomiting paint onto canvas and people still pay top dollar for their work. About all that is missing from this comic is the Artist still getting lots more commissions even after the price increase.
Exactly. It's all about "How much is my time worth" at my job I get paid less than a Starter at McDonalds, but I also look at it as.. I don't have the same bills as those people because my work vehicle comes home with me every day, so I don't have maintenance and fuel cost of my own vehicles to get to work so I actually make more money in the long term. Sadly thinking power is diminishing in todays age.
My prices simply reflect what my time is worth (what an employer is willing to pay me legitimately) along with a close approximation to how long a given piece should take me to complete.
Why are my addon characters almost as expensive as the first? Because I'm not drawing 50% less character, using 50% less refs, taking 50% less time to hash out the pose, ink and color.
Why don't I offer discounts for large works, comics, etc? Because I'm not magically faster just because it's a larger volume of work.
I try to be fair, but I don't want to sell myself short and start hating what I do. Either my commissions are expensive but you get to see exactly what you want me to make, or you're getting whatever weird ideas I decide to create on my own. People aren't entitled to a Value Menu commission from every artist they like.
Why are my addon characters almost as expensive as the first? Because I'm not drawing 50% less character, using 50% less refs, taking 50% less time to hash out the pose, ink and color.
Why don't I offer discounts for large works, comics, etc? Because I'm not magically faster just because it's a larger volume of work.
I try to be fair, but I don't want to sell myself short and start hating what I do. Either my commissions are expensive but you get to see exactly what you want me to make, or you're getting whatever weird ideas I decide to create on my own. People aren't entitled to a Value Menu commission from every artist they like.
There's a reason Kanthara used to run 'how to price your art' panels at conventions... (and she also did 'pay by the minute' commissions, of course)
Honestly, given the rate at which your commission lists fill up and close again every time you open them, you're obviously not charging too much. Somebody's just salty that they can't get stuff for what they feel it should be worth. (And obviously they don't think your art is worth actually paying enough for but obviously their opinion is worth more than that.)
As for NFTs... you're familiar with DRM? People looking explicitly for DRM-less content? Best description I've heard for NFTs is content-less DRM.
Honestly, given the rate at which your commission lists fill up and close again every time you open them, you're obviously not charging too much. Somebody's just salty that they can't get stuff for what they feel it should be worth. (And obviously they don't think your art is worth actually paying enough for but obviously their opinion is worth more than that.)
As for NFTs... you're familiar with DRM? People looking explicitly for DRM-less content? Best description I've heard for NFTs is content-less DRM.
I wouldn't dare to argue with your prices when you zoom in on the detail in your work. For example on your traditional ink commissions, looking at all that cross hatching. Also all the personality you put into each character in your drawings. Lately I've been wondering if I should raise my prices as well. But I worry about this same thing as well. Can't please everyone though >>
The problem is like for me, the commissions are closed when you have money and you wait 1 and 1/2 years for a slot (On some artists) or currently with me, they open the commissions at a time when i'm at sleep because of the time zone shift and when i'm awake again the slots are gone.
Considering I live in Europe too, I agree it can sometimes be a chore.
Sometimes, though, it helps if you contact an artist beforehand. Explain that you really want to commission them but since they open up when you need to sleep, you've missed out on x number of opportunities.
Perhaps they are willing to work with you to put you on the waitlist.
It is also a good measure to see whether or not it is an artist you'd ultimately want to work with depending on their answer. :)
Sometimes, though, it helps if you contact an artist beforehand. Explain that you really want to commission them but since they open up when you need to sleep, you've missed out on x number of opportunities.
Perhaps they are willing to work with you to put you on the waitlist.
It is also a good measure to see whether or not it is an artist you'd ultimately want to work with depending on their answer. :)
Yes. How dare you. The skunk is indeed far too cute.
That said, I hope you can feel as calm and amused as the artist in the comic, because it truly is horrible for people to be like that.
Prices go up, and incomes rarely go with them, so with further hikes in costs of daily items because of the state of the world, more so of late, it's well within your rights to change your prices to ensure you can hecking survive, even if some people don't seem to get that.
One shop chain with a location near my home started advertising a "price roof" on over 100 common household items, both food and non-food, meaning they will never go above that price (whether package sizes shrink instead has yet to be seen), and some other larger shops have started doing the same to try to keep people coming despite the price increases.
TLDR; some people are just idiots.
Best of luck avoiding them, especially with how the world looks currently.
That said, I hope you can feel as calm and amused as the artist in the comic, because it truly is horrible for people to be like that.
Prices go up, and incomes rarely go with them, so with further hikes in costs of daily items because of the state of the world, more so of late, it's well within your rights to change your prices to ensure you can hecking survive, even if some people don't seem to get that.
