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Commission tutorial
by-nc-nd
Published: 2009-03-19 17:19:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 298920; Favourites: 10013; Downloads: 4492
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Description
Yes it's true, new monthly tutorials are now available via my Patreon
>>>>> Get new tutorials and impress friends, children, strangers, etc with your charitable nature here <<<<<
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
The way I see it, donations are only acceptable in extreme situations -- e.g. your house burned down, you're helping a friend who has cancer, etc. But for someone who just wants to buy a new tablet or something, there's no way I'm going to throw them my money without getting something of an equal value. In those situations, I think it's much, much better to take commissions instead of asking for donations.
I just don't see how the artist is taking advantage of my "kindness" when I'm getting something of equal value. 
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Well sure, I don't have anything against that either. But when someone takes 15 commissions all at once to get the money, like, *today* so they can buy their tablet, thats what annoys me. Obviously the whole point of doing commissions is to get money to buy something XD But when people take a million commissions at once they tend to undervalue them in the first place, and they end up not getting done.
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they end up not getting done.
Yeah, that's probably the worst case scenario for these, and unfortunately not all that uncommon. But if the artist has a good deal of experience getting commissions done within a reasonable time frame, then I don't see why not.
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Welp, you win. This is an AWESOME tutorial. Makes me feel really embarrassed about mistakes I've been making with clients, but at least now I know, right? DX
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Ooo very interesting
I've already had a shit experience with commissions. I won't name specific names (as hard as it is to resist), but I paid a girl on deviantart ages ago. Maybe about a year? Never got a thing, not even a note. It was cheap as dirt, so I haven't exactly suffered for it. Didn't see it coming though, since she had previous successful commissions posted.
But still. Completely irresponsible on her part, and like I said - It's hard to resist spreading her name so other people don't waste their money and time.
Oh well, you have your good eggs and your bad eggs 
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I'm glad you're still optimistic! Sometimes it helps to post on places like artists_beware so others know what to expect, even if it was a low-level commission. Theres no excuse for just blatantly taking someone's money, even if its just a dollar that is stealing.
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Excellent, excellent summary! Thank you for taking the time to present it all so concisely.
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Well done C:
Although I'm way too eclectic to take any commissions, I know of a few people who would enjoy seeing this to get their feet on the ground. It's always nice to see tutorials that are helpful in getting the love spread, as well as art work done.
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Thanks for creating such an in-depth guide! Maybe that's one of the valuable lessons, know when to refuse. This will be helpful one day in the future ^__^
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As always, a wonderful, informative and memorable tutorial <3
+faves
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Ah, the world of commissions! Yeah I'm so not into that... yet. I'll keep this in mind Der! For the future though.
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Haha, the only reason I can see for you not doing them is because you're working on all your other awesome projects XD I'm sure if you opened up some slots they would be filled in no time. Actually I bet you could make a killing on doing like small animated LJ avatars or something? That sort of thing is not easy to come by and you animate like a madman <3
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Hmmmmmm... LJ avatars... I never thought of that, but that sounds pretty awesome!
Well, the reason I'm not doing commissions yet is that I don't fully understand how the money world works on the net when it comes tio them.
But animating avatars... Love that idea. Thanks for the suggestion!
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If you ever do offer something like that I get to be your first client ok >__>
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You know what, I'll make you something free of charge. I'm not taking in money, nor do I plan to soon at all. Note me about it, and I'll get to it in a week or two (working on another big project)
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Don't be silly XD You need to focus on your other projects first! If I ever get something from you I want to compensate you for your time
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omg, this is just what I needed! 
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Haha, I'm glad you're going to offer them! You really should have done it earlier (if you had time, of course), your style is so attractive. Its fun to research this sort of thing, since half the time you're reading drama and finding out what not to do
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thank you so much for posting this. i just recently had a problem with someone i commissioned not even acknowledging me for a month. when the final product arrived i don't feel i got my monies worth. with so many people offering commissions there needs to be this kind of guidlines
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Yeah, I really hate hearing stories like that :C Its like buying a broken thing from a store, but you can't return it? Its unfair for either side to take advantage of the other!
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i totally agree. i think im going to feture this in my journal
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Excellent tutorial!
This will help tons of people, myself included. I just recently started taking commissions (first three!) and I'm still a little unsure of how to handle them so this is a big help.
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Oh this was very helpful thank you so very much for taking your time to make this ^_^
I'm selling traditional colored art for 10 for line arts and 20 to 25 dollars for colored images it was very hard to decide whats the practicle price since they get the original and i put alot of effort to make the piece look like the reference they wanted it to look like, since the economy is in a bunch im trying my best to think of the customers deeply and there budget so woudl that be a good price for origionals? they were higher before but no buyers thus far for 8.5. x 11 commissions T^T
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I think those are fairly reasonable prices. The only problem I can forsee is maybe getting the word out, you can always use the DA forums or ask friends to pimp your commissions!
