Do I Need an Art Commission Sheet? NO! | Art Commission Sheets SUCK: Don't Make One!
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Most artists starting commissions think: Do I need an art commission sheet? The answer: NO! Let's all stop making art commission sheets! In this video, you'll learn why art commission sheets suck, and why you don't need an art commission sheet at all to become a freelance artist. Most artist who want to start taking commissions and want to make money on their art follow this practice, but they don't understand how flawed and abused this practice is. In this video, I'll explain the original purpose and intent of art commission/art pricing sheets, why they're flawed, really bad practices I see in these all the time, how this practice holds you back, and how to talk to art clients so that you can ACTUALLY make money on your art. Additionally, I'll show you how to properly make an art commissions sheet/ art pricing sheet so that you can fix yours if you want to ignore the rest of this video's content, although, I hope you'll be open minded! Professional artists don't making commission sheets, and this will help explain why.
Do you have any questions? Anything you need clarified? Ask me in the comments! I ALWAYS answer your comments. No lame hearts and ignoring comments from this guy.
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Chapters:
00:00 Art Commission Sheets SUCK
0:39 The Theory
1:07 The Flaws
2:19 Lazy Examples
5:55 Too Wordy
7:40 Too Complex
10:16 Other Concerns
12:08 Do This Instead
13:46 Fixed Example of a Commission Sheet
There's definitely some good advice in this video, however a lot of it would also cause an artist to lose potential buyers as well. If I don't at least have a general idea of the pricing, I wouldn't reach out at all for risk of it being out of my price range and not knowing how to politely tell the artist that I can't afford their process. This also assumes artists don't update their commission sheets and prices regularly when oftentimes they do. And "no one wants just the sketch or the line art"?? Maybe I'm following a different breed of artist and commissioner but there's a pretty good market of people willing to buy just that! Like I said, a lot of good points, especially in regards to what makes a commission sheet bad and might turn someone off from getting a commission, but a lot of the points you made caused you to sound a bit out of touch. Perhaps this advice better applies to people who've done commissions for awhile and can guarantee business/customers
It sounds to me like a price point issue that you’re focusing on. Those line arts, how much are people charging for those that are in demand? How many commissions are they getting at that price point? And most importantly, is line art a portfolio-worthy piece?
Furthermore, there’s a huge scarcity mindset that you’re describing. Have you considered that?
I honestly think you could do both. Because like you said there's a huge market if you know where to look for the traditional commission sheet
granted I would tweak it a bit based off some of the suggestions from his video. I do like the idea of graduated pricing so listing base prices that you then negotiate might be better than a flat price that a lot of people do.
There's an entirely different market for the kind of artwork he's showing where it's highly rendered and much more intense and in that case I would go with what he said where you don't show the price and people come out to you and you let your work speak for itself and talk to them directly about it.
I guess what I'm saying is if you have two accounts one more traditional commission seed style and then one more "professional" such as the one he showed I bet you'd get more hits overall by having a hybrid of approach.
One thing i agree 100% on is do not devalue your work ever. you can try to be competitive but the end of the day it takes your time and effort to make art and you should not lower your prices to the point that it's not worth it.
I think it's fine to start with the traditional commission sheet but if you follow the tips he's saying you will see yourself improve over time and gain more and more clients that can throw a bit more money your way.
As somebody who's trying to start the journey again myself this video was extremely helpful to get a bit more with the times because it's been a while and to break off the rust.
thanks.
Thanks for your input! I know that some platforms favor this template, which is why I felt like there needed to be information on how to make it look good and professional. There’s SO MANY bad commission sheets out there, have you seen these as much as I have?
And absolutely, art is a luxury, not a given right. If someone wants to pay beans for artwork to be made, they can learn to draw it themselves instead. Artistry is a form of skilled labor, and doesn’t come at bargain pricing 💪
About the prices which you mentioned at the start of your comment, it is also a question I've been wondering over and I thought maybe instead of full scale prices to put like start costs, below which you will not be going however they also don't have to be actually low. Which perhaps allows to present the client with something and give coordination, but also not put the artist into tight frame with price control.
It's a really interesting topic for me to dive into. :'>
As an artist I usually like discussing the price with the clients and see what they can offer. And then adjust what ever is being negotiated.
I feel like commission sheets cap prices on your work regardless of difficulty of whats being requested.
And I feel like a low price cap is unfair to the person working on commission cause like being an freelance artist is still a profession that puts money on the table to help us artist survive.
I appreciate your perspective so much on this, especially since you are an art client! It’s nice to hear that you respect artists that much. Have you seen artists who really undercharge themselves with a price sheet?
"price shouldn't entice the client, the art should" hardest hitting part of this entire wonderful video. if you have loyal customers, they shouldn't care about the price because what they want is your art! i've been getting more and more questions about commissions recently and finally decided to make the jump back into them, but i didn't want to go in with a commission sheet because like you said, i was afraid of needing to bump up the prices. my art improves very quickly and there are too many factors for how much effort goes into a piece, so my prices are ever-changing. there's no way i can easily capture it in a simple sheet. this video was really validating for me, thank you!
You’re welcome, and thanks so much for watching! Your exact circumstances are exactly why I ditched my commission sheet years ago and never looked back! You see all of the flexibility in pricing you gain now right?
@@TheArtMentor absolutely!! i feel a lot more confident raising my prices and quoting what i'm worth for sure and even felt scared of *underselling!* thank you so much again, this video was all the encouragement i desperately needed, as i always felt like using commission sheets wasn't for me. can never find anything about NOT using one, so your channel has been a huge help so far!
Once you dump those sheets you’ll never go back. That’s not how real pro artists work, so why follow that habit right? 😅 good for you!
@@TheArtMentor exactly! loving the freedom of keeping my prices private. trying to get past the idea that i'm hiding my prices because i'm charging "so much" and it could turn clients away, but that's not true! prices just vary too much for me to be able to give even an average. it wouldn't be right to me or the client 🥺
Don’t worry you are worth it! And besides that’s all real professionals treat their pricing
i think the reason people don't put different drawings on the price section of their commission sheet is usually because they put art examples on a separate page of their commission sheet (which you wouldn't see if you were just looking at google images or smth). i don't think it's lazy, i think it's just a way to show the different stages of your art really clearly since they are easily comparable.
But how lazy is that to expect a client to just assume you can render anything based on a single image? Consider it from the client’s perspective, who looks more attractive: an artist with 3-4 images or an artist with only 1? Be honest. The artist with only one image looks like they don’t make a lot of art, right?
@@TheArtMentor i was saying they usually DO put more art examples, just not in the same area of their commission sheet
Then what’s the point of the sheet? The premise of the sheet is to show examples AND according price points. If you don’t put separate examples, how are you showing that you can create that type of art? Doesn’t it just look like you’re promising something you can’t do?
@@TheArtMentor its part of the sheet its just a different page???
Then that’s a broken commissions sheet and defeats the purpose. How much of an attention span do you think people have? It’s only 2-8 seconds at max. Asking clients to go to another page or another site for pricing or examples is an inefficient practice when your post is #35 on the replies for a job, or clients will skim right past it bc it doesn’t show that you can complete the work they want. Do you want to stand out or be forgotten in this age of short attention spans?
