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Commission tutorial
by-nc-nd
Published: 2009-03-19 17:19:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 298893; Favourites: 10013; Downloads: 4492
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Description
Yes it's true, new monthly tutorials are now available via my Patreon
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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
This is a fantastic tutorial, and I'm seriously considering opening commissions. I hope this isn't a dumb question, or hasn't already been answered, but what would be the acceptable method of sending digital art to the commissioner? Would it be through email or a function on dA I'm dumbly not aware of? Thanks for an awesome guide! :3
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I just send a giant file via email! Usually of a really high resolution. If I do post one online (with the commissioner's permission) it is much smaller and watermarked.
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Okay! Thank you for answering
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I was thinking of doing commissions myself and I have done a few for free on gaiaonline because I didn't knew what to do next...
This was great!!
I was also wondering: Where did you get the dA comment frames from for your tutorial? I'm going to do some guidelines and such myself and thought it is a great way to present it! It's much more interesting!
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I made the frames myself! Minimal photoshopping based on the DA style.
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thanks for your answer... It's Cool 
I must find something else to do
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I am curious--what about copyrighted characters? I see many commissions that use these. Is that something I, as one who is considering opening herself up to commissions, should shy away from?
What about OCs?
I do a lot of Wind Waker style art that people enjoy and...heh...would like to start profiting from it.
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I never do commissions of copyrighted characters, I find it a bit disingenuous to make money off of someone else's efforts. But many people do, I suppose it is up to you!
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I guess I'm mostly worried from a legal standpoint.
Thanks--shall take that into consideration.
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I'm going to be starting commissions soon (for real!), so this was really helpful. I'm so nervous ;_; Pricing is what's bothering me right now, I'm so judgmental of myself!
But anyway, this was a great help. I'll definitely turn to this lil' piece of advice if I run into a problem. Thanks!
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No problem! Glad it was a source of info
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I wish the people I commissioned had read this. =/ Five months ago, I commissioned three different people and not one of them has contacted me since just a few days after the details were sent. :C
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I don't have the time but maybe some day; when that happens, this will be useful, thank you.
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This is truly a wonderful tutorial!
I recently started doing commissions in my hometown and some have suggest I should try commissions online. I've never done commissions with actual payment through the web, but now I feel more relieved by this tutorial. It's incredibly helpful!
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Very informative, not that I can draw. This reminds me that I have to finish a commission tutorial of my own (but for customers). It's amazing how hard it is for people to express what they want, if they even know what they want.
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What about if you're a social outcast, how do you make people commission you then? TT___TT
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Haha, maybe commissions are not the way you should go XD
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*Loses all hope* TT_______________________TT
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This is really great tutorial and I wanted to ask you something but not sure can you answer me. I don't have PayPal in my country so do you know any other methods?
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Hm, I think that Google has an online payment system as well? And Amazon? I'm not sure off the top of my head if they are international. I'd google "international online payment system" and see what comes up
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I know for snail mailing but it's somehow not sure because I need to give my address, etc.
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This was very helpful.
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Thank you! I may take commissions some time in the future
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Commissions are that you're getting paid to do a request, right?
I'm a photographer. Can I start doing commissions too?
What kind of prizes should I ask if I can?
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I don't know anything about photography, so I couldn't tell you! You might want to ask some photography artists on this site, they'd probably know more than me
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Man, I want to try too, even I'm not so great character artist yet...
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Thank you very much for this helpful tutorial! I`m thinking about opening commissions myself for a while now.
One thing I find indeed very difficult is the pricing. I haven`t done any art school and so I`m mostly self-taught. I feel like because of that I can`t price my work too high. Maybe I`m just undervaluing my own work now I don`t know... What`s your opinion on this?
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I feel that you can be flexible. You can start low, figure out exactly how much you will be paid per hour of your effort, then raise the price as you think fair or necessary! Also look at artists with a similar talent/ popularity as yourself and decide if you wantto price yourself higher or lower.
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Thanks for replying so fast! And thanks for sharing your views, very helpful.
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What's the best way to raise prices once I get a steady flow of commissioners...?
I don't want to start charging 10 dollars more to the next commissioner, because that'd be a dick move.
So, how should I go about that and not look like I'm greedy?
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I usually open up commissions in batches, like I can take 10 at a time or something. Once I'm done with those (usually takes a while) then I open up a new batch with the new prices. That way people who didn't grab one the first time will feel like "dang, I'd better get one now, since she might raise prices again next time!"
Of course, you want to start off pretty low and stop once you reach a price you feel comfy with. Don't keep raising the price constantly otherwise you'll probably look like a dick. I've stopped where I am right now cuz I feel like its a fair compensation for my time and ability.
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That sounds pretty reasonable.
Thank you so much for your advice! And for getting back to me so quick. Haha.
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This is really helpful!
I've been thinking alot lately about opening up commissions. I think my art is decent enough to be charged money for, but I'm not sure how to start if I don't have an "easy payment system" like PayPal. I can't use PayPal because my parents don't like me buying or selling things online and I can't raise my spending limit (I just have too many problems with PP in general).
How I can I open up commissions? Or should I just wait until I'm able to use PayPal..?
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Well, you could always do things through the mail. The downside is 1) mailing time and 2) privacy issues (if your parents aren't interested in you selling things online they might not like you giving out your address to strangers!). If you have a trustworthy friend you might be able to do paypal through them? But that seems like it could be trouble too. The last option is just to do trades and build up a reputation and more art skills until the day when you can get your own paypal account
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Hnnn. Alright. Well I appreciate your advice, I'll definately have to put more thought into this. xD
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Awesome tutorial it really helps!
question:how would i send a digital commission;;;
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I recommend sending a high resolution version through email to your commissioner! That way they can print up their own hardcopy if they want one. Only post their finished commission if they give you permission, and if you do so make sure it is at a low resolution (like 72 dpi) and/or has a watermark on it.
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alright!thank you so much!!^^
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Awesome tutorial.
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Quick question: why is keeping records important?
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For organization! And to keep records of trends (like if you are selling more this month than last, and what the possible reasons might be). Thinking critically about your sales requires data that is easily collected by keeping records.
It is also a general life skill that is extremely useful to have, and yet many people never learn it (until it is too late and they get audited...)
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Oh, I see. I'll start keeping records of my commissions, then
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I've been trying to give commissions, but so far nobody's bit.
I can give you a summary of my prices.
[link]
Are they too high, too low, what?
Also, a couple of friends say that I need publicity. Which would you say is the best way to gain publicity? (Note that I haven't done much fanart; my gallery is dominated by my original characters. Should I draw more fanart?)
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They look a bit low, which is bad for you in the long run. For publicity you could always try posting on forums, or doing fanart for artists who have more watchers than you (if they praise or fav it, that will draw more viewers to your page who might be interested in getting some of your work for themselves)
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