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Commission tutorial
by-nc-nd
Published: 2009-03-19 17:19:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 298872; Favourites: 10013; Downloads: 4492
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Description
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Over the past three years I've done loads of successful commissions, and have commissioned others successfully as well. I have never had an issue with my transactions because I did my research before I started, and asked others who were doing commissions themselves how they were managing. However, not everyone has the time to go and note everyone (or, if you're getting noted, you may not have time to answer inquiries constantly)! So for your perusal and reference, here are some helpful tips to help you get started with taking commissions on DA.
This tutorial is more for people who offer commissions, but I have a few words for those who take them as well:
- Do your research. Make sure you're getting art from a reliable artist!
- Art costs money. Don't haggle down, its insulting. Don't forget, you're also getting free advertising when they post it to their gallery (for example, who here doesn't know Audley 's Castor ;3 )
- Don't be afraid to pimp the artists who did good work for you! Here is my list!
Raraarrar you know the drill, feel free to comment w/ questions if you got em, thanks for reading etc
The pics in the icons are mostly from the LJ random image generator, they're (c) to the internet, I suppose XD Except for Kash, he's (c) Geico.
My other tutorials:
Pose tutorial
Expression tutorial
Hand tutorial
Foot tutorial
Ladies tutorial
Fellas tutorial
Face tutorial
Coloring Walkthrough
Related content
Comments: 1342
Excellent! A friend who knew I'm interested in starting to take commission work sent me to this jewel of a post. It goes without saying that I'm glad he did! Thanks!
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What would you say to be a good skill level to attain before starting commissions?
I know that's a sort-of hard question because skill levels vary from person to person. But I have been uneasy about starting them myself, as I deem myself 'not good enough yet'. I have looked for around, and most commissioning artists have better artwork than me.
What would you deem to be a good skill level for starting commissions?
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I'd say a good sign is when people start asking you if you are available for commissions! That is the minimum practical level you'll need to attain to actually sell your work 
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I know that it'll be a (long) while before I do any commissions because I still need to improve a lot, but this is a great tutorial and it explains everything clearly.
One question though.
I'm just curious, but how's your experience with Paypal?
I've heard some pretty bad things about them so I'm not sure about getting an account.
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I've had no issues with Paypal. The problems I've heard probably won't affect the average commissioner... the main gripes are
1) Paypal closes account: usually this happens when an account is used to take preorders for items that don't exist yet. Paypal will only allow you to accept funds if you are going to compensate the person right away, not 2 months from now
2) Breaking Paypal rules: If you accept funds for a drawing or something that has porn or other things that go against the Paypal TOS
3) Fund transfer time: This one is a little bit whatever, but sometimes they can take a day or two to send money to your bank account. This doesn't really affect you, as you still receive the money, but some people dislike it since the process should be instantaneous, and PP may still be making interest by holding on to your money for an extra day or two. Again, this is sort of up to you if you want to be offended but I don't really care.
4) Hard to contact: if you have a dispute, I've heard people say it is really hard to get someone on the phone. I had a question for PP that wasn't on the FAQ and it took me literally 5 minutes until I was talking to a person, so I'm not sure what other people are talking about other than they don't know how to make business phonecalls.
Anyways, it is very reliable and frequently used, so I'd say go for it
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Ah, alright then.
It doesn't seem so bad.
Basically, just don't break the rules and use common sense?
Thank you for the quick response (:
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Wow, never thought there would be a tutorial like this xD
Totally awesome, this is very comforting and helpfull to read! Thanks! <3
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I don't think I plan on doing commissions soon, since I've only been one month on Deviantart, (I have done a bit of requests though) but just a little question. Is it okay to start commissions off with DA points or just do money only?
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I think it'd be fine to start with any way you feel most comfortable or happy with
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Oh okay thanks for answering
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Man, I've been wondering how the Commission system works, and now I know.
Thanks for putting this together, I'm going to put this in my favorites.
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So, should you have the work done, and upload it to deviantart? or should you wait for them to tell you what they want? i was going to do my first one on the seven deadly sins, as literature, and was going to write them first.