One shop chain with a location near my home started advertising a "price roof" on over 100 common household items, both food and non-food, meaning they will never go above that price (whether package sizes shrink instead has yet to be seen), and some other larger shops have started doing the same to try to keep people coming despite the price increases.
TLDR; some people are just idiots.
Best of luck avoiding them, especially with how the world looks currently.
are there any that aren't pointless? They all are solely intended to elicit an emotional gut-reaction in order to manipulate people. And with so many people using them, they lose their meaning remarkably quickly. In such moments i am kinda glad that my "emotional pendulum" is almost immobile. As such buzzwords like those barely even affect me anymore - and not for lack of trying on part of such busy-bodies. What is amusing to me about all this is that my apparent lack of reaction - let alone one in line with busybodies' desires only tends to rile them up further so that they are making ever more of a fool of themselves.
I'd suggest that you don't ignore them, but instead, put them into a comic like this one. It would be *very* popular with the community!
And if anyone complains about the artwork...
And if anyone complains about the artwork...
Even slightly inebriated after some mead, it still took me only to the panels 2 and 3 to figure out where this was going to go - and I too got me a snack for it. Your reaction to this unsolicited "advice" is pretty much the best I can imagine: Ridicule.
Sadly there are way too many busy-bodies with soap boxes these days who try to make up problems in order to sell you a "solution" for a problem you didn't have in the first place. And this not only applies to commission prices (at some point i do hope to commission you myself, simply because i find your style adorable - but alas, that is currently beyond my means).
Thank you for cracking me up today. I am grateful for that.
Sadly there are way too many busy-bodies with soap boxes these days who try to make up problems in order to sell you a "solution" for a problem you didn't have in the first place. And this not only applies to commission prices (at some point i do hope to commission you myself, simply because i find your style adorable - but alas, that is currently beyond my means).
Thank you for cracking me up today. I am grateful for that.
Once upon a time it was common to stand on a wooden crate (commonly of the kind that was used to transport soap) when you wanted to get people's attention about your impromptu speech. So "standing on your soapbox" means going on about something you feel passionate about, often with the subtext that the people who have to hear you are mostly just annoyed that you are talking at them.
I understand how they're upset that they can't get art (Hell I couldn't afford to commission most of my own art options! Let alone half the other artists I want to commission).
It's when they make their lacking the artist's problem, is when the shitty entitlement bleeds in. Artist's deserve a living wage more than they deserve a discount.
It's when they make their lacking the artist's problem, is when the shitty entitlement bleeds in. Artist's deserve a living wage more than they deserve a discount.
i think i over compliecated it a bit i agree so in other words, what i tried to say is
Doctors have, in "some" hospitals really really R E A L L Y hard times in their job and not only "1 time", they have such "times" more than often in a month if not week, doing over 48 hour shifts and earn their money. In my area, people complain actually that doctors earn "to much" money if you get what im going for now.
Doctors here save lifes wile they try their best to even "able" to do that - work ones 3 days in a row without real sleep and you know what im talking about.
And than their are "artists" (im not pointing at o-kemono here, i mean this in regular) which mean they need to raise their prices "just because", you know.
That, was my point.
Doctors have, in "some" hospitals really really R E A L L Y hard times in their job and not only "1 time", they have such "times" more than often in a month if not week, doing over 48 hour shifts and earn their money. In my area, people complain actually that doctors earn "to much" money if you get what im going for now.
Doctors here save lifes wile they try their best to even "able" to do that - work ones 3 days in a row without real sleep and you know what im talking about.
And than their are "artists" (im not pointing at o-kemono here, i mean this in regular) which mean they need to raise their prices "just because", you know.
That, was my point.
It's a poor equivalency because by your logic Doctors are SO essential and their job is one of the hardest, that there would be no upper limit to what they could charge. If it actually worked that way doctors would be the wealthiest people around because people would pay them anything to -not die- which is obviously not the case.
How do you know they are raising their prices 'just because'? There could be good reason for it. Every year as an artist your skill improves and your client gets a better product (generally). Maybe their cost of living has increased with inflation in their country? Perhaps they have gotten an injury from the constant work and now have to take less at a higher cost because they cannot work as long. Perhaps their demand is so high that the time of dealing with incoming requests for work is unfeasible.
There are a million 'valid' reasons an artist could have to regularly increase their prices & none of them really matter.
If an artist charges a price that is high & someone still pays it regardless of how ethical or not their reasons are.. they still made a sale and their business continues. If they can manage to do that on a regular basis then good for them honestly. If they find they have too few commissioners they can lower their rate until they find the balance between price and interest. However you can never find that balance without first raising your prices.
