TOTAL BEGINNER GUIDE to Art Commissions | Where to Find Art Commissions, Pricing, EVERYTHING

[@TheArtMentor]

What kinds of commissions do you want to do, or enjoy making? Mine is fantasy art 😁

[@shihoritsukiyomi]

Hey The Art Mentor, thank you for the great tips, really appreciate it. I would love to do commission of realism/semi-realism portrait art for anime/manga/games/kpop.

[@TheArtMentor]

That sounds great! I hope you get clients for that 😁 do you already have examples of that type of work?

[@shihoritsukiyomi]

@@TheArtMentor Yes, I do have the examples in my portfolio in Deviantart. I have been drawing for years but haven't had the courage to do commission yet due to life. I hope I could do it one day :)

[@TheArtMentor]

It’s always scary before you start. I encourage you to take the plunge

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s fun!

[@SeculiarSamii]

Wow these are amazing tips! As an artist looking to start comms, i found most videos unhelpful as they were already established artists. Thanks for giving more realistic and in-depth tips for artists starting from scratch!

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re very welcome! 😁 I remember how hard it was starting too, so I’m happy to help. Let me guess: most videos you’ve seen start with growing a social media following, right?

[@SeculiarSamii]

@@TheArtMentor Exactly! By the way, after opening for the first time, I was able to get commissions almost right away! Thank you so much for your awesome advice, truly grateful that you provide so many useful art commission videos :D

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow seriously?! That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you 👏

[@thisistherun4015]

This video goes crazy, I have definitely taken on the inquiry approach and am going to be unapologetically appealing to my fanart spaces to find opportunities I can ace first. Also appreciate your rejection of NFTs and emphasis on better showing your worth.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s great to hear! I promise you, it’ll allow you to build better client relationships 💪 what are your feelings on NFT’s?

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s great to hear! I promise you, it’ll allow you to build better client relationships 💪 what are your feelings on NFT’s?

[@thisistherun4015]

@@TheArtMentor Really, I believe that they aren't designed with the artists in mind and are secondary to the practice of trading crypto.

[@TheArtMentor]

It’s funny how many people don’t see it that way, huh? Most artists are hooked by a carrot and don’t see how they’re making others rich

[@Dragoniiia]

Okay thank you! Those are really useful advices! Especially "going to the fish market" and not pricing myself cheap.

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear this was helpful! Any questions I can answer for you as you begin to find commissions?

[@Dragoniiia]

@@TheArtMentor It will take me a while till I actually start taking commission, as I'm just getting started in digital art (traditional artist here) and have to paint a bit more. (Also i want to make more studies just for myself.) I was wondering about a commissions for a while but painting/drawing and then scanning and editing is just too much of a hassle for me. But could I maybe show you an example of my art? I wonder in what price range would you put it. Oh and another question! Are you actually able to live off your art or do you need a side job?

[@TheArtMentor]

Sure you can DM me on Instagram if you’d like me to see your stuff. And yes, I am a professional artist

[@Dragoniiia]

@@TheArtMentor Can I DM you on deviantArt? I dont have instagram (honestly most of big social media platforms annoy me haha)

[@TheArtMentor]

Sure thing

[@animator1982]

I just watched your video on getting commissions on deviant art and now I'm watching this with deviant art on your naughty list. 😩

[@TheArtMentor]

So DA is great for commissions, but just like I caution against, don’t use the commissions section of your profile bc DA takes a cut. Use the projects forum like I recommend in my DA Commissions video instead, where you get all the profits. Does that clarify things?

[@animator1982]

@@TheArtMentor Thank you. I just watched a few of your videos. Taking notes and writing bullet points. I really appreciate your advise. Do you have any videos on how to make a pricing sheet on DA?

[@TheArtMentor]

I’m happy to hear it was helpful! For pricing sheets, I don’t have a guide, but I recommend keeping it simple. The busier and more text you put on it, the more likely you’ll get passed over. Does that make sense?