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thank you ^_^
Yes! I can totally agree witht hat, 
i have such a hard time
even when featuring my work my other users and saying my commissions are open it still doesn help.
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Hmm... well, something I did at first was to trade with people, or make gift art. Doing that gets your art out and about. If you make a great piece of art for some popular person on DA for example they may thank you/ fav it and that'll bring more traffic to your site. Or if you trade with others the person you trade with will likely write some kind of thanks on their half of the trade. Its slow, building your pageviews and watchers, but if you have patience I'm sure you'll have a large group eventually!
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I see ^_^ Yes i have been doing fan art liek for example Teruchan
i did this [link]
And commented very nicely which made me feel good about myself ^_^ ive been doing example commissions as well to get an idea of what i can do for people, and also gifts so im pretty much set on that
I always felt nervous of drawing popular artists characters even when asking nicely wheni get the chance to lol
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Buying... things... so... complicated...
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this is wonderful!!!! thankyou! I have been thinking of doing commisions for a while now
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Great advice, interesting tutorial! I've always wanted to give commissions a try. Perhaps I will some day.
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I'm considering doing commissions and this looks very informative. Thanks a bunch for your words of wisdom.
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You know...the whole commission process is something I've really been rethinking lately. Like...I really want to be more professional about it and review those "implied guidelines", etc. So this is something awesome for me to find in my messages! Thanks for sharing, I am definitely taking my notes!
And of course thank you for the pimpage/good word <3 It's greatly appreciated C:
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Yeah, esp after that issue with that one girl XC I hope that sort of thing never happens to you again.
And no problem! I love all the art I got from you, and you even gave me extra stuff ;__; Thats like, love forever.
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Yeah...I hope it doesn't either 8| I'm just going to lay out all my rules for people, so there's no misunderstandings. And I'm working on being better about my communication. It was a stupid issue, but it was a lesson I could learn from, use and apply in future commissions C: So it's all good.
And yeeeey! I'm glad you like everything! I need to finish my fanarts for you ;3;
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I think it's really great of you to post this! I had such a wonderful and positive experience commissioning you, and this makes it obvious why. I hope other artists find this useful.
I've been considering offering action figure commissions myself (want to get a few more under my belt first so I know I can produce consistent quality in a reasonable time frame first) and this gives me a good idea of the things I should be thinking about.
Thanks!
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Awesome! I should have mentioned something about offering unique products. I've never heard of action figure commissions, that sounds like it'd be pretty popular
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I still have to find if I can make it economically feasible with the required materials, let alone required hours. It's good to hear that someone thinks it sounds fun. Palon's recipient seemed to be a little... lukewarm over it.
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this is great, thanks so much!
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I've been waiting for a tut like this to pop up! Thanks SO much! I've been getting ready to open commissions and it's a little daunting. You gave me a bit more confidence to start!
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Thanks for making this! I've been wondering if I should do commissions at some point, but I had no idea how that whole system worked.
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nono 8D i said.
helpful
ECH
EEE
EL EF YOU EL 8D
i cant spell <3
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Bravo! 
This is incredibly well written, informative and most of all, HELPFUL.
I commission a lot of artists myself, and there has been one or two that I think could have benefitted from reading this before they began accepting commissions.
There is one in particular who would be almost the perfect example for you in adhering to the 'rules' as it were. Other artists offering commissions could learn from him, I think. He's already covered most of the bases you have listed.
=Archie-The-RedCat is without a doubt the most thorough artist I've worked with thus far.
Granted, most of them are wonderful but he stands out for consistently going above and beyond. I often refer to him as the perfect package when it comes to commissioning an artist. It's a title he's certainly earned.
Because of the outstanding service I received from him the first time, I went back again. And again and again. (10 commissions and counting) I also promote him everywhere I can, as well as paying him a bit extra now and again.
He's never let me down even once and he has earned an incredibly loyal customer and friend as a result.
But enough of my promoting (it's instinctual with him, I swear). Thank you again for creating such an impressive tutorial. I'll likely be promoting this in my next journal.
It would be nice to see this earn a DD as well, though I haven't the foggiest idea of who to submit that request to.
Have you considered turning this into an article?
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Awesome
I don't think I'll make this an article, since it'd be redundant and I sorta like my formatting >__> Hopefully the deviation will be good enough.
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I had to check her out after seeing your promotion of her (and others) and I must say, she's quite talented. Beautiful work indeed.
I've been disappointed once or twice but it was as a result of no communication, as you mentioned. Thankfully, I've learned from my experiences. Now when I'm considering commissioning an artist, I usually ask them a few questions up front instead of leaping right in. It helps to avoid possible disappointment or wasting time on both sides.
Ahh that's true. Its so visually appealing, that would take away from it a good bit. Kudos again, great job!
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