How do you know they are raising their prices 'just because'? There could be good reason for it. Every year as an artist your skill improves and your client gets a better product (generally). Maybe their cost of living has increased with inflation in their country? Perhaps they have gotten an injury from the constant work and now have to take less at a higher cost because they cannot work as long. Perhaps their demand is so high that the time of dealing with incoming requests for work is unfeasible.
There are a million 'valid' reasons an artist could have to regularly increase their prices & none of them really matter.
If an artist charges a price that is high & someone still pays it regardless of how ethical or not their reasons are.. they still made a sale and their business continues. If they can manage to do that on a regular basis then good for them honestly. If they find they have too few commissioners they can lower their rate until they find the balance between price and interest. However you can never find that balance without first raising your prices.
You are far from being the most expensive artist, I really think your prices are fair, even the large canvas piece knowing how much work it is to complete ! And while several prices of your prices sheet do raise, several other prices of your price sheet is lowered, so how can people complain about your prices ? Well, might share snacks xD
You got me on "Every time I up my prices ( once a year or every other year )".
You really wonder if you do it on such "yearly" base?
No offense, everything right now, EVERYTHING, gets more expensive. that people wanna sure earn more money because stuff "costs" more money is somewhat of a good reason but where in the real world is that really a thing? Not everyone of us is able to get a raise on his paycheck - even if the inflationrate is like nearly 10% over here.
Of course, now someone will come at me and will be like "oh but youre talking about art which gets to expensive and its luxury". No. Right now im talking in the "regular" case. As i said: EVERYTHING gets more expensive and if my "work" or "creation" gets more expensive, there should be more than the reason of "because everything else" if nothing changed OF said creation for the last 2-4 years. literally.
I would say, wish such kind of "comments", people sure have to understand "whats worth work" and dont only see the "finished product". I can understand if people do raise their prices over time - but as you said, if you literally do it on a yearly base, ask a boss for a yearly raise and you will see where you end up - HIM laughing, if you get that.
Again, "art luxury blah blah blah" thats not the topic. Its more the topic to SEE the WORTH before people actually complain.
As for me, i gave up on SUCH complain since a lot artists (not naming some) feel literally attacked or offended if you tackle them with such topics because insteed of seeing the worries they think automaticly that the persons are just "to poor" to pay their prices and that they dont see their "humangus ego" shine through their art~
Yea, well, If you (any artist to add here) think you have the privilidge to just raise your prices as much as high as you want, you can also quickly destroy your "paying costumer base" as well.
The whole thing is a 2 edged sword tbh.
- At one hand if you stay with cheep prices, you earn peoples respect and might be able to help and even draw more for people wile you earn still good money
- in the other hand, if you dont raise, you might dont earn so much because of the inflationrate which is going on right now (thanks PUTIN~~~).
I wrote already a wall of text here and i dont think it needs to be longer. Its a shame that sadly such said topics gets often ignored because some people think their ego helps them getting through it without even thinking about what they are doing, and than they just bann the people or similar~~~ - and REALLY sometimes, its a god dang shame about them...
You really wonder if you do it on such "yearly" base?
No offense, everything right now, EVERYTHING, gets more expensive. that people wanna sure earn more money because stuff "costs" more money is somewhat of a good reason but where in the real world is that really a thing? Not everyone of us is able to get a raise on his paycheck - even if the inflationrate is like nearly 10% over here.
Of course, now someone will come at me and will be like "oh but youre talking about art which gets to expensive and its luxury". No. Right now im talking in the "regular" case. As i said: EVERYTHING gets more expensive and if my "work" or "creation" gets more expensive, there should be more than the reason of "because everything else" if nothing changed OF said creation for the last 2-4 years. literally.
I would say, wish such kind of "comments", people sure have to understand "whats worth work" and dont only see the "finished product". I can understand if people do raise their prices over time - but as you said, if you literally do it on a yearly base, ask a boss for a yearly raise and you will see where you end up - HIM laughing, if you get that.
Again, "art luxury blah blah blah" thats not the topic. Its more the topic to SEE the WORTH before people actually complain.
As for me, i gave up on SUCH complain since a lot artists (not naming some) feel literally attacked or offended if you tackle them with such topics because insteed of seeing the worries they think automaticly that the persons are just "to poor" to pay their prices and that they dont see their "humangus ego" shine through their art~
Yea, well, If you (any artist to add here) think you have the privilidge to just raise your prices as much as high as you want, you can also quickly destroy your "paying costumer base" as well.
The whole thing is a 2 edged sword tbh.
- At one hand if you stay with cheep prices, you earn peoples respect and might be able to help and even draw more for people wile you earn still good money
- in the other hand, if you dont raise, you might dont earn so much because of the inflationrate which is going on right now (thanks PUTIN~~~).