[@animator1982]

@@TheArtMentor Yes it makes total sense. Thank you again. I really appreciate your content and advise 🙏

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! I hope to see you around here more 😁 let me know if you have any more questions

[@mantiscore90]

this is all really good advice! i started doing commissions about a year ago and some of this stuff is pretty eye opening, like not doing commission sheets! (a thing that i have been stressing about honestly haha)

[@TheArtMentor]

It’s funny about those commission sheets, right? I used to be the same when I started, wanting the most beautiful and attractive sheet, and then I just tried without it and it’s been fine since lol. What do you like to do commissions of?

[@mantiscore90]

@@TheArtMentor yeah! all this stress and it makes so much sense to just show your art and work it out in DMs. duh! and i mostly do people's characters, like WoW or dnd characters, or their roleplay characters. i also do customized skulls because i LOVE skulls!

[@TheArtMentor]

Yeah I think com sheets were a fad that’s been perpetuated for way too long 😅 too much work and upkeep. I do the same type of characters! Where do you mostly get commissions from?

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey your previous comment got deleted. Not sure if you tried to put a link in or something, but this happens from KZbin a lot, sorry 😅

[@mantiscore90]

@@TheArtMentor that's weird! i didn't put a link or anything, what the hell YT 😂 all i said was i get most of my commissions from this microblogging site with a decently sized community that likes to commission artists for OC and roleplay related work! (maybe saying the name of it was the issue?? no idea how YT works anymore LMAO)

[@elenazambelli_greenedera]

Thank you very much. I have much to learn and I loved how you made your explanation, other than the content. Really great.

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re so welcome! What was most helpful for you from this video?

[@ArucardPL]

I agree about Reddit. I'm a comicbook artists and whenever I need more projects, most of the times I find new clients on Reddit.

[@TheArtMentor]

Yes I LOVE Reddit for commissions! How long have you been taking those types of commissions?

[@ArucardPL]

@@TheArtMentor Overall, just passed my 10 year anniversary last year. At first my commissions mostly came from Penciljack, Digital Webbing and Zwol forums. I started using reddit for commissions (plus showcasing my work) at the start of 2018 (which was pretty much the same as when I discovered it). Facebook also works, but only when I use the smaller groups dedicated solely to comicbook art. I even scored a gig when applying to an ad on facebook (the outcome of that gig, "This Land" miniseries got picked up by Scholastic this year by the way). One more cool thing about reddit is that it helped me grow a bit my instagram following, so overall, I think it's good both for showcasing/growing following as well as finding jobs! Years pass and I still only have good experiences with it :)

[@TheArtMentor]

Great to hear! Keep killing it 💪

[@zinzolin14]

I'm looking to finally step into a career making art for people again, so thank you for the super litty advice!

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s awesome 👏 I know you’ll enjoy it so much! What helped you the most in this video?

[@zinzolin14]

​@@TheArtMentor mainly advice on pricing, that's the one hurdle I'm still trying to figure out. At least I know not to do commission sheets and to not undercharge for my work.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s a good start! Any ideas on where you want to start your pricing?

[@zinzolin14]

@@TheArtMentor hard to say, i think no lower than $100, considering the time and effort it takes me to draw even a full coloured rough sketch. I wanna try something based off hourly wage where I live.

[@TheArtMentor]

As a base price? Not a bad starting rate! Better than most. Btw price in terms of what you value yourself at rather than what minimum wage is okay? You worked for years to be an artist, someone did nothing to learn how to flip fries ( no disrespect), so don’t compare the two okay?

[@alik9783]

this is such an underrated video! honestly more helpful than most videos i've seen on this combined

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for saying so! Did you know that’s exactly why I make the content I do? Most videos only tell you to advertise, grow your following, and hope for the best, don’t they? Lol. Hardly explanatory or helpful. Have you seen my other videos and guides on this topic? I have three playlists

[@alik9783]

@@TheArtMentor i honestly didn't think to check the rest of your channel, which was dumb of me cause i just did and now i have at least three more videos on my watch later!

