How was your first commission experience?

[euphisa]

If you have been commissioned or if you have commissioned someone, can you tell me what was your first experience?

Someone recently reached out to me to commission me. I was elated but weary. They told me they love my art, and that I can do it, which was encouraging, but I am still having thoughts about what if my work doesn't meet their expectation? What if I appear unprofessional?

Your commission experience doesn't have to be just art, it can be music, writing etc. Do tell me how did your first experience go

[joannekwan]

I honestly don't remember, which can be taken as a good thing! Nothing awful happened to leave a bad memory. So it was really just business? I did what they asked, they seemed to be happy with it, doneso!

I suppose the #1 thing to stick to is clear communication. I let the client tell me what they want, I ask any questions if things need clarifying, and then I work on a sketch. To be safe, I like showing the client a sketch first before proceeding with inks and colors, just so we're on the same page. And they can request minor changes at the sketch stage, so it's better than having to undo a lot of coloring and inking work.

As for asking for a commission, I provide references first and foremost, give a general description of what I want, and then let the artist go. Usually with a commission, I give more leeway to the artist since I really like their work and the pieces are just for my own private collection--I'm not using them for any specific purpose that might require more exact instruction.

[sorible]

My first few commissions were from people that I knew, and were mostly for practice. The very first one I did was embarrassingly bad, and I redid it again even though they liked it.

Communication is definitely very important. Everyone I've worked with is so nice and understanding, but what really helps is asking for very detailed descriptions/references so I know exactly what they want. I'll also try to update every once in a while, sending some sketches and color swatches to make sure everything is good. Every new commission is a good learning experience .

[euphisa]

So my client was me to follow a given reference as close as possible, it is a background, should I trace the reference and colour in my style?

Edit: ill just ask my client

[angie_draws_things]

I suppose my first commissions were in high school a long, long time ago. My family would not let me get a job, so I sold artwork to classmates and the occasional teacher.

I remember one in particular, where we were drawing Valentines Day cards for charity donations, when I drew a G1 My Little Pony (hey, I did say it was a long time ago X-D) in Christmas colors around a candy cane. I liked it enough to trace a copy for myself because it was way back before camera phones, so it was the only way I could remember what I did.

...and by describing that, I think I grew another gray hair. X-D

[rajillustration]

my first experience was that I picked up a job from a college job board where I drew crafts made out of socks for someone's book they were making as part of an MBA. So like...not your normal commision, but hey I can draw a sock.

[SpavVy]

Right now I'm currently finishing a commission load, like two more. The pay is nice, but I recently messed up my hand and it still hurts. Everyone I work with is super nice though.

[Zin_Trollborn]

First time doing one, I was putting some useless pressure on myself and ended working on it way more than I should have. Like thinking about all the small details and never being happy about it while it was only a cheap and quick sketch commission.
Commissioner was really nice and happy about it tho.

It's better to expose clearly your boundaries, what you can/can't draw, if it's ok for you (or them) to expose your work somewhere online, etc.
Good communication is needed, it's ok to turn down a commission order as well (don't force yourself to do it if you don't feel it). It's nice to show your commissionner sketches and how the drawing is going.
People are mostly nice and chill about it, if they ask you, it's because they like your art ^^

Except that one time when a client uploaded the HQ version of my drawing on a 18+ website and claimed it as his own art
The guy got spotted by various other artists he did the same with. It happened he had a lot of bad habits with artists and a lot of issues with himself.

[euphisa]

Oh no, I hope your hand heal soon, cant imagine being pressured by deadlines, with the expectation of quality, all while having an injured hand

[euphisa]

Aight I sent the sketch, and my client said it was perfect. I'm so happy he loved it. He loved it so much that he gave me the full payment even tho i only needed 50% of it at that stage. Im glad I got a very nice client

[AwesomeSoFar]

I commissioned a Pepsiman drawing as a shitpost and it came out glorious

I then proceeded to photoshop that very Pepsiman pouring Pepsi into the artist's mouth as he's crying

y'know, as one does

[AbelDraws]

My first commission would be one I got from a mutual on tumblr, which got me squealing a lot hahaha
It was a nice experience, it was their first time commissioning someone too so we were both excited for it. I did my best and they liked it <3

I believe I've never had any awful commission experience honestly. Often people are real real sweet and excited to get some art done for them. I've only had one customer who I'd consider annoying because he asked for too many changes and such but it wasn't that bad.

In regards of commissioning someone... I believe my first time was a commission in the artist alley I ordered from an artist with a very very cute style. Was very happy with the result too <3

[euphisa]

must have been an awesome experience

[GumshoeComix]

my first commission was back in 2012 i think
I was to draw someone's OC in a chibi style and I severely underpriced my art because it was way more exhausting than the price called for.

for reference, I don't do commissions anymore, not because of that, but because for some reason I seem to attract fetishy people and I'm just too tired for that