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Depends on how much work you're doing. If you're doing a big expensive piece, it helps to check in with your client several times during the process. If you're doing a small inexpensive sketch then maybe not so much. Definitely work out all these details with your commissioner before you start to avoid confusion on both sides.
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im assuming a small piece means like, 15 points, right? So, in literature, a page or two?
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I'm not sure what you mean by points, unless you mean dA points. If that is the case, keep in mind 15 points is like a 10 cent commission, which is worth like 5 seconds of drawing or writing... I can't tell you how to price your own work, only you know the value of that, but if you want to charge yourself at least minimum wage for where you live per hour then that is a good base if you know how long it takes for you to do your work.
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i just dont think anyone i know has the money(to turn into points) or points themselves to buy my commissions at that price. i'll end up writing them, and no one will buy them. is there a better way to advertise? because groups and chats get mad when you do that...
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You can advertise on the da forums, or you can just work hard and let your art advertise itself. It definitely takes a while to gain some attention on this site (it took me 2 years of trading and gifting before I started doing commissions), but once you have a good reputation it tends to pay off
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Thank you very much for this tutorial, I really needed a guide for this stuff, I think is very helpful and I will follow your instructions and tips, again, thank you!
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Is it common for the commissioner to get the original print? That's probably what's preferred, but do you just send it through the mail?
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You set that up with your commissioner first
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I had the misfortune of commissioning someone at a con who made me wait a year to get my picture when she said she would have it up on dA in a few weeks. She sent me a note a few days before the same con a whole year later saying she apologized, that stuff came up (which I can understand...but was she too busy for an entire year to not do a sketch?), and she would give me my picture at the con. I let that slide, but it took me hours to find her because she wasn't where she said she would be. She offered a free sketch as an apology, saying I would get it in two weeks.
It's been 4 months. Free sketch or not, it's ridiculous. I second the point to not offer commissions if you don't have the time.
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:\ That really bites. You might want to post about your experience to [link] . No need to let that kind of thing happen to another person?
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Thanks for sending me that link. I just posted there, so now I guess I just have to wait for someone to approve it.
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That's a good idea. I'll look into it.
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okay, i got most of that, but i have a question. i don't want to do anything for any money cuz its too much for my little brain to handle and my stuff isn't worth nothing. so would that just be called a request? can i do that?
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Yes that is called a request, and yes you can do them! Actually doing requests is a great way to prepare yourself to do commissions, if you ever decide to take them. You can also do trades with other people, or do other fun things like do a contest with some art as the prize.
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okay, thanks. this all helped me a lot. your awsome
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Thanks for this awesome tutorial!
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This is going to help me SO MUCH. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!
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Awesome tutorial, helped me out a lot!
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Hey! Thanks for this tutorial!!!
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Hello 
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I was wondering if you'd think that offering signatures (without including drawing) would be an effective way to offer commissions?
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Like just an autograph? That would depend on the demand for them...
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Nah, I mean like something under my name/my ID. Not exactly a drawing, but digital art.
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I have some newbie questions. When someone sells a commission what are they selling? if i paint something digitally am i selling the file of the painting i painted? or do i need to print it out and send it to the buyer? or is it just what the buyer wants?
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It's usually whatever you work out with the buyer beforehand. If they want a digital file from you, then you should give them that. If they want you to print it out and send it to them, then you should both know that before you start (though it is easier to send them the file for them to print themselves so they don't have to pay shipping).
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Ok thank you for the reply
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Most people post to their journals to let their watchers know.
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First this all limited inside of dA unfortunately. And entire article taking the side of the client. I don't I could work on a 3D image or an entire video for just $10-50. Remember that a young or amateur artists will probably do it for a very small fee, while someone who makes a living off of their work will charge a much higher rate. I'm not saying the article is bad, it's really good and enlightening and I 
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I agree. This tutorial is geared more towards artists who are selling individual commissions to other artists or members on Deviantart (in the title it says How to take commission on Deviantart), which is the largest kind of commission transaction I've seen here. I definitely wouldn't apply this to freelance work at all! Thanks for pointing that out though, maybe I should put a caveat in the comment section.
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I don't on a 3D image or an entire video for just $10-50 sorry for the typo I was in hurry
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Great job with this tutorial! It really helps a lot!
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