[@TheArtMentor]

happy to hear, and enjoy! I have a lot of helpful content for artists just like you :) are you currently taking commissions or researching how to open them up?

[@alik9783]

@@TheArtMentor currently researching! i want to do traditional art commissions but i haven't figured out exactly how... like i think that the physical drawing would be worth a lot more than a digital scan, but shipping is more complicated, and i have no idea how to sell commissions locally... i did not mean to ramble lol sorry 😅

[@FlashVedder]

Very useful video… I been struggling with upwork and I wanted to find other sources for clients :)

[@TheArtMentor]

happy to hear this helped! Have you seen my other masterclass videos on this topic? I'd be happy to share a link

[@KamillsWorld]

I was thinking of doing a commissions sheet cause itd be easy to post it and give a nice visual of my current work and was stressing over how to make one cause I was gonna post on Instagram but now idk o.o

[@TheArtMentor]

I personally don’t recommend it, but if you , make sure your prices state “starting at” so that you can mark up for complex art

[@seanbianchi4517]

Please ask ANY questions you have here, and I wish you lots of luck finding clients with these tips!

[@TheArtMentor]

Literally! Ask away and I’m happy to answer

[@guilhermeribeiro7168]

paid content absolutely FOR FREE!!! thank you very much!!

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re very welcome! What kinds of commissions do you want to offer?

[@immortalgraveyard2099]

Thank you so much for your videos! Now I'm really thinking about pricing and feel a bit undervalued. Even though I usually don't paint and most of the time I work in a graphic comic style, but I really put much effort to make solid dynamic lineart and to design good-looking shapes. Are there any chances that I will send you some of my artworks and could you tell me if I charge enough for them? 😅

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed this! Have you done any commissions before? If so, how much were you charging?

[@EalainKloapa]

Great video, I hear what your saying about certain genres. You start doing something with the best intentions and before you know it that's your genre of work and your unhappy 🤣

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly! Who wants to be locked in and expected to only do one thing when you have divergent interests? Doesn’t that sound miserable? 😩

[@othmanag3510]

Thanks for your helpful guides I'm an amateur artist but I'll do my best !!!

[@TheArtMentor]

Your welcome, and don’t worry, we all start off right where you are! Any questions about this topic after watching this?

[@othmanag3510]

@@TheArtMentor Yeah , after creating a good portfolio and gain a little bit of experience in art I really want to know your recommendations of websites that I should target for my commissions? And thanks again for your videos.

[@TheArtMentor]

Sure thing! I hope you’ll keep coming back to my channel. I’ll have opportunities like this in the near future 👍

[@squa-squathedragon4124]

Also, I would LOVE an info dump on D&D subreddits ❤

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh really? Haha happy to help! Have you tried to look me up on Reddit? You can find me by this username and just see where I post 👍 how’s that?

[@jazzmp4]

Finally some good advice! Thanks!

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re welcome! It sounds like you’ve been watching some other videos on this topic. Am I right?

[@jazzmp4]

@@TheArtMentor Yes. The advice was the same stuff repeated and they were mostly stuff I was already doing. Thanks!

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! Any questions on this or in general on commissions?

[@jazzmp4]

@@TheArtMentor I've closed my commissions now, so not really. I'm not sure taking commissions is something I'm committed to 😅

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh yeah? What’s holding you back?

[@ottodraws3256]

hello art mentor, im having trouble getting commissions, ive been doing art for almost 9 years now, and just a few months ago i decided ill start taking commissions, ive advertised myself in discord servers and subreddits, and ive offered to do peoples commission requests, but i seem to be getting ignored, i havent had even one commission yet, and im sure im not being obnoxious or unprofessional or anything like that, i keep it short and get straight to the point, and if someone has a request that im not cut out for, i dont message them of coarse, so i guess i dont know what im doing wrong and im getting upset, i hope i get a response from you!!!

