Commissioning statistics
Michael Russell (Netcom)
Just for the fun of it, I decided to analyze my commission tracking
database. I do a lot of commissions and to help me remember who I asked,
when, for what artwork, and the agreed price, I built a little tracking
database.
I offer the following data as is; no commentary.
The following reflects commissions over the past three years. These are
commissions with popular artists and unknown artists, with published
artists and those who happen to have some artwork on YERF. It covers a
wide variety of styles and art medium. All commissioned artwork was family
friendly (G-rated) in nature.
CURRENT STATUS SUMMARY
------ WAIT ---------------------------
Nbr of Nbr of Min Max Avg Period Avg
Status Artists Pieces Months Months Months Calc Price
Asked 4 4 6 9 8 CurDay - AskDay $ 10
Accepted 8 10 2 15 9 CurDay - AskDay $ 53
Rejected 4 4 1 6 3 RejDay - AskDay --
Working 20 27 2 29 9 CurDay - AskDay $ 75
Working ? 2 4 21 23 23 CurDay - AskDay $ 25
Stopped 2 4 3 9 6 StpDay - AskDay --
Cancelled 2 2 12 18 15 CanDay - AskDay --
Finished 31 54 1 25 6 FinDay - AskDay $ 50
PERIODS
CurDay = current day (13 Feb 1999)
AskDay = day commission requested
RejDay = day commission rejected
StpDay = day commission stopped
CanDay = day commission cancelled
FinDay = dan commission finished
STATUS MEANINGS:
Asked -- I asked the artist, but received no reply of accept or reject.
Accepted -- Artist agreed to do commission, but hasn't started work.
Rejected -- Artist rejected commission request.
Working -- Artist has said or shown he or she is working on the project.
Working ? -- The artist no long replies regarding the status.
Stopped -- The artist cancels the project after accepting or working on it.
Cancelled -- I cancel the project out of frustration dealing with artist.
Finished -- Artwork is finished and delivered.
CURRENT ARTIST SUMMARY
Number of artists commissioned ...................... 62
Number whom I will commission from again ............ 28 (45%)
Number who have lied about commission or status ..... 10 (16%)
Number who requested a contract ..................... 2 ( 3%)
Number who didn't follow commission request ......... 4 out of 36 (11%)
Good communications (replies quickly and details) ... 17 (27%)
Ok communications (reasonable delay and details) .... 23 (37%)
Poor communications (long delays or short on detail) 15 (24%)
Bad communications (rarely replies or no detail) .... 7 (12%)
--
Cheers - Mike "Flafox" Russell # ICQ: 19110833
IBM Global Services # E-mail: mrus...@ix.netcom.com
Orlando, FL # or msru...@us.ibm.com
"The World of Vicki Fox" # Web: http://www.vickifox.com
Roz Gibson
>Just for the fun of it, I decided to analyze my commission tracking
>database. I do a lot of commissions and to help me remember who I asked,
>when, for what artwork, and the agreed price, I built a little tracking
>database.
>
>CURRENT ARTIST SUMMARY
>
> Number of artists commissioned ...................... 62
> Number whom I will commission from again ............ 28 (45%)
> Number who have lied about commission or status ..... 10 (16%)
> Number who requested a contract ..................... 2 ( 3%)
> Number who didn't follow commission request ......... 4 out of 36 (11%)
>
> Good communications (replies quickly and details) ... 17 (27%)
> Ok communications (reasonable delay and details) .... 23 (37%)
> Poor communications (long delays or short on detail) 15 (24%)
> Bad communications (rarely replies or no detail) .... 7 (12%)
Just because I'm a curious cat, I'd love to know what artists they were,
although I can certainly understand why it would be indescrete to post them
here.
I virtually never take comissions, mainly because my RL job and my comics take
up almost all of my free time. They also seem more like work, and most of my
free artistic time outside of work I want to use drawing my own material.
However, when I do take them I try to be very up front with when it will be
done. This year I've blocked out X ammount of time to do some comissions I've
promised people, so I can be pretty precise about when they can expect it. I
also never except money up front; just in case something happens and I either
can't get it done or it will be late; it's easier not to take money at all than
have to issue a refund.
Yes, I've also had people renege on payment, but I just sell the piece instead
(shrug)
Also, as Dwight pointed out to me, most of the professional artists with
professional attitudes are already working RL art jobs, and don't have time.
What you have left are the 'fan' artists, who have fan attitudes, which
translates to "I'll get it done whenever I feel like it, if I feel like it, and
thanks for the money."
Just as a public service, you might consider letting people know who the
absolute bastards are, the people who took money and you never heard from
again, or who lied to you, or didn't do what you wanted. Just so other
unsuspecting people don't throw money at them. It's artists like them that
give other artists a bum rap.
