STOP DOING ART COMMISSIONS: My Advice!

I don't recommend most artists take the commission/client route...and here's why! I stopped doing commissions a few years ago, and that one choice has helped me grow my art business tremendously...watch to find out more!
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[@BeeJayDeL]

Let me know your experiences with commissions!

[@icanartsorta]

i do offer commissions, sell designs on 3 online shops and i sell character designs known as adopts selling art when youre not that popular or have super amazing arts can be hard yes ive improved and keep improving i need to update my shops usually i have a good experience with commissions, so i wont stop doing them

[@KristopiaArt]

I enjoyed this video (first of yours I've seen, but I'm subscribing as a result). I used to advertise commissions exclusively. I did pastel, colored pencil, and acrylic portraiture of animals and people. I got so bogged down in work I wasn't emotionally connected to that I wanted to give up entirely. Plus, with colored pencils and pastels, I am pretty detailed and realistic, and I found myself getting bogged down in those details with commissions. I also found that I could never charge the amount that I needed to in order to get paid for pieces that took upwards of 20 hours each. Now, I will still do the occasional commission for someone I know, but otherwise, I do what I enjoy. I'm beginning to get more income from print on demand and I'm developing my own Shopify store.

[@Agui007]

Yep, I agree, it could make your love and passion slave labour. I prefer now to let my flow to suit me.

[@BlackOreoCookie]

I had one of my clients (ex-close friend sadly) cancel the project halfway and send my sketches to a fiverr artist to get produced for a lower price. I never got paid 🙂

[@Annatra_]

I got burned out of doing commissions really fast. I love drawing things that are meaningful to me and being forced to draw things I had no interest in drawing really hurt my motivation and I actually stopped drawing for almost a year because of it. Art is also something really personal to me so clients wanting lots of changes always felt kinda like an attack on my person if that makes sense. I guess I'm not the best example cause through commissions I figured out I don't want to make art for money. I just enjoy it as a hobby.

[@BeeJayDeL]

Makes total sense! It really can put a damper on your creativity. I think every artist starts out with art as a way to express themselves. Commissions have a way of sapping the fun and creativity out of the process…the thing you started to do for enjoyment starts to feel more like a job and you slowly lose that love for creating. What I do now never feels like a job…it really has brought back that love for art that I started with!

[@Annatra_]

@@BeeJayDeL that’s awesome. Glad you found a way to make money and still enjoy doing art 🌸

[@0lycm_]

That's me lol

[@imjrlee]

Wow, I recently watch youtube about turn passion into a job don’t make the passion more interesting, some people would okay but apparantly not for everyone would feel the same. So, hobby stays hobby isn’t a bad thing at all.

[@oznerolnavi3772]

A personal attack? What?

[@Hamiltoons]

I’ve been doing commissions for 30+ years and haven’t burned out but I have a specific limit to the number of revisions a client gets. Adding the clip art packs, coloring books, etc. is a great way to bring in passive income though.

[@Control-Max]

Interesting, I'm aspiring to become a professional artist someday (well, at least I hope I can make it that far...). Is it possible to make a living off comissions only or it's better to have multiple sources of income doing art?

[@JDMejBen]

The way you described the commission path I'd exactly how it's been going for me. I've made a few caricatures for people as well as designed logos for people and for some they loved the designs at first sight and said I captured everything perfectly and others were extremely annoying to deal with..to the point where I gave up and told them they may need to seek a different artist..revising a drawing do many times was just stressful and I felt like I was getting pulled away from my artistic view on things. I was even asked to use an image from another artist and make slight changes and I told them NO..I only make designs from my imagination and I won't use another person's artwork.