[@ottodraws3256]

ive watched alot of your commission videos, and i try my best to apply the tips and help that u provide aswell

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for your support! I answered this on another one of your comments recently

[@ToonX]

is your background is on blue screen :P , looks like different light and different perspective

[@TheArtMentor]

nope, that's my live set. Have you been watching my content for a while? My camera shifts from time to time and I've evolved my backgrounds slightly over time

[@Meoo_kkkkqq]

Okay. I couldn't watch it fully cause im moving soo one question Should i use that website that plants trees or something ?

[@TheArtMentor]

You mean ArtisTree? HECK NO! I made a whole video about how bad it is right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqOkYpmQf5Zrjq8

[@for56seven60]

will these tips also work for Animators? or are there some differences I should look for cant find much info about this online

[@TheArtMentor]

Yes absolutely! I personally am not an animator, but this advice applies to all types of commissions 👍 what do you like to make animations of?

[@for56seven60]

@@TheArtMentor yo thanks for the reply dude! yea I'm wanting to make short clips of action based animation with dynamic movement, though I'm not sure if thats too vague

[@TheArtMentor]

Those sound cool! Can I recommend that you pick a more targeted niche? I made a video about that if you’d like a link. Would that help?

[@B4k4zzaku]

Thank you so much 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re so welcome my friend! What did you find most helpful in this video?

[@kakakatana1]

I used to get a lot of commission work off of reddit during the pandemic but now almost nothing. Now I get most of my work from facebook and twitter! Twitter has given me the most consistent work and I just made an account at the beginning of this year.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s really interesting to hear. I’ve been meaning to try twitter as well when I have time in between commissions. What can you tell me about finding commissions on twitter?

[@kakakatana1]

@@TheArtMentor Literally the more organic followers you have the more commissions you will get. I see artist accounts who have at least 3000 followers have a steady daily commission flow. When you post you can do hashtags but it is not necessary because twitter adds your text to their search algo. The algo favors new post so it is better to post often. Most people who have commissioned me on twitter have seen a tweet with my art and asked to commission me before even following. I only have around 600 organic followers but the amount of work compared to other platforms I had to put in to get commissions is way better. Reddit for commissions used to be the best for me but after the pandemic not so much. I still get commissions from facebook but mainly from just posting work and saying I am open for commissions. My reddit karma is around 44k from art and it feels pointless lol.

[@TheArtMentor]

So then twitter is dependent upon growing your following?

[@kakakatana1]

@@TheArtMentor It helps because people that like your work will retweet your stuff but you can get commissions without having a following. The reward to work ratio in my opinion is far greater than that of other social media websites mainly because the fantasy/dnd art community is huge on twitter. Age, political views, social believes all align to create a platform that breeds people who wants to buy fantasy digital art. If I want to get work immediately I would just do a post about tiefling or drow related artwork and people will start asking for commissions.

[@TheArtMentor]

So what about actual actionable advice though? Growing your following isn’t really something you have control over, ya know?

[@jaybirdix]

This is so awesome thank you so much

[@TheArtMentor]

You’re very welcome! What was most helpful to you in this video? Also, any lingering questions?

[@erzen9282]

Amazing content, I wish I found your channel before !

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks I’m glad you’re enjoying! Are you starting commissions soon?

[@Elizabeth-lu2tp]

Hi Art mentor! What sites do you recommend to create an art portfolio for commissions? I was been using wix, but i've a lot of problems using this platform (Reddit don't accept wixsite links, and wix don't show my tos, prices and more info of my art) and, so, i need to create my art portfolio again 😢

[@TheArtMentor]

On the websites I suggest, you don't need a separate site. Always try to stay on platform to avoid losing people switching apps on phones. How does that sound?

[@davedm6345]

New sub love your videos but please can you put the texts more time? 3 seconds i only can read the half, thank you! Also it seems very complicated start a comission there are so many videos to learn is overwhelming.

[@TheArtMentor]

Sure I’ll consider that for future content. Thanks for the feedback, and welcome to my community my friend!! As for starting, I know there’s a lot of content out there, which is why I try to focus on giving you clear, actionable steps to begin. Have you watched any of my other videos? I have a folder for all of my commissions videos

[@lucychan_art]

and here's me, keep on jumping from genre to genre, and mediums to mediums. (,,>﹏

[@TheArtMentor]

I did it too for a while before figuring this out myself 😅 no worries, you’re not alone haha! So what do you want to focus on now?

