Commission Etiquette?
John Urie
In light of some recent threads on a.f.f., something has occured to
me. Several times we've seen a post making the rounds here called
'Sketchbook Etiquette'. So...with that in mind, I would like to ask the
following question of the group: What are some 'Do's' and 'Don'ts' that
should be observed when commissioning work from an artist? Enquiring
minds want to know.
John Urie
Michael Russell
Flafox's Guide To Commissioning Artwork
Copyright (c) 1999 Michael "Flafox" Russell
Introduction
------------
The following is a guide for fellow furries who want to commission
artwork from their favourite artists. Through this guide, I hope
to teach fellow furries what to expect when they send that e-mail,
snail mail, or chat request to an artist.
I have had the joy and frustration of commissioning artwork from
many artists. This guide is based on my observations.
I propose that if we, the client, change our attitude, then we will
be less frustrated by the commission process and experience.
Disclaimer
----------
This document is _VERY GENERAL_ and purposefully _EXAGGERATED_.
What to Expect
--------------
# 1 - Expect to wait and wait and wait.
Do not be surprised if it takes six months, a year, or even longer
to get your commission.
Popular artists have a long request list.
Some artists only do the work when spare time permits. They have a
"day job" or other responsibilities.
Some artists are too easily sidetracked by other requests and
projects. This is a case of ignoring the order of the requests and
instead working on the one that seems more interesting.
Finally, some artists only do the work when they "feel like it".
# 2 - Expect the artist to forget your request.
Some artists are not well organized. They may agree to do the
commission or to sell you artwork or books, but then forget their
agreement and not deliver.
Some may agree to do the work simply because they have a hard time
saying "No". However, they will purposefully forget because they
had no real interest or intention of doing the commission.
# 3 - Don't expect the artist to keep their word or schedule.
Basically, just be a little skeptical of any promise or statement
an artist makes. If they say they will get back with you by the
end of the week; don't be surprised if they don't. If they say they
will sell you something, like an original drawing or a book, don't
be surprised if they suddenly go quiet on the topic.
# 4 - Expect the artist to keep you in the dark regarding progress on
the commission.
For some reason, artists who are on-line seem to be unable to send
a simple note about their progress on commissions and your position
in their worklog queue.
# 5 - Know your position -- (1) personal projects, (2) commercial or
comic book projects, (3) friends, (4) MUCK friends, (5) strangers.
The first three should make sense. However, the last are not that
apparent. If the artist is active in a MUCK or IRC environment, you
can count on the artist giving preference to requests from that
environment.
Also, it helps to understand there are two cliques in the fandom
-- the artist clique and the MUCK cliques. As is common with any
clique, outsiders are not welcomed. Too many artists have the
attitude, "If you are not an artist or not a member of xyzMUCK,
then you do not exist."
# 6 - If the artist is active in a MUCK, expect your e-mail to be
ignored and your request to take longer.
For some reason, an artist can find the free time to spend two,
three, or more hours a day in a MUCK or other chat environment,
but cannot find an half hour to handle e-mail.
# 7 - Don't expect to become the artist's friend.
Just because an artist agrees to do a commission, does not mean
the artist is interested in becoming a friend. There are rare
occassions when you may "connect" and make a new friend.
It helps to keep your dealings with the artist as professional
as possible.
# 8 - Expect to be a little disappointed by the final artwork.
This is especially true if you are asking the artist to draw
your character. Common disappointments come from using the wrong
colour, using a very different style (cartoony vs human-like),
not making requested changes, not being willing to submit draft
designs, and more.
# 9 - Expect some damage to the artwork when mailed.
Packing artwork is an art of its own. Very few people know how to
do this properly.
# 10 - Expect confusion regarding copyrights.
Few artists understand the details of copyrights and trademarks.
Often work is done without a clear understanding of who owns the
artwork once the commission is finished.
# 11 - Expect your artwork to appear on the Internet.
Basically, decide beforehand whether you want the commission
published on the Internet. Let the artist know your desire --
publish or not publish.
Many artist want to publish a scan of the commission on their web
site or other public index site. Decide if you want to allow this.
The Client's Responsibility
---------------------------
This is a transaction. Two people are involved. You, the client,
have responsiblities, too.
# 1 - Be nice to the artist.
Always be nice, kind, and pleasant in your dealings with artists.
Regardless of how the artist treats you, you do not have the right
to harass, insult, or threaten an artist.
If an artist has treated you poorly; simply walk away and don't
deal with that artist again.
# 2 - Remember, the artist doesn't have to do the work.
Count it a blessing when an artist agrees to work on your request.
