Commissions

[inkhana]

Just wondering what you guys thought about this. I have thought, when I open my manga site, that I would put a page on there where people could commission me if they wanted... (:sweat: is this optimism?...uh, don't answer that...). But anyway. If I do it, does anybody here know how to go about it? What would be good prices to charge for each type (raw pencil sketches, ink jobs, CGed, a cd w/high res copy, etc)? And how to collect the money? Has anyone actually tried this before? I'm sure I'm leaving something out but maybe someone with a brain that's working at the moment can tell me what it is...*headache* This is something that I would really, really appreciate some help on, as it's one of the things I can actually do pretty well and I thought I might have a chance at making a little money from it. Thanks!

[Saint]

Maybe you should just negotiate the price with the people. and Paypal might work for taking all sorts of payments or even... donations? oh my.

[Spiritsword]

Hey ink,

I can't help you with the logistics, as I've never sold anything online before. But I will encourage you to give it a shot! I almost asked about the commissions thing over in the art forum when looking at your work, because it (seriously) does look good enough to earn you some $ through commissioned artwork. And who knows, I might even take you up on the offer. I'd love to have more original anime artwork for my walls (you can only have so many posters ).

Spiritsword

[andyroo]

You can use PayPal for the transactions. And for people wanting to 'commission' you, maybe a form for people to fill out as to what they want done or maybe a link to your e-mail address. It would be good to ask them to be thorough with either option.

As for the price of your art, it depends on how much the artist's value of their artwork I guess; I think that's what I'm trying to say. You pay for what you get. The higher quality your artwork gets the more you are able to charge in most cases. Raw pencil sketches could sell for 25 cents or for up to maybe 10 dollars or a little over. Maybe an ink job would cost somewhere around the range of 12-35 dollars. CG art at 20 to maybe 60 dollar range. A high res copy... well I have seen cels go as high as 500 dollars, but that's usually because so few get sold anyways that a high price is needed to make a profit (usually for those who make a living off their art). Also balance your price out with the your time/resources and with the demand from customers (simply supply and demand).

I have never gone about with such a task so some of my analysis may be wrong especially with the estimated prices. The prices are what I've seen some people price their work for, but sometimes much cheaper than my given price ranges.

/edit# yeah, negotiating prices can work too; just don't let your customers get the best of ya.

[Ashley]

You could also consider auctioning them on Ebay. Also, talk to other artists; see what they commission. If you do a search in google or the OCAD, there are tons of online artists. If you find one you really like, just ask them what they charge. I'm sure they'll be happy to help you out too.

[inkhana]

OK, next question. I'm gonna need someone with a firm grip of copyright law to help me with this one, as internet searches have proved confusing + futile. It seems that since I create a work, even if it's based on another person's character (and they have given me authorization to create the image) I will retain copyrights on the image itself (but nothing that infringes on the right of the original creator). What I want to do is figure out what to say on my site so it's clear that I want to be able to display the images (most likely as sample works so other people can see what my commissioned work looks like), but I also want them to be able to do the same thing, legally. I also don't want to get into the business of selling the rights, since I don't know how to do this, but...eh, maybe I've explained my intentions well enough that someone can tell me what to do...

[andyroo]

You mean a disclaimer or a terms of use?

[inkhana]

I don't know. What would be the right thing to do? I mean, I want to just say that "hey, I wanna be able to put up the pics I drew" (though not to my profit from then on) and they should be able to display scans of their new acquisition as well. If I just come out and say so with a terms of use policy, can that be backed up legally, since it will be a binding agreement? And come to think of it, how can one actually prove that an agreement took place without sending forms and crap through the mail with signatures? Heh, the more I talk about this, the more questions I come up with. I just want to make sure it's all done within the bounds of the law lest I end up in court with charges of copyright infringement.

[andyroo]

Well, if you are putting lets say for example a pic of Epyon that you drew, but since that character is copyrighted you would want to put a disclaimer on your page saying maybe:
"These are drawings and are by no means official. I am in no way affiliated with [this company] (place the name within the brackets or a list of companies if you need to)."

There is more detail that can be put in, but I can't remember all of what you might be able to put in. If you got pemission from the author to use the character then you would say so.

Terms of Use is just the opposite. It is meant for the customer/visitor to your site as in they go by your rules unless some law interferes. There you will give them a set of rules for them to abide by. As I start thinking about this one, I see more of the copyright issue in your case. What you could do is to have an agreement to the terms of use before (or after) you get to the commissions page itself; have them type their name and e-mail (home? buisness?) address. You can design it similar to the way you would when installing a program; before you can install the software you have to agree to their Lisence Agreement.

Maybe you can get someone to write this stuff up for you. I may go look up some laws to better explain myself if no one comes up with something definate before then.

[Gypsy]

Actually, I've been talking to a lawyer about this sort of thing lately. There is a way, but there's a very specific disclaimer that you'd have to put up to cover your bum completely. I'll check back with him again, and let you know as soon as I can, k?

[Ashley]

Well, I know he's not here, but Archan's taken a whole class on the legalism of this sort of stuff. Perhaps you could talk to him about it? I'm sure he'd be able to explain it to you.

[inkhana]

Actually, I've been talking to a lawyer about this sort of thing lately. There is a way, but there's a very specific disclaimer that you'd have to put up to cover your bum completely. I'll check back with him again, and let you know as soon as I can, k?

Whew, thanks guys (esp Gypsy!).

[Galant]

I'm actually looking into finding a decent anime artist to do some commissioned work for me. Being a Christian and the work having a spiritual side to it, I was looking for a Christian artist and thought this might be a good place to find one. So Inkhana, or anyone else, were any conclusions reached on this one?

[EireWolf]

There is an excellent "tutorial" on Elfwood about how to fairly price your art. Too many artists shortchange themselves, and don't figure in the hours of time spent, etc. Here it is! I highly recommend all artists who are thinking about selling -- read this, and bookmark it! It's very helpful.

Please let me know about the copyright stuff as well. It is difficult to find (and interpret) specific laws on this.

[Ashley]

I'm actually looking into finding a decent anime artist to do some commissioned work for me. Being a Christian and the work having a spiritual side to it, I was looking for a Christian artist and thought this might be a good place to find one. So Inkhana, or anyone else, were any conclusions reached on this one?

This, my friends, is a good example of grave-digging with purpose and searching for threads first. You get a cookie for the week, Galant!

[Zedian]

I think your prices should be based around the quality of work you deliver to the customers, like it was said before, the higher resolution the image, the more you can sell it for. But don't overdo it on prices...remember your just a 'local' distributor starting off so setting low enough prices for your potential 'audience' is ideal.

As for legal issues, I know you can use licensed characters and such, if you ask proper permission from the licensee who owns the copyright. I don't know though if a certain percentage would have to go to them, though I doubt it since in your case your just independently distributing these pictures and your not some big art supplier/corporation.

Lastly, the paying system, yeah go with Paypal since you can except all types of payment methods, you'll keep track of every transaction and its' the safest avenue for both parties (Seller and buyer).

Good luck with you're stuff and if you find any our responses the least bith helpful, you owe us a free sample. : )

[Galant]

This, my friends, is a good example of grave-digging with purpose and searching for threads first. You get a cookie for the week, Galant!

Thank you milady Ashley.

My pleasure.