[@CoconutJustice]

Great video! I used to do commissions and after a while I realized it was just too much. Build up your portfolio and work exhaustively to build up your social media presence. Then you get a client, COOL!! Most of my clients have been amazing. A lot still have my drawings as their profile picture years after I drew them as a cartoon. Then you get those that “tweak” everything to death. Then you get the people that do “feature creeping”…where they keep adding little thing after little thing. Then you have those that just straight up ghost you when it comes time for them to do their part. The time/money ratio is way off. I love your advice in this video. Work on YOUR stuff and turn it into recurring income. Once you have solid income, if you want to take a chance and do more commissions, fine. But take care of yourself first!

[@BeeJayDeL]

Great feedback, Carlos! I’ve definitely been lucky to work with some amazing clients in the past as well, but I’ve had my fair share of the other ones you mentioned along the way. You definitely hit the nail on the head with the time/money ratio point!

[@danika632]

I was just about to start with commissions (and I'm still doing it because I want the experience), but you really opened my mind... Thanks.

[@BeeJayDeL]

Glad I could provide a different view on things…good luck with the commissions!

[@AVeryUglyRat123]

For me, I think that the money you get from them is what motivates me and keeps me from burning out, and if I ever did I would close them for about two weeks and come back even better! They are not for everyone but it really depends on the person.

[@Kamemom]

I am a baker who has built my business on one-off cookie designs and cakes. You are 100% correct that constant commission work can be exhausting. I’ve been considering limiting the amount of custom work I do in favor of pre-designed items that I can produce without as much setup involved. Thank your for this! You’ve given me a few things to think on and see how I can apply it to my business. 😊

[@ChooseJoywithTisa]

That sounds so cool 😎

[@Bitepills]

I want some cookies

[@missladyhaha]

I myself do not do commissions. I hate making art on other's request because it limits me creatively and causes some real mental damages on deadlines and meeting requirements from others. It makes me feel like i'm doing art for school and it makes me hate art when that happens. I remember people (mostly friends and family) coming to me for commissions on either portraits of relatives or my own design of an anime character doing something cool, but it has to have this and that...I don't do portraits. I suck at it, it's not my style and I hate that they think I could do it just because I'm an artist. As sweet as it is for friends and family to love my art, if they really care and support me as an artist and business, they should just buy my existing arts. Ones that I really put love and care to.

[@cutalin]

I think this works for a small number of artists. I've made my own tshirt and sticker website, made ads, posted on society6 for all kinds of merch and it didn't work. Maybe if you are lucky, you can avoid commissions.

[@katiehoeppner5234]

I did editorial cartoons for the weekly (small town) newspaper… they provided topics and general ideas… and I submitted them. It was smooth sailing, but very limited income and the exposure did nothing for my art career… I wish I had your advise years ago! Its never too late and I need to look into all the avenues you have revealed… thanks for all the wisdom you share….

[@BeeJayDeL]

Exposure never works out like you hope for, lol! And you are right…it’s never too late!

[@munchyku1993]

I 100% agree, ive always gotten customers that undervalued my work at times. A customer I had was questioning why my art was expensive and asked to lower it to $5 which is quite ridiculous considering I had it for around 10 dollars when I was in highschool. I feel that commissions are ok once in awhile but doing them consistently is way too time consuming and your most likely making less the minimum wage.

[@MrAnshuman72]

For a starting artist like me this is a pretty valuable advice. I was planning to do daily art for next 6 to 9 months and then do commissions to generate money from it. But the whole point why I started out as a commercial artist was to make passive income. This really made me re-contemplate my plans. Would love to learn more on this topic from you. What should be the roadmap, what kind of efforts we should put in. Where to generate the leads etc. Thanks for your content looking forward to buying your brush packs.

[@FragmentedZombie]

Every video I watch I'm like, this, this man right here? He is my art guru 🙏 you are so knowledgeable, sensible and super kind helping us all! Commissions is not something I've ever wanted to do, far too much stress for too little pay off for me. I am currently making art for print on demand sites, my goal is to include colouring books and make clipart, but one step at a time! Thank you Beejaydel 🙌

[@emilyb9726]

This video explained one of my biggest concerns of commission work that I just couldn’t have said better. Thank you for all your advice! Gonna watch more of your videos now! 😊

[@RenaPainter]

Just dealt with a really bad commission. 9+ hours of work I won’t be compensated for simply because the client refused to pay me extra for doing several changes that I repeatedly requested better compensation for. I’m DONE doing commissions & artwalks are a bust too so I’m getting into marketing. So done.

