Complicated Characters/Commissions Pricing

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Hello again!

 

I'm returning with more questions. I'm slowly taking commissions and more art trades, and I couldn't help but to notice that some characters are more complicated than others (of course lol). My question is what is a reasonable price to charge for complicated characters? For example, a character with complicated fur patterns (with words and barcodes in the fur... I'm sure you've seen those around) and intricate accessories. Now, I'm not saying that these kinds of characters are bad to have. Everyone has different tastes. Though, I'm sure X Character with several accessories will take more time than X Character that's just a plain anteater.  

 

Also, on doing trades, I wanted to ask if it was fair to deny someone a trade because his or her character is more complicated to draw? I don't mind a challenge in art here and there, but some designs I know turn out to be too tedious for my liking. And if so, what would be the best way to tell the person “no” without sounding too mean.

 

 

Thank you for your time!

Comments

[shukivengeance.livejournal.com]

On doing trades it's fair to decline because grass is green if you feel that way, there's hardly an obligation. But if it's with someone you'd like one to go ahead with, you could try explaining that their character is more complex than what you asked for and so could they ask of something more simple from you.

As for excessive extras as commissions, the amount to add on would depend on what your rates already are. I think it would be fair to add 10% or a minimum of $5-10 for wings, for example. Prices should be fluid depending on the amount of work put into them, and if you were so inclined you could charge less for aspects that you actually enjoy drawing I suppose.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your input! I've had a hard time deciding if it's ok to decline because the character is more complicated than mine. I know it varies, because I've been told my characters are complicated.

Hm. Since I generally don't charge much for my art, $5 seems about goo to me.

Thanks again!

[ladysnakebite.livejournal.com]

I agree with the above.

I generally add $10 extra for complicated markings or wings, but YMMV.

[kiriska.livejournal.com]

Agree with above, more or less. I think I normally go with +5-10% for complex markings, and I've flat-out refused to do some characters that are just... ridiculous with "Unfortunately, I don't feel it is within my ability to draw your character up to specification! Is there something else you might be interested in?"

[westly-roanoke.livejournal.com]

I charge more to draw things I don't like to draw, so...yes! Feel free to put a $5-$10 'Your character is going to be very time consuming to draw' charge. Or more, if there's a bunch of little nitpicky details.

[magusmanx.livejournal.com]

I have an area that says: 'If a character is quite complicated, I will charge more. You will be notified of this before the commission starts'.

[ocelotish]

For commissions I'd guess around 10%, but don't be afraid to go over that for barcodes and words, 50 earrings, and 3 sets of wings - that sort of thing. What I would say is "All prices listed are estimates and will vary with complexity. Contact me for a more accurate quote."

As for trades I'd say "That's a bit more complicated than I anticipated. Can I simplify the designs or is there another character you'd like me to draw instead?" It makes the decision on how to proceed theirs.

[pixie-punch.livejournal.com]

I agree with the flexibility of commission pricing, depending on complexity of character. Don't feel you have to stick to a specific price if a character is going to take twice as long to draw.

As for the trade, you could ask them to give you several different characters to choose from. Like that you have more variety to pick the one you'd have the most fun doing a design for. Though you run the risk of all of them being crazily accessorized. Otherwise everyone else's suggestions are great.

[pixie-punch.livejournal.com]

I forgot to add, that when I do trades, I tend to do that. I'll give the artist a couple choices to pick from, since I figure trades should be fun and more free.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your input!

I also give the person multiple characters to draw. I honestly only specify characters for commissions.

[spyral-out.livejournal.com]

Off topic, but -

Eeee Felidae!!!

[zackfig.livejournal.com]

I came to say this!

[marlinkhylacat]

*LOL* I was thinking the same thing!

More on-topic for me: it's just practical to charge more for characters that are going to eat up more of your time and other resources due to their complexity. If someone wants more complicated work, they pay extra for more complicated work, in just about any field. Hiring a construction company to build you an entire house is going to cost more than hiring them to build you a single room, for example. (Kinda silly comparison, I know, but it's what I've got.) How MUCH extra you should charge, I couldn't claim to be expert enough to advise you on.

