"Sorry I haven't been able to do X, I [seriously long explanation about exactly why they couldn't do it that is probably personal.]"
I can see how personal transactions might be a little hazy on where the personal/professional barrier is, but 90% of the time I just want art in exchange for my money. I don't need your personal life in my inbox. You should update on if something is wrong or will take a while but "due to personal issues" is all I need. It shouldn't be longer than 1-2 sentences.
This rarely happens to me anymore but when it does it's like the artist felt they had to write a whole novel to explain themselves. You don't need to explain yourself. Just tell me when it will be done, or give me a refund.
In a similar vein, artists who refuse to... refuse service. If you (as an artist) don't like a customer or their request for whatever reason, or are not sure you can complete the art... DON'T TAKE THE COMMISSION. I'm not badgering anybody to do anything. If you don't like me, cancel the commission and give me a refund. Dang, if you just hate me make up some lie about "Sorry, something came up and I am unable to take your work anymore. Here's a refund." Done, case closed. Some people will be ticked about it but it's easy to move on.
Instead, what quite often happens is an artist doesn't want to do work for whatever reason but doesn't cancel the work either so just sits on it for months and months and has effectively made situations worse. Whenever updates are asked, it's empty platitudes about "Sorry I couldn't do it. I'll do it this weekend/tomorrow/some day that never comes."
I've had artists cancel on me before. I didn't agree but I get it and I respect that. But the artists who just sat on it because they felt uninspired or didn't like what I said or whatever I have held a grudge against for a really long time.
Sorry that last one was a little more of a vent, but it's not one specific line they say, really.
no subject
"Sorry I haven't been able to do X, I [seriously long explanation about exactly why they couldn't do it that is probably personal.]"
I can see how personal transactions might be a little hazy on where the personal/professional barrier is, but 90% of the time I just want art in exchange for my money. I don't need your personal life in my inbox. You should update on if something is wrong or will take a while but "due to personal issues" is all I need. It shouldn't be longer than 1-2 sentences.
This rarely happens to me anymore but when it does it's like the artist felt they had to write a whole novel to explain themselves. You don't need to explain yourself. Just tell me when it will be done, or give me a refund.
In a similar vein, artists who refuse to... refuse service.
If you (as an artist) don't like a customer or their request for whatever reason, or are not sure you can complete the art... DON'T TAKE THE COMMISSION.
I'm not badgering anybody to do anything. If you don't like me, cancel the commission and give me a refund. Dang, if you just hate me make up some lie about "Sorry, something came up and I am unable to take your work anymore. Here's a refund."
Done, case closed. Some people will be ticked about it but it's easy to move on.
Instead, what quite often happens is an artist doesn't want to do work for whatever reason but doesn't cancel the work either so just sits on it for months and months and has effectively made situations worse. Whenever updates are asked, it's empty platitudes about "Sorry I couldn't do it. I'll do it this weekend/tomorrow/some day that never comes."
I've had artists cancel on me before. I didn't agree but I get it and I respect that. But the artists who just sat on it because they felt uninspired or didn't like what I said or whatever I have held a grudge against for a really long time.
Sorry that last one was a little more of a vent, but it's not one specific line they say, really.