Count it an extra blessing when they deliver on that agreement. But,
in all things remember, they don't have to do the work. They are
agreeing to take time from their schedule to work on this drawing
or painting or item sale.
# 3 - Thank the artist when he or she delivers.
Be thankful for the artwork and let the artist know how you like
it. If there is a problem, be honest and tell the artist. Many will
learn and be able to serve you better on your next request.
# 4 - Be quick in meeting your side of the agreement.
If you agree to pay a certain amount, then be quick in making your
payment. If you agree to swap something for the painting, be quick
in sending your side of the agreement.
# 5 - Be generous.
Show your appreciation and be willing to go beyond your payment if
you think the artist did a wonderful job on your request.
# 6 - Try to obtain a balance in reminder notes.
Don't "mail bomb" the artist if they are slow. Learn to be patient.
However, you may still need to send the occassional reminder note.
# 7 - Be friendly and business like.
If you are paying for the artwork, understand that this is now a
business transaction. Act like it.
Be honest in what you tell the artist. Be accurate in your
description of the work. Be timely in your correspondence.
Business Suggestions
--------------------
The following are suggestions for the business aspects of the
commission.
#1 - Schedule
Try to get an estimated schedule of draft sketch, approval,
changes, and completion. Keep in mind, this is an estimate.
"Real World" happens and the schedule is likely to shift. If
the artist refuses to provide a schedule, you must decide if
you are willing to wait an indefinite period of time for the
artwork. This period can be six months, a year, or much longer.
#2 - Price
Set a price for the project during negotiations. In essence,
the project is fixed-price. Avoid working on a time-and-material
project since you have no way of verifying the time claimed by
the artist. Also, most graphics art work in the industry is
performed on a fixed-price basis.
Avoid projects where the artist says, "pay me what you think
it is worth when I'm done". This only causes bad feelings at
the end of the project because you don't know if you are paying
too much or not enough and the artist will feel insulted if they
do not receive as much as they think they should.
#3 - Changes
Do not get carried away requesting changes, unless you have
negotiated this at the beginning. One set of reasonable changes
during the pencil rough draft is expected; but beyond this it
becomes annoying to the artist.
Request the artist provide a pencil rough for approval before
continuing with the project.
#4 - Payment
Never prepay for a project. If the artist insists, you must
decide whether you want to take the chance of losing this
amount of money. Your money may be tied up with the artist
for many, many months or years before you see your commission
(if you ever see your commission).
The following are acceptable practices in the graphics arts
industry.
(a) Payment of a 10 to 25% deposit upon approval of the rough
draft.
(b) Payment upon approval of scan of final artwork and before
shipment of final artwork
(c) Payment on NET 15 or NET 30 terms upon receipt of final
artwork.
#5 - Media
Be clear about media. This is especially true if the artist
prefers to work in computer media.
#6 - Description
Be clear about the picture you want. There are two types of
commissions -- specific and theme oriented. A specific
commission is where you request a very specific scene, pose,
action, props, background, and so forth. The artist is limited
in a specific commission. A theme oriented commission is where
you request any picture within a broadly defined theme. The
artist has more creative freedom in a theme commission.
#7 - Copyrights
Understand, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, the artist
owns the copyright to the resulting artwork. All you are
commissioning is purchase of the original artwork itself.
If the artwork contains your characters, then you can request
a joint copyright where both you and the artist own the copyright.
In this case, both parties must agree to any subsequent use of
the artwork -- publication, display on internet, prints, etc.
Make sure to request at negotiation any limitations you want
to place on the artist's use of the artwork. Examples include:
(a) agreement to not publish for a certain period of time,
(b) how the credits should appear on the artwork,
(c) the size of any published version,
(d) and so forth.
#8 - Trademarks
Make sure the artist understands if any of the characters
requested in the picture are trademarked. This will further
constrain what the artist is able to do with the artwork, unless
the artist enters into a licensing agreement regarding the
trademarks.
#9 - Publication
Make sure to request how credits will appear on any published
version of the artwork. It is common practice in the industry
to give credit to the commission buyer or originator of the
idea being expressed.
For example:
Commissioned by Mike Russell.
(c) 2000 Joe Artist.
#10 - Communications
Request the artist provide you with periodic status updates.
Don't expect this to happen, but it does help to let the
artist know that you would like to keep communications open
and active.
Summary
-------
I hope the above expectations and responsibilities are helpful.
Also, the key is three things -- PATIENCE, communications, and understanding.
--
Cheers, Mike 'Flafox' Russell
Vicki Fox Productions (mrus...@ix.netcom.com, Vick...@hotmail.com)
The World of Vicki Fox ( http://www.VickiFox.com )
Steve Carter
"Michael Russell" <mrus...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:3A201816...@ix.netcom.com...
