HOME | DD
shingworks —
Commission tutorial
by-nc-nd
Published: 2009-03-19 17:19:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 298819; Favourites: 10014; Downloads: 4492
Redirect to original
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
That is correct. As far as I'm concerned this is still totally valid though; the point system is so broken and stupid I don't even want potential readers to even consider them.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I don't actually mind the point system, although i've never used anything money related on DA.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah, it really encourages undervaluing and makes it easy for those behaviors to develop in the younger artists... if there's one group of people that need to get their shit together and start charging what they're worth, it's artists.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeh, i guess it does ruin serious business on DA,
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
FORPA yment, can it be in devart points instead? because I'm not entirely comfprtable with real money.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Obviously you can do whatever you want, but you'd better get comfortable with real money at some point. dA points are a giant scam. The faster you learn to use real money, the faster you will learn how not to get completely ripped off.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Um, I'm too young to get a bank account, so I'd like to ask why the point system is so bad
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Unfortunately the point system often pushes commission prices way, way down. I regularly see people offering point commissions here for the equivalent of a dollar or less, which is horrible. If you have any interest in being an artist, or in being a good person, it is important to expect and to pay artists a fair rate. I also take issues with doing business through a third party vendor (in this case deviantArt) since it also promotes laziness to people who otherwise might be learning about how to set up their own bushiness. I believe in doing this from a young age as well... and if you can't afford it, then you can't have it (same as any other product). It's far better to use your time when you're younger to expand your skills and learn from the amazing people on this site and then offer commissions when you are able to use actual money.
This is all my opinion of course. I waited a very long time to open commissions for the first time, but was able to charge a high price that was worthy my time because by then my art was clearly worth it. Many people want to devalue your work out there, I just don't want young artists to be one of them
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I see your point. Well, I'm not good enough for commissions yet, so I don't have to make the decision yet. XD Thanks though! I appreciate the advice!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Hmm. Thank you for informingm e of this.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
thanks slot for this tutorial ^^
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
such a nice tutorialll... how about posting this tutorial in karoten.net so you can inspirate more artist with this amazing tutorial? you could help more artist there
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Really helpful guide, thank you!!!
I'm planning to do commissions soon, but I still don't know how much I should charge of. I'm not a professional artist, but I really put a lot of effort in my drawings,, guess time will tell ^ ^;;
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Don't worry: effort, sociability, and an honest view of your own work is all you need to succeed
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I wanna start doing commissions for portrait but I'm afraid I'm not good enough yet. Whenever I do decide to start, this will be a great guide. Thanks!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very informative, I love it! I hope to use this one day to help me with my commission endeavors =]
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
do unreasonably low prices really put people off??? im kinda worried that mine are too low D :
this is a great tutorial though!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
They do and don't. The kind of commissioners you want will be wary of prices that are too low, and you'll get stuck with a lot of crappy customers who will undervalue you along with your work... really look around and give your work a fair assessment. If you don't think you're doing work to the level that you are being paid a professional amount for, then put the effort into getting better or do trades to improve. Otherwise you're just going to be frustrated.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Just wondering, on Paypal, it says [when transferring cash]: (1.) Sending to family or friends (2.) Payment of goods or products and a charge will be applied to the seller - If commissioning someone, which should you use? Considering the person being commissioned is seemingly going to have to foot a bill for the payment received - Any thoughts?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Do you have to send the work via mail (not on the Internet) if the person is commissioning traditional art?
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
If the commissioner wants the actual work (which they likely will if they commission you for traditional art), you could always add a little extra to the price to help pay for shipping it to them. Any decent person would understand having to cover shipping costs for something tangible they bought offline.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
No, you don't. You can just scan it if it's on paper or photograph it if it's canvas/something too thick to scan.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
So I'm a little confused with the money transaction part. I have a pay pal account, but all I've ever done with it is transwer money to/from my bank account and buy things off ebay and amazon. I'm don't understand how the customer would send the money to my paypal. Also, what happens when the person has different currency (Example, I use US dollars and they send Euros...)
Sorry if these are dumb questions, I'd really appreciate it if someone could answer them though...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
this should help you out [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you so much, it answered alot of my questions =]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
trying to start up a commission myself so this is really helpful!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
how do you pay someone for a commission? Cause its not like you can buy a print because the commission isn't even made yet, so how do you pay someone using pay pall?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
if you have a paypal set up the person you are commissioning will give you and email address and you just go to "send money" on the site and enter the address they gave you oh and make sure to check the services button on the "what is this payment for" thingy!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I've got a question about receiving payments, what has been the best way for you to receive them?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I would highly suggest pay pal!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
wow this actually helps out alot!
Ive been looking around how to start commissioning but have never done it before.
hopefully I'll be able to open shop soon
thank you again for posting this tutorial up, very very very helpful!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I've got an important question I really need to know. Do most of the artists send the commissioners the finished piece of art through mail or do they just upload it on deviantart? Especially if it's traditional medium. Thanks for the tutorial though! It really helped!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Usually a traditional commission is sent to the commissioner, but they'd pay for shipping etc. Digital is fine to deliver digitally. However this is all flexible and should be decided between the artist and commissioner prior to money being exchanged.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you so much 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I've had some bad experiences with commissions.... So this is very helpful for future works!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks a lot, dude! Now I realized I lost a year for not doing anything.....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks! I'll try to get some extra art money.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
do you usually email commissions or mail them....and what will you do if the package was lost or damaged throught the way?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I've been looking for advice like this for ages. Thank you!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I have to go to work, so faving this so I can look over it in more detail.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This was very helpful and very thoughtful all i can do right now is Thank You and congratulate you for the spectacular job you have here!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
this is super helpful! thank you so much!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks for the help! I'm just planning to start with commissions, but just like the fellow deviant below, "what if no one commissions you?"
Even if they do, how do you use the ways to "pay" them? some people on DA use points as currency sometimes, but what could you do if you want to use real money?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
How do you draw in people? I have requests, trades, and commishes open all at once, should I keep only the commishes open? I haven't ever had a customer. Nobody ever requests me. HALP! :0
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
<= Prev | | Next =>