Advice on re-using canceled artwork

[exo-formicidae.livejournal.com]

Hello again A-B,

I think I've managed to get myself into an awkward position and need some advice on how to deal with this.
I ended a fairly big raffle about a month ago where the first prize was a full colored and shaded image, with background and up to 3 characters. I notified the winner and it went fairly well, it would be a mature image of the winner and the winners partner.

Everything went smoothly, but after I had finished the background and started on the characters I got a note from the partner(I had talked with this person and the drawing was agreed to), however they had broken up the day before and no longer wanted the image, but I could finish it an post it if I wanted.

I then noted the winner to ask, but he really did not want the image finished and asked for a new one instead. He offered that I could make the almost finished image into a YCH auction so I didn't loose time from working on it. I did make him a new image in the detail I promised for the 1st prize, but I have not touched the unfinished one after this.

A part of me wants to make this into a YCH auction so I can at least get something back for the time I lost, but at the same time I know both of the original image is watching me and have seen WIP's of it with their characters. I know the partner wouldn't mind, and the winner was the one with the YCH idea, but it just feels really awkward to put it out for offer - so what I need advice on is if I should just go ahead and edit it to a YCH or accept it as lost time and move on?


some additional but not super important info/questions;
The raffle had in total 6 prizes, so the remaking of the 1st one made delays for the rest.

This was my first Raffle and I have never done a YCH so I'm nervous on how it will be received by my watchers

Would this be different if this was a commissioned piece where the commissioner would get a new piece of art instead of a refund?

Comments

[exo-formicidae.livejournal.com]

I'm too soft ;_; But I guess this is why bussiness is bussiness - or else it will make a huge mess in your inbox. Actually the winner changed his mind 4times, but as I had started on a new one I simply said it was started on and that was the idea that would be finished.

I guess I can go with the YCH :/ I'll make them the generic anthro/human, if they get upset (although I higly doubt it, I still worry about it) I have it in writing that they don't mind me using the unfinished piece.

Edit due to poor grammar

[mazz.livejournal.com]

They would have no reason to get upset, it's not like the -paid- for the image.

[karthegrax.livejournal.com]

If you are really concerned about watchers leaving for a YCH, you could always make a new account for YCH/auction/adopts only. Or you could simply explain that whilst you don't plan to make YCH a regular thing, you are doing this one because you feel bad about ditching a pic you put so much effort into.

Just remember, the winner screwed you over, not the other way round, so you're not in the wrong, and s/he doesn't own any of the art. I know you don't want to upset people, but it's not fair that you're taken advantage of either.