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Any artist charge a commission?
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LonelyKimiko
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People are always gonna complain about charging commisions, but I say go for it if you think your artwork is up to the standard 🙂 .
Celtic_Emperor
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I would ask the mods to move this thread to general discussions, since its not tickling related and it might get more hits there. I wouldn't have seen this thread had I not entered this forum (which I don't do too often).
Anyways, I do commissions sometimes. They are a good morale booster and people are willing to pay me. Don't expect commissions to pay the bills though unless commissions are all you're going to be doing. I do it for the fun of it. I get to draw something and make some money at the same time. It also gives me more professional credibility.
The key is to trying to find and keep flat rates and then account for added costs and considerations on a case by case basis so as to make the transaction a fair deal for both parties.
Pricing should have the following criteria considered (not necessarily applied in all situations):
1.) Is it a sketch, finished piece, or inked piece? Will there be color? Was it done digitally?
2.) How many characters are there in the picture?
3.) Is there a background in the picture?
4.) What mediums were used to produce the picture?
5.) If it was a traditional medium, how much material will presumably be used up?
6.) How fast does the commissioner want this picture?
7.) How difficult or time consuming will the picture be?
8.) Is it fanart or something original?
9.) Is it a single piece or part of a series or set?
10.) What quality materials is the picture drawn on?
These are just 10 of the many questions artists should ask themselves and then discuss with the customer. Beforehand though, its good to give the customer options, so they can choose what price range they are comfortable with.
This isn't my personal formula or price structure, but here's an example:
-------
Basic sketch/oekaki (single character): $5.00
Polished sketch (single character): $7.00
Inks (single character): $10.00
Colors (single character): $15.00-$20.00 (CG or traditional)
-------
Additional characters (each): $5-$7 (no color); $8.00-$10.00 (color)
Background: $5.00-$7.00 (no color); $8.00-$10.00 (color)
-----
Again, this is just an example, but you get the idea.
Honestly though, it depends on how good you are. If you're going to be charging professional prices for really subpar work then no one will do business with you.
So change your prices according to your abilities.
Anyways, I do commissions sometimes. They are a good morale booster and people are willing to pay me. Don't expect commissions to pay the bills though unless commissions are all you're going to be doing. I do it for the fun of it. I get to draw something and make some money at the same time. It also gives me more professional credibility.
The key is to trying to find and keep flat rates and then account for added costs and considerations on a case by case basis so as to make the transaction a fair deal for both parties.
Pricing should have the following criteria considered (not necessarily applied in all situations):
1.) Is it a sketch, finished piece, or inked piece? Will there be color? Was it done digitally?
2.) How many characters are there in the picture?
3.) Is there a background in the picture?
4.) What mediums were used to produce the picture?
5.) If it was a traditional medium, how much material will presumably be used up?
6.) How fast does the commissioner want this picture?
7.) How difficult or time consuming will the picture be?
8.) Is it fanart or something original?
9.) Is it a single piece or part of a series or set?
10.) What quality materials is the picture drawn on?
These are just 10 of the many questions artists should ask themselves and then discuss with the customer. Beforehand though, its good to give the customer options, so they can choose what price range they are comfortable with.
This isn't my personal formula or price structure, but here's an example:
-------
Basic sketch/oekaki (single character): $5.00
Polished sketch (single character): $7.00
Inks (single character): $10.00
Colors (single character): $15.00-$20.00 (CG or traditional)
-------
Additional characters (each): $5-$7 (no color); $8.00-$10.00 (color)
Background: $5.00-$7.00 (no color); $8.00-$10.00 (color)
-----
Again, this is just an example, but you get the idea.
Honestly though, it depends on how good you are. If you're going to be charging professional prices for really subpar work then no one will do business with you.
So change your prices according to your abilities.
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Celtic_Emperor
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Also, just to clear up any confusion there may be on this matter...
A commission is when somehow pays you money to draw for them. If you're not being paid or charging any money, then its not a commission, but a basic request, donation or contribution.
