Opening Commission Threads

Hi Everyone

I thought I'll post this Commission Threads guidelines in the forum here, (instead of PMing it to everyone ) hope it'll help people a bit

On these forums we do Guild Wars related art, for in-game currency.

♦ The way it usually goes is the artist opens a commission thread in the Nolani Academy section of the forums. In the first post, the artist should first introduce himself, things like how long they've been doing art, what style, what programs/tools they work with, etc.

♦ Then they link pictures of their earlier works as examples, so potential commissioners can see what quality they can expect when they order from you.
These can be external links, or embedded pictures.
Please keep in mind, that some people's computer/internet might be slower, so if you want to include lots of pictures, please consider using the [ spoil] [ /spoil] (without the spaces) brackets to hide the .jpg's.

♦ After that, the artist usually post a list of requirements for the potential customer to fill out, this list depends on what the artist needs to complete the picture. Such lists include character screenshots (if you are not taking your own in-game), character name, age, eye color, weapons of choice, armor of choice, character pose, and character's background story.

♦ The artist then lays out the price list, which needs to be competitive, but also worthy of their art. A completely basic sketch might go for 5k, if the artist spends 10 minutes on it.
A full body, full color, background included picture can cost anywhere from 50k to ~160k or even more, depending on the quality of the art and how much time the artist spent on it. Only the artist can figure this out. Take a look at some other art commission threads, and try and fit your price in there.

♦ Some artists do a couple of character arts for free, if they feel like showing off their work Guild Wars style.

♦♦ The process of commissions go something like this:

♦ After receiving all necessary info and screenshots, the artist will make a sketch. He will then show the sketch (scaled down version from the original, usually) in a private message to the customer, to make sure they're satisfied with the pose and such.
If they are, the artist continues to work on the pic, usually sending one more private message with a link to the developing picture after they color blocked it. At this point, the customer can still say "no thanks" (the artists usually states this in their topic, that the color blocking is the point of no return).

♦ Then the artist completes the picture, and notifies the customer in a private message, plus sends him a scaled down and watermarked version of the final image, and arranges an in-game meet.

♦ Once in-game, the customer will pay the agreed price, and the artist will send the link to the full size, clean picture.
If you offer your art in physical form, you can agree with the customer on what they'd like and how. Personally, I haven't seen any of the digital arts being sent in physical form (CD, DVD, etc) to anyone, nor do customers ask for it. It's entirely your call whether you offer to send it or not.

♦ When you send over your artwork to the client, you can upload the full resolution one to tinypic, or even your DA (if you have one). Make sure that they're the first ones getting it. Don't put the finished work up on your DA 2 weeks before you give it to your buyer.

♦ Some artists like to post work in progress pictures in their thread, showing how they go step-by-step. Most artists on GWGuru do it this way, sometimes to make sure the buyer likes the direction the picture is going.
Signing your work is no problem. You can do whatever you like, it's a picture you create, after all.

♦ If you get several commission requests in a row, it's entirely up to you who's request you will take first, but do state in your thread who's art you're going to do.

♦ Your Commission thread may need to be approved by a moderator before it shows up in the forum. Please be patient, if you don't see your thread right away. Thanks

♦ One of the most important things to keep in mind is to be friendly to others. Remember, it's you who does the service, and it's you who needs the customers. Take constructive criticism for exactly what it is, not an attack on you or your art.

I hope this is helpful, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Cheers,

Minami


♦ If you want to create Guild Wars art for real life money, please keep in mind that it is most likely illegal to do. In Nolani Academy, we don't do real money art trades.

Nice guide.

DO like :333 I wanna remake a thread to abuse the awesomeness of the open/closed option :C

Important rule :

DONT BE A irresponsiblesortofbutreallyisjustlazyartistMARSHMALLOW D:!

Very nice guide, should be useful for any new artists looking to open up a commission thread.

Nice write up Minami. I would like to add though, something I might have read over, which speaks quite for itself, but still: This is not the only good way, its a guide. I think for example Blaz had a great auction going, doing one picture at the time for the highest bidder. But again, this speaks for itself

And perhabs you could add a second part aswell?..
''How to be a polite artcollector''.
Might be useful for some of the people what don't understand how artists pick their commissions and feel insulted (oh I still smell that flame of a year ago )


You are a great Nolani Helper Minami <3

This would be worthy of a sticky, or so I think. Very good tip and guide.

And to you new to commission treads; When you've made a few commissions you will notice what you need to edit to make the commissioning suit your style and/or how to make your commissioning as smooth for you and your buyers as possible. The original entry can be edited along the way, so no fear.

Really nice guide Minami and I hope it encourages more people to start up commission threads...

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