COMMISSION TIPS
These are some guidelines I've prepared if you are considering commissioning me. While it may look like a lot, it will be very helpful and possibly answer any questions you may have if you have never gotten a commission before. It is divided into two main sections: Characters with Visual References and Characters with No References.
Please note that while this is written using character designs as an example, you may absolutely ask me for anything else that doesn't fit in the realm of character design (for example: maps, portraits, pets, etc.)
All prices listed are in USD.
As always, if you have any questions I have not answered feel free to contact me and ask!
Characters with Visual References:
If you do not have a visual reference for what you want me to draw, please scroll down to the section for characters with no references.
Characters with visual references are eligible for any of the art commissions listed previously. Prices listed on the commissions page are based on the assumption that you have a reference.
When you contact me about your commission, please include your references. If there are any details you need to communicate about the character that are absolutely essential (for example, "my character is incapable of smiling") please make it clear either in the reference or in your e-mail. When messaging me please tell me what your idea for the pose is. You may want to tell me a bit about the character and their personality as well if you think it may help with posing.
If you do not have an idea for a pose, please be 100% certain of before telling me that I can make up a pose.
I am not very good at being creative with posing when it's a character I know nothing about. While I promise it won't be terrible, I will not change the drawing if you are unhappy with the end result because of the pose.
Below I have made simple examples of what a good reference and what a lacking reference may look like.
Good Reference
While it is fine for a reference to be simple/sketchy/messy, I would really prefer that they be full color and point out any important details about the character. If the commission is a full body one then the reference should be a full body reference and if the commission is for their face then their ref should show their whole face, etc. |
Lacking Reference
Anything like the example above will not be counted as a visual reference. While I understand not everyone is an artist, if you are giving me a reference then please do your best to make it helpful. If you have no references, I will still be happy to draw your character, but you will be charged differently. |
Colorless references are only really acceptable if I am drawing you artwork that has no color in it!
Characters with No References:
While I have no problem drawing a character without a visual reference, I will not make a character design completely 100% from scratch for you. What I mean by that is that when you e-mail me for a commission, you MUST have an idea for your character beforehand.
You want me to draw your dog knight and his cat sidekick? Totally fine!
You want to pay me to scribble a design from my own mind and then you keep it? Most likely I'm going to say no.
The starting prices for drawing characters without references will be higher as it is more difficult and time consuming.
The starting prices are as follows:
B/W Sketch Icon- $10
B/W Fullbody Sketch - $25
Color Sketch Icon - $20
Fullbody Color Sketch - $35
A good portion of Digital commissions and all of the Traditional commissions have no pricing in regards to this because I will not start on these commissions AT ALL without a visual reference beforehand as it will be too difficult.
Keep in mind these are the starting prices, so the prices you see here are not necessarily the final price I will charge for your character. The price may raise based on complexity (how many colors, how intricate their clothing is, how many belts they have, etc.)
You are always welcome to e-mail me to get an estimate of my pricing for a character.
In very rare cases, I may charge lower than base price if your character is simple enough.
For these characters, you must MUST at the VERY least have a description... The more detailed the better (although please don't send me an entire novel). You must have a good idea of what you want your character to look like. If you have visual refs of other characters that look similar to what you want or references for your character's clothing/accessories/whatever, that is good too.
Please also have an idea of what you would like for a pose for said character, unless you're fine with them just standing as a sort of reference.
As a reminder:
DO NOT ASK ME TO MAKE A CHARACTER FROM SCRATCH FOR YOU.
I am willing to fill in a few gaps, but I do not want to be forced to make a character without any guidance.
Please have a firm idea of what you want your character to look like. I will not make a character design completely from scratch for you.
Below are examples to help show what I mean.
Please also have an idea of what you would like for a pose for said character, unless you're fine with them just standing as a sort of reference.
As a reminder:
DO NOT ASK ME TO MAKE A CHARACTER FROM SCRATCH FOR YOU.
I am willing to fill in a few gaps, but I do not want to be forced to make a character without any guidance.
Please have a firm idea of what you want your character to look like. I will not make a character design completely from scratch for you.
Below are examples to help show what I mean.
Example of what is fine to do"I have a character and *detailed description* however, the idea I have for their clothing is complex and, while I like it in theory, I'm not sure it will work when actually drawn... What do you think?"
If it is obvious that you know what you want for your character, I will not mind at all if you have questions. If you're not sure where your idea might fall you can always e-mail me and find out if I am willing to work on the character. |
Example of what not to do"I have an idea for a character. They are humanoid but I'm not sure if I want them to be a cat or a dog, what do you think? Also I don't know what their hair will be like... Or their color scheme. Do you think they would look good in a vest or a suit? Also should they have shoes or just paws?" (etc)
This is your character. I am supposed to be drawing your idea, not designing something almost entirely on my own. |
During the process, I send multiple versions of the image to make sure that you are satisfied with the end result, and then send you the full sized final image. I am fully prepared to change things at your request since it is a difficult process to translate a character from text, but please be reasonable.
Due to the nature of this process I am prepared to make changes,
but if you ask for an unreasonable change I will charge you extra based on how much time and effort it will take to fix.
Examples of reasonable changeI sketch the character but I make their dress too long so you ask me to make their dress shorter.
I sketch the character and I make their hair too messy so you ask me to change it. I show you the line art and you now realize part of the design is too big so you ask me to make it smaller. Etc, etc. |
Example of unreasonable changeI draw your character and you approve the sketch. You approve the lines. You approve the flat colors. I show you a progress sketch of the coloring and shading and suddenly you point out that the character's face is completely wrong and has to be changed.
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While I know that sometimes it's possible to forget or miss a change, please be considerate of my effort and time and do your best to point out any necessary changes as early as possible. I will do my best to be understanding, but please do not argue with me if I charge you for suddenly pushing changes on me late in the commission.