I do agree with many points you’re saying, but I’d just like to give my two cents as well: Once you get regular commission requests it’s much easier to have a link to your commission info because it will save you lots of time along the line. I get tons of commission requests, but very often I get ghosted after I tell them my prices and take my time to answer all of their questions. Since I answered most asked questions on my website in an FAQ and have a basic overview of my base rates I don’t get flooded with DMs and emails anymore, which saves me a lot of time managing those. People who are interested now directly sign up to my mailing list after they already got all the most important info through my website. It makes managing everything a lot easier since you can sort out the people who have unrealistic expectations of your prices since they don’t get in touch anyway. However, I’d recommend doing this once you feel overwhelmed by requests. Before that it’s easier to have a client buy something when talking to them personally :)
I can agree with your logic, especially once you start getting lots of regular clients and don’t have the time to sort through them all. I, however, outright don’t advise using pricing sheets bc they force clients to view prices before artwork. What do you think about that?
@@TheArtMentor sorry for the late reply! As I said the price sheets play a big role for me in managing the time I need to reply. I don’t have price sheets for commercial commissions, but private clients often have unrealistic expectations. So I state a base price for portraits, full body portraits, backgrounds etc. and mention on my website that a final quote will be given once I receive all the details and can calculate the time it takes to finish the artwork (it makes a difference if the character wears a tshirt or an armor, has a complex pose etc.). So I always state the base price on my website and say that it will increase with complexity. And I need to give a base price so that people don’t bombard me with commission requests because they expect me to do it for 100 bucks (this happens a lot with unexperienced clients and because many artists undercharge and set unrealistic expectations). Since I have my base price overview I still get many mailing list sign ups but the countless emails and messages asking for my prices have stopped, which is such a time saver for me personally.
@@TheArtMentor I mean how do you manage all the requests you get without going crazy? I know some people don’t mind, but after some years not having displayed my prices anywhere I enjoy the freed up time and it’s less frustrating because I don’t need to talkt to a potential client who then ghosts you because they didn’t expect your rates to be that high.
It sounds like you have a system in place that works for you, which is definitely important
Since you’re asking, I just view requests as part of the process, including when I have to tell someone I can’t help them bc their pricing expectations are low. To me, it’s like sales. You don’t close every sale every time, but the more I get, the more experience I get even if I can’t close the deal. Not everyone feels that way, but I guess I’m just an optimist lol
Thank you!! You're a saviour! I've been researching how to make a good commission sheet, it is my first time wanting to try out commissions, however I am also a small artist with a very low following not guaranteeing me any success. Regardless I really want to try and your video definitely gave more idea and reduced a lot of struggle!
I’m so glad you found this helpful and I wish you tons of luck! I started with 0 following, so you can too. What kinds of commissions do you want to make?
Thanks for making this video, I learned a lot from all the points you made here. Now I won't waste my time making a commission sheet!
You’re welcome, and I’m glad it helped! How long have you been doing commissions?
One of the things that intimidate me the most when trying to start pixelart commissions is the idea that I need a commission sheet.
Thank you very much for this video! 😁
You’re welcome! 😁 what’s so intimidating about making a com sheet for you? I have some theories lol
@@TheArtMentor basically the effort it takes to fit pixelart into specific spots on a commission sheet without making it look messy or messing up the pixelart in general, combined with only having a chromebook and phone to do art on.
Oh yeah that does sound difficult! Have you also felt the stress of trying to make a commission sheet look attractive as well? Ugh it’s just such a waste of time put in instead of making more real art, right? 😅
this is a great video, and basically lays out the same facts i've come to realise over the years. i've always felt the headshot/bust/full and full shading vs flat colouring so limited. i do a lot of cartoon drawings, as well as detailed mecha with more realistic colours. if i do a classic commission sheet, the cartoon's flat colours will look "unfinished" even though it doesn't really need detailed shading.
because of that, i've come to prefer charging by the hour (though maybe I should up it now), as again you've pointed out how complexity greatly impacts the time spent, and therefore the wage you give yourself. i was trying to figure out how to convey this in an eye-grabbing image... i think your style of mostly image and little text is the closest to what i want, with base prices that'll go up if the client has a particularly complex design
on to watch your other videos now :)
I commend you for recognizing all of your understandings as well! It's just so sad to see so many people undercharging themselves isn't it? And prior to making this video, I've never heard this approach discussed either, have you?
Charging per hour can be okay, but I discuss that in my other videos too when you get there, because that can also lead to undercharging if you're not careful. Glad to see that you're wanting to show yourself as a stronger professional! How long have you been taking commissions?
@@TheArtMentor yep after watching your video it's disheartening to see my artist friends doing sheets not charging extra for complexity!! and it's definitely not talked about enough since commission sheets are so standard.
i've taken them on and off almost from beginning becoming a serious artist (so painful to see my £1 prices from 2016 😭) i'm only just reopening them now after taking a few years long break lol
So you’re ready to start using the conversation method from my other video now? You’re so brave 💪 I commend you!
Glad you made this. Despite not liking commission sheets I'd never really thought about it, and would have made one if I started freelancing. Thinking about it now, on top of the depressingly low prices and other things you mentioned, they're quite tacky - they reduce the product / service experience to something akin to buying junk food, while actually being a luxury product that I think most people buy for longer term emotional reward, or some other kind of investment, rather than a quick throwaway pleasure.
I share your thoughts exactly! I’m glad you enjoyed this. How long have you been freelancing?
@@TheArtMentor I'm not atm, but currently testing the water after many years. I did a little on freelance websites back in the day. But didn't have a good handle on my process, and along with being a bit too eager to please, I ended up working for peanuts as often as not.
I can relate from when I first started out. It’s definitely worth it to wait for the right client rather than take lots of cheap ones. What kind of commissions do you like to make?
I’ve found in some places (such as Facebook) people will not commission you unless they see your prices. If you post saying commissions are open then you get people commenting “you should show your prices” “no one will commission you don’t show your prices publicly”
Yeah I’ve seen that as well. You know what that says about those clients though? That means they’re cheap clients and those groups promote exploitation 🥶 I bet nobody’s pushing over $100 minimum there, right? That’s a huge problem and why I teach how to get higher quality clients. Have you noticed these too?
Actually, you made some pretty good points. I too am a freelance artist and I always thought the idea of commission sheets took away from the actual work of the art itself and it can be confusing to read sometimes even if I was speaking in the perspective of the client. When I did make a sheet recently, it didn't really garner much attention in comparison to just throwing out examples of my work on social media and somehow I instantaneously started getting contacted like instantly. I also try to be reasonable with my pricing and even using the pomodoro system to see how much certain work would take me to complete a job without confiscating the pay I deserve. And unfortunately I see so many great artists underpricing themselves, displaying the same image but not really emphasizing the information specifically being told. But yea..I'm just saying from experience that I had better experiences of just posting the work so people can see the actual finished product.
That’s so true! Exactly why I stopped advertising pricing a long time ago. Isn’t it easier to make a sale when people are hooked by your art instead of your pricing?
I'm trying to get my freelance career started by opening commissions, and found this video and the comments very insightful! I think since social media is so fast, and peoples attention spans are really low nowadays, having your art peak interest first is very important as you've already mentioned. Though I do still feel that a commission sheet can provide that if done right, as that's how I've come to find some of my favorite artist. But my one question what your thoughts are on commission forms? Just out of curiosity haha.
Well I wish you lots of luck on finding your clients. When you say a commission form, can you be specific about what you mean and what you want it to do for you? I just want to give you the best answer
@@TheArtMentor Thank for replying! What I meant was something like Google forms, where people can fill out and specify what type of commission they want from what you offer, as well as keeping for all your clients in one place.