I wrote already a wall of text here and i dont think it needs to be longer. Its a shame that sadly such said topics gets often ignored because some people think their ego helps them getting through it without even thinking about what they are doing, and than they just bann the people or similar~~~ - and REALLY sometimes, its a god dang shame about them...
"ask a boss for a yearly raise and you will see where you end up"
Then your boss is an asshole (and admittedly there are a lot like that, but that doesn't make it right).
For one, in most jobs you would likely be getting better at the job (either doing the same thing more quickly/higher quality, or taking on more complex responsibilities) so it's not unreasonable to expect to be paid more as the value of your time goes up.
Also, if you don't get a raise commensurate to inflation, then your employer is basically saying the value of your labor goes down year after year; since the dollars they pay you this year are worth less than the dollars they paid you last year. The same number of dollars is literally less pay from one year to the next.
Now, I'll admit that even working for the US government, my cost of living adjustments lag behind inflation, and they are among the few employers who do any sort of COLA as a regular policy, but just because my employer won't put out the effort to value my labor, doesn't mean I begrudge self employed people who want to be able to keep buying the same food and putting gas in their cars in spite of the fact that everything costs more dollars.
Then your boss is an asshole (and admittedly there are a lot like that, but that doesn't make it right).
For one, in most jobs you would likely be getting better at the job (either doing the same thing more quickly/higher quality, or taking on more complex responsibilities) so it's not unreasonable to expect to be paid more as the value of your time goes up.
Also, if you don't get a raise commensurate to inflation, then your employer is basically saying the value of your labor goes down year after year; since the dollars they pay you this year are worth less than the dollars they paid you last year. The same number of dollars is literally less pay from one year to the next.
Now, I'll admit that even working for the US government, my cost of living adjustments lag behind inflation, and they are among the few employers who do any sort of COLA as a regular policy, but just because my employer won't put out the effort to value my labor, doesn't mean I begrudge self employed people who want to be able to keep buying the same food and putting gas in their cars in spite of the fact that everything costs more dollars.
I just let Harlan Ellison explain in this youtube video; Pay The Writer.
Art is more than lines and paint; it's research labor, social labor, emotional labor and all of that is included in the hours it takes.
Art is more than lines and paint; it's research labor, social labor, emotional labor and all of that is included in the hours it takes.
As you said in the description, these kinds of people also come out to “give friendly advice” when they think you’re underselling yourself as well. Which for those not set in their ways, or those who know better already, causes them to do the complete opposite and charge way to much.
Can’t please everyone all the time. You do you.
Can’t please everyone all the time. You do you.
Well, that's exactly it.
Let an artist charge whatever they want. It will quickly become clear what the market will bear. If they start charging too much, the demand will go down and they might decide it's best to lower it a bit to keep money coming in. There are many artists here not making what they should and charging too little for their work.
Some artists who get a lot for their work do it at least partly because the demand far exceeds their ability to produce. Their work has earned a higher price at that point. Some of these artists realize that they can't fill the demand, or that some can't afford their work and occasionally offer free work or cheaper YCHs , etc. But that's their choice.
Let an artist charge whatever they want. It will quickly become clear what the market will bear. If they start charging too much, the demand will go down and they might decide it's best to lower it a bit to keep money coming in. There are many artists here not making what they should and charging too little for their work.
Some artists who get a lot for their work do it at least partly because the demand far exceeds their ability to produce. Their work has earned a higher price at that point. Some of these artists realize that they can't fill the demand, or that some can't afford their work and occasionally offer free work or cheaper YCHs , etc. But that's their choice.
How DARE you make that skunk too cute! I'm gonna- *goes into an hour-long rant assuming you know nothing about what your doing and try to spin it like I'm helping you*
Yeahhh I've been there. I had somebody I did work for openly critisize me and rate my work and skill, while having nothing to their own name in the meanwhile, not a fun experience :(
But yeah! You keep doing you! Your work is wonderful~
Yeahhh I've been there. I had somebody I did work for openly critisize me and rate my work and skill, while having nothing to their own name in the meanwhile, not a fun experience :(
But yeah! You keep doing you! Your work is wonderful~
I am not an artist.
That said, I feel this... from YOUR side. Art is absolutely a luxury... and the law of supply and demand ALWAYS applies to personal craftsmanship. If you have more people wanting to commission you than you have the time to do, and that condition persists - it is a time to consider raising prices.
You are absolutely entitled to set your prices anywhere you darn well want.
And deserve to continue functioning in this age of current inflation.
Rock On. And yeah, the skunk is cute. Kept me reading his garbage, though.
That said, I feel this... from YOUR side. Art is absolutely a luxury... and the law of supply and demand ALWAYS applies to personal craftsmanship. If you have more people wanting to commission you than you have the time to do, and that condition persists - it is a time to consider raising prices.
