This is a guide to give you an idea what it’s like to work with me on a commission! I am best suited for visual storytelling for entertainment, namely for games, animation, novels and comics, with my key disciplines being illustration, concept art, storyboarding and comic art. See my portfolio for examples!
I produce art for commercial purposes, but am open to personal ones. This guide is an approximation only, and isn’t applicable for hired work or long-term contracts (3 months or more) where I will adjust to your existing studio or production’s processes and legalities.
I know that commissioning any artist can feel like a maze; you don’t quite know where the end result will end up, or if the one guiding you knows how to navigate! You’re putting a big investment in for something both marvelous and functional, so you have every right to be worried if the artist is trustworthy.
Therefore, I am committed to:
To see more of my experience, check out my resume!
First, when you get in touch with me, I request for details about the nature of what you would like to commission, so that I can give you a cost-effective quote and timeline. Here is a list of the information I need, which you’re welcome to reference while writing me:
These details aren’t set in stone; there’s wiggle room for adjustment during the commissioning process, as described in part 4 - Work Creation below.
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to decline providing my services.
Once I have a confident idea of what you’re looking for, I will quote you a fee.
My prices vary according to the complexity, available timeline and purpose of the commission, which include room for feedback and ensuring the result you receive achieves its end goal. That said, I’m flexible to adjust to your budget if it’s feasible to still achieve same, or similar, results.
Depending on the cost, I may request an upfront payment, but half deposit, half-at-completion suits also. Or, if it’s a longer set of commissions, we can use a ‘payment plan’ or bi-weekly payment schedule.
I give refunds for fees already sent only in these events:
If I complete production, and you haven’t given me any indication during the process that there are issues and aren’t satisfied with the result, I won’t give a refund and will expect full payment.
If you are satisfied with all the details we discussed, I will draft up a contract. It will include: the contents of the commission, the cost, the method of payment, the copyrights and permissions (for both of us), and regional legal laws. In the event that we need to alter the document during production, making an adjustment and re-signing once we both agree is always possible.
For an example of what that might look like, please see the example below (for reference only).
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and none of the information provided here, or in private, constitutes as legal advice.
After we both sign and date the document, I send you an email invoice, which includes details how to pay me and a copy of the final contract. Payment happens in a few different ways, depending which country you’re in.
Depending on our payment structure, you’ll receive additional invoices during, or at the end, of the commission.
I get into the nitty-gritty of art production! As part of the contract, I provide a set number of check-ins, through Email, where I touch-base with you and ask for feedback and decision-making.
The number of check-ins depends on the size and type of the commission. If we go over the agreed number of check-ins, perhaps because of added complexity or change of direction, additional fees apply.
Here is a common work-flow:
Be open and honest about any issues (the direction, mood, visual content, refinements), as well as the things you like the most so far when you get an update! That way I can apply thorough revisions each time.
Congratulations, we’ve reached the end point! Once you’re satisfied with the final result, I send through any remaining invoices, and after payment is confirmed, you receive the files. I use a service like WeTransfer or Google Drive to send you the files, and request you download them within a week.
Now you can use the work in whatever way we agreed in the contract! I always love to hear what feedback and reactions you receive for commissioning me and where it’s all going. And I’m always keen to know how the commissioning process felt for you as well.