I’ll encourage you to watch some of my other commission content where I’ll speak about this more in depth, but those are generally a waste of time. The idea with commissions, in my opinion, is to have a real human interaction. That’s what sells you as an artist, not your pricing, a sheet, a card, a website, or a google form. The way you make a client feels matters the most, okay? Have you seen my video on how to talk to art clients and get more commissions?
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Im planning to start accepting commissions and I'm surfing through the net trying to find formats on how to make a price list sheet then I saw this. I love how you explain things such as this
Welcome, and thanks so much! I’m glad to hear yet another person understands the evil of commissions sheets lol. So what types of commissions do you want to take?
@@TheArtMentor traditional art commissions such as anime art, portraits and rough sketches :)
That’s very cool! Have you watched any of my other videos on where to find and not find commissions?
@@TheArtMentor not yet sir, I hope to see more of your vids. Feels interesting.
I hope you enjoy! Check out my playlist for Art Commissions on my page 👍
Im trying to stat commissions and this video helped me QUITE a lot. I've seen your channel and I don't understand why aren't you more known in UA-cam! Your content looks 10/10 like and subscribe!
Thanks so much!! You can help my spreading the word about me haha.
So what kind of commissions do you want to start taking?
@@TheArtMentor I do digital art and sculpture I'm thinking of only doing digital commissions. I'm a little bite insecure bc I don't have too many followers but a friend told me it would be nice to open comissions now that I'm in college
Idk how to set the prices and that stuff but I'm trying my best 😅
Good for you! I wish I started earlier like you. I recommend watching my latest video about the dangers of cheap art, and I give solid advice in that about how to price and NOT price yourself. Have you seen that one yet?
@@TheArtMentor no i havent yet, but i will give it a chance, thanks
Awesome! It will help, and let me know what you think after 👍
i was in the middle of research about how artists start their commission cause i wanted to get start too
and got confused with this commission sheet...
and after watching this, now i am confident opening my commission without that commission sheet
Glad to hear you’re confident enough to not use a comm sheet now 💪 it will seriously make you appear more pro! What do you think convinced you the most to not use a comm sheet after watching this?
Thanks for the really helpful video! I have 2 questions actually, though I don’t know if you’d get a chance to look at a comment from a video posted a year ago
1. When I see commission sheets they also usually come with Terms of Service in an artist’s linktree/carrd/etc. wherever they put their commission sheet. I know you said to keep commission sheets short in order to not overwhelm potential clients, however what are your thoughts of putting detailed Terms of Service? ToS is supposed to be the boundaries that an artist establishes so that they won’t get exploited by douchebag clients? I would like to know your opinion on how to include the ToS in the social site artists use to also present their commission sheet
2. If it’s possible, may I get feedback and critiques on how I present my commission sheet? I’m not sure if you have a business email, and I do prefer using email to share what I have done for my commission sheet site
Happy to answer! Firstly, a TOS is a totally separate document, and shouldn’t be presented at all until you have an interested client. It’s not necessary to advertise this at all. Btw I made a video on making a ToS, have you seen that?
For critique, I would honestly just say don’t make a commissions sheet 😅 just for the same reasons in this video. If you feel you must, only use it for your first couple clients and then stop using it.
How’s all that?
@@TheArtMentor That's really helpful, thank you! I most likely will use a commission sheet to get a few clients as I'm a very new artist. Hopefully will get to the point where I don't need a commission sheet!
I would never offer sketches.
My sketches look TERRIBLE, and that's all part of the process.
A sketch good enough to sell would take me almost as long to do as a completed work. And be a lot more frustrating.
And even at a finished state, it wouldn’t fetch a price tag comparable to your rendered art either, would it? So if the price isn’t great and it takes more time and it doesn’t build a portfolio piece then it isn’t very worthwhile is it? 🙃
Congrats on reaching 1k subs.
Thanks so much! I appreciate your support 😁 how long have you been watching my channel?
@@TheArtMentor About five months, i think.
Thanks so much! Let me know if you have any questions I can answer in my 1K thank you video next week
Great video, thanks that help me alot.
I'm a graphic designer but I want to focus on doing more illustrations, and I'm new to doing commissions after being an office designer for years, so I did a commission sheet and oh god what a drag to do... It took me like 3 days just to make and figuring out prices, terms, do's and don'ts, and I end up all stress out because I don't know if what I put in the sheet was right or wrong.
This video help me figuring out how to do commissions, because I want to take illustration work seriously and not just as a hobby, but some part of me thinks still need something to tell people what is what I do lol. 😅
Glad to hear you’re on board with ditching the com sheet! Lol. I’ve made that mistake too. It takes way too long, doesn’t it?
Also, what kinds of commissions do you want to start making?
@@TheArtMentor don't know depends of the commission i guess... i would like to focus on character design
That’s a good start! Have you seen my other video on the 3 thing you need to get commissions? That will help you narrow down your client pool
@@TheArtMentor I will check it out, thanks!
You’re very welcome! Let me know if you have any questions about that or contracts!
I'm thinking about starting commissions and this was really helpful!!
So cool! What commissions do you want to make?
@@TheArtMentor art commissions digitally! :)
Very cool. Are you certain of exactly how to target the clients you want to get? I can suggest a video you would find very helpful
@@TheArtMentor I'm not sure still,i didn't wanna make my hobby into business but some ppl asked me to do it so why not ,but I'm still trying to figure it out ,any help would be appreciated 😂❤️
Happy to help you out then 😁 my Commissions playlist is pretty stacked, but I’d recommend watching this first in your case: What Do I Need to Start Art Commissions? YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE to get art clients
ua-cam.com/video/_xynaYqKurY/v-deo.html
Let me know what you think!
4:40 seems like a good sheet to make.
I'm about to make one and I'd like to add your input on it by showing different artworks per layer.
2 plain and 2 fully rendered but 4 different illustration.
Would that be better considering the final recommended sheet you offered at the end?
I can confidently say you’d do better by not making one at all 😅but if you were going to, no. Nobody will actually look at that many options bc of the reasons cited in this video
Thanks to your videos I've realized the bad practices on my comm sheet, and now I am redesigning it to make it better
In my case the comm sheet is animated because I offer animated commissions
I am using the same commsheet to advertise static drawings as well
I am having the chance of displaying just 3 drawings, or 6, 9 or even 12 drawings by transitiong (slideshow style). What would you recommend? showing more drawings or limiting it just to 3 to avoid the transitions ? For the case of choosing how many arts to show in the commsheet: "more is more", or "less is more" ?
Glad to hear you’re realizing it’s flaws!
If you insist on still using one, the less you have, the better. The more you have the smaller it’ll be, and the more likely clients will pass over you. Does that make sense?
@@TheArtMentor MOre or less, Actually I am taking advantage of the fact that the commsheet is animated, so, I am displaying different drawings with transitions "slideshow" style, adding more are not using more space, but the video becomes longer as more drawings I showing (more like some sequencial slideshow presentation of the images)
I've estructured the commsheet to display 3 drawings at the same time (no more, no less), that's why I will be showing multiple of 3 amount of drawings
Also, limiting just to 3 drawings will cause no "slideshow" transition at all, it may have advantages, but I don't know a thing about the implications
Good luck!
Hello! This is very helpful ^^
I'm actually a new artist, also looking to sell commissions
But by not listing the price, I'm worried that no one will buy because I'm new.
Should I do it that way too? Or should I just play it safe with the listed price?