[@tedbragg74]

The most scatterbrained, psychotic, control-freak people were all I could get. Every single one was a nightmare to deal with. Wasted 12 years. Now I’ve teamed up with muralists ~ I make the layouts and full color comps. Let the painters deal with the monsters ;-)

[@bonnij]

You’re so generous with your knowledge and talent. You’re a special person.

[@cristitanase6130]

As a indie game developer, I can assure you, that commission art work is, and will always be, the best way to get what we, the developers, need. The "packs" are not a solution as everyone and their grandmother is using the same pack over and over. Same goes for any other type of asset. Of course we can have some 3D modular assets that we can recombine and reuse time and time again, but even those can be recognized by our players. Eventually only the generic 3D nature packs are somehow the best choice since no one objects, or cares, if the same tree or rock appears in 20+ games. But for 2D, asset packs are a complete waste of money. Even more, the asset marketplace is quite competitive and only 5% of creators get a steady revenue. Having an asset published does not guarantee a sell, and the top creators will always float on top and get the most spotlight on any asset platform. A commission artist can have a more personal and long term relation with the client. It can ask for more time or more creative freedom, or get more money on a more complex project. In the end, the "packs" work will always have the same problem like all type of work that you submit to a platform. Visibility, visibility and visibility. If your packs don't show on the first or second page you're not selling and you're starving. My suggestion is to do both. Do packs in your free time, work on whatever you want and sell them on various asset marketplaces without any restrictions. And do commissions to improve and keep the money flowing, not to mention to create long lasting clients that will come back to you time and time again.

[@petrfrolov1591]

How do you think what type of 2d assets are most actual in the markets right now? I have some clients for pixel art commissions. I want also sell more in asset markets and I'm not sure what will have more sales. Seems like characters as a more specific asset are harder to sell this way. Map tiles maybe, or item icons etc?

[@cristitanase6130]

@@petrfrolov1591 2D assets are a pain to sell and the market is flooded with them. Even more they are quite hard to customize, except changing the colors and scale. But if you have the skills you can try selling character sprites, adding a bit more customization options (hair styles, facial expressions etc). The more options you add the better. Map tiles are indeed in high demand, but there is a catch here too. They got to be extremely good quality. And if you can provide that and some demo maps then yes, they will sell. Icons sadly are a lost cause. The markets are filled with all kind of icon sets and the prices are low. You will have to beat a huge competition and that is hard to do as a beginner. I do not know your skill level or your graphical style (pixel art, illustrator, digital painter, UI/UX designer...), but there is a bit of demand for Visual Novel backgrounds and characters. Also the RPG Maker community is always looking for content, so you can take a look at that game engine too. Good luck.

[@petrfrolov1591]

​ @Cristi Tanase Thank you very much! This is very useful for me. I think I'll try to create pixel art map tiles of epic quality for now, and might go with some customizable visual novel characters after that.

[@matrixnavigator6669]

I totally agree, thanks for the confirmation of what I've thought and experienced myself with this type of work.

[@cloudglint]

This advice is only for rich artists.

[@alwaysyouramanda]

As someone just starting out, its bitter sweet. My confidence is on a rollercoaster lol

[@Jeep4X]

I started limiting my commission work years ago. As many have mentioned on here, people do not know what they want, then drive you crazy with change requests once you give them an idea or two. These days I only do commission work from referrals. The first thing I mention is that after a specific number of changes they will have an additional charge added (say $100+) for each change request. Shuts them right down. As the artist I tell them, it's my way or the highway. Works so far! But I agree, commissioned work sucks.