[@lucychan_art]

@@TheArtMentor I think I'll go with drawing realistic portraits! Tho, my heart breaks leaving my budding love with painting backgrounds, it must be done. 🥹 I also haven't drawn much portraits recently because of it, resulting to having only a few drawings to show to my prospect clients. 🥲

[@timcuedesignz2798]

You mentioned specializing in a style or genre, i have more of a classic comic book style and its over saturated. how can i find commissions that fit my style?

[@TheArtMentor]

How many examples do you have within that specific style?

[@Userstar930]

Hello what do you think about ko-fi commissions ? What you think about Leave the price (however high) visible to customers along with slots (vacancies) for that service m. And how do I do to be able to have my portfolio analyzed by you in a video?

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey I just responded to your same comment on my other video 👍 also, keep checking my community tab for when I open submissions to be analyzed

[@Userstar930]

@@TheArtMentor Thank you 🙏 and sorry for that xdxdx

[@ZephyrsCreativeCradle]

I’m in the works of getting my “website” up for commissions. I don’t have enough up to set up commissions yet. But my price sheet says this: Sketches Headshots $5 Busts $10 Full Body $15 Color Headshots $10 Busts $15 Full Body $20 Should I raise them? Or add anything else? I’m a young artist and I’ve never done this before.

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey thanks for watching this! So have you finished this video, and how long have you been watching my content?

[@pedroalvarenga234]

Can you recommend a subreddit or another website for 2d animation commissions? I mostly animate as opposed to illustration

[@TheArtMentor]

So I don’t do that work myself, but have you tried looking up subreddits or discord servers for that interest? I’m certain they exist

[@TheArtMentor]

So I don’t do that work myself, but have you tried looking up subreddits or discord servers for that interest? I’m certain they exist

[@pedroalvarenga234]

@@TheArtMentor I couldn't find one specifically for animation commissions on reddit, only a discord server, but I might be just overthinking it, there are people offering animation comms on r/artcommissions as well. Anyways, I learned a lot from your videos, keep it up!

[@AsdfFdsa-gp5qg]

This helped put a lot of things into perspective; thank you for this godsend of a video! I was literally in the process of trying to make a price sheet and struggling to figure out pricing, but this put in perspective that I really ought to focus on developing a relationship with my target audience first. What's your opinion on using platforms like Instagram and Twitter for advertisement? I think I agree that going to a targeted community is better but I've heard those thrown around as the conventionally smart place to go.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s great! Have you see. My other video about why pricing sheets are a bad idea? If not, you’ll also love that! So if you watch me for a while, you’ll know I absolutely hate Instagram and other social medias that rely on algorithms for commissions. They keep you out of control and feeding their systems. What platforms have you tried to find commissions on?

[@squa-squathedragon4124]

If you could go back to update the advice to 2024, what would you include?

[@TheArtMentor]

Ironically, not much but I do have some more great suggestions and warnings in my updated video from last week: WHERE to find art clients and higher paying art commissions kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXLZeqF9pa2lg7M

[@hextrie1595]

I identify myself as art practitioner... since am still trying to figure out my original artstyle

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s a really critical point on your development. Make sure you enjoy the growth! Do you have a plan to develop your skills?

[@fernbedek6302]

I don’t want to have to have a conversation about the pricing. The commission sheet is to make my life easier.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s your decision, but aren’t you planning on having a discussion with a client anyways when you start their project? What’s the difference between starting with a conversation before you start working together?

[@fernbedek6302]

@@TheArtMentor It’s good to have a clear framework of prices as a starting point, it means having to do less haggling. It can be hard enough to get clarity out of clients with a clear menu, giving them more room for ambiguity in their request is not something I’d like to do.

[@TheArtMentor]

Before judging the alternative, have you seen either of my videos on Why Commissions Sheets Suck or How to Talk to Art Clients?