Honestly, you’ll be better off not listing your price and following my other advice on what you need to start commissions, as well as how to talk to art clients. Have you seen those videos? I totally understand your fears, but give this another full watch and you’ll learn why com sheets are a really unprofessional practice 😅
I want to ask you something, kind sir
If i have a lot of variation in styles.
Should i make it cramped in 1 page
Or i just publish it separately for each preferred styles?
Fair question, straight answer! Honestly I think you need to just focus on one style. It’s confusing and ill advised. Learn how to set yourself up better in this video:
REAL advice to get art clients and commissions in 2024
ua-cam.com/video/JQMjdHBakno/v-deo.html
Hey again, I changed my commission sheet to what you recommended. It looks much better now. Thanks!
I've made the base prices sheet,
3 art styles to choose from,
What I draw what I don't draw + additional fees,
Contact me and payment methods.
That's 4 different sheets. I don't know which ones to post and which to keep for the DM's
Hey thanks for the support! Did you watch the end of the video though? It sounds like you included quite a few things that I suggest against, and make your sheets look cluttered. We’re you saying you added in all of that or took them out?
@@TheArtMentor I did watch it. Maybe I got confused or didn't understand.
I have portrait, bust, half, full body. With the prices on. All different examples.
Then I made a separate one for the contact me and payment method. PayPal, revolut. Should I post just that? And share the rest of the info in dm if theyre interested
So scratch the entire second sheet and condense everything on to one. Nobody will scroll through more than one sheet on a post, know what I mean? Keep it simple and details can be discussed in DMs alright?
@@TheArtMentoryes thanks a lot!
My pleasure! Happy to help
I am artist and I buy art sometimes. And... I would never buy anything without a clear pricing range...? Like I want to know if I can freaking afford the damn thing before I message the artist. Especially as someone who lives in a country with much weaker currency than a stupid dolar.
I literally don't get it, from buyer and from artist perspective. Price sheet reduce much of a anxiety when talking to stranger. While changing prices depending on character complexity is good and rational thing to do.
So would you like me to answer your question as an artist, or as an art client?
@@TheArtMentor I mean those are more like my thoughts not exactly a question but if you want to write something go ahead.
(also I am suprised that you only have 2k subs, I am way too used to big channels and just talking to the void )
Like I definitly agree that buying art like burger is bad idea, but I find "hey my base price for this type of art is XXX and it will vary depending on complexity" very usefull as a client.
(although I must say that I very rarely buy art from people that are not my online friends so I guess there's quite heavy "human connection" aspect for me xD )
So be honest with yourself, and same for anyone reading this, the only reason an artist advertised pricing is bc you’re afraid of wasting your time, right? That’s the problem. Your art needs to speak for itself instead.
Also, if a client feels anxious about reaching out to you as an artist, how is that your problem? Isn’t it safe to say that if they can’t DM you then they probably aren’t serious and won’t pay you? Consider that
@@TheArtMentor Okay thank you for answer! I guess it's my anxiety speaking
Heya, Teach! I'm glad you made this video - I had been looking around at commission sheets and how to use them... but this really smartened me up. Thanks!
I know you're going to get tired of me soon, but I have another question about getting into doing art commissions. I am interested in doing character concept work - things like character turnarounds, face shots, etc. Is there a market for this sort of commission work? How and where can I get started in it?
ABSOLUTELY! there’s a huge market for that type of art. What genre of characters do you want to work with?
@@TheArtMentor not gonna lie... I haven't quite figured that one out yet. In fact, I thought about it a lot and I still draw a blank.
I kinda like the idea of doing superhero-type fare (especially Golden Age style characters) and/or martial arts-inspired characters (MMA fighters, boxers, ninjas, etc) but I am having trouble narrowing it down. And I'm kinda embarrassed to say I don't know where to look for other possible genres. Could you give me some suggestions on what other genres there are or where to look for ideas on genres?
This is a really important question that goes to what you are passionate about first. I’ll happily give you three popular genres, but don’t commit to any unless you enjoy them: sci-fi, fantasy, super hero. Anything in those genres generally tend to have demand; however, do you even like those? I just ask to confirm, bc if there’s something you love, I’d recommend sticking to that and then branching out to something with higher demand
@@TheArtMentor actually I quite like the superhero genre. Also a big fan of manga/manhwa (particularly the Shonen/action genre of it) but not sure if there is demand for it. But that answers my question! I will investigate and pursue those avenues! Thank you!
That’s great! Let me know if you have any other questions! It’s never a bother
Hi! Thanks for making this video, I learned a lot from your advice as I'm re-building my own commissions page on my own website. For context, I've been doing commissions for over 7 years and have learned a lot, but I also have went on and off during 2020, so my concept of prices have been a bit stuck in the past, and undervalued. I understand not using commission sheets for things like my website, because I want to engage with the client, and I also understand that not all clients have the same project in mind. When it comes to 'live' commissions, I typically display a flat price. I'm having some difficulties deciding if I should remove the price, and let me speak to the client instead to negotiate? Note that I'm typically in settings like conventions / artist alley. Do you have any advice on this topic? Appreciate it, thank you!
Wow that’s a great question! I haven’t been asked that before, but I’d suggest for live commissions to display a starting at price rather than a hard price just to account for complexity. How’s that sound?
So something like a base price? I do sometimes get hit with complex commissions outside of what I draw (for example I draw chibi/mini art) and I have nothing on my sheet explaining complex drawings because it would come across as too wordy! I think a simple price sign noting it as a base only, and then maybe adding that additional fees to account for the base cost? I'll have to tweak the wording a bit and it should work out. Thanks for the suggestion! 😄
Wish i saw this video a week ago, before i made my commission sheet lol
So I got a question o.o how much do prices differ when its personal and commercial work? I've yet to see any info on how to price commercial work
That’s a fantastic question! So for commercial artwork, this will vastly differ on several qualities: how popular the client is, how essential the image is and how widely circulated it will be, as well as your experience. Overall, you should as about the middle item for how circulated. If it’s essential, like a novel cover, you need to charge 3-10x more bc it’s a necessary image. Also, if you need to sign away the rights (through an NDA), then you need a 3-4 digit payment as future compensation.
What kind of project are you involved in?
So i sell the Cheapest Art Styles with a complete Color and Full Body, except Backgrounds, and i do this almost entirely like your Video. But my Problem is, if i can't adapt these Professional / Popular Artists who sell an Effortless Arts, i might get Sunken by THEIR Algorithms. So, what should i do? I can't even blame them too
Can you specify what you mean by the cheapest art style? I’ve seen every art style being sold for hundreds or thousands so I’m curious on your meaning.
Also, where are you looking for clients?
I'm trying to do semi realistic commissions and I'm having a hard time finding clients, but I too realized that I get more attention by showing my art more than by spamming only my commission sheet. Do you have any tips for commissions in that style?
Have you seen my video on the 3 things you need to start commissions? It sounds like your examples might need some fine tuning
So i really need a reply to this when you get the free chance but i am trying to wrap my head around on what you mean by "Dm you for Inquiries" because i'm not sure what it is, does it basically mean people should DM you extra details they want and you discuss the whole price total? like the base price was 150$ but it went up to 180$ because of the extras they want if that makes sense.
Yeah so basically you don’t need to have any sort of pricing conversation no display any pricing at all. When I say have a DM conversation for inquiries, that’s when you have a client send you a DM and that’s where you gather all the information so that you can give an informed quote. Have you seen my video on How to Talk to Art Clients?
