art is ready for paid commission?

[khnachi]

How would you know when your art is ready for paid commission(s)?
been meaning to do commissions for a while but kept thinking my art is not good enough for people to be interested or even pay for it.
so, yeah..how "exactly" would one know?

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sorry for my bad grammar

[Biomass]

It's ready when someone pays for it. This is a bit of a cop-out reply, but that is basically how it is. Let's break it down further.
There are actually multiple tiers to this. Just cause "someone" pays for it doesn't mean everyone will. In my opinion, here's how it roughly breaks down, in order of least to greatest proficiency:

Pity Tier = Your grandma gave you a dollar cause you tried really hard on that picture.

Promise Tier = I recogize that you have potential, but you still suck. I'll give you a dollar, but not out of pity.

Better Than Me Tier = I recognize that you're more skilled than I am. I'll buy this piece off you because I like it and can't make it myself for $10, but I know of better artists.

You Must Do This Alot Tier = Your work looks like you went to art school and you know a thing or two about art. In a few years you might be a pro. Your friend would probably ask you to draw a logo or design a sign for their store.

Professional Tier = You've been doing this for decades. You can seek employment with ease because your portfolio looks awesome.

Master Tier = I will sing your praise whenever someone brings up your name. Small children write you down as someone they admire. Your death will cause any owners of your work to be millionaires.


Of course this isn't really the answer you're looking for. Once you're better than a certain level, it's hard to tell if someone will pay for your work. It's far easier to tell if someone will NOT.

[khnachi]

It's ready when someone pays for it. This is a bit of a cop-out reply, but that is basically how it is. Let's break it down further.
There are actually multiple tiers to this. Just cause "someone" pays for it doesn't mean everyone will. In my opinion, here's how it roughly breaks down, in order of least to greatest proficiency:

Pity Tier = Your grandma gave you a dollar cause you tried really hard on that picture.

Promise Tier = I recogize that you have potential, but you still suck. I'll give you a dollar, but not out of pity.

Better Than Me Tier = I recognize that you're more skilled than I am. I'll buy this piece off you because I like it and can't make it myself for $10, but I know of better artists.

You Must Do This Alot Tier = Your work looks like you went to art school and you know a thing or two about art. In a few years you might be a pro. Your friend would probably ask you to draw a logo or design a sign for their store.

Professional Tier = You've been doing this for decades. You can seek employment with ease because your portfolio looks awesome.

Master Tier = I will sing your praise whenever someone brings up your name. Small children write you down as someone they admire. Your death will cause any owners of your work to be millionaires.


Of course this isn't really the answer you're looking for. Once you're better than a certain level, it's hard to tell if someone will pay for your work. It's far easier to tell if someone will NOT.

This is really helpful actually, thank you so much for the reply.
Descriptions are a bit comical but hey,it actually make sense.LOL
Thanks again for the help.

[SundownKid]

In my unbiased opinion, I think your art is somewhere around the "better-than-me" tier. It's not bad at all, but not quite professional quality yet. You could probably sell some commissions, but nothing really major without some more artistic polish.

[khnachi]

In my unbiased opinion, I think your art is somewhere around the "better-than-me" tier. It's not bad at all, but not quite professional quality yet. You could probably sell some commissions, but nothing really major without some more artistic polish.

Thank you for taking time to look at my art.
And thanks for the reply...its highly appreciated.

[Greeny]

Let me put this to you from the perspective of someone who pays for arts:

I'd say you can start doing comissions when you've got the basic tier in hand of all the required sub-skills of producing art assets:
- Lineart (a basic understanding of anatomy)
- Coloring
- Highlights and Shading (very important!)
- Digitalization (basically when you can produce something with a transparent background)

For example, in your case you seem to qualify.
But you absolutely need to have a basic skill in all four elements before I'd consider paying someone.

So you start comissioning for a small amount, and as your skill grows you can gradually ask for more money.
You probably won't get commissioned for any large works to begin with; people who do grand projects usually invest in higher-tier artists.

[khnachi]

Let me put this to you from the perspective of someone who pays for arts:

I'd say you can start doing comissions when you've got the basic tier in hand of all the required sub-skills of producing art assets:
- Lineart (a basic understanding of anatomy)
- Coloring
- Highlights and Shading (very important!)
- Digitalization (basically when you can produce something with a transparent background)

For example, in your case you seem to qualify.
But you absolutely need to have a basic skill in all four elements before I'd consider paying someone.

So you start comissioning for a small amount, and as your skill grows you can gradually ask for more money.
You probably won't get commissioned for any large works to begin with; people who do grand projects usually invest in higher-tier artists.

Well I think I got some of those basic tiers I guess....
ok then, maybe taking things little at a time will make things a lot easier for me(starting off with nailing down those basic tier that is).
Thanks for the tips.

[Zylinder]

I'd say just go for it, whatever you feel about your art. What's the worse that can happen? It costs absolutely nothing to make a thread/journal entry and all to gain by it.

But to answer the thread question, I think your art is fine. I can draw my own stuff of course, so I'm not exactly potential customer material, but if I can't, I might consider you. It really just depends on pricing.

And PR, of course. I've seen really skilled artists passed over for their lesser counterparts due to lack of exposure/fame/fandom followings etc., so honestly? Just go for it. No one can really predict the aye/nay of it C:

[Hellboy]

As far as you are aware of your capabilities, just go for it anytime.
With “aware of your capabilities”, I mean, if you have a clear idea of how long does it takes you to produce something, or if you are able to do it at all, so you can deal with the client and his needs without unpleasant surprises for both of you.
Promote your art, and people interested will contact you. Talk in detail what they will need and if you can do it, just do it!

Take a look at how other people handle this regarding price, time and work involved just for reference.

I think your art is good enough to be promoted. You still have stuff to improve, but I’m sure it will do fine.
Good luck!