You are absolutely entitled to set your prices anywhere you darn well want.
And deserve to continue functioning in this age of current inflation.
Rock On. And yeah, the skunk is cute. Kept me reading his garbage, though.
I couldn't read that rant without nearly bursting into laughter. They are so bad its hilarious.
Also yes. You made the skunk way too cute. Though it does work in rendering the complaints even sillier.
Honestly the only input i tend to give to artists when they publicly question their own prices is to "just do it". Push yourself through the fear and just experiment with your pricing while ignoring any complaints. If it truly goes too high and you notice getting less work, then consider lowering it again. Eventually you reach a balanced point by yourself. Over time changing and going up as you gain skill and appeal, or sometimes drop when stuff like economies aren't doing well.
Also yes. You made the skunk way too cute. Though it does work in rendering the complaints even sillier.
Honestly the only input i tend to give to artists when they publicly question their own prices is to "just do it". Push yourself through the fear and just experiment with your pricing while ignoring any complaints. If it truly goes too high and you notice getting less work, then consider lowering it again. Eventually you reach a balanced point by yourself. Over time changing and going up as you gain skill and appeal, or sometimes drop when stuff like economies aren't doing well.
Artists in this fandom work DIRT CHEAP.
Which causes a really skewed impression of how much art 'should' cost. There are a lot of artists doing quite nice work for very little either because it's just a hobby, or they live somewhere that cost of living is MUCH lower.
There are also artists who I *wish* would charge more because then maybe their commission slots wouldn't sell out in eight minutes.
In my opinion, and an opinion is all it is, your art is priced about right. Proper value for money. I've had $5 pics I felt mildly ripped off by, and high-dollar pieces I thought were an absolute bargain based on the work that went into them.
Which causes a really skewed impression of how much art 'should' cost. There are a lot of artists doing quite nice work for very little either because it's just a hobby, or they live somewhere that cost of living is MUCH lower.
There are also artists who I *wish* would charge more because then maybe their commission slots wouldn't sell out in eight minutes.
In my opinion, and an opinion is all it is, your art is priced about right. Proper value for money. I've had $5 pics I felt mildly ripped off by, and high-dollar pieces I thought were an absolute bargain based on the work that went into them.
I'm in no way an artist, but as someone who tutors math/science I am still my own boss and have to set my own rates so there are a lot of parallels. As time goes on and you become more experienced in your craft, your rates should go up accordingly. Your time becomes more valuable and the cost of goods goes up over time as well.
Folks also forget the sunken costs that go into goods/services like taxes and other extra expenses (like lesson planning in my case) so don't listen to those who do not have the proper perspective on how to run a small business.
Folks also forget the sunken costs that go into goods/services like taxes and other extra expenses (like lesson planning in my case) so don't listen to those who do not have the proper perspective on how to run a small business.
I remember when I raised priced for the convention..holy crap I had dealers threaten to walk and take others with the, folks creaming that they were dirt poor struggling artists, and so much more. And the worst part is I was not doing it for profit since the con is non profit..just to cover rising costs.
Sadly at the end of the day no matter what your logic is for price raising folks with a pen or a computer will gleefully rip you a new one just because, then they go into 101 reasons why a raise is such a horrible idea.
Gaaia bless, and yes the skunk IS cute
Pakesh_De
Snoofy old Burr
Sadly at the end of the day no matter what your logic is for price raising folks with a pen or a computer will gleefully rip you a new one just because, then they go into 101 reasons why a raise is such a horrible idea.
Gaaia bless, and yes the skunk IS cute
Pakesh_De
Snoofy old Burr
To represent those with a lower wage income and the consumers who would love art likes yours commissioned for them, I think raising your prices is completely fine. As much as I would like a piece from you because I adore your art style, I still do get that everyone needs their money for food, bills, unforeseen expenses and, yeah. I've lived through a struggle for all of those. Desperately holding onto what little I have. It's kinda why I hesitate to ever ask for a commission from anyone despite me really wanting one. As much as I'd love to get one I've always been scare that my finances wouldn't be sufficient enough or that I could just tell already from seeing the prices. All artists should charge what they feel their work is worth and I can respect that. Especially with how the world is today. It really doesn't matter what's going on in your personal life, it's your art, your time and your skill that make the wonderful pieces you have. To someone like me, those prices can be scary to look at but I also remember that this is to you what my actual work days are to me.
I think the prices are just fine where they are at and that if someone wants to purchase a commission from you they kinda just have to suck up and deal with it. Art is a luxury. Anyone can make it but so very few can make it like you and even fewer would even be capable of making just like you. And you are the only one who will provide the service. In essence I feel like the art really isn't what's being bought, but the Time that you put into it. Art could just be the favor that you give them in return for them paying you for your time and helping you out while you give the something lovely in return.