@@TheArtMentor i have not no but i'll check it out, this was a overall great video :D
Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed! I promise that if you take my suggestions then you will be able to move away from the sea of undercharging artists out there who will burn out and give up making art. I’ve also made several videos on cheap artists and the negative side effects. Check them out too if you’re interested!
I love this video i will think about this
about the wages i was already troubled how much i need to ask for my expertise
but I realize if i ask 20 dollars for an artwork that i work 20 hours for i better get a job and work for 2 hours XD
It’s always intimidating ask for money, especially higher wages, but isn’t it better to wait for that one person who will pay you $100 instead of collecting 5 who will only pay $20? Also, what about the awesome effect on your self esteem?
Hi there, I made a commission sheet a few years ago, but I was unaware of this advice until today. I would like to drop it as you suggest, but I hope it is not too late after years of using a commission sheet with a certain amount of details.
Of course it’s never too late! In fact it will help you get seen more from here on. Pretty sweet effect right?
@@TheArtMentor Hopefully! But without the sheet, how do I properly announce that I am open for commissions? If I got this right, I just show a batch of my top (and constant) works, and say price and details to be discussed in a DM?
That’s correct 👍 sounds weird, right? But it’s way more professional. You want to have a client who loves your art for your appeal, not your pricing right? I have some other videos I can suggest for you to learn more about this if you’d like
Hey,
I'm thinking of start doing commissions
And don't know how people would know about me that I'm taking commissions requests
Please tell how should i advertise myself
Hey thanks for the question! Check out my other videos in my art commissions playlist for lots of advice about that 👍
this dude is trashing my commission sheets. Thanks! Is really making me realize my mistakes.
Wait did I literally use your commission sheet within this video?
@@TheArtMentor No, but many of the things you mentioned are things I do have in my commission sheet. I watched this video because I realized that I needed to change my prices, since what I had on my commission sheets was oversimplifying what I do.
It is all really helpful, thank you!
Oh whew I was nervous haha! Well I’m really thrilled to hear you got a lot of helpful info from this video. What else can I help you and others with in regards to commissions?
@@TheArtMentor My bad, I should have worded that first comment better. Rewarding your question, I would say keep doing what you do. This was really helpful and it really did help me understand why my commission sheets don't work.
I have a huge commission post on Tumblr explaining everything I do, with examples, and though I have gotten a few good commission, I have noticed that my clients don't read the post, and that the people that read it don't order anything.
Another problem with my commissions is that the prices I have in the Commission sheet end up being too low when compared to what I am asked to do. Hell, another reason why I went looking for a video like yours is because I told my illustration professor that I did $40 in my last commission and after looking at it, he dead pan told me I was robbed.
I am watching you other videos about commissions and taking notes. Thank you for doing all this!
It’s awesome to hear all of this from you, and please be on the lookout in the next few weeks for more content on art commissions. I look forward to seeing you around my channel more 😁
I feel like you should at least give a price approximate on the advertising so people can get a rough idea easily but definitely should encourage a range for the price upping or lowering for complexity
Mainly because when I buy commissions I feel bad asking for the cost and it being way over my budget lol
I definitely address this in my redesign of commission sheets at the end, but I don’t disagree. The real issue becomes how long artists use these, as it’s mostly just for the beginning of the commissions career and should eventually be grown out of.
So what kinds of commissions do you usually enjoy buying?
@@TheArtMentor I do agree that this is something to be grown out of as you gain popularity, either way I do think a lot of your points about making the advertising for it eye catching, simple, and easy to understand is really important and often overlooked
I agree
As a private person who buys art for myself and not any type of business use, if someone doesn't even list SOME TYPE of base price publicly, I move on. It's a waste of my and the artist's time if I have to email them asking and then they wind up being out of my budget.
I like commission sheets (in fact interestingly I like the "lazy ones" the most lmao), but the lack of one doesn't really bother me if price and/or examples are easily found.
I don't know at what point someone becomes "too good" for public base pricing, but my budget is usually around the $100 - $200 mark.
Which I understand is peanuts for many, but it's well outside that $30 artist tier.
Your pricing is more than most, however, consider the artist on the other end too. Not saying you’re a bad client or anything, but that pricing is still pretty low. Just consider if you needed to get your car fixed: you can’t find an auto shop’s pricing online right? Every make and model has different parts and needs. It’s the same with art pricing. Every job is different with unique difficulties that can only be assessed and priced through a conversation. Does that make sense now?
Sorry to hear you’re overlooking those artists, have you ever thought that maybe you’re missing out on finding the perfect one because of that though? 😅 and as stated here too, nobody uses email anymore. It’s antiquated, so I agree with you on that
@@TheArtMentor "Just consider if you needed to get your car fixed"
They post their labor price per hour in their stores. At least in my state.
"Sorry to hear you’re overlooking those artists, have you ever thought that maybe you’re missing out on finding the perfect one because of that though? "
Yes, but when it all started, if I emailed (or DMed, or whatever) and they came back with a price outside of my budget - as I said, it's a waste of both of our time. A waste of my time emailing someone who's likely out of my budget but I want to "just try and see"
And a waste of the artist's time contacting me back with their price and then never hearing from me again because they're out of my budget.
Meanwhile, if they said something like "Base price $100+" somewhere publicly, I would know it'd be worth the effort.
Likewise, if base price was 300+, I'd move on knowing not to waste their time with contacting them.
I'm not asking for a specific price. Any casual commissioner willing to pay $100+ understands the price on the sheet is only the starting point. I think that's where your video maybe doesn't give casual clients enough credit?
@@TheArtMentor I guess where I am confused is what is the target audience for this video in particular?
Because I agree with all your points if it's focused on artists wanting any sort of business client/commission.
But as far as artists who cater to private commissioners who just want personal art, it seems a little out of touch?
I appreciate your responses, by the way!
Sure, mechanics always state their hourly rates, but that’s not really accurate, nor could anyone give you a quote without talking to someone there first right? Every job has different parts and some components take longer for some than others right? Artists are the same. We don’t work a minimum wage job, and every job is too varied to give a set price without all the information up front. It’s the same for a contractor when you need a remodel, they won’t give you a quote without seeing the job. That practice of blanket pricing is always at the expense of the artist, see what I mean?
Regarding the feeling of wasting time, I’d consider it another way. First off, I talk about this a lot in my videos, but that’s never really the case. Talking to a client, any client, is an opportunity to practice your pitch and make a connection. Artists that say it’s a waste of time in doing this are really afraid of rejection, which is a deeper issue. Similarly, have you considered that reaching out and being overpriced is just a fear of embarrassment? It’s two sides of the same coin when you really think about it, but there’s nothing really lost there.
Consider this from the artists perspective if you will: is this practice to benefit the client or the artist? For all the reasons I’ve listed here and in my other videos, it’s a degrading practice that makes artists appear as minimum wage workers
I’m happy to explain as well! First off, any artist that seeks commissions in any capacity is now a business. There’s no casual version, so either artists want it to be a business income or they’d otherwise just do it for free right? So this video is for artists that want to be more professional, conduct themselves like professionals, and learn how to make more respectable wages.
Btw I say all this bc I started, years ago, doing $40 commissions, and I’d ask you to consider how much that feeling sucks. It’s because I’ve built it up much higher that I now teach artists how to be more professional and not convey themselves as amateurs that honestly make it impossible for artists to earn respectable, and closer to, livable wages. I mean consider this: would you learn a trade for ten years and then feel good getting $100 for 10 hours of work? For this and reasons stated in this video, I hope you can see how this pigeonhole practice keeps artists from achieving more and is purely fear-based
What are your thoughts on artists having Terms of Service fill-up form?
