Sorry I forgot to repost this haha. I've had a few people asking me where to find it so here it is.
This document is of course subject to change. I'll be making minor tweaks etc as I go but please rest assured that if you're buying something from me and it affects you in any way I'll let you know before I start working so you can decide whether you still want to spend money with me. Mostly edits will be stuff like adding things to my FAQ and the like.
If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments.
I know you have to make a living and all, but this is the second year in a row you've raised it by five dollars an hour. If it happens again, I can definitely say you're probably going to price me out of being able to commission you. Is this going to be a yearly thing, or what?
I know you have to make a living and all, but this is the second year in a row you've raised it by f
I know it probably seems like "omg they just want more monye, that bullshit". Sadly though we have to base the prices of our art on a few things: Time- this is a precious commodity you only have so much of, when you get art from an artist you're not just getting an image and the skill it took to make it, more than anything you're paying for the time it took. Most of my works range 12-18 hours, and thus my full images cost 40-60 depending on what all it entails.
Skill: I get better every year, every artist does, so the price goes up because each image takes longer each time, eventually every artist finds their stride and they "cap" or break even with how long they take to make their best work, even if they get better because they have their techniques down pat.
Demand - as one get's better, they are discovered by more people, and more people want their work , sometimes no matter how "high" their prices are. If you were followed by 6,000 people and your prices were 20-30 bucks for you're best work and you're a popular artist you would NEVER have ANY time to work on anything but commissions, as it's hard to say no to money in these times. SO many artist, as they become more popular, will raise their prices a bit to help cut down on the overwhelming rush of people on a constant basis.
I hope this explains some things and makes sense, I don't know what the artist will say, but if they are like most, they will not know for sure. Raising prices isn't something most of us enjoy, but becomes necessity after a time.
I know it probably seems like "omg they just want more monye, that bullshit". Sadly though we have t
It might discourage eating up a five - eight hour slot at least. Which has always been what seems to be a majority of Aoi's customer base. In the end it might offer more mini slots as people reduce hours to fit a budget.
Price raises are a bummer for the consumer, but I don't know Aoi's situation. As long as people are willing to pay more he is certainly within his right to charge more. That is the glory of Capitalism.
It might discourage eating up a five - eight hour slot at least. Which has always been what seems to
supply and demand are the main driving factors for my pricing. I need to relieve the pressure of demand and I can't increase the supply, so I have to increase the price.
supply and demand are the main driving factors for my pricing. I need to relieve the pressure of dem
Honestly? It couldn't have even been that long, Steel. He posted around 2 AM my time. I missed it, even though I was up until five sick and unable to sleep. By the time I noticed it the next morning and requested a slot, he was full by the time he got to my PM. And that was around two PM. No complaints, I'm just saying I don't think it was long at all. So it was either because of his reduced hours this month, or Aoi has spawned the new version of Black Friday. Black... Umm... Someone help me come up with something funny! But yeah. It's like Black Friday, except people aren't getting hurt.
Honestly? It couldn't have even been that long, Steel. He posted around 2 AM my time. I missed it, e
I can't say for sure. It's a supply and demand thing mostly. I'm only going to charge what the community can support - if I can't get enough commissions on 35 to make the same amount as I was at 30 I'll lower it again, if I'm consistently getting 40 hours a week with plenty of people complaining that they can't get slots at the end of the year I'll consider raising it, but I definitely won't be giving myself a raise more than once a year xD
I can't say for sure. It's a supply and demand thing mostly. I'm only going to charge what the commu
Like I said, Aoi. I will continue coming to you as long as I can. I will also continue to make referrals to you for my friends as well. I just hope you understand why this could be worrisome.
Like I said, Aoi. I will continue coming to you as long as I can. I will also continue to make refer
I do understand and I'm really sorry to hear that it will negatively impact you so much. One thing you might consider though is that you didn't get ANY slots this month because demand was so high, but if I decrease the demand by raising prices and you still want one, it will be much easier to get and you'll actually wind up on top. I know it sucks to have prices go up on something you buy a lot, it feels like throwing that extra money away because before you got it for this much but now you're getting the same thing but for more money.
I think of it in two ways, first as a pressure release valve on the demand that's built up for something with a limited supply - the only other way to do it would be to work more hours a week and I'm already on the brink of burnout at 40. And second, HOPEFULLY I've been improving as an artist and my increased skill warrants slightly better pay. :)
I do understand and I'm really sorry to hear that it will negatively impact you so much. One thing y
Well, let me put it this way, Aoi. You're stuck with me until I can't do it any more or you kick me to the curb. I'll continue on as money allows. With any luck, that capacity will go up. But lately I'm a little... worried.
