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

[the-princeling.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have the same problem!! Getting active anywhere is hard as balls! x__x One of the biggest things about commissioning people is primarily selling yourself and getting yourself out there.

Trades/requests/gifts and stuff are good because they help build up your gallery and get some onlookers. If you still want to use DA and give yourself a second chance, also try out the Thumbshare and Projects boards. Thumbshare is where you can upload pictures of your art for everyone to look at en masse (as opposed to the few nanoseconds it will get in the Newest section), and the Projects board is where you can advertise yourself and your commissions/requests/trades, etc. (or even fill out some for people who are also requesting/looking for commissioners on that board). There are also a buttload of groups that are commission-based for advertising yourself (and groups in general are good for getting faves and views). :3 It's hard work, but once you get some foundation, it pays off. xD

I'm not sure about Neopets; I've never used it myself. ;_;

Amazon gift cards, baby. So you can charge a full-body sketch for $25 in Amazon gift cards. I'm not quite sure how that works beyond I've seen people trade for those, so that would require some research.

It's a lot to think about, so it would probably best just to start small. Use the above and really build yourself up, and then when you're ready (this point will be all up to you), bring out the dinero! It will be good, like taking an internship: you figure out what you want to do, your likes and dislikes and preferences, and then you can really see what the commissioning world is kind of like without being bound to do anything. It'll help you judge your skill level and what you want to charge and draw, etc.