Could you tell me a bit about this? Do you mean filling out a form that constitutes a TOS?
glad i came by this, this is really smart
Thanks! Did you already have a com sheet or were you thinking about making one?
@@TheArtMentor i didnt like the idea but seeing so many people recommend it i thought i would give it a try
So are you now brave enough to proceed without a price sheet?
@@TheArtMentor yeah i really like your way of thinking, its really effective and professional
I think you’ll like it! It’s worked great for everyone that’s switched and you can earn more money too
Somehow all the examples you show are the ones that shows up for me when i googled commission sheet.
Is that a bad thing? You can find these all over any platform that have all of these issues
Is that a bad thing? You can find these all over any platform that have all of these issues
@@TheArtMentor Not really just a general observation. kinda chilling how the ones you pick are still on the top of the search results after more than half a year at this point. I even (poorly) modeled my sheet after one of the examples you picked when I started two years ago.
If it makes u feel better I had a commissions sheet too back when I first started lol. Now I know better. Do you still have one?
@@TheArtMentor My sheet basically became irrelevant after 2 months or so after gaining some experience. been basically just hashing out in DMs ever since.
So, inspecting the sheet at 8, I don't get your criticism. Since, it seems that the shading pattern of the Cell is the almost the same geryscale rather than the first colored one.
(most noticeable around the chest.)
the first colored one has no head, chest, or cloak shadow, a lot of the smaller details are only barely more developed, so it seems more like a style difference. And the Cell one has the shading regions done more softly.
The reference sheet is basically the color from the "full-color" on top of the shading regions.
But yeah the prices at the 9 minute point are laughably low and kind of sad. They are using difference pieces to show the different levels of development though. I completely agree it isn't legible.
To put it simply, this is ineffective. You will get more clients and more money by not trying to show lazy examples of incomplete artwork. Did you see my examples at the end of this? Variety is key but not showing minimal differences like at the minute 8 marker. Nobody wants to buy incomplete artwork unless they’re planning to scam you and run it through an ai generator bc you charged too cheap anyways. Does that make more sense?
In all honesty i am still worried about commissions,i am going to update my commission sheets but i will put my prices the secont slide,as an experiment to see if my art is enouph to catch a costumers attention,because rn i feel like i am not doing things right,i am also diving to marketing to promote my work better so that's something
So what’s holding you back from just taking them off? Do you want to be known as an artist for your pricing or because of your artwork?
@@TheArtMentor I am actually thinking on experimenting after watching more of your videos,I don't have anything to lose (thank you btw for all of this content) I also realized more wrongdoings I did in the past with how to attract potential costumers.(professional talking and how to communicate better,I might come off as cold when In reality I am anxious,but other people can not read my mind and a costumers need a confident artist for many reasons)
But the reason I am holding back is ..I think self doubt,are people willing dm me about the prices if they are not sure about at least the base price and have no clue who this random small artist(me) is? That's something experience will show me of course . (I usually put a base price and then it changes based of the complexity)
-
The time I was typing this comment I was scared of people's judgement,
Right now I am just willing to experiment different things,I did not see any results with my previous ways.
It sounds like your confidence is growing! That’s amazing to hear.
If you’re on the fence about ripping price tags off, do a few commissions and then pull the trigger. If that helps you feel more comfortable, to show you have prior experience with clients first, then that’s fine too.
Overall though, as I always say, you’ll eventually plateau on pricing and need to switch gears to level it up higher 💪
Anything in particular you’d like to see future content on?
@@TheArtMentor I am still taking a dive into your videos and I am actually really really grateful for your time into guiding us.What I want to see from you hmmm... actually more of your SpeedPaints! They are so cool and your skill level is keeping my motivation up!
Just you doing your thing in general is really enough for me!
-
Is there any other way I CAN support you for a change?
Also you said taking free requests to build our portfolio is a good idea as a start.
Would you like a small gift drawing from me? (I would love to do that btw but I respect if you're not comfortable with that)
Thanks for your feedback! I seriously just want to help as many artists as possible, just like you, because starting out can be so hard and there’s too much misguided strategies 🙃
And that’s a very kind gesture to offer! Honestly I can’t expect or ask anything of you, but if you’d like to make anything, definitely send it on over to my Instagram. I’d love to see what you would want to make 🤔
The best thing I could ever ask is to share something that helped you so that we can help other artists. Thanks so much, my friend!
Hi Sean, Great video once again. I have a question.
Why do you price your character design lower than
your Illustration? Thank you.
Good question! So a standard character design will not include a background, while an illustrative is a character fully integrated into a setting. Therefore, there’s a ton more work that goes into making an immersive illustration versus a floating character. Does that answer your question?
@@TheArtMentor
Yes It does thank you.
I was thinking of it more in terms of the client making tons of changes and edits to the design and therefore increasing the work load. Does this ever happen to you?
So with that, it’s necessary to have a firm definition of what you consider a revision and how many revisions you will allow. For example, I allow two revisions, which I must be notified of within 24 hours. If a revision is something minor, no big deal like changing the color of something, but large revisions that become too much can and should require additional payment. Just be careful that you followed the client’s directions. If they keep approving and coming back to a change, then tell them it’ll require a change order and a fee. How does that sound?
@@TheArtMentor
Yes, perfect solution. Thank you.
No problem! Any other questions?
So if I won't use sheets how should I start? Should I post a new illustration and Announce that I'm open for commissions? Also thanks for the tips Mentor!
Hey thanks for asking! So have you seen my video that gives you a full guide to commissions? It’s the total beginner’s guide to art commissions. Essentially, you’ll post relevant examples, with professional communication, and get into a conversation with your client. That’s the simple version, but I have lots of videos that explain all of this. Any other questions?
@@TheArtMentor I have seen almost all of your videos but I didn't hear you say this exact tip on what you'll need to do instead of sheets other than going to job offers in forum. maybe it flew off my ear but hey Thanks anyways! Also by relevant is it like Posting a fantastic sci Fi artwork and say ill do your Scifi commissions But in a professional way right?
So basically you’ll post examples for a specific style or genre that you want. So if a client wants sci-fi characters, you only post those and nothing unrelated. You’ll see really good examples of this in my DA and Reddit commissions guides. Also, check out my DeviantArt commission fails for an entertaining look at everything not to do. Have you seen that yet?
@@TheArtMentor yes I have seen it boss ! And I would like to see more in the future keep the awesome helpful content Mentor !
Thanks that’s good info for me to prep for!
It works for some people. I want to know the price before I buy something.
may I ask what type of price range you buy art for?
What are we supposed to do then???
Hey there! 👋 I hope you made it through this video after commenting this, as I spelled out a better and more professional approach. Have you seen my video on How to Talk to Art Clients? That’ll give you a script for how to entice clients to work with you instead. Did you check that out in the description?
@@TheArtMentor Alright thanks
My pleasure! Let me know if you have any questions as you go through my other commissions content 😁
Hey Sean,
I was wondering if you used Discord for art commissions. There are numerous anime art servers that have channels for people looking for commissions, and was wondering if your Reddit advice would work for Discord.
Thanks!
Hey great question: YES! These are the same tactics I literally work with in all platforms. Try it out! What servers do you like to use?
@@TheArtMentor Art & Commissions, the Artist's Corner, Anime Art Zone, Sakura Onsen, and Mashiro's Art Night Market. How about you?
I’m in the first two you mentioned, but I don’t ever advertise my services there. I’ll have to look into it and make a guide I guess huh?
