YCH Pricing Advice?

LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever 2017-09-28 22:44:41 UTC #1

EDIT Here's a finished example from an old YCH that never sold: https://sta.sh/01jffdip4c34 I had this one priced at $15 without shading and $20 with shading

I know we can't advertise commissions, but I'm hoping this doesn't fall under that category (my apologies if it does) since I'm not trying to sell directly to anyone, I just need advice on pricing

But anyway, I plan on doing a canine YCH and I don't really know how much I should charge for an inked and colored, no shading, image (think reference sheet) with my skill level, so any help is appreciated! Here's a link to the sketch and information I'm looking for: http://hitaka5ever.tumblr.com/post/165842071312/

If there's a better place to ask for this kind of thing (another forum or something) please point me in the right direction!

PS: I know most people charge by the hour, but I'm not confident enough in my skills to charge that way (one day maybe) so just a flat rate estimate is what I'm looking for!
PPS: Please no "you shouldn't bother charging at all" comments. One, its rude and two, I will sell whatever I want, so please don't bother commenting at all if you're not going to be helpful. Thank you

joannekwan 2017-09-28 22:59:49 UTC #2

I'd say at least $20 if it'll look like the Tap page you linked! Your art's pretty nice!

I must ask though why the style difference? Is it just supposed to be a blank template, one-size fits all, stand-in figure? Because if so I think you can get away with a loose un-detailed sketch for the YCH figure that's closer to your usual style, rather than this cut-out type thing.

LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever 2017-09-28 23:12:18 UTC #3

Thanks for your full input!

My friend did the original sketch for the ref sheet, I just inked and colored them, hence the style difference (the lineart and coloring with my skill level is what mattered for the pricing) As for the YCH itself, I'm not very good at more loose sketching and didn't include the guidelines since the drawing I sketched over was an old drawing from years back (I just made adjustments as I went; it took a while to finish) That's something I will definitely consider for any future YCHs : )

joannekwan 2017-09-28 23:27:06 UTC #4

Ah gotcha! If you have links to art that's all your own from sketch to finished product, it'd be a good idea to link those to the post so any potential clients can see.

LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever 2017-09-29 00:57:10 UTC #5

That's a good idea, thanks! (I seriously didn't think of that XD)

kip 2017-09-29 07:37:12 UTC #6

Hey! I actually can’t seem to find in the links and finished products if yours put aside the headshot?
But yeah I’m going to be a bitch of an ass and say you should lower it down to 5$ and offer the full thing only.
Why? Basically:
- It’s a YCH so the base is reusable
- this is an assumption, but from your style and the diversity in it you probably just started out, which is just fine, but you need to create a watcherbase first
- Post it over on Deviantart, they have a bigger fan base for feral characters there! However, the base price of the site is relatively low

also, if you haven’t already, and you’re over 18, post it over on Furaffinity, it’s a site really hot on commissions and ychs.

Post a ton and you can start raising your prices once you have a steady stream of buyers and watchers.

LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever 2017-09-29 08:08:40 UTC #7

That's odd with the links, I don't know what to tell you on that one XD I've been doing commissions with a friend for a few years now on both sites so I'm aware of that stuff, but thank you. I appreciate the feedback : )