Hey how are you? I love your style. I was planning on starting commissions some day. So I came here to ask to one of my favourite artists what advice do they have on commissions? Is there actually mistakes that I could commit or is there a certain path to follow? Thank you! Have a great weekend, and keep creating your art is awesome!!! 💗
OMG Hi!! First of all Thank you so so much for your kind words ❤️❤️ Here it goes:
The most important is to always ask for some of the payment upfront (Usually it's 50%), cause you never know who are you dealing with. And even when you finish the job, I usually always send the client low quality files until I get paid the full amount. It sounds awful talking about money first but let's be honest, that the reason we artist open comms in the first place hahah You can trust the people that request you (I myself never had a bad experience with a client and had dealt with truly lovely people) but it's important to alway be a bit careful.
Write yourself a list of conditions you find necessary to send the client when you agree on drawing their request. If it helps, mine is explaining the process to the client, half the payment upfront, my paying methods, how many unpaid changes they can ask for and how much do I charge per change after... These type of things.
Don't rush yourself too much. Unless the client give you a specific deadline, people are usually patient. I understood that after stressing with several comms in my first times hahah Even so, I try to keep in touch and update them from time to time, just to reassure them I didn't forget about it, just busy.
When I'm drawing a com, I usually send the customers every crucial part of the process, I think it's important for them to take part in the decision making of every step. I usually send them the first sketch (With only the idea, to see if we agree), the final sketch (that's usually when they get to do their modifications), the line art, the flat colors (To see if they like the palette) and the final version. That works for my style, but you decide which step seems important enough to update it to them depending on your own working process and technique.
Try not to underestimate your work when pricing. If you're not in a desperate need for money, value your art for what it's worth. It's easier said than done, and I know that most artists don't do it cause they want to, but because they have no choice; but me myself I try not to price too low my work, and even tho I got a lot of rejections because of it, I end up getting enough clients to keep opening comms from time to time and not giving up.
Find which social media is best for you to get attention and find clients. I personally recommend reddit, but every artist has their own experience and preferences.
I know it sounds obvious but always be kind. Not all clients'll respond with the same affections, but in my experience, when they do, it makes the job so much easier and fun. And you might even get yourself a regular customer.
Ok I got so carried away writing this!! I don't get that many questions here on tumblr and I was so excited fr, sorry in advance hahahah
Hope this helps you! Those are all my opinions and experiences, you'll have your own soon enough. I wish you the best of luck with your commissions!!! And have a fantastic weekend too ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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