To end this (because I'm going on a bit long here) do with your prices as you will, and anyone who don't like it can just sit in their corner and be grumpy all they like. As long as you are taking care of yourself~
I think the prices are just fine where they are at and that if someone wants to purchase a commission from you they kinda just have to suck up and deal with it. Art is a luxury. Anyone can make it but so very few can make it like you and even fewer would even be capable of making just like you. And you are the only one who will provide the service. In essence I feel like the art really isn't what's being bought, but the Time that you put into it. Art could just be the favor that you give them in return for them paying you for your time and helping you out while you give the something lovely in return.
To end this (because I'm going on a bit long here) do with your prices as you will, and anyone who don't like it can just sit in their corner and be grumpy all they like. As long as you are taking care of yourself~
Don't apologize for making the skunk too cute. Your style is really cute so of course even the nastiest nut-brain would still look cute.
But this, all of this! Heck even I have been target of the "Your prices are too high" even with my *checks watcher amount* 46 watchers and it was lower back then! The funny thing is that the person hadn't even gone to any form of marketing or sells school for the degree, while guess who has and has does that since they were 5 years old.
We artists, no matter how big or small, we know the best price for our art, because we are the ones making them! Not some know-it-all jackass!
And if the customer can't afford the art piece they want, they can try to save for it! I do that! But it is hard to save anything when everything I get goes to bills or food... BUT THAT WON'T SLOW ME DOWN! One of these days I am able to commission all the art I want from artists I like!
Now back to drawing....
But this, all of this! Heck even I have been target of the "Your prices are too high" even with my *checks watcher amount* 46 watchers and it was lower back then! The funny thing is that the person hadn't even gone to any form of marketing or sells school for the degree, while guess who has and has does that since they were 5 years old.
We artists, no matter how big or small, we know the best price for our art, because we are the ones making them! Not some know-it-all jackass!
And if the customer can't afford the art piece they want, they can try to save for it! I do that! But it is hard to save anything when everything I get goes to bills or food... BUT THAT WON'T SLOW ME DOWN! One of these days I am able to commission all the art I want from artists I like!
Now back to drawing....
If you raise your prices and suddenly commissions dry up then that is the limit of what your community thinks it’s worth in the current economy. If not then it is just standard inflation. You are right. A lot of artists undervalue their work. I look at most artists (yourself included) and think that there is no way I can afford that quality of art. Also if you have a waiting list that means it will take months to put out commissions, it tends to mean you are so popular that you NEED to raise prices just to slow up the flood of work enough that you can get it done in a timely manner. I won’t pretend to say I know art or business or tell you how to run things. But I do know enough to say that stinker can go suck a jalapeño. You keep making great art and charging what you feel it is worth, and we will keep buying it. Even if we have to save up for it a little.
This reminds me of the 'Better Late Than Never' Kung Fu Panda comic from some time back. It was a paid commission someone asked for of a certain artist, and it was HUGE. The artist and commissioner both decided that, to be nice to the fandom, they would release this thing for free for all to see, and it quickly gained a following. A kind of cult following. People began to complain about this already completed commission, saying it was being drawn badly, or that 'this isn't how *I* would have had this play out' or that there wasn't enough sex in it (it was a story, and as such, it contained a lot of... well... story).
This got worse, and worse and worse until at some point, someone actually began making death threats towards the artist for some reason, related to this. The artist immediately retreated from the fandom for a bit, and stopped posting entirely, leaving everyone basically flailing around first angrily, then with a sort of vague irritation, then frustration, then everyone started pointing fingers at each other, blaming *some*one for their precious comic not being posted.
Eventually everyone stopped being goofy about it and the rest got posted, but man did people lose their minds over it for a while. It was explained at the beginning that it was already paid for and was being shared out of the kindness of the commissioners heart, yet people got to the point of demanding revisions to something they hadn't paid for... the equivalent of telling someone to go buy all new clothes you think look better than the ones they have on, then getting mad when they're not doing it.
As for prices: I sometimes run into people who ask for extreme amounts of money for their work, and have seen some auctions on a single image that quite frankly seem more like comedy than reality. Like one artist who's starting asking price on a sketch is more than some people would pull down in a month. I understand that a lot of people do this as part of how they make a living, or even as the sole way they make money. I've always been of the mind that as long as an artist has a steady customer base, then their prices are fine, but that it's also sometimes good to offer lower prices to allow some less well off fans a chance to get in on the commissions. By this I don't mean 'cheap', just 'less expensive'. It feels like it's just something nice you *could* do for your fans, but not something you *have* to do.