@@TheArtMentor Yep!
Alright I’ll put it in the works!
Sooo...What's your opinion on an artist using Fiverr?
I'm a newbie artist and honestly only made 1 commission in her whole life and that was from meeting someone on a live chat on UA-cam.
Nah Fiverr promotes only cheap labor, and that’s what it’s business model is all about. I’d recommend other platforms. Have you seen my other guides on DeviantArt or Reddit for commissions?
@@TheArtMentor Haha, figured you'd say that about Fiverr. 🤣
Right now I'm in desperate need of cash so I feel like Fiverr could help especially since I could churn out a bunch of specific niche work because I'm passionate in this specific niche nothing too spectacular...Definitely not even close to being as good as you are. I mean, your work is absolutely breathtaking.
I've seen the deviantart one. Granted as a core member on dA, I just decided to take advantage of my membership and created a subscription tier yesterday, but really only because I was sick of little kids on that site seeing stuff they shouldn't be seeing. Knowing that minors and seeing them on dA repulses me because I'm in the risqué realm of art if you know what I'm saying.
The reddit one I haven't seen, so I'll be sure to check that one out because I've never heard of finding clients on reddit. That piques my interest. xD
Thanks so much for your kind words 😁
I understand being in a tough spot, just make sure it doesn’t cloud your judgment and take really low prices. Commissions done out of desperation are always the one I regret. Does that make sense?
@@TheArtMentor I totally understand what you're saying and I won't lowball myself. My art style right now is pretty cartoony/anime-esque (line art with flat color with simple shading and lighting) it's easy for me to churn out and I'm passionate about it which having passion in something is key.
Do you know who Challa is? That's something I'd like to do just not lowball myself as much as he does yet, he churns out a lot of fantastic and goofy artwork for his clients and audience for his UA-cam channel, and I think that's pretty cool. He's not the only one either who uses Fiverr + UA-cam to grow his art fanbase. I think $40-50 should be the minimum of an artist's asking price. Especially if it's as simple and quick like what I aforementioned about my own art. xD
However, like you said in your commission sheet video, it is best for the client to tell you what they want and then you two negotiate a price for the work from there. I agree commission sheets are a bit unnecessary. I've been too lazy to make one, thankfully saw your video as I was thinking about making one.🤣
Yeah, eventually I do want to do more realistic fantasy artwork in my crazy niche as art like yours and James Gurney is gorgeous to look at. 😍💜
Yes those are some good thoughts! I agree. Btw, not sure if you saw my other video about how to talk to clients, but i recommend getting to know their needs first and then you giving a price. Rather than them putting it out, it sounds better coming from you setting the tone first. Did you see that video of mine as well?
Is it normal to get ghosted doing the DM style. They always just disappear after I give them a proper price for their description & details xD
Unfortunately, yes that does happen. I always just tell myself not to get too excited until I get a payment notification, just so that I don’t get my hopes up early. Just stay strong my friend!
@@TheArtMentor
Good to know I'm not the only one.
Just recently I got a client who we discussed and were in a good wavelength. We gathered the references together and the price was also negotiable to his liking. But when I send him the invoice, he just suddenly ghosted me, in discord and in reddit. Never replied and answered my messages. What pisses me off is he's online. A simple request to cancel would've been appreciated.
It’s funny you mention that, as I just experienced almost a mirror situation today. Agreed on pricing with a client, had wonderful conversations, sent them my invoice…woke up blocked lol. Ever have that happen?
@@TheArtMentor I never got blocked before like that. And what a mean and weird customer. Sometimes I just don't understand how the minds of customers work. Just in case, my clients name in my previous comment post was, I think, WhyYouMadBoi.
I also think I have to put something like "My works must be at least a minimum of $100, starting with bust" to filter out my clients. It's frustrating to deal with being ghosted all the time.
Yeah clients can be an interesting mixed bag of nuts huh? Lol. Should I make a video about types of clients?
Hello, I've been watching your videos but I have a doubt. You say the commission sheets suck but in your deviantart video, you said we should do one, so... could you please explain why? Maybe not just to me but like make a video as in why it's okay in deviantart but not anywhere else if possible
Hi and thanks so much for watching and asking this question! I’ve also realized how that may seem contradictory, so please allow me to explain. In the DA commissions video, I suggest linking a pricing journal. If I said commission sheet there, I take it back lol. So the strategy is to get clients hooked on your art and not pricing first. Since, if you follow the strategies I suggest, you would post relevant examples, along with a pricing journal, clients would decide on your artwork first and then try to figure out if you’re in their budget. I do, however, admit that I think it’s best to ask them to DM you to discuss details before pricing, but this process works for those with less experience or just starting out.
Does that make sense? Any lingering questions?
@@TheArtMentor Hmmm, so you're saying that by separating the art from where the prices are shown, then it would make a better impression that way? (Since comm sheets have both in the same place)
Precisely! When you have a link to your pricing, a client would need to be enticed by your art first, and then follow the link to your prices. This is the appropriate way to get GOOD clients who aren’t just looking for bargain artwork and bargain artists. They want an experience. You can give that to them. How does that sound?
@@TheArtMentor Sounds really good, thanks for the kind replies!
My pleasure! I appreciate you allowing me to clarify. Feel free to ask me anything!
I think there's some very good advices in your videos , however , i also disagree on some of your points .
People need a rough idea of your prices , otherwise you're just going to have a lot of people asking you for commissions and as soon as you explain your pricing , they're gone .
I've had that multiple times before , and i don't have time to deal with that kind of stuff .
It's also sweet and nice to assume that everyone just has a lot of time to spend on commission and/or is trying to make a living out of it .
A lot of artists are also making commissions on the side of a full-time job , so in that case selling sketches and linearts that you can finish in a single afternoon are actually interesting , and people do buy them , because often people who want to commission artists don't necessarily have the budget to spend on your fully-finished pieces , and you can't be entirely sure you'll be able to deliver within a reasonable timeframe either .
If you reread your response, do you hear the amount of fear in that? It’s quite common, and the reason why many artist opt for the com sheet. Afraid of wasting time. Afraid of not landing a client. Afraid of people feeling outpriced. Afraid of losing some money instead of valuing what you could get. Is that really a good place to operate out of?
For context, commissions are not my full time job either. It’s just a part of my income I’ve built as a side hustle over the years.
@@TheArtMentor I'm afraid i (and all the other Artists in the same situation/predicament) don't really have time to waste , that's the issue of working on Commissions as a side-job , your free time becomes scarce . I'm not however afraid to lose a client as i know i'm already underselling myself since my job pays my bills , not my Art , and if my prices are considered too high by some , then i'd rather not work with such cheap people in the first place . My sole concern is wasting time because i'm a slow Artist and i work 12h shifts , so i've got virtually no time for myself outside of the week-ends .
So let me ask, do you regularly see artists with respectable wages using this strategy? Do artists charging 3-4 figures making commission sheets?
9:45 Full body + Background for 15$?? As an artist, seeing that honestly makes me sad.
Omg I’ve seen it for less haha. Do you ever look at Facebook groups for art commissions?
@@TheArtMentor I'm not on Facebook (for now), just on Deviantart and Artstation. It's definitely possible to make 100€ commissions with pretty small following (and no commission sheet lol), no one should undersell themselves like the artist in the video. I hope they value their time and skills more these days and get the pay they deserve.