[@montanadivacreations9267]

Sadly, bad clients is an issue in any service industry. Clients wonder why there are not many people that exist that want to work with them. Then they complain about the PRICE.. why can't I get my book made for $5 an image.. YIKES.. I have been selling on my website and etsy and Merch, Redubble and so forth, and also KDP, also TEACHING people who know less then you do.. I am perfecting MY art, just so I can make my OWN coloring books, and kids books.. Your videos have helped me sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and so I am grateful to you for your time, insight and investment to your channel. Being a content creator, I know the time that goes into keeping up with a YT channel.

[@lonely_saturn]

I enjoy commissions. Im a minor whos been doing them for maybe a year or two now so Im still new but honestly the only time I get burnt out is when I dont pace myself and take on too much at once. If the client is happy, Im happy....well, the money is pretty nice too. I dont think most artists can afford to quit doing commissions (Ill probably continue into adulthood to have some extra money aside from working whatever shitty minimum wage job Im stuck with). You just have to learn what works for you.

[@alfredmanzano680]

Appreciate you sharing all these ideas. I recently started my journey on trying to develop these streams for myself

[@bluefyr22]

Solid reasons and well explained.

[@BeeJayDeL]

Thanks so much- appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@mbeining11]

Excellent video, to the point. Excellent break down of the passive incomes and thank you for the support you provide viewers you may never have met. Your experience and insight is very helpful, brother

[@BeeJayDeL]

Thanks so much man! Just looking to help and provide as much advice as I can from my experience!

[@badger6882]

This was helpful! I wrote down some of the main points for when I come back to this: 1. need a social media presence, a following to bring in customers 2. lots of preparation before making art: moodboards, reference images, etc 3. client discussion and concept revisions 4. burnout from dealing with clients consistently 5. little job security, client commissions run dry 6. It is better to create resellable digital assets which can generate continuous passive profit (instead of one-time payments from one-time jobs) 7. (Online anonymously published content on amazon)

[@RLACom]

I had two commissions. One the client gave the basic idea and let me at it. The other client mentioned some aspects of the work he wanted. I did what I wanted. All & all commissions were a fairly good experience. I have decided not to ruin it & have not taken since.

[@CatastrophicCaz]

I couldn't agree more with this. However much they can pay off, they are time consuming, they make me regret taking on a commission project and they're just not fun. For me, I want my art out there. I got out of tattooing because I was fed up of doing requests. There's nothing worse than being pestered and being asked to change things over and over. Having the freedom to draw what I want, when I want, and at a pace I want far out weighs commission work.

[@theyframedme]

I do all work digitally before putting it on paper, canvas, etc. Its slot easier to work on art digitally until it's to the clients liking. Love the advice, love the vid, love the content.

[@immortalgraveyard2099]

Hey! I am a freelance artist for about two years now. It was great experience at the beginning, because I finally felt very valuable as an artist and I learned a lot during commission work. But as a result I heavily burned out several times due to a lot of reasons mentioned in this video. For example, I made three commissions in a row (without decent breaks) last month and I spend 40 hours on the first one, 40 h on the second one and 20 h on the last one - it was exhausting as hell. Also I didn't earn a lot of money from it, just because I feel ultra responsible when I work for someone and I spend much more time for reworking things and trying to make everything as good as possible. But damn, I'm a living artist, not craftsman, I don't just want to "make a work done", I want to explore and find something during art creation. This is what lifts me up, makes me feel alive and makes my life meaningful, but when I do commissions I... just devalue everything what is so important to me as a living human. So, enough. I'm going to close commissions and will try to find another income possibilities. So thank you very much BeeJayDeL for your videos, I have to dive into them and to find a different path.

[@sespider]

Far easier said than done. It also depends on the type of commissions you perform. Require partial payment up front to cover your time and have limitations for each type of commission. Give yourself a time frame for each project and make this clear to your client. Commissions is very helpful, but should never be your focus. Otherwise it will burn you out.