Business is implied in a commission, whereas with a request it is not.
So to say something like "should I charge for a commission?" is an inaccurate (and confusing) way of refering to requests where no financial gain is made.
Its more like "should I charge for requests?". In which case, you can if you want to (then they'd technically be commissions). Whether or not you should is really tied up in your abilities.
A commission is when somehow pays you money to draw for them. If you're not being paid or charging any money, then its not a commission, but a basic request, donation or contribution.
Business is implied in a commission, whereas with a request it is not.
So to say something like "should I charge for a commission?" is an inaccurate (and confusing) way of refering to requests where no financial gain is made.
Its more like "should I charge for requests?". In which case, you can if you want to (then they'd technically be commissions). Whether or not you should is really tied up in your abilities.
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Celtic_Emperor
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You're welcome. 🙂
Is there anything else you'd like to know? There are other matters tied into this as well, such as payment options, delivery methods, etc.
Is there anything else you'd like to know? There are other matters tied into this as well, such as payment options, delivery methods, etc.
juggernaut
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If you use the word commission, it should be "Vlad commissioned me to do a drawing for him", and all it ever means is he intends to pay me for it.
I agree with Vlad's statement about setting your price near your skill level, though. I'm an artist and designer by profession and charge between $65-$100/hour depending on the client and their needs, but that's after alot of experience. I used to airbrush at the mall for a couple years when I was 18-20 and would charge between $20-30 for most everything at the time. I'd work pretty fast and it'd take me a half hour or so for sunsets, cartoons, etc., and a car or pet portrait would be more of a $40/ 1 hour long project.
The biggest rule, professionally anyway, is:
Good, fast, and cheap... pick two.
If you want it fast and cheap, you get less quality.
If you want it cheap and good, I'll not make it a top priority and you'll wait.
If you want it fast and good, it's gonna cost. Alot.
Other good advice - keep a copy or scan of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g you do. Don't give away the original without a copying it somehow. Trust me. There are many reasons why and you'll recognize them when they present themselves.
I agree with Vlad's statement about setting your price near your skill level, though. I'm an artist and designer by profession and charge between $65-$100/hour depending on the client and their needs, but that's after alot of experience. I used to airbrush at the mall for a couple years when I was 18-20 and would charge between $20-30 for most everything at the time. I'd work pretty fast and it'd take me a half hour or so for sunsets, cartoons, etc., and a car or pet portrait would be more of a $40/ 1 hour long project.
The biggest rule, professionally anyway, is:
Good, fast, and cheap... pick two.
If you want it fast and cheap, you get less quality.
If you want it cheap and good, I'll not make it a top priority and you'll wait.
If you want it fast and good, it's gonna cost. Alot.
Other good advice - keep a copy or scan of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g you do. Don't give away the original without a copying it somehow. Trust me. There are many reasons why and you'll recognize them when they present themselves.
nessonite1
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"Good, fast, and cheap... pick two."
That's genius.
Ive done several comissions. So far a flat rate of $40 per has been pretty universally good. it doesn't equal to much per hour (maybe $10 - $15) but it's something I enjoy and it's money I can make from home, which is coolies. If somebody asked for something simple or really complex I's adjust the price I suppose.
A good thing to do with someone youve never worked with before (or who you dont have references for) is to show them an initial layout.design. When a design is aproved you get half of the comission and the other half when it's done.
That's genius.
Ive done several comissions. So far a flat rate of $40 per has been pretty universally good. it doesn't equal to much per hour (maybe $10 - $15) but it's something I enjoy and it's money I can make from home, which is coolies. If somebody asked for something simple or really complex I's adjust the price I suppose.
A good thing to do with someone youve never worked with before (or who you dont have references for) is to show them an initial layout.design. When a design is aproved you get half of the comission and the other half when it's done.
LonelyKimiko
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Love that first line XD . I might have to ask you for a commision when I get in the money again, I really love your stuff 😀 .
Celtic_Emperor
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nerrad said:
Yes, I agree and have much the same standard. Customers, as much as they are valued, cannot always have it both ways.