[@thiagomiguel9127]

I want to make dnd characters too could give more advices about this public ?

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey thanks for watching! Could you please be a bit more specific about what advice would be helpful?

[@thiagomiguel9127]

@@TheArtMentor I am don’t realy have a portfolio or knowledge where I should look for this clients. It gets very confusing to me, where I should be looking for them. Thnx for your time !

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for the info! So obviously you need a portfolio piece. You can check out my videos on why to include and not. Second, this video says the best places I personally use, but I also have a couple really detailed commission guides for DeviantArt and Reddit. Check those out as well! Best of luck to you!

[@thiagomiguel9127]

@@TheArtMentor thank you so much !

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure!

[@Clownie_P]

I gotta disagree with the deviant art thing. Cause I’ve sold commissions and custom characters on there without using their system. I just put out prices on journals independently from the DA commission system.

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s exactly what I’m referring to as well. In fact, have you seen my guide on DA commissions video? I’ve also advocated against the commissions feature on DA and more in favor of where to source them locally on the platform itself 👍

[@Clownie_P]

@@TheArtMentor Phew im so glad you mention that too. I agree a lot with that, the system for DA kinda just... Well it sucks :(

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh yeah that’s an awful system and i advocate for other platforms instead like the ones i mentioned in this. DA’s job forum is solid tho

[@azka_5044]

Why is Devian art commission thing bad?

[@TheArtMentor]

Can you elaborate? Not sure what you’re asking

[@azka_5044]

@@TheArtMentor 2:15

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh yes the feature built into DA takes a percentage of your profit away, so I don’t recommend using the commissions shop. Isn’t, follow the steps to get DA commissions on the forums like my other guide goes over. Okay?

[@ryanhowell4492]

Cool

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for watching! Are you starting commissions or just trying to get more?

[@ryanhowell4492]

@@TheArtMentor what type of Art Commission you're doing now

[@TheArtMentor]

I’m working on fantasy/dnd characters mostly, thanks for asking! Yourself?

[@ryanhowell4492]

@@TheArtMentor I'm on process of creating my own Original Characters models from different countries

[@TheArtMentor]

Very cool! That sounds like a lot of fun!

[@rocklobster3956]

Can I just say from experience Discord commission servers are kinda just terrible. I've only ever gone to them when I've felt desperate and even then I don't get work because of two things - other desperate people being there and trying their hardest to get any work possible - The other thing is that people will ask for an insane amount of work for cheap, cheap prices e.g design me a character, make a full clothed ,unclothed ref sheet and a pfp for $30 at times over Nitro Which is just like way too low for me - there'll be like 3 people who are charging rates that I can fit into but are either doing long form projects or again get swamped with other desperate artists trying to get work

[@TheArtMentor]

you could justifiably say that about any platform though, couldn't you? Even the ones I personally recommend have those issues on both sides of the table. What have you done to stand out and try to get the higher paying clients though? What are your practices there?

[@Kikssune2]

You said in one of your videos on how to do a proper commission sheet. But now, you dont' agree with the idea of a commission sheet???

[@TheArtMentor]

That original video you’re referencing was on why you shouldn’t use a commission sheet 😅 did you see the rest of that too? There are many reasons you shouldn’t use a commissions sheet, have you ever tried or seen my other videos on how not to use one?

[@Kikssune2]

@@TheArtMentor Not really, I'm a new viewer 🤗

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh that explains it! Here’s the referenced video: Do I Need an Art Commission Sheet? NO! | Art Commission Sheets SUCK: Don't Make One! kzbin.info/www/bejne/epC7aHevi7aneac

[@Kikssune2]

@@TheArtMentor Thank you! I love that you are committed to answering your audience's comment. Unlike most youtubers where they ignore everyone....

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! I enjoy my audience and appreciate y’all 😁 let me know if you ever have more questions!

[@azka_5044]

Reddit is unfortunately is banned in Indonesia🙃

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh really? Sorry to hear!