SA . RBL M1A2Tanker's Profile

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RBL M1A2TankerArtist: Jedi Master

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* Current Age: 27
* Current Residence: Cardboard box down the street...it's the deluxe model, comes with internet
* Interests: Tanks, rifles, swords, martial arts, pistols, games, sex, women, drawing, writing, reading, etc; etc
* Favourite movie: I have to pick just ONE?!?!?
* Favourite genre of music: all but Hip Hop, R&B and some Rap
* Favourite style or digital art: Anime and 3D respectively
* Operating System: Windows XP
* MP3 player of choice: RealOne Player
* Wallpaper of choice: That which covers walls.
* Skin of choice: That which covers the body.
* Favourite game: XvT, XWA (ask), DOOM3, Red Alert series, Warcraft 3, Combat Missions series, Jedi Knight series
* Favourite gaming platform: PC
* Favourite cartoon character: Bugs Bunny
* Personal Quote: "The Past Influences the Present, which can Change the Future."
* Tools of the Trade: Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8, Ulead PhotoImpact 8, Advantix film camera, HP Photosmart 735 digital camera

Journal

The Slowness of Outstanding Commissions posted Jul 9th 2007, 8:09AM

Mood: Annoyed

Ok, first off, I will say that I'm not going to name names. This is going to be a ranting journal on what one should NOT do if you're going to take commissions. And yes, it is based on personal experience (those of you that have outstanding, and by that I mean well over a month, commissions with me...you know exactly what...or rather who I'm talking about. :p ).

Alright, so with that out of the way, I personally find it highly annoying that, when I have paid for a commission to have some art created, that there is absolutely no progress being shown on said commission.

I understand that life sometimes gets us bogged down. Or that you have a long commission list. That doesn't bother me really. All I ask, is that for the amount of money that I paid out, that I get told "Look, I'm sorry, I've just been really busy, but I do have something to show for your wait, here's a preview..." or "Been kinda busy, but don't worry, I still have you here and I'm going to get to it."

Show me that you're doing something, or at least acknowledging my presence. If I'm paying $35-$100, I have every right to know what the deal is. A commission is, in essence, a contract between a provider, and a client. I, being the client, have to be responsible enough not to hover over the provider and get on their case every single day. The provider has the responsibility to show that they're doing something, especially if they have been paid in advance.

If you get paid in advance, and you don't do anything...that makes you look really bad. Especially if you're lining up more commissions to make money...and going to cons...and creating other images that aren't even on your commission list....

It makes you look like you just swindled your client out of their money. Basically thumbing your nose at them and going, "HAH! GOTCHA SUCKER!"

Now usually I go a week of no updating by the artist in question before I send a polite note asking what's up. Especially if it's a long commission list (as in I know there are others before me). If I'm not that far from being worked on, then I'll probably speak up a little sooner, but nothing more than asking what's the prognosis.

If you have people that you owe art to...and by owe I mean as in they paid and you literally OWE them either their art, or their money back...on your list for more than a few months...or up to nearly two years...then you're screwing up big time. You're being disrespectful, and unprofessional, and it's going to hurt your reputation as an artist because you can't finish the jobs that you've taken on.

I personally have 3 artists that have outstanding (as in more than a month) commissions with me. One is well over a year old. That is ridiculous. Now I've commissioned three others recently (and you guys are cool so no worries, this rant isn't aimed at you...for now :p) so obviously I don't think that all artists are pilfering thieves. Hell, I don't think those who are behind are thieves either. They're just being negligent in telling me what's going on.

I'm a patient man, and I think on average, many commissioners are patient too, so long as they know what's going on. Sure, there's those few that are insistent bastards....you can kill those clients at your leisure. :p

So to sum this up quickly, if you're an artist that takes commissions...don't keep your clients waiting, and don't do other things when you're obligated by contract to do something else without at least telling your client what the potential or actual delay will be. Your clients are understanding people and are willing to wait for good work. That's why they're your client in the first place!

If you're a client of an artist...don't be stupid and harp on them over and over to get your work made. You have every right to either ask for an update...or ask for your money back if too much time has passed, but you do not have the right to get on their case 24/7.

Both sides need to be professional in their dealings with each other. If they're professional, honest, and respectful...the whole process goes so much more smoothly.

Off the soapbox with me now.

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