If they want something really good out of me its going to cost a bit more. If they freaking want me to put my heart and soul into something, I can, but my price is going to reflect that.
I highly suspect you feel the same based on what you've said.
I try and give my customers exactly what they want, so I usually draw several rough sketches (like what Ness said in her post). From those they decide which is closer to what they wanted, and I zone in and narrow it down that way sometimes.
Customers often know exactly what they want, but they lack any truely tangible way of showing you. Discribing can only go so far, and unfortunately alot of the conceptualization of the project relies completely on their ability (or lack thereof) to be as discriptive as they need to be for the picture to be the best it can be.
I don't know how others do it, but I like to chat with my customers a bit, get to know a little about them, why they want this picture, what it means to them, etc, and that really helps fill in the blanks because you get their personal perspective on it. 🙂
Theres alot of reading between the lines with commissions sometimes, and they're often times a reflection of the person themself in some way. Its very telling and personal sometimes, and you almost feel embarassed to be a part of that intimacy.
Finally, yes, yes, totally yes, you SHOULD make copies, keep the carbon copy and give them a copy, etc. If you're dealing with copyrights, its especially so.
If you start charging for artwork, prepare for people to rip it apart, if it's not good. Like, if I ask you to draw me something, and you do it for free, i'll be like "Awh, thanks!" reguardless of quality. But if you're like "gimmie 10 bucks" I'll be like "God this sucks, give me my money back =/".
Heh, but I guess that's pretty obvious. It's changing art from a hobby to a career. So...be prepared =P.
Heh, but I guess that's pretty obvious. It's changing art from a hobby to a career. So...be prepared =P.
Kalamos
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That's why most artists do business through publishers, or with trusted partners only.Goofytickle said:
The oldest scam is commissioning art, asking for a free peek, claiming it doesn't meet the standards, and use the preview behind the artist's back.
...
Of course potential customers can see one's art, before commissioning it.
They can pull that trick once or twice. Then artists will know who's to be trusted, and who's a cheap hack.
Commissioned artists can be expected to provide paid art to a roughly equal level with their own free art.
Customers can't reasonably ask any different.
They get what they pay for.
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juggernaut
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I've been doing this a long time. There are some people who cannot be satisfied no matter how many ways you adjust around them. Identify them quickly, because before you know it... you'll be in deep time-wise and still charging them the original quote and by the time you break it down, you'll make $2.50/hour.
When I was first starting to charge a little for things [in my teens], I'd go in and show my dad the finished product and get his opinion. He was not an artist on any level. He'd say "That's great. How much are you going to charge for that?" If it was a t-shirt for a buddy at school, I'd say "$20". [Meanwhile, it was something like a pic of his car all tricked out on a detailed background, pretty intricate] He'd get frustrated and say "You have to stop giving your art away!!!" I'd say something like "Well, it only took about an hour and a half." And he then he said something that changed my entire perspective. He said "It doesn't matter. They're not paying you for your time, they're paying you for what you can do for them. If they stood there with your airbrush for the rest of their life, they couldn't do that."
Kinda like doctors. You get charged a flat fee for the office visit/time, regardless of the diagnosis. And depending on your specific needs, the price may go up because of what you walk out of there with.
And if you get a constipated feeling that someone may mess around with you on time or money, it's always best to not accept or politely back out of the project before getting too deep. Always leave yourself a back door and say something like "I'm going full throttle right now on several other things, so let me take this and see how I can fit it in. I'll have a better idea in a couple days." You can then go home, mess with it a little, and maybe get back in touch later and say, "I had a couple minutes and just sketched this out and thought I'd run it by you to see if we're on the right track". You haven't overcommitted, you've shown them you haven't forgotten them, and you can guage their reaction and see if you wanna move forward. If they act like a tool right off the bat, you wait a bit and tell them "I'm gonna be tied up here indefinitely with the other stuff I'm doing right now and I wouldn't wanna promise something I can't deliver. Maybe down the road."