[@FarahBoddenArt]

I did commissions for a few years for a company, and it was absolute burn out. In that time, I may have only made a few pieces of personal art. Once I left that gig, creative ideas of my own started flowing and I actually enjoyed painting again. I too shall no longer be doing commissions and instead making art that’s my own. 😉

[@falshion1837]

That's great! Have you been making just as much money doing your own art?

[@rayhofstedt]

Love the advice BeeJayDeL. Looking into pattern art and digital prints for my cartooning. I did a lot of caricatures to be added to party invitations over the years. I agree the client back and forth is a problem. They'll send you a photo of their child on a boat and the boat is tiny in the frame. How come it doesn't look like them? They would say. I also put a limit on revisions and charge extra when they go over. I do OK with Pet Portraits. Can't screw up too much on drawing dogs, cats and horses.

[@VirtualSG]

6:19 - Haw! Not as easy as it sounds! It usually takes a lot of effort to get to that point and it can be downright discouraging! But keep at it. Learn from your mistakes and resist the temptation to resent other's success! Good luck all you all !

[@BeeJayDeL]

Very true! It DOES take a lot effort to get to that point…I see a lot of artists that throw up a handful of designs and get discouraged when they don’t see overnight success. It takes volume, it takes trying different things to see what works/ what doesn’t…and then building on the wins. Drop the things that don’t work- expand on the ideas that do!

[@jasonvaughn1658]

Thnx for da legit Advice.👊

[@bahamutaxiomx8706]

Because the burnout is completely real...I started out so positive and now I hate everything related to working on commissions and my anxiety levels have gone through the roof after my biggest client job in 2021 among other things. Now the trouble is finding out what products to make exactly...

[@Papugaczowa]

I needed to hear that advice.

[@BeeJayDeL]

Great to hear! That’s why I really wanted to make this video- hoping to help change people’s mindset and show there are opportunities out there besides the traditional route everyone goes for!

[@Papugaczowa]

as your subscriber and artist I really appreciate this video! I have… well… not so good experience with commissions which made me start to wonder: will my life really end up looking like that? 😂 I completely forgot that we have so much more opportunities to earn money! I’m taking care of my passive income immediately!

[@nightowlgriffin]

Well I was considering doing commissions as of recently, but I think I’ll explore some of these other options from this video first. 👍🏽 I’m going to do a little research now and weigh my options.

[@MattFontaine82]

Thanks for this video! I do pet portrait commissions and I want to stop. My problem is it’s a good way to bring in money once in a while. I am gonna do what you suggest though, and start creating digital assets to sell. I am sure doing it this way will bring in way more money then pet commissions will and I won’t feel so creatively starved!

[@georgebethanis3188]

The problem with comissions is that quite often the client doesnt have a good grasp on what he wants. I for one had a client who sent me a few screenshots of the game he was making. It wasnt a fleshed out idea, so I had recreate his world for him, something like an art director for his game, and illustrator. The commission was through Fiver, so I got peanuts out of it.

[@MoCo_Filmmaker]

I feel like the bad thing of a commission piece is always that no matter how good you are at your craft you'll never be able to really recreate what the client wants. And being held hostage for time you've already spent to satisfy a client that really doesn't know what they want or how to create it is beyond frustrating. I agree that making what you want and letting the people who appreciate/like it buy it is the less time consuming and ultimately less stressful way to go about it.

[@vincentferrari]

Just today I jettisoned my biggest client. Granted, I don't do art, I make things. That client was trying to nickel and dime me after all these years of me working for them and I just felt my value was too high to play that game, so I bailed. If that means my commission business dries out then so be it, but I don't need to accept less or be insulted. My work is too valuable.

[@vincentferrari]

@Captain Reason 🤣🤣

[@BeeJayDeL]

That’s one of the keys here…knowing and being able to acknowledge your worth. Too many creatives sell themselves short.

[@AMO17]

I'm done with trying to even get them. I've had more "kick the can" and bad clients than I care to count. Ghosted too many times as well. So, I'm through with trying to get em. Enough is enough.

