Advice: Teen artist - how should I go about taking commissions?

[dixiedyboski.livejournal.com]

Hello A_B!
Errrr, first ever LJ post here, correct me if I'm doing it wrong :3



Basically, I want to start taking commissions :3 But, lots of the posts here are about 'minors' buying/selling their art, and everything ending in tears and whatnot. Is it ok to take commissions at 15? Or should I wait 'til I'm older?
I know that research is important, and everyone says about having a ToS that you both agree to before you start sending money or anything, so if there's any problem on either side, you can throw it at the commissioner and run :3
Also, I know my art is not terrible. Its not wonderful either, but I know I'm improving and yes, I have done life drawing since I started GCSE Art. I could improve a lot on anatomy though, very very definitely. (curse you, silly anime phase.)
Also, would sending the money through my parents (they use paypal a lot for their bubble business) be a good idea?
And postage too. I would rather not send actual pictures in the post, but I'm sure badges would be ok.

So, any advice you have would be very very very much apreiciated <3

Comments

[thaily.livejournal.com]

At your age, if you don't hold up your end of the deal, you legally get off scot free, so I would personally never do business with an under aged person and many others will also refuse on those same grounds; nothing personal, it's just nice to have some legal recourse if things go tits up, or at the very least, not have people accuse you of bullying a child if you complain about a bad business transaction with someone who is under aged.

I suggest you just keep doing your own thing for now, maybe do some trades. It'll get you used to the mechanics of a commission; someone wants you to draw X and you have to try and satisfy them within a reasonable timespan, and you get something for it in return. But there's generally less pressure and stress.

That way you'll also work in your reputation a bit and have a bigger customer base by the time you do start taking commissions for pay.

[dixiedyboski.livejournal.com]

I've seen it happen a lot of that cursed site deviantART, where people get commissioned, and then just procrastinate on it until the person who paid them for the art just gives up. And I absolutely would hate to do that to someone.
But trades until I'm old enough seems to be the best bet here :3