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

[sbneko.livejournal.com]

It's kinda of a personal thing. A lot of minors can't handle it. I started at 15 and haven't stopped since. There is things that I look back on and regret because of me being immature, but in general, I'm very happy I did it and having so much work to do helped improve my art.

I will say this though: Even if you want to be stubborn, try to listen to people and ask advice before blowing up at a commissioner. I'm not saying all minors are the same, but a big majority flip out too easily (hormones I guess?) and don't always think the right things. I had a temper and when I thought I was right, you couldn't argue. That was wrong, I should have been listening to others.

I started with my mom's paypal as well. I'd say just make sure you know how much is yours so there's no problems.

[collie-fluff.livejournal.com]

"I will say this though: Even if you want to be stubborn, try to listen to people and ask advice before blowing up at a commissioner. I'm not saying all minors are the same, but a big majority flip out too easily (hormones I guess?) and don't always think the right things. I had a temper and when I thought I was right, you couldn't argue. That was wrong, I should have been listening to others."

This is not only something you need to remember just for commissions, but for your entire life. You might not be the expert you think you are, and when more experienced people are telling you "Hey, you shouldn't do that" and they are all pretty much saying it, then it might be a good idea to stop, re-evaluate yourself and take a look from the outside.

I too was 15, and knew EVERYTHING. Eight years later I look back and see that I knew NOTHING.

Take the advice from others. There is a TON of it in this post.

[dixiedyboski.livejournal.com]

Agreeing about getting angry at people. I'm generally quite tired due to the anaemia, and I can fight with my parents for just that reason. I'm generally a count-to-ten person when it comes to the internet though, but still, if I ended up shouting at someoe who'd paid me for something, that would be right.

Hmmm. I'm a bit split in two with this.