The Second Commissions Poll

[sigune]

sugarplumkitten asked me about commissions today, and I thought I'd post another poll to find out a bit more about the expectations of those people who are considering ordering a picture with me.

My previous poll brought to light that 9 readers of my journal are definitely interested in commissioning a picture; on top of that, 8 more are interested if the prices are reasonable :D.

Now, as you well know, my artwork (doesn't that sound ponderous and self-important?) is not digital; it's invariably done the old-fashioned way with pens, pencils, paint, markers and whatever on paper or cardboard. That means that when a drawing changes hands, it is forever gone from me. I am not sure how understandable this is in view of the relatively limited artistic value of my scribbles (they're not Picassos, right?), but to me, definitively handing over something that I have created with love and patience is not an easy thing. I can do it, when I know from the start that I am working for someone else; but it is obvious to me that an original is going to be sold at a higher price than a print or scan of which the original stays with me.

In view of the concerns about price, then, I would like to hear from you what kind of an image you would expect; if different options get checked, I will consider them and make different prices.

Secondly, I would also like to hear what attitude you take towards commissioned art at all - what kind of freedom or limits you would set to the person who does a drawing for you.

Please help me out and take the poll! Advice, concerns, comments are very welcome :).

[Poll #785586]

Comments

[sscrewdriver.livejournal.com]

I've both commissioned and won artworks in the past and I've provided quite a lot of information about what I wanted in the picture, but left the style entirely up to the artist - after all, that's why they're the artist, right?

I've collaborated closely along the way, receiving initial sketches etc, swopping quite a few e-mails about details. I've found that the more information I've provided not only about the clothing, backgrounds, actions etc of the characters but the emotions that they are feeling, the easier it is for the artist. During the last artwork I was told that the artist felt freed by the level of detail that I supplied and it actually inspired her. Which was very nice.

I've always been delighted by whatever I've received in the end.

I have never yet received an original artwork and I would expect to pay considerably more for one, (perhaps double?) especially for one of Sigune's. Usually I just copy them off DA or receive them by e-mail. But I might buy one in the future. It would have to be arranged clearly in advance. At the moment I'm quite happy getting them digitally.

[ani-bester.livejournal.com]

One thing I do to help me part with originals is make a copy for myself.
I don't consider this wrong because no one pays enough to own the exclusive rights to any picture =P

Depending on what the person paid for, I send the print or the original.

As far as commissions go, when i commission an artist I like to leave as much to the artist as possible because part of my interest is seeing the artists interpretation. I usually specify character and some atmosphere, occasionally an object (with Seviet a requested something be in teh background to indicate Peter was in a medical field, she put in a book, which was cool)

When I take commissions, I prefer the person to know what they want. I don't mind if they are very specific or leave it all to me, but I had a person leave it to me then change their minds after I showed 'em the prelim sketch. That irked me all to hell. First it was whatever you want, then it was laying on a rug, with a fireplace, in next to nothing, with this, that and the other thing. I wasted so much time on the first sketch -_-

However, showing people my preliminary sketch is an easy way to let the buyer sign off on the unchangable inked and color version. Since I have to do a sketch anyway, I might as well let 'em know what's up.

[dragonaries.livejournal.com]

If you would commission a picture from me, you would:

If you really would prefer to keep the original image, I would ask for a highly detailed scan of it but given the opportunity to ask for a second commission in the future and be able to get the original print. (I love originals!)

When you commission a picture, you:

There were a few things listed on the items available but I didn't see the one I mostly would want. I would like to indicate if it's happy (not necessarily fluff but opposed to depressing/angsty), angsty, or general art. I prefer art that is not all that angsty when commissioning something.

But the items below apply too:
are happy to set a subject and let the artist determine all the rest
are more interested in the subject than in the style
want to determine the materials used (pencil, paint, inks...) -- (I love your ink work!)

Now for the returned question - when are you going to start taking commissions approximately? hehe (And starts to think about subjects.)

