(no subject)

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

I hope this is okay to post here!

Recently, I have decided to start seriously pursuing work as a commission artist. While I have done some commission work in the past, it's only been a handful of times. I had clear-cut prices, but not any rules or terms to speak of. Now that I'm hoping to make this a significant thing, I feel that I should do a complete reworking, especially considering how many issues I've seen arise here in the past as a result of unclear or incomplete artist rules.

My question is - where do I start? I'm really at a total loss as to where to begin. What things should be covered by my rules? What rules would be fair to both me and the commissioner?

I'd also like some input on how you handle pricing if you have a varied style. I know it's pretty straightforward to price your work when everything is done in the same way, but I draw in a lot of different styles and am wondering how my commission-offering should reflect that. Should I limit myself to only one style being offered, or try to work out different prices for each style I draw in? In the past I've just limited what I offer, but being of the "more is better" mindset, I want to offer as many possibilities to potential customers as possible.

Thanks in advance to anyone who's able to help on either of these points!

Comments

[uozlulu.livejournal.com]

Things to cover is usually things like:

- What you won't do (like maybe you don't want to draw ___ fetish or accept money orders, etc...)
- What kind of payment plan you have
- How the slots work (does this person commissioning you have to pay a little up front and then get their slot on the lineup or do they get their slot by who asked for the commission first, etc...)

Maybe look at some other commissioners TOS and ask yourself what you like most about their TOS and what it is about their TOS that you would change if it was yours. Not that you should copy their TOS, but simply use them as examples for structure and maybe topics you couldn't think of on your own you might want to give your commissioners a heads up about.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Thanks the advice. I'll definitely be looking at other peoples' TOS pages to get some ideas.

[alexds1.livejournal.com]

When I open commissions, I lay out rules like what I will and will not do, info about when I expect payment and stuff like that. If you've ever commissioned someone yourself, maybe you can imagine the parts that you wished were clearer, or that you were happy that were addressed. I have a commission tutorial here (http://alexds1.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d1xbg50) for some more ideas if you want them.

More can be better, but it can also be more work. Don't list items that you don't feel like you're that excited about. Speaking from past experience, my better commission work has been in mediums and styles that I myself have really personally enjoyed, and wasn't forcing myself to do for the sake of offering a bunch of variety.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

More can be better, but it can also be more work. Don't list items that you don't feel like you're that excited about. Speaking from past experience, my better commission work has been in mediums and styles that I myself have really personally enjoyed, and wasn't forcing myself to do for the sake of offering a bunch of variety.

Thank you for that advice. I'll definitely stick to the stuff that I'm more comfortable and happy doing.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

Definitely cover what you will or will not do. Do you do adult art at all? If you do, you need to say what you are uncomfortable doing. Is payment up front or upon completion? Do you take money orders?

I would make a terms of service page that your commissioners can read. Plenty of people here have them. (Mine is at taasla.rydia.net.)

As for the varied styles, I think offering a little bit of everything wouldn't hurt. I have a "cutie" option for those on a budget. They're still full body pieces, but they're more simplistic and cartoony than my usual way of drawing things. However, only offer things that you know you can complete comfortably. If you know you struggle with full on illustrations, don't offer them from the get go. Either make them special items that are only offered in small quantities, or don't offer them.

I think it would be good to get yourself started by offering small things in places like Teenycom or in your gallery. Just so you can get your feet wet, and when you are more comfortable, open for more.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your help! I'll see what I can work out with offering different options, and I'll definitely be looking into Teenycom as well.

[bagheera.livejournal.com]

Hello! :) Below is a copy of my TOS I posted on FA, perhaps you can use it for reference.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1713459/

Let me know if that helps!

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That definitely gave me some ideas as to what I should put into my own TOS.

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

For pricing your styles, I'd suggest make whatever is easiest for you cheaper, charge more for stuff of greater complexity and make sure you have examples for everything you're offering.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That definitely makes a lot of sense.

[ph34rth3ll4m4.livejournal.com]

Don't forget to include a policy on changes, too. You may be lucky and never get a commissioner who wants you to re-draw a million things, but having a policy in place that says something like "first three changes are free, every change thereafter is $____" could save you a lot of hassle in the future.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's a good idea. I'll be sure to put something in there for changes. Thanks!

[kamakru.livejournal.com]

If you like you can take a look at how I set up my commission prices and rule to get an idea =] Feel free to follow the layout I have. I've developed it for at least 3 or 4 years and I feel it works pretty well.

http://kamakru.deviantart.com/art/Commission-Info-for-Kamakru-144118846

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

The visual pricing guide seems like a useful way of presenting your art! I might do something like that.

[pariahsdream.livejournal.com]

For having many different styles- another option you could do is list the ones that are most comfortable/fun/easiest for you to pump out and then simply add that 'if these don't suit your needs, feel free to contact the artist for additional options'.

You might also want to clearly state your rights- that you retain the copyright on the image, that you will not be harrassed or bullied, things like that.

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

You might also want to clearly state your rights- that you retain the copyright on the image, that you will not be harrassed or bullied, things like that.

Oooh, thanks. I'd included the copyright explanation, but I hadn't thought of putting in anything about harassment.

[kadaria.livejournal.com]

http://community.livejournal.com/artists_beware/207202.html

Pricing styles really depend on the individual. You should probably consider:
-Materials used. Maintaining a tablet for digital commissions vs. buying paper, ink and shipping for digital commissions for example.
-Time involved/cost of labor. I have two friends who sold commissions through college. One charged pennies for digital because she could crank those out all day (things like cute toony LJ icons) while the other charged in the hundreds for digital because it took him days to paint (pieces on par with an oil painting).

[weirdmisty.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that link! Those tips are very helpful indeed.