When I was first starting to charge a little for things [in my teens], I'd go in and show my dad the finished product and get his opinion. He was not an artist on any level. He'd say "That's great. How much are you going to charge for that?" If it was a t-shirt for a buddy at school, I'd say "$20". [Meanwhile, it was something like a pic of his car all tricked out on a detailed background, pretty intricate] He'd get frustrated and say "You have to stop giving your art away!!!" I'd say something like "Well, it only took about an hour and a half." And he then he said something that changed my entire perspective. He said "It doesn't matter. They're not paying you for your time, they're paying you for what you can do for them. If they stood there with your airbrush for the rest of their life, they couldn't do that."
Kinda like doctors. You get charged a flat fee for the office visit/time, regardless of the diagnosis. And depending on your specific needs, the price may go up because of what you walk out of there with.
And if you get a constipated feeling that someone may mess around with you on time or money, it's always best to not accept or politely back out of the project before getting too deep. Always leave yourself a back door and say something like "I'm going full throttle right now on several other things, so let me take this and see how I can fit it in. I'll have a better idea in a couple days." You can then go home, mess with it a little, and maybe get back in touch later and say, "I had a couple minutes and just sketched this out and thought I'd run it by you to see if we're on the right track". You haven't overcommitted, you've shown them you haven't forgotten them, and you can guage their reaction and see if you wanna move forward. If they act like a tool right off the bat, you wait a bit and tell them "I'm gonna be tied up here indefinitely with the other stuff I'm doing right now and I wouldn't wanna promise something I can't deliver. Maybe down the road."
Celtic_Emperor
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I wouldn't even give an impossible customer that much consideration. I probably wouldn't do it either for people who only hint or tease that they may hire you but never actually do and/or are pressuring or hinting at a freebie. These types are wasting your time by getting you into a dialogue that you could be having with a genuine customer who intends to pay.
While I do prefer consultations, I don't enjoy them if they're not leading to anything.
Finally, as far as what Goofytickle has said, I'm pretty darn sure that a customer knows what they are paying for, as they've most likely seen samples from that artist, whether that be online or otherwise.
So unless you're wasting your time on purpose, you would know beforehand if the artist's work was worth the cost, because you've seen it. If its too much for you, you don't have to do business with them.
Moreover, if they aren't your type of artist and their art doesn't speak to you at all what so ever, then you're truely squandering their time and yours, especially if you're working on the scant hope that they can deliver how you want them to be able to. You're setting yourself up for disappointment that way, and you're wasting their time, effort, and materials.
While I do prefer consultations, I don't enjoy them if they're not leading to anything.
Finally, as far as what Goofytickle has said, I'm pretty darn sure that a customer knows what they are paying for, as they've most likely seen samples from that artist, whether that be online or otherwise.
So unless you're wasting your time on purpose, you would know beforehand if the artist's work was worth the cost, because you've seen it. If its too much for you, you don't have to do business with them.
Moreover, if they aren't your type of artist and their art doesn't speak to you at all what so ever, then you're truely squandering their time and yours, especially if you're working on the scant hope that they can deliver how you want them to be able to. You're setting yourself up for disappointment that way, and you're wasting their time, effort, and materials.
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juggernaut
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Eh, sometimes I bite the bullet and work with people I could do without, but that's usually a means to an end. I threw a bone to a dozen annoying, rich, bored housewives and did web design for their non-profit garden club because my buddies wife was involved. They loved it and all took it home and showed their husbands. I got calls within a few days from several of them about doing work for their companies, one of them being an international coal broker.
Unfortunately, the worst part of any business is the people. [And I like people.] My biggest client is a nice guy, but a total pain in the ass and can't get out of his own way. But since he sends me nice big projects, I bear it and get paid.
Unfortunately, the worst part of any business is the people. [And I like people.] My biggest client is a nice guy, but a total pain in the ass and can't get out of his own way. But since he sends me nice big projects, I bear it and get paid.
Celtic_Emperor
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Well, if the payoff makes up for it then its another matter, I suppose.