>
> # 11 - Expect your artwork to appear on the Internet.
Be a gentleman and re-word this, please.
"Expect your commission to appear on the Internet as an advertising tool for
the artist, particularly if it's unusual or exceptionally well done."
Diana Green
> many artists. This guide is based on my observations.
>
> I propose that if we, the client, change our attitude, then we will
> be less frustrated by the commission process and experience.
course.
> Disclaimer
> ----------
> This document is _VERY GENERAL_ and purposefully _EXAGGERATED_.
> What to Expect
> --------------
> # 1 - Expect to wait and wait and wait.
>
> Do not be surprised if it takes six months, a year, or even longer
> to get your commission.
>
> Popular artists have a long request list.
>
> Some artists only do the work when spare time permits. They have a
> "day job" or other responsibilities.
VITAL, and their daily income is SECONDARY?
>
> Some artists are too easily sidetracked by other requests and
> projects. This is a case of ignoring the order of the requests and
> instead working on the one that seems more interesting.
>
> Finally, some artists only do the work when they "feel like it".
Art is like writing- just take a pen and open a vein.
> # 2 - Expect the artist to forget your request.
>
> Some artists are not well organized. They may agree to do the
> commission or to sell you artwork or books, but then forget their
> agreement and not deliver.
once said that if it wasn't for music, he'd starve, because he was never
able to hold a conventional job.
I've edited stuff I have no quarrel with here.
Onward:
> # 4 - Expect the artist to keep you in the dark regarding progress on
> the commission.
>
> For some reason, artists who are on-line seem to be unable to send
> a simple note about their progress on commissions and your position
> in their worklog queue.
it's a two way street. I've completed projects and had them go unsused
without even a kill fee or an explanation. and I've had cleints keep me in
the dark about the status of projects, only to see them come out with other
people's artwork on them. Again, no explanation, no kill fee.
> # 5 - Know your position -- (1) personal projects, (2) commercial or
> comic book projects, (3) friends, (4) MUCK friends, (5) strangers.
>
> The first three should make sense. However, the last are not that
> apparent. If the artist is active in a MUCK or IRC environment, you
> can count on the artist giving preference to requests from that
> environment.
the day I can put personal projects ahead of commissions or paying gigs is
the day I win the lottery.
> Also, it helps to understand there are two cliques in the fandom
> -- the artist clique and the MUCK cliques. As is common with any
> clique, outsiders are not welcomed. Too many artists have the
> attitude, "If you are not an artist or not a member of xyzMUCK,
> then you do not exist."
>
>
> # 6 - If the artist is active in a MUCK, expect your e-mail to be
> ignored and your request to take longer.
>
> For some reason, an artist can find the free time to spend two,
> three, or more hours a day in a MUCK or other chat environment,
> but cannot find an half hour to handle e-mail.
It's just not very professional. Eventually people either realize that or
don't make a living at their art.
And the Net sucks time like a Hoover. this should be obvious to anyone
here!
> # 7 - Don't expect to become the artist's friend.
>
> Just because an artist agrees to do a commission, does not mean
> the artist is interested in becoming a friend. There are rare
> occassions when you may "connect" and make a new friend.
>
> It helps to keep your dealings with the artist as professional
> as possible.
can't be cordial, possibly even friendly down the line..
> # 8 - Expect to be a little disappointed by the final artwork.
>
> This is especially true if you are asking the artist to draw
> your character. Common disappointments come from using the wrong
> colour, using a very different style (cartoony vs human-like),
> not making requested changes, not being willing to submit draft
> designs, and more.
needs on the project. But of course, it must be the artist's fault that they
didn't read the client's mind.
> # 9 - Expect some damage to the artwork when mailed.
>
> Packing artwork is an art of its own. Very few people know how to
> do this properly.
supposed to be packaged in WOOD? Never tell the PO you're shipping
originals. BTW, this is an area where I have NEVER had a problem.
> # 10 - Expect confusion regarding copyrights.
>
> Few artists understand the details of copyrights and trademarks.
> Often work is done without a clear understanding of who owns the
> artwork once the commission is finished.
art unless epcifically assigned. If you are working on someone else's
character, the rights to the art shoudl be discussed before the commission
in undertaken.
I've editied out the remainder of your psot. This is because I largely
agree with it, and reposting it seems unnecessary.
food for thought, I hope.
still,
diana
Teflon Cougar
By this I mean don't expect a G-rated artist to hop with delight at your XXX
commission request.
Ed