[@simonwilson770]

I couldn’t agree more! My problem is with the ideas stage, procrastination and deciding what to draw, wether it be in a specific niche or something from my imagination?. I never seem to be able to get off the starting blocks. I know a cartoonist in the uk who is making good sales on Zazzle, but don’t you need a ton of products?? It’s like throwing spaghetti at the wall!?!? Perhaps you could write a book and go into more detail?

[@Mist_Dawn]

Never thought of it this way!

[@BeeJayDeL]

Glad I could provide that! Thanks!

[@drewpocza2947]

Oh, I HATE commissions. The cheap ass ones. I like pid gigs, but that "commissions" shit is so time consuming and ends up never worth it.

[@kimburgy9687]

Thank you, this really nailed it! Many years ago I did paintings in acrylic. I loved doing landscapes, old farms, cabins, waterfalls, florals etc.. I sold my work and word spread but then, yep, the commissions started coming in.. can you put my cabin/home in there? Can you do this from my picture? but, can you add in my dogs from this picture? lol burnout! And yes, lots of time away from what I enjoyed painting, and many other sales I missed out on. With the time, not just from painting it but also back and forth conversations (I had many who would send msg after msg all day long), changes & time with me over thinking.. is this what they want? because it wasn't what I wanted to do. :) So mind blocked from all of that wasted time, that I gave up and moved on to other artistic things over the years, and now into the digital aspect. But, I found your thoughts applied to almost every type of art, or handmade items I've sold.. Stay away from commissions if you can. 😊

[@MicBain]

This is definitely something I want to work towards eventually. But unfortunately I'm in a position where if I stop doing commissions I'll be homeless and starving 😆

[@procreatetimelapse5389]

Please stop just stop, no one will order from you if you act like a beggar

[@khalifmiddleton9407]

Great video !!

[@BeeJayDeL]

Thanks! Hoping it can help change some people’s outlook!

[@hoykahoy2170]

It's very time consuming especially with a client from different time zone, make me wanna rush my work.

[@MM-qm9ld]

Finding a niche clientele and drawing for them is everything. It would be nice to just get paid for the pleasure of drawing but 9/10 artists don't have the following to do that. Also, let's be honest, not all artists are good enough to achieve that. Most are mediocre, just mathematically speaking, and need to do what they can if this is supplementing their income. Also, I'm not sure if it's just because you have such a huge following or are working for really high end clientele, but why on earth are you doing revisions on commissions? That's too nice of you IMO. I won't do revisions. No one's asked me to either, probably bc I make it clear how I operate. I have a clear process where people pay me up front for the work and I make it apparent what they'll get beforehand. It's really up to you as the artist to create the process for how commissions will go. Don't give your client complete control and you wont run into these issues. If you find yourself doing comm work that requires revisions then you're not screening clients well enough. First thing is accept the clients that understand your process and will be on board with it.

[@melinekhachmanukyan4367]

Can you please create a video telling more how do you make money without working on commissions, maybe like a guideline or something like that

[@phillips7024]

Hey I have a question. I am a beginner and I have to say I love your vids. I recently bought one of your brush sets but I can’t seem to get the taper effect. Is there something I’m doing or is this a setting. I didn’t change any settings on your brushes. But I can’t figure it out. Help please

[@JaimeBuckley]

