Commissioning Character Art

[tragedyjones]

Has anyone ever done this? How much does it actually cost, all told? I would love to get some of my favorite character's done, for a reasonable amount. Sort of like the splat pictures in the average OP book.

[Roz]

I have! I caught Vylla when she was doing a big commission to raise money for some hospital bills, so it was discounted from her usual rate. I paid $40, where I probably would have been paying $70-$90 otherwise. Art commissions can vary a whole hell of a lot as far as price goes, really. My best suggestion would be to browse around Tumblr and so a search for "commissions" or something else and start finding some artists whose style you like. I mean, I've commissioned art from literal high schoolers, because there are great artists around even that young taking commissions.

It's a whole lot of fun getting to see art of your characters, I'll tell you that!

[Coin]

I just don't have--and never have had--the kind of money that sort of thing requires. My country's currency rate re: the dollar kills me in that regard really hardcore.

[thebird]

I think it depends on the artist, too. I do commissions in general, and Roz is right - $70 - $90 seems to be about the norm.

I know there are a lot of folks on DeviantArt that do commissions if you can wade through all of that. Might want to check out Instagram, too. A lot of artists post their stuff up there

[Roz]

I remember talk going around about making a sort of artist commission Tumblr that would gather different artists offering commissions, but I don't know if it ever got off the ground. But using the search or tag search will probably bring up stuff, especially if you sort it chronologically.

I've probably done commissions for as low as around $20, usually more sketchy works and/or from younger artists, but more established folks are going to probably be charging around what I mentioned. (And also it's kind of sad for artists who are way undercharging for work that comes out to like -- below minimum wage when you break it down by hour. And also makes it harder in general for artists to charge fair prices for their work.)

[thebird]

That'd be pretty awesome, the Tumblr thing. I'll have to check that out, too!
Pricing is always hard. How do you put a price on art, anyway? Always a tough call if you're trying to make a living off of it.
There are a ton of folks on Etsy who do commissions too. Really anywhere there's art posted... I know that's likely less than helpful >>
@tragedyjones ! If you get something done, you should totally share love seeing people's characters come to life.

[tragedyjones]

I feel too old to actually learn how to tumblr or instagram, ugh. Whatever happened to Elfwood heh.

[thebird]

@tragedyjones Ha! I remember Elfwood... I got my start there when I was 15 >>
Ah, nostalgia...

[tragedyjones]

I am not an artist but I used to check Elfwood out for kickass shadow run art circa 1999-2000

[Glitch]

Oh man, Elfwood. That brings back some memories.

Aaaaaand now I feel old on a random Thursday.

ETA: Just checked my deviantArt profile. March 18, 2004.

[thebird]

Now I feel kinda old too... Jeez guys << haha.

[Coin]

JFC, Elfwood...

[Scissors]

In the days of yore I used to draw my own characters (and some for my friends), but I haven't drawn in forever and never got into commissions. I recently got myself a tablet (artist tablet, that is) as a present, although I haven't taken it out of the box yet, this might get me to pick up a pencil (or stylus) again.

So $70-$90 is average, huh? Hmmm....

@tragedyjones What are these "splat pictures in the average OP book"? Are there any samples somewhere?

[tragedyjones]

@Scissors said:

In the days of yore I used to draw my own characters (and some for my friends), but I haven't drawn in forever and never got into commissions. I recently got myself a tablet (artist tablet, that is) as a present, although I haven't taken it out of the box yet, this might get me to pick up a pencil (or stylus) again.

So $70-$90 is average, huh? Hmmm....

@tragedyjones What are these "splat pictures in the average OP book"? Are there any samples somewhere?

Open up VtM 2nd Edition (or first) to the clan sections.

[Insomnia]

Have you looked at Fiverr.com? So many things people do. I mean not to take money from artists but $70-$90? I'm cheap!

[Scissors]

@tragedyjones said:

Open up VtM 2nd Edition (or first) to the clan sections.

The heavily-stylized B&W pictures? Those are very doable, I think.

Not that I know anything about the art commission pricing, but I imagine $70-$90 isn't that bad for a fully-colored piece, because OMG coloring takes forever. B&W sketches like the VtM ones should be considerably less.

[tragedyjones]

@Scissors said:

@tragedyjones said:

Open up VtM 2nd Edition (or first) to the clan sections.

The heavily-stylized B&W pictures? Those are very doable, I think.

Not that I know anything about the art commission pricing, but I imagine $70-$90 isn't that bad for a fully-colored piece, because OMG coloring takes forever. B&W sketches like the VtM ones should be considerably less.

Well the ones in 2E are in color, heh.

[thebird]

@Insomnia
I was curious about Fiverr.com so I took a look and... Good grief, $5 for a portrait? That doesn't even cover a fraction of the cost of supplies o__o

I've always found that, for me, coloring is a lot easier than black and white because I don't focus on the details as much. But maybe that's me. I only do traditional art, though. Could never really get behind the digital stuff, even though I have a tablet that's currently collecting dust.

@tragedyjones - Always did love a lot of the drawings in the books. I've noticed a good quality pencil sketch is usually somewhere in the $25- $40 ballpark. Again, I really only pay attention to the traditional stuff, though. No idea if it's a digital thing that could be done, if that's preferred (most likely can - technology, man). Probably something else to consider - Digital or Traditional?

[Insomnia]

It's pretty great. But you can have a LOT done. And also most people accept tips as well with higher prices. So while the initial cost is $5 most people are willing to "tip" as well. And it's recording and writing and well, just lots of things, not just pictures. Like if you can photoshop at all and need to make a quick buck. And then some of the really good people do manage to make a living off of it. Of course like anything you need to build a reputation.

[Scissors]

@tragedyjones said:

Well the ones in 2E are in color, heh.

Oh. I don't have 2E so I don't know which pictures you are referring to then.