Roz
>
OffCentaur
Art pieces commissioned: 49
Pieces in my hands or at the framers and will be in my hands: 43
Pieces in transit: 2 (will receive sometime soon. Just awaiting one special
birthday gift, but since the birthday girl's birthday is 2/29/00 It can wait.
She'll be nine years old. And she has yet to write a thank you to the artist
for her Christmas gift, she thought since I wrote to the artist that was
enough. Think again, girl!
Pieces being worked on and have seen roughs on: 1
Pieces I've commissioned and know nothing about: 3. But this is a surprise
trypict I ordered and don't want to see. Just gave a basic set of what I
really didn't want to see and said "take the ball and run. What ever you ever
wanted to do but said 'no one will buy that' go ahead and do. Surprise me!"
Total amount spent on these commissions: $2975.
Favorite website: YERF also. I'm going into YERF Withdrawal here!
What I've discovered about artists: The ones I've dealt with are incredibly
cheap. Meaning they generally work for free. I don't mind paying extra. You
artists deserve and are worth it. No wonder you are called "Starving Artists"
Total artwork on my walls: 69 (no snide remarks). Most of these were gifts
from loving furry sisters who know what I like and know I don't go to cons.
Granted most were purchased with the remainder of my money after they spent
most of it on themselves at cons.
Art tastes: Clean G to NC-17 lite pin up or cheese cake (think WWII Pin ups
kiddies)
Also think Luddite (so what is a self avowed Luddite using compters for?)
Survival!
Add to that rural or pastoral with a -ine ending (Bov, Capr, Eq, Ov, Can, Fel)
with heavy leanings of time era from Medieval to Renaissance.
Number of different artist in the 49 commissions: Only 14. There are some
pretty well fed artists out there thanks to me.
Favorites: Meglique (my first commission), XianJaguar, Kellyfur, Kynolyd
Dewphire, Commando Bunny, Tincrash, Dark Sidhe, Chilly Mouse.
But most are female. Sorry guys but the women draw cuter furs that are more
anatomically correct. Plus being female they can see what the true female form
is. Most of my commissions are gifts for female roleplayers and they are quite
picky about proportions! Plus the do better action poses. Only a woman can
know how her body will and won't move.
Are these actual figures? Maybe. Everything is kept on a bulletin board and
is subject to roving hordes of weaning bottle babies. So how does the art stay
intact on the barns. To quote the old western "Hang 'Em High"
Are you a jealous artist? E-mail me an address where you display your art and
I'll come visit. If there is a character who fits your style I'll inquire if
you are available.
Price: Payment in advance, cash. Delivery schedule - flexible, whenever the
muse strikes you and whenever the mail truck makes a scheduled once per year
delivery. I do go in to pick up big packages the day they arrive otherwise
they get thrown into the truck to await delivery.
Contract: Well, if you insist. I'm from the old school of "Your word is your
bond" If you feel compelled to rake me over the coals. Fine, You have to
live with yourself. I live my animals.
Amount you charge: What ever you feel is reasonable. It is only money. If
you quote an inexpensive price for the amount of work I've feel you've done,
then a little bonus (Stress little) I don't wish to embarass you and if I come
back again, you will have a better figure proposed, won't you?
Next commission up for grabs: Skunkette wrangler. They are still generating
her character before introduction to the Rossacotta campaign. She'll enter by
month's end and then I'll have a firmer bio. Don't expect to much. It will be
a brief physcial description of height/weight and one sentence to some up the
philosphy of their life. (My favorite so far: "Kill first, question later")
Yes an actual RPG character.
Artists who I'd never work with again: 0. They are all great.
Who am I: A strange little man with no hobbies and no social life and no
friends. If I take a shine to you, expect random acts of giftings on
occassions. Be it a book, toy or even better $ for a special dinner out.
Don't expect too much. I'm rural and don't live in the modern day world if I
can help it.
TTFN - Tigger talk. I wanted Roo but was given Eeyore from my great aunt's
Pooh gift set as a child. Explaination if you become fur friend.
Thank God I didn't post my Fursonal ad last week.
Donald E. Sanders
no.spam...@huzzah.net says...
**** Stats snipped ****
> In article <36C5C1B4...@ix.netcom.com>, mrus...@ix.netcom.com says...
> Also, as Dwight pointed out to me, most of the professional artists with
> professional attitudes are already working RL art jobs, and don't have time.
> What you have left are the 'fan' artists, who have fan attitudes, which
> translates to "I'll get it done whenever I feel like it, if I feel like it, and
> thanks for the money."
Kinda sad really about those attitudes, but that's what happens in the
art business. This is really bad for the 'Fan' artist who just does art
out of fun as a hobby. As many times as they scream, "I'm doing this for
enjoyment, not to make a quick buck!". And even worse for those of us
who do it without making any returns on our efforts. Considering how
much time it takes, the materials required, also figure in that there are
those who work RL jobs that don't even involve art, the fandom should
consider themselves lucky folks like some fan artists take the time, the
effort, and the material to provide some free art. Now if every fan
artist, no matter how good or bad they are decide to charge for a
commission, what would we have? I would like to know please.