First off, thank you, thank you, thank you @Let's Draw with BeeJayDeL . The way you explain things is so much better than most sources I've used. I'm a fan, and so is my 16 yr old son. Also started sharing your links with all my artist friends. 👍🏻 I've made a living doing commissions since 1986, and the one thing you hit on the nose, BeeJay, is you get oh, so burned out. But when you have a large family (13 children -- all boys but nine -- and my wife has always been a stay at home mom), you do what you have to do...and you find better ways to do it along the way. It took me a while to learn that if I am going to have the same headaches dealing with a cheap client as I will a wealthy one, then I'd like to make as much money as possible. I've charged any time my hand hit paper for any reason. 💵 Made six-figures on Fiverr as a TRS (Top Rated Seller) and let me say that was the worst soul-sucking 5 years of my career. BUT -- it taught me to be clear, unafraid to talk money (even when the clients are), and how to be focused on service, not just because it's a good practice, but to avoid headaches. Under promise, over deliver. Want revisions? I included one set after I delivered the pencil rough draft of the concept, anything else had to be paid for. I have a 50% down, non-refundable deposit before I start a thing. I get paid upon completion, and before any files are delivered. If a client doesn't pay me within 30 days of my completion, I keep the deposit and they lose the work I've done and have to repay me the full price. Yes, that has actually happened, though only once. Deposit was $6K. I still have that completed children's book, ready to publish. Waiting on the author -- it's part of a series. I was very blessed to have most of my work come through referrals -- but I was never good at finding clients, or marketing myself. That's where I'm a tad nervous about creating these new streams. I have a 90+% closing rate if: 1) they can afford me, and; 2) I can talk to them and answer their questions. My last client was Mike Rowe's (Dirty Jobs) mom, Peggy. Did the cover for her new book released Aug 16th 2022 (Vacuuming in the Nude, and other ways to get attention). Good work, good money, very kind people, but as you said, it's a job and now I have to look for another. I'm not known or have any following -- I'm that guy clients love, but I've always been invisible. So after hundreds of clients, and most of our kids now gone, my wife and I decided to start making our own children's books. We do have 22 grandchildren and counting, so why not make exceptional Christmas presents, right? That's when I found you. I have been using an iPad and Procreate for a few years, but still didn't know the limits of the program. So I bought a new iPad Pro 12.9" (just arrived before I started typing this) - gave my first gen iPad pro to my teen son who wants to draw --and we started watching your channel on the TV. Now I'm brainstorming on what revenue streams I can create so I can STOP taking commissions. Until then, I'll do double-time. Just bought all your brushes off Gumroad. Very excited to use them 😎

[@WedgyBlue]

Until now I don't have clients. Just making art according to what I like and I fear if they make some art that makes me uncomfortable. I just want to experience what's to create amd earn. If you want me to stop, what else should I do to earn money from art I need some to buy own personal stuffs.

[@brucenunn3268]

The best in the Business.! 👊😎

[@BeeJayDeL]

Hahahaha! Thanks!

[@MacLeodddd]

Yeah, I've been doing commissions since I was 14... I'm now 23, and feeling extremely burned out. Customers have become extremely nitpicky, and controlling with sketches, and some want over 5 free sketches of various poses. Or I'll get to the colouring phase and they get ridiculously picky. Wanting me to change clothing colours back and fourth, and they end up keeping them all, which makes me feel like they used me a bit.

[@TIGERGUTS]

ok so i'm a professional illustrator. I do commissions of a wide array or things. Most of them i can easily leave, pet portraits, portraits of stupid kids etc. I have moments of pure panic and can't pay the bills. I also don't ever charge enough. I've done countless jobs for startups which are also kinda shit. I have done work for many businesses and they ALL try to rip me off. Then theres my passive income. It was going super well at the start of the year , $500 a month or so just ticking away and now its a slow dribble of basically zero. My passive income gets pirated by others. People steal my work and sell it as their own. I really don't want a part time job again. Kids books are also my personal nightmare. I really don't vibe with it.

[@MsJellyBellyLove]

I've done pet portraits for years and the stress is almost paralyzing. Haven't done it for a while now and my mental health is much better.

[@villagerjj]

Soly hhit that is a grert idea! Making assets! Thanks!

[@mbeining11]

Killer shed, man!

[@dictionplacement5467]

did this once for a family member. what a mistake. bagged on my art and i spent 30+hrs working 5hrs a day because they wanted it QUICK. man holy shit even family members thats just wild. did it for free and won't ever do it again

[@fruedele]

Are those all three of the Silver Shamrock masks, front and center, on the shelf behind you?

