Commissions and conventions

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

I wrote this a while back and would like to know if anyone has advice on what else to add? I just want to help may friend who's new to conventions and such. Its also just general advice for me since im going to furfright soon and i want to be prepared XD

how to commission people at conventions

* Print references or descriptions of your characters *
whatever you have that can be used to depict your character correctly!

* Print a contact sheet *
make sure that you give the artists your contact information! this can include any or all of the following; Phone number, email, deviantart account, furaffinity account, livejournal account, im, etc.

* Write the artists contact info down *
Make sure to mark down who you commissioned and for what to avoid misunderstandings!

* Ask the artist about their terms of service *
the artists terms of service isnt only there to protect them! its there to protect you too! ask them about their refund policies, their turnarounds, and anything else you may have questions about!

* Write down what you want *
if you want something specific then make sure to write it down somewhere for the artist!


how to take commissions at conventions

* Ask for contact information *
dont want the hard work to go to waste! or what if you need to contact a commissioner for details or to ask a question?

* give contact information *
Dont let the commissioner forget that they commissioned you! That would cause a lot of problems later on!

* make sure you and the commissioner are on the same page *
make sure they understand what they're paying for and pay the correct amount of money for it!

* print out your terms of service *
Make sure your commissioners read and agree to it. best way of doing that is having them sign it, of course!

* take references *
im sure you dont want to draw your commissioners character wrong!

* dont overload yourself! *
make sure you can finish all of your commissions in a reasonable amount of time! Dont take too many!

Comments

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

For the 'commissioning an artist' part, a good word of advice:

Give the artist some time! Don't expect a 2 character colored sketch to be done the same hour. Coming back every twenty minutes to ask an artist if they're done is only going to slow the work down. 2 hours between each 'check in' is probably more than enough. If any artists say it'll be done for tomorrow, don't bother them today.

On the opposite end, artists don't give unreasonable time frames, if you have 12 other badges to do, don't tell a client to check in, in 2 hours. All you'll do is end up with angry customers, and end up slowing yourself down. Most people are more than happy to wait if you're honest up front about the time needed for a commission.

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I never thought that someone could be that impatient tbh 8x god that must be annoyinggg

[monogato.livejournal.com]

I feel it is worthwhile to specify with the references to not give out originals, as something could happen (even without any wrongdoing on the artist's part) where you'll never see it again.

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

This. making it glaringly obvious is best idea.

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

oh wow people do that? thanks 8x

[monogato.livejournal.com]

I've actually seen a few entries posted here on a_b that involved someone giving an original to an artist as a reference and the artist dropping off the face of the earth with it.

[ryunwoofie.livejournal.com]

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5814255 sums up pretty much EVERYTHING

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

oooh i remember that XD perfect!

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

For those commissioning, make sure to specify on the references if there is anything WRONG, circle it and write a note direct on the print out. for example, your character has two different colored eyes. if you give them a reference with the eyes different on each one, you've got a 50/50 shot they'll come out right. If you put a note on the ref where they're wrong, specifically saying "these are wrong here, look at the other ref" you will probably get it right.

and references don't necessarily just mean drawings of your character. If your character has unusual clothing or props (or is an unusual real world species) bring a photo of the item. If you give them just an artist's drawing, each successive drawing will get worse.
For example, you have a character with a gun and specify it's an AK47. Unless the artist you commission KNOWS what one looks like or happens to have brought a picture with them (or can access internet) you'll get something that looks sorta like an AK47 but may have serious error. If the next artist draws from that reference of an almost-but-not-quite-right AK47, it's going to look even less correct.

so bring a photo reference for specific unusual items. You can assume the artist can draw basic clothing items or everyday items, but weird things, get a photo. you'll get a much better end product that way.

[jadinerhine.livejournal.com]

^This. So much.

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

ooh thanks, yesss

[film2edit.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering how you can work in not to harass someone about an art commission away from a designated place of business (ie, not a hallway).