On art trades: I have a character that's a living technicolour yawn. In art trades, I'll look at the character the other person wants me to draw. If it's significantly simpler than my own (which is usually the case), I'll offer to draw them two characters for my one, or else suggest they make mine as simple as they like, depending upon how much time I have to work on trades.

Likewise, when I commission someone for that same complicated character, I'll let them do a simplified version or offer to pay them extra if it's beyond what they were reasonably expecting to draw for the money.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

That example is actually perfect for this situation!

It's also nice to know you're understanding if the artist wants to raise the price to draw your character. Hopefully, most of my commissioners will be as understanding. As for trades, I also like that take on it. Then again, it all depends on what the person considers complicated.

[marlinkhylacat]

Thanks! I'm glad I could help. =^^=

Also: Felidae was the first time I saw dead kitten fetuses in an animation. I hope it's the last. XD

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Yep, I just hope I don't run into this problem a lot.

What can I say? It's a weird movie, but it's still good, lol.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

YES, it's one of my favorite movies! XD

[aggro-badger.livejournal.com]

For complicated characters, I figure +50-100% of the price of a character.
Though I usually err in the favour of the commissioner...
But something like a tiger or whatever I'd just treat as normal even though it's more work. It's splitting hairs for me to charge extra for something like that.
Wings or some fancy tattoos that I know are going to increase the time spend on it are like +50% (so half of having added a second character).
Something like wings, and tattoos, and robot arms, oh and it's a taur, that's really like drawing two characters to me so it's going to be the cost of two characters.

[millislim.livejournal.com]

I have never charged extra for complicated characters only because there have been times that the simpliest of designs took FOREVER compared with something that had tentacles...the amount of time it takes for me to complete a piece varies so much that I just price my art at what I'd like to be charged either way. I have declined commission offers because of overly complicated characters...especially ones with tribal tattoos that are not clearly displayed on a ref sheet. I find that I get more commissions when my prices are clearly posted without a "contact me for clarification"... maybe posting a range in which a commission can fall $20-30 for inks, for example. This gives your customers an easy way to see the price but gives you the wiggle room for characters that should cost more to render.

For trades? I had to stop offering these because I NEVER was requested to do something simple...it was always some transgendered-herm with a macro theme with 8 wings, 3 tails and a split tongue trying to swallow some inflatable pool toy while in a three some with two other characters that look just like the first! I find that many people hunting for trades are those who can't get an artist to take a commission for their characters/subject matter. You have to put your foot down if you're not comfortable. You WILL be taken advantage of if you don't.

tl;dr
if you feel undercharged for complicated characters, charge more
don't feel guilty about declining complicated characters in a trade offer

[ogawaburukku.livejournal.com]

I laughed so hard at this unfortunate trade XD

I agree with this post. If you have a TOS you might say "note: prices are subject to change" or something. I usually don't open commissions up to overly difficult stuff when I'm using a set price list (usually stating the commission is for a full-body picture, normal pose, etc). If I take on private, separate commissions I usually name my price after I've heard what the commission entails.

I don't do trades EVER. I did yeeears ago, but I am really bad about doing my end of the trade because unless I get paid I will put RL things first. I might do gift art sometimes... I am an example why people shouldn't do trades, because the other person might not be fair or forget, etc etc.

[millislim.livejournal.com]

I did over exaggerate that trade offer but I did get some really strange requests...you have to wonder if some of them are jokes. I do feel for those with odd kinks that most won't draw but if you can't get someone to do it for a fee what makes yout think somoeone will for free? lol

[mariechan.livejournal.com]

The other day some stranger came to me for an art trade and was so overly eager I felt put on the spot and I pretty much let her walk all over me. Thing is she had an attitude in game that was much different than when she chatted with me. She actually CHASTISED me in this video game and gave me attitude about the character I was requesting for her to draw (even though my design was simpler than hers).