[seaislewitch.livejournal.com]

I've commissioned a lot of art. I always have something in mind because I want the art to illustrate a scene from one of my stories. Now, that said, I commission that particular artist because I like their style. I want their style, but with the characters and scene of my choosing. If I were to commission you, Sigune, I'd provide a written scene and details like how old the characters are, what sort of clothing they are wearing (unless the artist has a particular style of clothing that they draw for a particular character - Snape's robes, for instance.), where they are looking, body language, etc.

I'd want the artist to be open to change something, if I wasn't satisfied. That works with digital art. (After seeing one picture I commissioned, I realised that Pansy should be looking into Draco's eyes, not at something else. The artists changed it easily because it was digital art.) For a hand drawn picture, I should know that things can't be changed going into it, so communication would be key.

Also, if I know the artist or their work well, it's easier to understand what I'll be getting. So, you may want to start with people you know best...like me!

I'd only expect an email with jpeg attached. If I want a print of it, I can print it at home or take the file somewhere locally for a better result.

[veradee.livejournal.com]

While I would prefer an original drawing, I have to admit that money would have to come into play so that I probably would opt for a scan instead.

Well, I would like to have a drawing of your Snape and therefore would expect the trademarks, that is the eyebrows, the robes and pointy shoes you draw him with. I wouldn't give any too detailed information on what the subject (apart from Snape) should be although I rather like the idea of vaguely depicting a scene of one from my stories. I would like to have a say about the materials.

[septemberrains.livejournal.com]

With regard to the question on what I would expect from a commission: I ticked the paper copy option but really my expectation would depend on what I had agreed with the artist and how much I was paying.

If I was commissioning art with a view to framing it and putting it on display then I would expect the original paper copy but I was also expect to pay a higher price.

If I was commissioning art simply to accompany a fanfiction or for personal viewing pleasure rather than display in my home then I would be perfectly happy with a hi-res scan.

I'm not familiar with the DeviantArt option but it sounds like an interesting alternative for people who don't have access to high quality printing facilities at home.

[lunafish.livejournal.com]

Speaking as a recipient of one of your original paper drawings, I'd definitely go for that! I love seeing your work on-line and was happy to have the digital version, but actually holding the original in my hands and feeling and seeing the wonderful texture...well, it was an entirely different experience altogether! And yes I'd be willing to pay extra--above what I did for the last one--to cover the postage and handling. (I'm thinking that Luna of yours would be really nice to have.... ;)

And I definitely believe in letting the artist go her own way, though it probably helped that I was inspired by one of your already existing sketches to ask about a commision. Still, everything I've seen of yours I've really liked, and even loved in some cases. I suppose I'd just let you know what I had in mind, and then you could tell me yes or no.

My Music Video Project

[kilyle.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that I found this site. I'm VERY new to LiveJournal and I found this from a couple redirects after a link in the SugarQuill. That comic is great! I look forward to more.

I've been working out details for a project sometime in the future: a music video based on a Snape fanfic (Bittersweet, by Dazzleberry). Thing is, fanfic, so no footage. Obviously it won't be an animated video, but mostly stills and pans. I could finagle a couple very simple semi-animated shots, e.g., placing a chess piece on a board, opening a door to a room, etc.

I've debated about drawing my own (I'm decent on art but no so good on consistent characters). At length I thought that I would seek out potential artists and see what was available (and what, I hope, won't bankrupt me). And if I can get a good artist to work out the money shots, I could probably draw the rest myself based on the character designs given (fairly good at that). Also, I could take some character shots and give them backgrounds myself. So there's a lot of flexibility in the number of shots I'd need to commission and how elaborate they would have to be.

I'd actually feel more comfortable talking with you via email, on my Gmail account (same username), whereby I can describe the project in greater detail to see if it's the sort of thing you'd be interested in (eventually) doing, and haggle over price, and such. If you don't care to do email...like I said, I'm VERY new to LiveJournal, so I'm not sure exactly how this works, and I hope I can figure out where to check for your reply. Thanks!