Just looking to see if anyone would be interested before I did. This would be my first time ever doing so. I'm not even sure what pricing would be, really.
Eh Hem. Ya, any tips on that, or if you would be interested, just message me or let me know.
*You can see my art here on my characters, or at http://kawaii-kuroi-neko.deviantart.com/
Eh Hem. Ya, any tips on that, or if you would be interested, just message me or let me know.
*You can see my art here on my characters, or at http://kawaii-kuroi-neko.deviantart.com/
Since you asked for tips, and I used to do commission work nearly constantly, here's what I learned:
Unless you're a big name in a certain genre of art, a tiny "I'm taking commissions" post always gets overlooked. List examples and prices *directly* in your ad, don't make people follow links or hunt through galleries. Character art is a luxury item, and people tend to buy it on impulse. Forcing people to do research kills all excited impulses and they are likely to wander off and spend their money on some kind of vanity pet for WoW instead.
You can use our BBCode image tags to show some of your pieces right in this thread.
Group them by type of commission and price. For example, if you are doing only headshots for a certain price, show two or three headshots so they know what they will be getting for their money. Often it's good to offer several different types of commissions at a wide range of prices.
No matter how tempted you are to show your best work, instead, show your most representative work. It's important for both you and your clients that their expectations are set correctly. If they see a piece of art you did that somehow came out FAR better than usual, and they pay you your regular rate and get your usual work, they are going to be disappointed and angry with you, and you are unlikely to get good reviews from them. And word of mouth is everything in this business. If on the other hand you show what you are usually capable of, they know just what they are getting, and will be happy when they get your usual work. And totally wowed if you go above and beyond. It's very hard for young, new artists to follow this rule, but it will take SO much pressure off you.
Also no matter how tempted you are, don't ever make excuses or say things like "I know it's not very good..." When money is involved, no matter how small the amount, people want to feel like they are working with someone with a professional attitude and at least enough self esteem to stick to a deadline. If you think you are good enough to offer commissions, you need to be able to stand by that statement without apologizing for it.
When you are just starting out, you will often get more bites if you also respond to people advertising saying that they are looking to buy character art. You will have to respond to a lot of those ads in the beginning before you get anything, and that's fine and shouldn't discourage you. It also shouldn't be hard to do, if you've already written your main advertising post, so you know just what examples you are using and what your price point is.
Blaaarg, enough ranting from me. Hope any of that helps.
Unless you're a big name in a certain genre of art, a tiny "I'm taking commissions" post always gets overlooked. List examples and prices *directly* in your ad, don't make people follow links or hunt through galleries. Character art is a luxury item, and people tend to buy it on impulse. Forcing people to do research kills all excited impulses and they are likely to wander off and spend their money on some kind of vanity pet for WoW instead.
You can use our BBCode image tags to show some of your pieces right in this thread.
Group them by type of commission and price. For example, if you are doing only headshots for a certain price, show two or three headshots so they know what they will be getting for their money. Often it's good to offer several different types of commissions at a wide range of prices.
No matter how tempted you are to show your best work, instead, show your most representative work. It's important for both you and your clients that their expectations are set correctly. If they see a piece of art you did that somehow came out FAR better than usual, and they pay you your regular rate and get your usual work, they are going to be disappointed and angry with you, and you are unlikely to get good reviews from them. And word of mouth is everything in this business. If on the other hand you show what you are usually capable of, they know just what they are getting, and will be happy when they get your usual work. And totally wowed if you go above and beyond. It's very hard for young, new artists to follow this rule, but it will take SO much pressure off you.
Also no matter how tempted you are, don't ever make excuses or say things like "I know it's not very good..." When money is involved, no matter how small the amount, people want to feel like they are working with someone with a professional attitude and at least enough self esteem to stick to a deadline. If you think you are good enough to offer commissions, you need to be able to stand by that statement without apologizing for it.
When you are just starting out, you will often get more bites if you also respond to people advertising saying that they are looking to buy character art. You will have to respond to a lot of those ads in the beginning before you get anything, and that's fine and shouldn't discourage you. It also shouldn't be hard to do, if you've already written your main advertising post, so you know just what examples you are using and what your price point is.
Blaaarg, enough ranting from me. Hope any of that helps.
It helps alot! Thanks. Like I said, I'm new to it and I'm not sure I'm ready to do it. But we will see!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
I may not know much about the world of character art but one tip I can give, which goes along with something Kim said about coming across confidently.
Don't try to promote yourself when you're tired, distacted or not well, it's difficult to show a confident attitude when you're not really focused. Sadly, I've made that mistake and messed up a few opportunities because of it, so thought it worth mentioning.
Don't try to promote yourself when you're tired, distacted or not well, it's difficult to show a confident attitude when you're not really focused. Sadly, I've made that mistake and messed up a few opportunities because of it, so thought it worth mentioning.
Would you be taking commissions through paypal or do you take dA point commissions too?
Most likely paypal
People opening commissions... Woo hoo...makes me wish I had money. Heh.
Okay, Kuroi.
And ditto that, Lance xD
And ditto that, Lance xD
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