Fun Question for Artists

Have you ever refused a commission on the basis that the character is just so horrible looking that you did not want to associate with it?

I ask because I have a reward program in the Knights where if a member hits 1 million prestige I commission an artwork of their character. One of the Knights is at 980k prestige and he made his costume by clicking the random button. You can imagine what he ended up with

I've refused a commission because of subject matter that I don't do, but I don't think I could bring myself to say no because of a horrible costume. I would be really tempted.... but I'm just too nice.

There would be much headsmashing/facepalming during the artistic process.

I believe that using a little artistic license there are so many parameters you have to work with that can turn a 'horrible' or bland costume into a nice picture after all.

1. Pose. Show it off from it's 'good' side. Maybe hiding something especially nasty behind the body or surroundings.
2. Color shift. Sometimes colors only need to be tweaked slightly to fit better together. For example you can unify them by making them all earthy.
3. Proportions. Downplay or exaggarate for effect.
4. Detailing. Add small details or textures that make the costume more interesting.
5. Lighting. You can always make the picture very, very dark

Hmm, maybe this would make a great challenge thread. Post your ugliest costume and dare the artists to make it worthy for publishing.

I've been lucky so far and not had to draw anything too horrendous, save for that full-nude TA piece with the inappropriate use of the Nem-- maybe I've said too much.

I refuse commissions for MANY reasons. I would refuse a commission for a bad outfit as well. If it's a terrible costume and I dislike it, that's going to show in the drawing. And a bad drawing is not what the customer is paying for.

But 'bad' here is entirely opinion based. If Lord Darkity Darkmare of the Ebony Midnight Pitch Brigade wants to commission me to draw his light vacuum of a silhouette, then he's sad out of luck (and taste.) But if he finds common interest with Mr. Onyx and his Sharpies of Dusk, then they'll likely get along much better and both of them will enjoy the commissioning process and the end result.

Bottom line, you can always find someone that will work with you, if you just look hard enough. As well as people that you simply cannot work with, no matter how much you might try.

Like Suichiro, I refuse commissions all the time, for many different reasons. If a costume looks bad, it won't be a piece I want to show in my gallery and won't be one I want to spend time on... so I'll select the next in line, instead.

I really need to get a screenshot and show you this day-glo monstrosity. Don't get me wrong, the player is great and is a good friend, it is just his fashion choices are questionable.

However, the reward program I run does not discriminate so expect to see an artwork of it posted as soon as it is completed

I look forward to seeing this monstrosity. I've seen some really bad ones. I am sure you coudl find someone to do it. If only for the challenge.

Sweet, was hoping you were planning on doing so, cause ya got my curiosity up to see this random button result. I know those costumes can look pretty blah and hard to look at. I think I went through a whole server full of them to help a friends SG when the SG member cap and prestige thingie happened, so i was quickly making chars and just using the random button, mildly changing a few details here and there on the costumes so I could atl east stand looking at them lol

I don't believe I'm at the level to refuse on those grounds. And um yes I have done one of these, who I will not name. However I found the more I sketched and interpreted the costume to my eventual liking, the result became something I didn't expect, and I was happy that the client was happy, which is my MAIN goal. I can draw for my amusement anytime, I believe when you agree to do a piece, as long as civility and respect are a constant, one of your duties is to please your client and not just yourself. Of course you have to be happy with the end result as well, but it should take a back seat to drawing what the client wants... I should clear this up by saying, I charge more however to achieve that result, when it's not a simple, give me a screenshot and you get back art scenario. Even in that case I still try to outdo myself with each piece.

Just how bad can this be Grae? If it's only color, that can be sort of ignored... if the character concept is dynamic enough. Anyhoo, looking forward to seeing this monstrosity. Okay I needs the java asap...

LJ

[ QUOTE ]

Just how bad can this be Grae? If it's only color, that can be sort of ignored...
LJ

[/ QUOTE ]

I once did a wedding cake where the colors were neon orange, forest green and pink. *shudders* I did my best and although I did not like the color combination the customers were very pleased and that's what mattered. I can understand an artist refusing something though. I have had to put my foot down in cake decorating a time or two. I had a lady who wanted a cake with a skiing theme. She also wanted cream cheese icing (which is a pale yellow color) I had to tell her that yellow snow was a definite no no, lol.

Get someone to do a pencil or ink drawing. No colors that way!!! :P

I would like a cake shaped like a giant anthill, and sprinkled with chocolate covered ants, and I would serve it at my sister in laws Montessori School, and tell them it's a delicacy. How much for that?

I will try to get a screenshot. I can describe it the best I can. Colors are purple and day-glo green. He has a huge body type, white hair and pointy vampire ears. His top and bottom are some mismatched armor pieces with pain pads on his shoulders. He has the single shoulder cape, purple as well. It looks worse than what I am describing. We tried to shame him into changing it but now he keeps it for shock value