[@katiemiller5319]

Thing is I want to sell art but I can't just think of something in my head and draw it I always use references and then I freehand whatever it is and thats what I enjoy doing but I don't know how I can sell this stuff if it's not my original idea

[@johncipolla8335]

I would love to learn to draw well enough to make a little money on the side to pay for my health insurance. I just bought the latest iPad and Apple Pencil after waiting for years. on that decision

[@deadaccount6004]

I was thinking about to quit commission because of the scammers 🙄

[@mikenielsen6206]

This is all great advice but it should be pointed out that amazon print on demand services (for clothing) is extremely difficult to get approved and accepted for, unfortunately. So you may need to consider other similar services.

[@BeeJayDeL]

It’s not so much “difficult” to get approved for…there is just no rhyme or reason to the approval process. I’ve had other talented artists that I have told about the platform with website portfolios submitted in the application process that were denied…then have seen other artists I urged to apply that were accepted…and then I have had friends with zero design experience, zero website/portfolio links who just said “this is something I want to try out” on their application who were accepted.

[@CreatingwithWinglessAngel]

My Nephew's wife made me stop commissions because she kept not paying. So now I quit doing work for hire or commissions.

[@BeeJayDeL]

That’s always a good reason to stop! When I was doing commissions, I would always require half payment up front and then half once project was complete and accepted (but didn’t send final/full-res file until that final payment was received.)

[@humphrey_bear_MDC]

If artists have no following how do they get the word out? Will people want to buy from an unknown?

[@gj1234567899999]

Hello, I have a question as a buyer of art. I need art for my book covers as well as video game art i make for my indie game I am making. Can we just have it so the artist also keeps rights to their work? Why not have cake and eat it to? Make my book cover art and you can also keep the art to sell t shirts and posters. In fact it would be helping sell the book wouldn’t it! Since they are like billboards. I feel frustrated when I see this brilliant art and the artist is like no commissions. Would it also help if I have a sketch and detailed look planned ahead of time and ask make this look good. If it’s good I’ll come back for more work. If not here is money but I won’t come again. Is that better than asking for revisions?

[@lonely_saturn]

You can probably create a copyright license agreement that allows commerical use from both of you of the work

[@desserttree]

yea this is why i only do commision work for a close family member

[@linepenciloffice4007]

I am already in the neverending circle

[@danjones3009]

I'm done with commission work. It's never as enjoyable as doing my own unique art . Some clients want me to copy other Artists!! I do Art for my own personal joy first, not for anybody else's 👉

[@kerwinwade1884]

No commissions no cry

[@YanyanLun]

cant agree more

[@buda3d2007]

working for yourself if you have the skills will pay off in the long run, passive income streams have never been so good for artists, be careful, don't rip off any IP's or other artists.

[@NawTKitten]

I'm a furry artist.. Thats all there is for me is commissions. It's the only way for me to make quick $$.

[@tristengrant]

I unfortunately for turned down for Merch by Amazon. :(

[@BeeJayDeL]

The approval process is definitely hit or miss. Not a lot of rhyme or reason to it based on the applications of other artists/ non-artists that I know who have applied.

[@tristengrant]

@@BeeJayDeL should I keep applying after a few months?

[@yournamemerchandise]

There is nothing easy or simple for a client. Not enough money to pay for time. I did a few commissions as a Airbrush artist, but I got burned out to fast.

[@creepykretins6794]

That’s alright, I never get hired anyway 😂

[@JENNerationX]

Waste of time - no way - they take “as is” or nothing

[@dreamlounge5909]

Yeeeaaah it sucks that😮

[@spacemonkey6070]

seems like completely ungrounded advice from someone who can’t recall what being a starving artist at the beginning of a career was like. you do you…

[@jjonha707]

🥃🤘🏻🧨

[@BeeJayDeL]

❤️❤️❤️

[@blinktv909]

Terrible advice.