Yeah I agree, as I started getting commissions without any following. That whole needing a following to find clients is such a lie isn’t it? It’s not hard to find people who want to pay for artwork nowadays
@@TheArtMentor I feel like it's more of an issue for young artists selling their art to other kids and teenagers who just don't have that much money to spend on art. I used to worry about prices and following too until I realised that children are not my target audience, I can demand reasonable prices.
Well said!
People don't buy line art? Sir, there is a whole market for line art called coloring books! 🤣
That’s a commercial product, not a commission. Yes, some people do commission line arts, but they’re typically terribly cheap and not worthwhile. Why charge pennies for your line art when you could convince someone to buy a completed artwork for big dollars? Also, line art isn’t typically something that you can add to a portfolio, but finished works are. What you’re speaking about, coloring books, are put out by companies with full time artists, so it’d be highly unlikely that someone would commission line art to that degree. Does that make sense?
Nice points
Thanks! Have you ever made one of these before?
@@TheArtMentor not really. But Just as bad at marketing art comission for game currency in foruns when I was a teenager.
It’s okay! Many are in your boat, so no shame. I just learned through doing everything wrong lol. Hopefully some of my content can help you out
WELL I guess I'm the odd duck in this pond; 🦆as the term "Commission sheet" is completely new to me. Ive never heard the term, and have been doing commissions for over 20 years. ( albeit some would say under a rock) but Every size, style, media, and subject differs from one client to the next. If I have to custom build a finished piece from the wood up for the exact space you have , That's an additional service. 💲 If I have to rent a UHAUL Box truck to transport that work to you, that's an additional service,💲 💲 and in a few cases, Ive even had to personally hang those pieces. (cleverly ensuring continued liability after I've left)....That's an additional Svc.💲💲💲 So my price has always been as customized and personal as the work my client requests. So Basically In my experience with commissions, The only thing that stays the same...is that nothing is ever the same. If I am missing something here, please feel free to let me know....☮
I think you’ve got the basics for sure! It’s not a good professional practice to advertise absolute pricing without knowing the details first. It seems like you got that from this video. Are you wanting to start commissions?
I think you’ve got the basics for sure! It’s not a good professional practice to advertise absolute pricing without knowing the details first. It seems like you got that from this video. Are you wanting to start commissions?
I think you’ve got the basics for sure! It’s not a good professional practice to advertise absolute pricing without knowing the details first. It seems like you got that from this video. Are you wanting to start commissions?
@@TheArtMentor In terms of digital art . I'm as green as a Sour Apple Jolly Rancher, and in unfamiliar waters well over my head...I barely know what file format to save an image in...lol & have literally "Cleared" some I intended to save..additionally, I don't feel that my skill set is quite up to par in the digital arena to be taking commissions yet. But, be that as it may, I do have @ 40 solid years of traditional free hand painting/drawing experience, and observation, THANK GOD, because I feel its the sole factor adding octane to my ability to catch up to the here and now.
In regards to commissioned works; I wince at the thought of a new client knowing what a previous one paid for their piece.. IT NEVER FAILS to be an engraved invitation for the new client to start the haggling process, and if they start insultingly low.. I have literally picked upy notepad, & excused myself from the entire negotiation.. ( because I know darn well, that if you're going to attempt that little stunt right off the bat ( 1). There's not really a genuine respect at the table and ( 2).given that lack of respect; They're likey to concoct some B.S excuse not to pay the remainder owed upon completion of the work. Thats happened to me only once. ( An arrogant, entitled, old money wht. lady in Laredo, Texas.).. So I've had my fair share of being barbequed over the years, and admittedly, Invariably, 99% of it was always my own naivet'e, and gullibility, wedded to a stubborn desire to believe everyone was innately good. As luck would have it....I was innately wrong ! ...finally wising up; I thought it fair to begin demanding half up front for everything . So it was much
to my surprise last night to hear you say all of it up front ! I apologize and
Please! correct me if I'm wrong on that...as my hearing isnt great and I often misinterpret things when there is background noise present.
I am super pleased with your content, how practical you put it forth, . And just plain unassumingly logical it is... I'm almost convinced that by simply watching, listening, taking notes, and genuinely applying your directions. I might finally get this show permanently up in the air.
Ohh & the show with your friend
#31 ? Agents & Corporate Art?
Friggin great!!!
Yes, it is absolutely acceptable and professional to request 100% payment up front. In fact, I’ve been doing it for years now, and so do many professional artists. It’s common practice once you leave the low-balling online spaces where scammers lurk the most. And I’m glad you liked my interview with Ness! She is also awesome
It's hard to be popular on the internet
absolutely is!
Thanks I don't do compression paper.I just draw anime and manga
Could you tell me what that means? I'm not sure what you mean by compression paper
@@TheArtMentor I don't put the price I always draw alot
That’s good, it’s always good to draw that out through conversation to get details first 👍
@@TheArtMentor thanks
@@TheArtMentor right how do I make a good fan art
wait u said never state prices but then u put it on ur example sheet, im confused
So if you do choose to make a commission sheet, as you can hear the explanations of in depth in this video, your pricing should state that it is a base/starting price. See how I added that? That invites a conversation instead of an assumption. Btw I don’t actually use that, it’s just an example
@@TheArtMentor ahh makes sense
Any other questions?
@@TheArtMentor nope! :)
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the rest of my channel
it's all up to personal opinion, but as somebody who likes to occasionally buy or sell art, I disagree with a lot of this video (not all of it however). if an artist doesn't have a commission sheet nor their prices displayed, I won't buy from them. I like to see their art & at least get a good base pricing point before I DM them.
Out of curiosity, how much do you typically buy artwork for?
There are 239 comments how do you leave replies on all of them 😮
Lol I make it a point to every time, even negative ones. It’s also not as if they all came at once, you know? 😅 this video is over a year old so they came in spurts at best
One question is what 14 year old can even afford an $100 commission of their OC? Other Then "borrowing" mom's credit card.
Why do you think that art commissions are only open to teenagers?
Nobody likes sketches is cap tho
Yeah nobody really buys them. Have you ever tried to market yours?
Yeah nobody really buys them. Have you ever tried to market yours?
Not to dismiss what he's saying but it sounds a lot like his own opinion vs doing some market research (which he hasn't done). There are multiple ways you can make a sheet and there's nothing wrong with using text to identify what your area of expertise is. Also, he fails to credit the artists he borrowed the commission sheets from.
What makes you say I don’t understand the market after 10 years of freelancing? Or, maybe, have you considered that you’ve only been exposed to the cheapest market of clients and artists?
Also, I removed all identifiers for the examples on purpose. I’m not trying to embarrass them individually, but using those bad examples for educational purposes to show why commission sheets aren’t effective. Does that make sense now knowing that?
Sorry I wasn't trying to be rude. I never said you don't understand the market. I was trying to say you didn't provide any evidence in your video. I just don't see any numbers or physical proof (like a poll) of 'other' artists or people saying that these commission sheets are bad. (Not referring to the comments.)
And another thing that bothered me was the lack of providing examples? I mean I'm pretty sure people link their socials so you can see them. And there is a lot of communication that happens between the Artist and the Commissioner. I cant say that applies to all artists, but that has been my experience.
I'm simply sharing my opinion. @@TheArtMentor
@angstyrain I’m not offended, no worries. But you did say I haven’t conducted market research 🧐 so are you looking for some kind of hard quantifiable data to support this video filled with multiple examples of poor commission sheets that I explain step-by-step why they don’t work based on 10 years of experience freelancing?
Commission sheets are the worst practice by beginning artists, but this helps you solve it as well
Truth