Commisions - Some Help for a Newbie
By
Comrade Hero,
Posted on: 2006-12-02 13:45 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
You're paying for it so it's all up to you really. Don't be afraid to be picky...though don't be rude about it. Make some simple suggestions. I personally like it when the artist takes some artistic freedom, they all have different styles and being to picky can sometimes take away from that. Anywayz, I'm still new to it but that's what I've observed so far. 
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So, with X-Mas round the corner, the probably most exciting thing I have on my list is a commission by someone. When getting a commission...like...What do you do? Is it polite to suggest a pose(s)/scene(s)? Pretty much all general and/or specific information is what I'm lookin' for... The basics or the more in depth stuff of what steps you take for a commission. Thank you kindly.
--BAS
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I think Bayani wrote a really good piece about commissions, hopefully he will post here.
Thor's Assassin, Rowrsie and Feral Kat are three people who can give you good advice on the commissioning process as well BAS.
Here's my 2 cents worth.
Know before hand the type of commission and image you want for your character(s)
Check List
Size: Full body, Bust (usually chest up), or Portrait (face)
Background: None, simple or complex
Medium: Poser or 3D, Photomanipulation, Traditional Painting, Graphite, Pencil and Ink, Digital Render etc.
Style: Realist, Animated, Manga, American Cartoon etc.
Cost: Sometimes you can negotiate the price, a lot of times you can't. Know how much you can afford to spend and stick by it.
Payment Method: All Upfront or Split Payments. Money Order, Cheque or PayPal?
Time Frame: Very important. Try to get an estimate on how long your commission will take. Days? Weeks? Months?
Contact the Artist
Send a friendly and polite email/PM to the artist you would like to commission a piece for you. I've always found it helpful to explain what it is I liked about their artwork and that I think it would look great immortalizing my City of Heroes/City of Villains character in their style.
Explain exactly what you done in the style/medium offered by the artist.
Ask for information on time frames, payment details and pricing options (if none are listed).
Don't be put off if you get no reply. I've had that happen.
If you do get a reply, make sure to thank the artist for getting back to you.
And do send back a reply to an artist if you cannot afford what they are charging, or something else doesn't meet your criteria. Artists do appreciate feedback, and who knows they may agree to know the price down for you.
Buying around the Holiday Season
This time of year you will find artists (especially on deviantArt) are slashing prices to build funds for the Holiday Season. You can find good bargains if you are willing to sift through the Job Services page on the dA Forums.
And check out the galleries of people like Bayani, Thor's Assassin, Rowrsie, and Feral Kat. If you see something you like in there, drop them a line. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you out.
And that was my 2 cents. 
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You're paying for it so it's all up to you really. Don't be afraid to be picky...though don't be rude about it. Make some simple suggestions. I personally like it when the artist takes some artistic freedom, they all have different styles and being to picky can sometimes take away from that. Anywayz, I'm still new to it but that's what I've observed so far.
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...I think this is a good rough guideline to run with. personally I like giving artists free reign unless pressed. I think it provides a lil more freedom for them to draw what they want versus what I want and hopefully in going this route I make it a tad more enjoyable for them versus "another job".
there is nothing wrong with telling the artist exactly what you want though. you are paying for a service and as the customer you do have the right to ask for certain things...but you should be open to their suggests if you go that route.
thus far....I have nothing but a pleasurable experience with all the know artists here that I have gained a commissioned piece from....very easy to work with and the end result is very much worth the price I have paid...~
...the sword is truth...
~whiteperegrine~
I have some experience with this, so I will share my 2 inf(luence/amy). I generally approach an artist whose style I like with a polite message stating that I am impressed by their work and then ask if they would be willing to do a picture for me. If they agree, and after we have worked out the details, we discuss the composition. How many characters, background/no background, color or pencils, size of artwork, etc. It always helps to be polite and thank them every step of the way for their time and talent. It helps to have your reference shots ready and available. I sometimes request certain poses, when a particular idea strikes me, but I have been having extraordinary results lately by giving very little direction and letting the artist run with it. Do not be shy about asking for alterations as long as the work is not yet inked, at that point it is too late. Also, you usually can ask for color alterations if something just doesnt seem right during the coloring stage (had one artist give a blonde character black hair once by accident, it was easily fixed). Do not be discouraged if an artist turns you down, they don't all take commissions. And sometimes it helps to check back later, they may just be busy at the moment. I recently had one artist tell me that if I had asked 1 week early, he would have said no. Timing can be a factor. In the end, patience and courtesy rule the day. I guess that is all I can think of right now. Good luck.
I completely agree with WP and BS's sentiments.
The biggest thing you'll need to have is PATIENCE.
Especially with the big-name artists like GillBates or DarkJedi. Their queues fill up fast, and so a 'christmas' commish may take several months. The folks with not quite as big a following may be able to get to yours faster... but it still won't be overnight unless yours is the first one they get after a long hiatus (which in the case of pro artists equates to 'living off of ramen noodles'....)
That said, find someone with a style you like, and send them a PM. Or hit their website.
Be prepared to send some cash in advance - many artists work on a half and half basis - half up front, half on completion. Or they'll do prelim sketches first, then expect payment (or partial payment) once you've decided on a pose.
Also as much as you'd like to post the 'stages of completion' for public review, resist the urge, and ASK the artist if he or she minds you doing this, before you post. After all, they want to showcase the final product... and the WIP stuff isn't always what they want people to see. Most artists will be cool with posting pencils/inks/flat colors once the complete work is delivered, but again, ask before posting.
Whatever you do, do NOT air dirty laundry in public - keep any issues you have with the commission between you and the artist. Else you will probably alienate not only the person doing the work, but also the other artists who frequent these forums... and it may be difficult to get a commission once you've branded yourself as a 'prima donna' client. So, don't go there.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Just thought I would add this snippet from the Comic Art Community Forums.
Sometimes things go wrong. In every barrel of oranges there will always be a lemon. Commissions are no exception.
If you get screwed...
So, with X-Mas round the corner, the probably most exciting thing I have on my list is a commission by someone. When getting a commission...like...What do you do? Is it polite to suggest a pose(s)/scene(s)? Pretty much all general and/or specific information is what I'm lookin' for... The basics or the more in depth stuff of what steps you take for a commision. Thank you kindly.
--BAS
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