Seriousness!

I’ve seriously got to start focusing more on myself and not everyone else! This is getting to be too much. I mean I ‘m working on it now to where the only people I talk to are like my best friend here at school and my boyfriend. It’s getting better, but I’ve SERIOUSLY got to buckle down and pass all of my classes for these two years. Because I want to transfer… :/

When some how I have not been voluntold to help with commissioning

So you want to commission an artist.

This post is in regards to commissioning a drawing/painting artist - it may cover other artists, such as writers, crafts artists, and the like, but I am not experienced in these areas. This is by no means an ‘end all’ post on how to commission an artist, but these are some of the things I’ve encountered in the past four years or so of offering my talents.

I have seen a lot of ‘tutorials’ and ‘guides’ for the people who offer commissions, but not for those who buy them. This is to remedy that.

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First things first: commissioning an artist, especially freelancers, is a very kind thing to do. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have “steady” work, or even if we do it’s not always enough to take care of all the bills. Hiring an artist for a commission supplements their income (and in some cases, is the only source of), in addition to giving the artist a sense of fulfillment that, yes, people like the stuff we pour our hearts and souls into enough to give us money for it.

Now, while I’m sure every commission artist is thrilled to have clients, please remember this cardinal rule: The client is not entitled to treating the artist like crap.  Say it out loud. Memorise it.  Fortunately, I have not personally encountered many clients like this, and I don’t believe that the general population would feel this way. However, I have had some clients like this, and know other people who have as well.  Even if you’re hiring someone to do work for you, even if you are paying them —whether it be through an exchange of goods, services, or legal tender—  this does not authorise you to treat your artist poorly.  Artists have the right to deny your commission. Depending on their policies, some artists may finish your commission if you’ve already paid. Others may not. Either way, treating your artist nicely and with respect will keep them open to more work from you in the future.

Aside from that, there are a few tips I can give to make your commission-ordering pleasant. Different artists have different rules, but I think these are some points we can all agree on:

• order what you want.
• pay on time.
• specify a deadline, if any.
• keep in contact
• be detailed
• respect the rules

- Order what you want: this may seem like stating the obvious, but I’ve found that at times, it isn’t.  If you want the artist to have free reign on the piece, then let them have it.  If you don’t want too much free reign, provide details. If you’re in the middle, give a guideline.  We can try and take the feeling you want captured and put it forth, but ultimately feelings are subjective. Sometimes the vision that feeling invokes in the client is different from the vision that feeling invokes in the artist.  Even if you’re not the most eloquent person in the world, at least make an attempt to convey what you want.  When you make a point to convey what you want, it makes drawing for you a lot easier.

- Pay on time: another “stating the obvious” thing, but you need to pay on time.  Many artists require you to pay completely up front. Others take it in part at the start, and the rest at the end. Whatever your artist asks in regards to payment, honour that.  Don’t build a reputation for being a late payer.  It will make its way around, believe me.

- Specify a deadline, if any: I think this is really key for artist and client alike. If you have a deadline for a piece, you need to specify it before you order!  If you don’t specify until after the payment has gone through, this could mean that either (a) you don’t get your piece on time, (b) you need to find another artist if they can’t make a deadline, or (c) your deadline knocks back other projects.  Common courtesy, please!

- Keep in contact: this is a major reason I stopped finalising commissions on deviantArt, tumblr, and IM - people don’t always log in every day. If you’re commissioning someone, give them an alternate means of contact - email is probably best - but whatever it is, it ought to be something you both can have records of, and that you both check on a daily basis.

 - Be detailed: this is mostly for people who are requesting concept art and/or original characters.  Now, I don’t mean to send fifteen paragraphs about likes, dislikes, history, personality, and appearance. A few bullet points will suffice. When I’m taking OC commissions, I require:

• build / height / weight
• defining colours (hair, eyes, skin)
• distinguishing marks / features (eg: crooked nose, mole, scar[s], etc)
• requested pose
• facial expression
• outfit / accessories
  
  

It doesn’t have to be excessive, just a bullet point list. For example, if I were to request a commission for my OC, Hatsuharu, I’d say something like: “Slim athletic build, 5’11”, average weight. Pale skin, amber eyes, orange-red hair with a left-parted “emo” fringe. Shaggy hair cut. Small mole under right eye, towards outer edge and on cheekbone. Facial expression should be snarky and/or flirtatious.  Three cartilage piercings in right ear, both ears have studs on lobes. Dressed in pants, and kimono-style sleeveless top.“ 

Give a few references if you have them, or a few pictures for inspiration.  If you have an idea of the mood of the piece, let the artist know! Make sure you’re clear, though: if you say you want a “dark” feel, know that the piece will probably end up dark colour-wise! Don’t expect pastels and such. 

**Note: if you leave it up to the artist to decide these details, please realise that they cannot see inside your brain. If it’s not quite what you were picturing, please describe what you would like changed. Don’t say that it’s “not quite right” and then offer nothing on how to make it better.

- Respect the Rules: every commissioner has rules.  Sometimes the rules are simple: “Don’t post copies of this online,” or “Don’t modify this yourself,” and of course, “Don’t claim this as your own work!”  Sometimes the rules are more complex, such as the types of commissions they do and do not accept.  These guidelines are there for a reason.  Being the client does not mean you get to force the artist out of their comfort zone. I’ve received advice in the past not to undervalue my work, and in the same breath am told to say “yes” to whatever a client asks for.  I have to vehemently disagree.  Artist are not obligated to do whatever the client requests if they are uncomfortable with it.  Before commissioning an artist make sure to read their commission terms! If you can’t find any posted, ask them.  It is up to the artist if and when they choose to bend their rules, not the client.

**Note to Artists: I’m sure you’ve all heard the advice not to undervalue your work. Obviously, don’t OVERvalue it either - if you’re a beginning artist, I don’t recommend charging by the hour. Keep your rates reasonable, and try and see what other people at your skill level are offering.  Additionally, saying “yes” to the client no matter what they ask for is undervaluing your work! It is okay to say “no” if you cannot deliver, or do not want to deliver what they’re asking you to do.  Saying “yes” when you want to say “no” will make you hate your job. Don’t fall for this trap.

Annnywayyyy, that’s it! I hope this can be useful to someone, ahahahaha. x-o