@sometimesidewdle's post on Artfol
Monday thought:A bit of insight on commissions. Like.. how does it work for you? And how much freedom do you keep in subjects?
I have rarely tried it, and mostly it was as a gift/for free, but i was super scared to do it pro because i thought it will drown my creativity or will have to stick to weird requests etc. I am indeed picky and do what feels right for me and so.. if you have experience and tips, please give some advice here, thx
Apr 26, 2021
I have rarely tried it, and mostly it was as a gift/for free, but i was super scared to do it pro because i thought it will drown my creativity or will have to stick to weird requests etc. I am indeed picky and do what feels right for me and so.. if you have experience and tips, please give some advice here, thx
Apr 26, 2021#advice
#commissions
#questions
Comments
Depends on the commission and the client. Some projects requires very specific things that need to be met while others it's free game (mainly those inexperienced in commissioning people).
Sometimes i don't like what I'm drawing or what the designs the client is asking for but i suck it up cause it's my job and I'm getting paid.
Sometimes i don't like what I'm drawing or what the designs the client is asking for but i suck it up cause it's my job and I'm getting paid.
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•That's what commission sheets and TOS is for! You make a list of rules and guidelines for commissions and clearly state what you can and can't draw, what you're comfortable with, that you have the right to decline a commission if you don't want to do it, etc. Anyone who commissions you will have to agree to the rules you set. You're the one offering a service, you should always be the one in control.
I have a list with my prices and rules, and people are expected to read that before contacting me. My prices vary by complexity (for example, a headshot will be cheaper than a fullbody, stuff like that).
Then they send me the character ref and explain what they want. Usually it's nothing too specific---I get things like "they should have a playful expression" or "I'd like them to be holding a cat!" and I have pretty much total freedom as long as I include whatever detail they requested. On the rare occasion that I get something too complex for me, I simply decline. You always have a right to say no!
If freedom is what bothers you, maybe YCHs would be more up your alley? Those are when you draw whatever sketch you want, and then someone else pays for you to finish the drawing using their character. That way you can still draw whatever subject matter you'd like.
I have a list with my prices and rules, and people are expected to read that before contacting me. My prices vary by complexity (for example, a headshot will be cheaper than a fullbody, stuff like that).
Then they send me the character ref and explain what they want. Usually it's nothing too specific---I get things like "they should have a playful expression" or "I'd like them to be holding a cat!" and I have pretty much total freedom as long as I include whatever detail they requested. On the rare occasion that I get something too complex for me, I simply decline. You always have a right to say no!
If freedom is what bothers you, maybe YCHs would be more up your alley? Those are when you draw whatever sketch you want, and then someone else pays for you to finish the drawing using their character. That way you can still draw whatever subject matter you'd like.
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•With fan art or character art I've never felt any stress, drawing that stuff is fun and everyone is always very excited! The issue is normally with portraits, people have an image of what they look like in thier and you never get it right :/ but that the end of the day it very worth it because you make something someone loves and that's always nice
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•If I do PWYW commissions. I let them give me a what they want me to draw. And maybe the medium but what they pay is how much time I put in and I get a lot more freedom with the work! You can put down a starting price and what you are willing to draw and go from there. I haven't found it drowning my creativity as much as strict commissions and portraits that I do for irl customers. They usually have a strict vision.
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