Hey everyone

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

This is my first entry here. I recently joined hoping to learn a thing or two about commissions, trades, shipping and the like. I want to start doing commissions and want to do it the RIGHT way. So far Wicked_Sairah has been a great help in giving me advice in pricing and auctioning.

Im very sad to hear about Starfinder. I think she's an amazing artist, but I will definatly take heed and not buy art from her unless its direct.

I just thought Id drop a note and whatever advice anyone can provide a newbie commissioner I would greatly appreciate it.

Here are some examples of my work if it helps at all.
http://www.deviantart.com/view/12428610/
http://www.deviantart.com/view/21100068/
http://www.deviantart.com/view/13699527/

Comments

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

My advice: limit yourself at first to a small amount of commissions, don't take on too much. I tried to start taking commissions last year and hit a massive art block but because I didn't take on too much I only have two outstanding images which reminds me I need to finish them and the bonus art for taking so long. Increase it slowly and you shouldn't find yourself caught in a bind.

Keep track of all of the work you've given, it's completion level and who it has to go to. And the most important thing of all, regularly tell your commissioners what is going on if you're taking your time because of situations, most will understand but you need to tell them because silence causes doubts and fears of being ripped off to breed.

Those are the two things that I think of first along with the get either half or all the payment up front if you can but that you probably already know.

[wuffit.livejournal.com]

As others have posted...
remember if someone is on a waiting list, it's a good idea not to take money from them, even if they tempt you by saying they will pay you upfront. You already have say maybe 2 people already ahead of them.

NEVER lower your prices for anyone. Trust me, the minute you do you'll automatically feel like they cheated you even if its subconscious. I've had this happen before. I pay an artist a discounted price, and they stiff me. It's because they think they're getting back at me for getting a better price. Hey I'm an artist too, I know when they're marking their prices up. The only reason I may commission someone is because they're already famous, or they're very talented.

Also, try not to take on rush jobs. Do not, unless you can handle it.
Time yourself, practice, practice, practice. Make some generic pictures, they'll most likely come in handy as a reference

[wuffit.livejournal.com]

And if it is going to take you a year to finish a certain picture, for whatever reasons ( you may have busy things going on in your life). Just let your clients know before they pay for art.

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

well Ive already decided to just do one at a time. I know Im a slow worker (partially because Im a perfectionist and at times I need to let a drawing sit for a while before I can figure out whats wrong with it) And Ive always been great at communicating. ive commissioned tattoo designs before but those were random and the only one Ive done online I got halfway through and they bailed on me (which taught me MONEY FIRST drawing second)

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

Seeing the quality of my art (Ive recently made a point to put MUCH more effort into my work including backgrounds!) What do you think is a reasonable commission price? I know Im not that well known yet which will effect the pricing, but Im not sure what is too much and whats too little.

[wuffit.livejournal.com]

Depends on the sizes.


What is the usual size of your artwork?

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

I usually like to work fairly big so I use 18x24 bristol board (for full detail w/ background peices and if requested, for character sketches, otherwise I use 14x17. Anything smaller is just too small.

[wuffit.livejournal.com]

Well, have you thought about converting your larger pictures into smaller 8.5 by 11 inch glossies or matte finishes so you can sell them for like 10 dollars, and keep the originals and sell those for like 40-60 dollars each?

I would attend cons, put those originals on auction, and sell the prints in the artist alley.

[wuffit.livejournal.com]

Also, unless you like doing large artwork, when selling artwork online, consider that people will want their artwork framed, so try using sizes that are practical. If you don't have a matte cutter or a bristol cutter yet, it's a good time to invest in one :D

Also, most people won't be able to tell the difference between a matte job, a bristol, or a gessoed piece of cardboard, consider what it costs you to make it, and what they're willing to settle for if it makes it more affordable.

It doesn't hurt the drawing to use materials that don't break the bank. Unless you're archiving it or something, but trust me ya really just want it to survive the owner. Thanks to digital photography it will last forever without having to break your back.

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

that sounds like a great idea, but where would I go to get that done?

[lilangelwings.livejournal.com]

I do like to work pretty large 918x24 and 14x17 bristol board) I use materials that Im comfortable with but I am still learning. Artists are always learning. Im not quite sure what you are trying to suggest. Bristol board isnt too expensive and Im willing to put the money into my supplies (prismacolor pencils) because its a medium that Im very happy with. I honestly dont know where I could cut costs. Its time thats the tricky part. i need to learn to be more efficient. I put a lot of time into my pieces but they take me forever to finish partially because Im a perfectionist and I want to do the best I can and keep improving, and because I have work and classes so I cant work on a piece of art nonstop like I would like to.