The Beginner's Guide to Commissioning an Artist
In a time where artists are struggling not only against AI slop, but also the floundering economies worldwide, I have to wonder how much we could thrive if people weren't anxious to approach us for commissions.
This is a thought that came to my mind when I started doing commissions, and even though I mostly get them from people I've already interacted with, I'm still told how nervous they were to approach me (this is not a dig at anyone with anxiety btw, just something I've experienced).
So because of that, I've decided to put together a little guide on how to approach artists you'd like to buy a commission from. And a lot of this is going to be "it depends" because it just depends a lot of the time, idk what to tell you, but one thing I know for certain is that we put those commission sheets out there so our commissions are bought, and we are absolutely ecstatic every time that happens. A good artist will walk you through the process and be happy to be your first commission experience.
Find your artist! - This is usually the easy part, and if you're reading this guide you probably already have someone in mind. If not, browsing tags like "commissions open" or "commission" will show you some options.
Approach the artist! - This is where the problem lies for most people. You've read the commission sheet, picked out the option you want, and read their terms of service... Now what? Different artists have different preferences and processes for how to approach them for a commission. Some artists go entirely through listings or forms like google forms, kofi or vgen listings. I don't personally like doing that (from the artist and customer perspective) because it eliminates the option for questions to be asked before you commit. But maybe you prefer less interaction and this is for you. In that case, go ahead and fill in those forms and listings! (The artist will probably still approach you afterwards for more information, but since I've never done a commission like that I don't really know, so take this with a grain of salt)
DM the artist! - This step is a continuation of the above for any artist who likes to discuss a commission through emails or private messages before commitment. Now, if this is the process an artist lists in their commission sheet, their DMs should be open or email listed. And for this, you just have to bite the bullet and do it. There's no way around it, but I CAN give you some tips on what not to do. Avoid single word messages like "hi" "hey" or "hello", especially if you don't follow them up with clarification right away. This can come off as suspicious, especially on a bot ridden website like tumblr. The best thing you can do as a human person looking to commission an artist is to be direct and polite. I promise, we'll be hyped to get DMs for a commission! Here are a couple simple phrases for you to use: "Hi, I saw your commission sheet and would like to buy one!" or "Hi, I was wondering if I could commission you for [insert thing you want]?"
Work with the artist! - Once you've sent your inquiry, the artist will get back to you, and if they are open to taking a commission, they will ask you about your vision. Different types of art like landscapes, comics, sculpting, jewellery, or even writing will dictate what information you give to the artist, but since I primarily do character illustrations, here are the important points to provide the artist with for that: the size and scope of your piece (headshot, half or full body, sketch, flat colours, rendered, how many characters, etc.), your subject, pose, and REFERENCES!! References are the most important part! Provide visual references of your subject (in my case the character you want the artist to draw)! These can be art you've drawn, art you've received from others, reference sheets, face claims, photos of clothes, even picrews. Anything to show off the design. If you don't have visual references of your subject, many artists will decline a commission or charge an extra fee for having to essentially do character design. And then for the pose/scene/composition you want, references are also extremely welcome, whether they be images you've found, pose references, photoshopped mock-ups, or stick figure sketches, anything helps. The artist can't look into your brain, so to ensure they get as close to your vision as possible, try to show off that vision as much as possible. (Of course if you're not that bothered about what you get, you can leave the artist with creative freedom as well)
Pay the artist! - Every artist I've seen lists their payment methods in the commission sheet, so you should already know through what channels this will go. Sometimes, especially if you live in different countries, you won't have access to what the artist takes payment through. If that's the case, this is something to ask about first thing. Maybe the artist can make something happen, maybe you'll just have to find someone else. It happens and there aren't any hard feelings. Also, different artists take payment at different stages in the commission process. Some take half up front and half either when the sketch is finished or the whole piece, some take payment after the fact (which i do not recommend as it opens you up to a lot of scams), and I personally take payment up front, though I also offer the option for two installments. Just follow the artist's instructions and you'll be fine.
Approve progress images - A good artist will send you progress images and let you make changes if there's something they missed or something you'd like to look differently. Usually big structural changes happen in the sketch phase, while smaller changes like colour adjustments can be made even at the end (in digital art). If you approved a sketch and then decide you don't like the pose when you get the final piece, that is your own fault, do not expect an artist to put in additional hours of work for free just to fix your change of heart.
What if the artist is late? - Artists will often list how long it may take them to complete a piece, so please refrain from asking if it's done yet before that time frame has passed. If the artist says it can take around two weeks and it's been three with no notice, you can drop them a message, something like "Hey, I was just wondering if everything is going alright with my commission?" Artists are also people, and the vast majority have a full time job, so sometimes things happen unexpectedly to make them miss a deadline. Also, if you know you need a piece by a specific date, let the artist know!! If that date is closer than the usual turnaround they list, sometimes an artist will charge an extra rush fee, so let them know this early on as well.
(Optional) Tip the artist! - If you're happy with a piece, a tip is just the cherry on top of a finished job. Sometimes you can tip up front through the artist's payment method, or they'll have a kofi or similar listed where you can drop them a couple of bucks after you receive the final product. If none of those things are listed, you can always ask how to tip or otherwise support the artist further (for example by reblogging their commission sheet or art). And of course tips are never expected but always appreciated!
And this is it! I really hope I didn't leave anything out. It's tricky writing a guide for something that everyone does a little differently, but I know that the autistic mind yearns for a step by step guide, so hopefully this is detailed enough without being overwhelming.
If you've got any additional questions and require clarification, don't hesitate to DM me. And of course, if you would now like to commission me, my prices are here. I also run a discounted promo until November 30th 2025, which you can find here.
And I don't usually say this, but reblogs are very appreciated on this especially so it can find its way to people who need it!
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