fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3371 ]

[ SECRET POST #3371 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3371 ⌋

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What is the protocol and 'manners' when getting artwork commissioned? For instance, what if the art is subpar or not what you asked for? How do you decide what is a fair price for artist and customer? Any other tips?

You're paying for the artists time, not for the quality of the work. They decide what their time is worth and you get what you're given.

tbh I think this is kind of true. Unless they obviously didn't care--you commissioned someone known for detailed work and they give you a stick figure kind of death--you commission their time

That's when you post about them on artists_beware

Haha joking, find an artist who will give you progress pictures - so when it's not to the standard expect you can gently prod. HOWEVER do keep in mind if you're choosing them based on one amazing stand out image in their gallery, with the rest so-so - you're going to get a so-so, not the 400 hour exception.

Find artists that have preset guidelines on the process - off the top of my head:

- full discussions upfront about what you want, might be a lot of back and forth. YOU DONT HAVE TO COMMIT IF YOU HAVENT SPENT THE MONEY. this discussion may make you realise you dont want from them
- pay in goods and services on paypal, NOT gift. the fee they get with should be rolled into the upfront costs and not as an extra. run away if they charge paypal fees as an extra
- set points you get to see and comment on a WIP - typically it goes sketch sketch lines colour shading with any refined ones inbetween
- a number or idea of a number of changes you are allowed to make
- look for someone who meets deadlines. google their username/past usernames, scope them out on artists_beware

I haven't been paying attention to your questions - what type of picture are you after exactly?

Fair price...is up to you, but if they're offering you below minimum wage per hour kind of stuff (and a lot do), it'd be nice to give them a big tip or something.

So...commissioning artists is not a smart thing to do.

Edited 2016-03-27 22:32 (UTC)

Not really? If you are really unhappy with a piece at the end of the process, you can discuss it with them, but if you research a lot of the artists work and are specific about what you want hopefully you shouldn't have a problem unless they are trying to rip you off (which is not the norm, obviously)

Not unless you know their art style. If I had money, there are a few artists in my fandom I'd commission cause I know their style and know I love them. And also they are friends and I'd be happy to help them.

Depends on the artist I'd say. But like, on a personality level

I've had dozens of commissions done (canon and original characters) and I haven't been unhappy with a single one of them. Pick an artist who has a good-sized porfolio/a number of examples of their work available for you to view online - that should be enough for you to judge whether or not you like their style. Most artists will also show you sketches of the work in progress so that if there's anything that's off, you can tell them and they'll fix it.

Screw that, I'm commissioning someone to do a decent job for me in that time.

As the commissioner, you can request that someone change things to your specifications, or be shown progress updates so you know its going in a direction you like (a lot of artists will do that anyway.)

Deciding a fair price is trickier and way more individual - just remember you are paying them for their time and effort, not just for the finished piece.

Yeah, I got that. But what if I ask for something and they spend two weeks creating a piece that is not at all what I described?

Then they just did weeks of work that wasn't worth their time doing, or your bucks.

I don't think that is very likely but if it happened, discuss it with them, tell them that it isn't what you wanted at all. Most artists aren't trying to rip you off, if something has gone very awry there was probably a misunderstanding and they can fix it for you. And like I said, hopefully they can show you work in progress shots so you know thats not happening - just find an artist who will definitely do that for you. That way you know if you want like... a rose, they aren't drawing a daffodil instead.

Also most working artists will have an upfront price for their work, cause they know how long something takes them.

They should give examples of their work beforehand and you can check out their commissions too on their blog.

Checking up on WIPs should prevent a lot of that. If you're worried, you can ask for them to show you the sketch, then the rough lines, then the done lineart. That should give you an idea of what the composition and detail level of the work is, and what it's going to look like. It should also cut down on surprises. They can also probably give you a rough color palette, as well. Ideally, there shouldn't be surprises.

Hmm, I've been commissioned for artwork before and I send in WIPS. Like, I get the sketch down and I email them to make sure it's going the way they would like, then I put the colors down and send it to them, and then I do shading and tweaking and bluh bluh.

Granted, this was all for original characters and I wanted to make sure I got them right but I have also done the same for fanart.

So really, just keep in communication with your artist, make sure they have a solid reputation and all that.

Cracked.com has an article that is relevant to you, explaining it for the artists side.Basically it is like any other work for hire, talk it out before hand, agree specific ideas and expectations, communicate frequently during the period and if they turn in a substandard piece of work then do not pay them. If you hired a carpenter to hand doors for you and they only hung two and one of them fell off its hinges then you wouldn't pay them for that, because they have not done the job to your agreed specifications. The Cracked article has more details on how to set those firm expectations though. Warning, the article is about furry porn specifically, but the advice is applicable:
http://www.cracked.com/personal-experiences-2060-were-professional-furry-porn-artists-6-on-the-job-lessons.html

Make sure you're getting thumbnails and sketches and updates on their work along the way. That way you can point out anything that bothers you while the artist can still change it. Work this out with the artist beforehand.

If it just looks like they haven't put the effort into it that they shown as their example pieces... then i don't know what to tell you. Pay their price but don't give any tips and don't commission them for art again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ SECRET POST #3371 ]

Asking Again - Art commission protocols

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Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols

Re: Asking Again - Art commission protocols