I was so glad to finish my half in like 10 minutes. I just gave it to her, but of course she came back again and started asking for another trade THE NEXT DAY.

I'm just not doing art trades anymore. :/

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I personally try to keep things such as tribal tattoos to a minimum when designing a character. Those can get out of hand fast, and I know how hard it can be having to redraw it over and over.

I've somewhat run into that problem with my trades. The people were basically trading me doodles for a full digital image. I was ok the first time it happened. Then someone did a doodle for their half and got my character wrong. It was either that or they assumed I'd say "yes", because they had the drawing up as soon as I told them I would trade with them. It unsettled me.

[millislim.livejournal.com]

instant art! the future is HERE! that is weird tho

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

You're right, maybe that's not such a bad thing XD

But, yep, I just gave them a chibi for my half and moved on to the next trade. I try not to be picky with my art trades, but some people are pushing it.

[millislim.livejournal.com]

I'm also not a big fan of trades because it's like playing roulette...what are the odds you're gonna get something rushed or crappy? then after you worked hard on your end your like..."erm....thanks?"

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

That's true. I never rush my half, I'd feel so bad if I did. I also try to go by the rule to accept most trades regardless of skill level. However, when I started getting an influx of doodles in exchange... Well, I'm starting to get pickier with who I trade with. The problem I have the most is the person replying to my messages with some small talk, then the person drops "wanna do a trade? : )" out of nowhere. I go "Ok, that's fine. Who do you want me to draw?" "Yay! Draw X Character for me! Who would you like me to draw?" I tell them whoever they want, and I never get a reply back confirming who they picked or that they even read the message.

I feel taken advantage of in the end. This problem has just started happening, I don't want to close down trades... but it has been looking like a good option lately.

[spcake.livejournal.com]

For trades, I always reply with a generic, "Thank you for your interest in my work, but I will be unable to trade with you at this time." That line never seems to anger people.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

I'll keep that one in mind!

[lolticon.livejournal.com]

Don't be afraid to go up to like.... 25% of the price for complicated characters. As someone with a complicated/not to everyone's taste (okay not barcodes and words but still lots of wings) I am not turned off by paying a lot extra. And in fact if someone does not have a complicated character additional fee I usually will tip extra more than usual.


As for trade, just tell them you actually just got busy on some other project. >.>

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your input! I do hope my future commissioners are as understanding as you when it comes to paying for complicated characters.

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

I do sculpture, so it's a little bit different for me. I do in fact charge extra for complicated characters and give specific examples of what will incur the charge. You want Queenn Amidala's hair style? yes, you're paying extra, because if I'm doing a sculpture I can't turn head so as to cheat. and I need to figure out what it looks like in back, how its tied, build an armature under it, etc. Same for complicated patterns. it is really, really hard to fake patterns on clothing when you can see the whole article of clothing. You can't turn it to put the annoying bits in shadow or not paint the backside.

I also have what's referred to in the price list as "complicated engineering" fee and I specifically list "extra limbs beyond that which the species would normally have" as an example. If you want your winged cattaur balancing on two back legs, that is a LOT more complicated to engineer than a horse doing same because there's so many limbs involved and I CAN'T look at photos for reference of how far to tuck the leg under to counterbalance the weight of wings, direction to turn tail, angle to hold wings at for balance, etc. I may have to make custom weights to put in the feet and may spend hours just building the skeleton for your sculpt, moving a one a tiny bit this way, curling a tail that way, etc. tiny details that won't be visible at the end, but if they're wrong, means the whole thing may collapse under its own weight.

and if they want it with moving or motorized parts, that adds even more.

so yeah, a simple sculpt with a really generic paint job from me might be 1/10th the price of something that was massively complicated and mechanized or repositionable.

[miryhis.livejournal.com]

It's a whole different game with sculptures to me. I agree with you, because you have to make it look good from all angles. Lots of little details to take care of.

Thank you for your input!