>
> Just as a public service, you might consider letting people know who the
> absolute bastards are, the people who took money and you never heard from
> again, or who lied to you, or didn't do what you wanted. Just so other
> unsuspecting people don't throw money at them. It's artists like them that
> give other artists a bum rap.
>
That would be a good idea, except it creates somewhat a problem. Granted
some artists do take the money and run, some artists do take their time.
A prime example is what has been going on lately with one artist. Out of
respect I will not mention his name. He is a fine artist who has ran
across some hard times. Granted maybe one or two commissions are a bit
late, or overly late, but the commissionee went way out of his way to
make sure business would not go well for this artist. Building up a list
of bum artists will only just generate a list of artists to steer away
from. Yes, it would help those to choose who does their commissions, but
what does it do for those artists on that list. I hate to use the word,
'Blacklist!' but it seems this is what we would get if something like
this starts. What's so bad about it??? I believe in giving folks
another chance, call me silly if you will. Some folks can change and
improve! Yep, I guess I'm just blowing hot air now, but think about it.
A slap on the hand is one thing, to make a bold attempt to ruin someone's
lively hood, or hobby, just does not sit right with this one.
No, I'm am not trying to change folks minds on how they think, heck, I
got stung too at AAC97 by a certain CD peddler, but I did not bend over
backwards to have him run out of town, tarred and feathered and on a
rail. Yes, there will be some artists out there who will stiff you,
that's part of life. If they come back offering commissions even after
they may have stiff someone, think about it, they would either have to be
a total idiot for trying after so many folks know what happened, or this
person is sincere to change and try to deliver as promised. Also, lets
not forget the commissionee! I myself never got a commission done, I
never asked due to the popularity of some artists, and this was one basis
on why I wanted to be a artists, best to do for yourself before asking
others. Some things are worth the wait. Not all artists are fast
working artwork mills. Ask for a reasonable time frame, consider other
factors that might delay the work. Not happy, e-mail or snail mail the
artist instead of broadcasting your displeasure to the whole world.
Yea, I know this may be covered in the commissions FAQ, but I have not
read it yet, I will soon. Anyway, I don't even expect what I said to
have the slightest of impact at all, but someone has to bark now and then
at the cars racing too fast.(metaphor)
--
Don Sanders
Dsan Tsan on #furry of Yiffnet
RoadKill Fur (Sun baked sorta but not burned!)
Artist at Roll Yer Own Graphics
http://www.dreamscape.com/dsand101/dsan.htm
(my furry page) Email dsan...@future.dreamscape.com
T. Woolfe
Sanders) wrote:
>In article <fIkx2.651$bP2....@typhoon-sf.pbi.net>,
>no.spam...@huzzah.net says...
>
>**** Stats snipped ****
>
>> In article <36C5C1B4...@ix.netcom.com>, mrus...@ix.netcom.com says...
cuts
> Considering how
>much time it takes, the materials required, also figure in that there are
>those who work RL jobs that don't even involve art, the fandom should
>consider themselves lucky folks like some fan artists take the time, the
>effort, and the material to provide some free art.
more cuts Of dons intelligent and well spoken comments
>
>Yea, I know this may be covered in the commissions FAQ, but I have not
>read it yet, I will soon. Anyway, I don't even expect what I said to
>have the slightest of impact at all, but someone has to bark now and then
>at the cars racing too fast.(metaphor)
The Art I buy is for friends as my walls are super limited. Those
Artists and Craftsfurs that I have dealt with have been more than
suburb part-timer and full-timer. I do have one of those old saw
comments, you know "My Daddy used to tell me,,,,,Son,,, that I must
make. "Never ask of someone the sort of thing that they do for a
living,,, or even a part-liveing." That goes for art, just like it
does for, say, carpentry or car mechanics. If it's something that they
do purely as a hobby, DO NOT make their hobby unpleasant for them to
have, but be as aid full as you can. I've got one commission out now.
the Artist (a Pro) is doing me a large favor by taking it on a time
line that I need. I am paying for that favor, But understand, payment
or not it IS a favor as far as I'm concerned as the artist DID-NOT-
HAVE to accommodate me or my need. Anything, within reason, that this
artist would ask of me I would do. There is another artist who's work
I have This artist was at the time amateur (sorry Unnamed but it's
true) I plan to ask another commission of him when we meet (I hope) at
CF10.
Remember,,A commission is something you WANT something you are asking
for that may not be exactly the artists intrest so if it's refused
that's just. But on the other paw, if it is formally excepted/agreed
upon. it should be done.
T Woolfe