How to start doing Art Commissions! (The Ultimate Guide)

Summary

This video provides essential advice for artists on managing commissions, emphasizing the importance of communication and avoiding scams. It stresses the need for artists to complete commissions and keep clients informed about any delays. The video outlines ways to spot scammers, such as checking an account's credibility and watermarking artwork. It also encourages artists to never accept 'free' commissions and to be cautious with personal information. Finally, the creator shares a personal goal to start a sticker club for supporters on Kofi, aiming to engage their community further.

Takeaways

• 😀 Public posts about bad interactions should only be made in cases of scams or serious issues like unauthorized refunds, not for minor delays or excuses.
• 😀 Handling client issues through direct messages (DMs) is preferable to airing complaints publicly, maintaining professionalism.
• 😀 Artists should always communicate openly with their clients, especially if there are delays or problems with their commission.
• 😀 Never ghost clients; keeping open lines of communication is crucial to prevent damaging your reputation as an artist.
• 😀 If necessary, don't be afraid to issue refunds; you can always work with the client again in the future.
• 😀 Always be cautious when receiving commission requests, especially from accounts that don't interact with you or are unfamiliar.
• 😀 Avoid sharing personal information such as PayPal details directly with clients; always use secure platforms for payments.
• 😀 Watermarking your work, especially sketches or WIPs, helps protect your art from unauthorized use or theft.
• 😀 Be aware of scammers who may ask for commissions outside of your usual style or offer free commissions to manipulate you.
• 😀 Always verify the authenticity of a client and their intentions before starting a commission, especially if they request unusual or out-of-character art.
• 😀 Scams often involve poorly written messages with bad grammar, so pay attention to the way someone communicates with you.
• 😀 Artists should strive to create a sustainable income stream through regular and fair commissions, not giving in to scams or offers that seem too good to be true.

Q & A

Why is it important for artists to handle negative interactions privately?

Handling negative interactions privately, such as through direct messages (DMs), prevents unnecessary public drama and allows for more constructive and professional conflict resolution. Public posts should be reserved for serious issues like scams or financial disputes.

What should an artist do if they cannot finish a commission on time?

If an artist cannot finish a commission on time, they should communicate with the client about the delay. It's important to keep the client informed about any issues that might affect the timeline, such as personal or work-related challenges.

What are some signs that a commission might be a scam?

Signs of a scam include: the client not following or interacting with you, asking for personal information like PayPal or bank details, requesting free work, offering unusual commissions, or having poor communication skills (e.g., bad English).

What is the best way to protect your artwork during a commission?

To protect your artwork, you should watermark your progress and updates. This can be done by adding a visible watermark or occupying the image with your signature to prevent theft, especially when sharing early-stage work like sketches.

How should artists handle situations where a client asks for a refund after the commission is completed?

If a client requests a refund after the commission is finished, the artist should evaluate the situation carefully. If the request seems unjust, the artist may need to deny it, but clear communication about the reasons for the refusal is important.

What precautions should artists take before accepting a commission from someone they don’t know?

Artists should investigate the potential client's account to see if they've interacted before. If the client hasn't followed or interacted with the artist's profile, it's a red flag. Additionally, artists should never share personal details or agree to sketchy payment methods like checks or bank info.

Why should artists avoid doing free commissions?

Commissions are always paid work, and artists should never feel pressured to offer free services. Free commissions can devalue the artist's time and work, and are often used as a tactic by scammers.

What should an artist do if they feel overwhelmed by the volume of commissions they have?

If an artist feels overwhelmed, it's important to communicate with clients and set realistic expectations about delivery times. They should avoid ghosting clients and, if necessary, consider refunding clients and taking a break to avoid burnout.

How can artists avoid being tricked into doing work that goes against their values?

Artists can avoid this by being cautious about requests for unusual or inappropriate work. If someone asks for something that feels uncomfortable or unethical (like inappropriate themes or AI-generated work), the artist should decline the commission.

What are the advantages of offering a sticker club on platforms like Kofi?

Offering a sticker club on platforms like Kofi allows artists to create a subscription-based community where fans can receive exclusive content (like stickers) each month. This can help build a loyal fanbase and provide a steady source of income.