This got worse, and worse and worse until at some point, someone actually began making death threats towards the artist for some reason, related to this. The artist immediately retreated from the fandom for a bit, and stopped posting entirely, leaving everyone basically flailing around first angrily, then with a sort of vague irritation, then frustration, then everyone started pointing fingers at each other, blaming *some*one for their precious comic not being posted.
Eventually everyone stopped being goofy about it and the rest got posted, but man did people lose their minds over it for a while. It was explained at the beginning that it was already paid for and was being shared out of the kindness of the commissioners heart, yet people got to the point of demanding revisions to something they hadn't paid for... the equivalent of telling someone to go buy all new clothes you think look better than the ones they have on, then getting mad when they're not doing it.
As for prices: I sometimes run into people who ask for extreme amounts of money for their work, and have seen some auctions on a single image that quite frankly seem more like comedy than reality. Like one artist who's starting asking price on a sketch is more than some people would pull down in a month. I understand that a lot of people do this as part of how they make a living, or even as the sole way they make money. I've always been of the mind that as long as an artist has a steady customer base, then their prices are fine, but that it's also sometimes good to offer lower prices to allow some less well off fans a chance to get in on the commissions. By this I don't mean 'cheap', just 'less expensive'. It feels like it's just something nice you *could* do for your fans, but not something you *have* to do.
I like to pretend there aren't really people like this, in an attempt to retain my sanity.
If an artist wants to try to charge a billion for a stick figure that's their decision.
If an entire art museum wants to consider a banana taped to the wall as high art, that's their decision (and I still hate Jackson Pollock's stuff more, and that's my decision)
If an artist wants to try to charge a billion for a stick figure that's their decision.
If an entire art museum wants to consider a banana taped to the wall as high art, that's their decision (and I still hate Jackson Pollock's stuff more, and that's my decision)
Rising prices always suck as the buyer, but at the same time, it means that you as a buyer can help support the artist keep up with cost of living and *have* to do less commission work and *more* of their own stuff, which- and not to insinuate commission work isn't given its all!- has a completely different feel to it that paid work doesn't always have, unless it happens to vibe with the artist
(Low priced artists are always nice as a buyer but you have to stop and wonder how they don't suffocate under the workload sometimes D: )
(Low priced artists are always nice as a buyer but you have to stop and wonder how they don't suffocate under the workload sometimes D: )
Sorry you have to deal with so many people like that.
I can understand people getting nervous when certain artists go higher with their prices though you should always try to remember how much work goes into such pieces of art.
Not to mention you do amazing work. Back during the last Eurofurence i couldnt get over how fast and well you were drawing in a couple of seconds. People should really learn to accept that such skill level cant just be payed with pennies.
Oh and probably also because everything got expensive these days.
Gotta pay them bills somehow.
I can understand people getting nervous when certain artists go higher with their prices though you should always try to remember how much work goes into such pieces of art.
Not to mention you do amazing work. Back during the last Eurofurence i couldnt get over how fast and well you were drawing in a couple of seconds. People should really learn to accept that such skill level cant just be payed with pennies.
Oh and probably also because everything got expensive these days.
Gotta pay them bills somehow.
Every artist I know who has gotten gallary representation, the first piece of advice they got was "double your prices across the board." Almost every artist undervalues their work, and chasing customers who are bargain hunting is a thankless and self destructive quest. For some, prices are NEVER low enough. Even if the art is free, they will still be impossibly demanding. (Yes, I have seen this first hand) The customers willing to pay higher prices are also those more grateful and appreciative of what they are getting.
WAY cuter'n my take on the matter done years ago: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/6476045/
but then you always are able ta 'out-cute' pretty much every furry artists easily heh... bravo! ;)
but then you always are able ta 'out-cute' pretty much every furry artists easily heh... bravo! ;)
#NotAllSkunks though! :P
If you have enough of a client base that you can live off your work, your prices are fine. It's not rocket science. If they were too low, you couldn't live off your work without working an ungodly amount of hours, and if they were too high, you wouldn't have enough of a client base to sustain your lifestyle either.
You're not a grocer selling food by the weight or a media conglomerate that rakes in millions, you're a freelance artist who does commissions... what kind of freelancer ever raises their prices by 3%? It's amusing to me because it sounds like that person is arguing for lower priced stuff to includes cents in the price.
Acting like having low prices is somehow a duty to your community is the most entitled comment I ever heard and could only possibly come from someone who has yet to reach the ability to make a living or who has poor money management skills to begin with... aka, not someone you'd normally associate with constructive criticism.
I wonder if these people actually expect they might change your mind or get a discount. If they're arguing, they're already demonstrating that they need you more than you need them, so I truly wonder what their endgame and expectations are... or if they're just ranting for the sake of it.
If you have enough of a client base that you can live off your work, your prices are fine. It's not rocket science. If they were too low, you couldn't live off your work without working an ungodly amount of hours, and if they were too high, you wouldn't have enough of a client base to sustain your lifestyle either.
You're not a grocer selling food by the weight or a media conglomerate that rakes in millions, you're a freelance artist who does commissions... what kind of freelancer ever raises their prices by 3%? It's amusing to me because it sounds like that person is arguing for lower priced stuff to includes cents in the price.
Acting like having low prices is somehow a duty to your community is the most entitled comment I ever heard and could only possibly come from someone who has yet to reach the ability to make a living or who has poor money management skills to begin with... aka, not someone you'd normally associate with constructive criticism.
I wonder if these people actually expect they might change your mind or get a discount. If they're arguing, they're already demonstrating that they need you more than you need them, so I truly wonder what their endgame and expectations are... or if they're just ranting for the sake of it.
Exactly! Art is a luxury and anybody who's not a freelance artist themselves doesn't get to say how someone who's running a business how they should be pricing art. Each artist is different and prices vary from artist to artist. Sometimes we need to price our art high to pay for bills and other expenses. Sometimes we need to charge high because we have to pay for merch products and other business expenses in order to keep it running. I know for fursuit makers..most fursuits are expensive because the maker has to go and buy all the materials for time and labor including the shipping which all adds up in the cost.
That sucks that you had several comments complaining and whining about your pricing. I think you charge pretty well for the quality of your art. Keep doing what your doing! Your an awesome artist and your work is amazing!
That sucks that you had several comments complaining and whining about your pricing. I think you charge pretty well for the quality of your art. Keep doing what your doing! Your an awesome artist and your work is amazing!
This somehow reminds me of the Forge world Titans. Calling them tabletop miniatures is almost impossible, since some of them are almost two feet in size. And so is the prize, you can easy calculate 2k for one.
And still, when the models came into the market at a tabletop con, they where sold out at the very first day.
When some rather famous soccer stars change the club, it is not unusual that the transfer cost of millions come back in by selling the new shirts. And yes, the price tag of such a shirt is easily in three dignits.
People pay a lot of money for what they like. The others..... best to ignore them.
And still, when the models came into the market at a tabletop con, they where sold out at the very first day.
When some rather famous soccer stars change the club, it is not unusual that the transfer cost of millions come back in by selling the new shirts. And yes, the price tag of such a shirt is easily in three dignits.
People pay a lot of money for what they like. The others..... best to ignore them.
Yep. Artists have the right to charge what they wish and people have the right to not commission them if they're too high. The supply and demand curve exists for a reason, and for some the price plays minimal factor, while for others you could charge like $1 and they'd still not get the art. My issue is when you get people charging like, $1,000 in some YCH auction for a pic that takes them 1 hour to do. (fault of the buyer, i know, but it's still so very stupid to spend that much on something like that)
And here I'm one of those that's always encouraging the artists I am friends with to RAISE prices, even if it is my ox being gored. If they raise their prices too high, nobody will buy. If people are buying, they aren't too high. I've been freelancing myself, and I know every penny counts.
And personally, for pictures as cute as yours, I'd pay any price you wanted from me.
And personally, for pictures as cute as yours, I'd pay any price you wanted from me.
Honestly? The person in the comic just sounds like they're a bit autistic and are getting carried away with something. Your response to them... calling them entertaining... seems like you're being deliberately hurtful. Obviously, you don't really find them entertaining if you're mad enough at them to post this comic. So it just seems like you're trying to hut their feelings by calling them that. I hope you haven't actually treated anyone this way.
i love this
it speaks to my soul (and my "overworked for years till wrist needed surgery to stop constant pain bc felt too bullied & terrified to raise prices" past)
and you know what I only learn ppl like that's usernames to avoid or just block eheh
*glasses clink* go you Ookami
it speaks to my soul (and my "overworked for years till wrist needed surgery to stop constant pain bc felt too bullied & terrified to raise prices" past)
and you know what I only learn ppl like that's usernames to avoid or just block eheh
*glasses clink* go you Ookami
My two cents:
If you think your art is worth a certain amount..its your art. You put the effort in. Its yours to sell at whatever cost you feel appropriate to you.
If someone doesn't want to pay that? that's fine. They just won't get the art.
If people want to pitch a fit about an artist's price being too high, they can just go and make it themselves and stop bothering people.
If you think your art is worth a certain amount..its your art. You put the effort in. Its yours to sell at whatever cost you feel appropriate to you.
If someone doesn't want to pay that? that's fine. They just won't get the art.
If people want to pitch a fit about an artist's price being too high, they can just go and make it themselves and stop bothering people.
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