Well, let me put it this way, Aoi. You're stuck with me until I can't do it any more or you kick me
Money worries are always unpleasant. I spent the vast majority of my life living on food stamps and in shelters and whatnot so it's kinda weird to finally be doing well enough to actually live in relative comfort. My art is a business so of course I want to grow it and make more money as time goes on, I'd assume that anybody hopes to continue to grow and improve and earn more as they work a job. Of course, maintaining a fanbase is still important to me though, and I've been setting up options for people in lower price ranges like sketch streams and raffles and whatnot
Money worries are always unpleasant. I spent the vast majority of my life living on food stamps and
You have no idea how much I envy you. The things I'm both good at and truly enjoy are the things that won't make me money. You hit the jackpot... You enjoy it, you're good at it, and it affords you a decent standard of living.
You have no idea how much I envy you. The things I'm both good at and truly enjoy are the things tha
An extremely rare thing to be able to say about artists. I believe the standard cliché is that most of us are starving, but I think that's because so many artists just want to create what they want to create and are loathe to actually LOOK for ways to apply their skills in ways that make money. And even if they do, a good chunk of those don't have the business sense or social skills to make it work.
An extremely rare thing to be able to say about artists. I believe the standard cliché is that most
It's true, that's one thing you've definitely got my admiration for :D
I really hope this current uptrend for your popularity stays like this, you definitely deserve it ^_^ Also really interesting to know about your earlier years, gives a little hope to the rest of us :3
It's true, that's one thing you've definitely got my admiration for :D I really hope this current u
Oh, I wasn't criticizing you. I was just saying, the things I truly enjoy doing and put my heart and soul into are the exact same things I'll never be able to make money off of. I love talking politics and I really enjoy doing my show, Mic Check Radio. The problem is, I'll never be able to make money off of my show because 1. The system is rigged in favor of the Rush Limbaughs of the world, and 2. Even if it weren't, it seems there aren't any millionaire sugar daddies who are liberal out there. I've been doing my show for two years. Can you guess how many Soros checks I've gotten in the mail? I'll give you a hint. The Arabs invented the number that represents how many checks I've received from George Soros.
Oh, I wasn't criticizing you. I was just saying, the things I truly enjoy doing and put my heart and
bro, you really need to find that reply button. It's right next to the icon, you keep leaving new comments instead of continuing in the thread of conversation so it's really hard to keep track of what the context of what you're saying is.
I think Rush Limbaugh is popular to listen to because he's so radical that people love to hate him. I don't think that's a good reason to be popular, and it's not something you should be aiming for.
Liberal sugar daddies are rare because they believe in a system where we help our fellow man and they use their resources to that end instead of making big piles of money and sitting on it like a dragon protecting it's hoard. They do exist though, Bill Gates is probably the most notable but he's married already. :B
bro, you really need to find that reply button. It's right next to the icon, you keep leaving new co
Might try for next month/slot for an hour or so if paypal works. Would suspect that none of it would be private though as per my preference, but still tempting ^_^
Might try for next month/slot for an hour or so if paypal works. Would suspect that none of it would
Not sure what you mean by the privacy thing, I almost always post my commissions. But I'd be more than willing to do some work for you when I open back up on the 21st :)
Not sure what you mean by the privacy thing, I almost always post my commissions. But I'd be more th
you can check my ToS/FAQ for details on how long things take to draw. I also usually list how long each submission took to do in the description to help you get a better idea
you can check my ToS/FAQ for details on how long things take to draw. I also usually list how long e
I don't do business stuff via skype, just PM. But what I said still stands - if you want to get an idea how long it takes me to draw stuff just look at my submissions. Most of them say how long they took
I don't do business stuff via skype, just PM. But what I said still stands - if you want to get an i
Reasonable terms of service that I couldn't have worded any better. I read the whole thing and I'd be amazed if anyone would disagree. I feel that you have sound tastes and expectations of your patrons while still being wholly tolerant within reason. Even though I read it without the intent of commissioning, I certainly am not opposed.
Have you dabbled in traditional media? Charcoal? Vellum? I'd be very interested in seeing how your style translates.
Reasonable terms of service that I couldn't have worded any better. I read the whole thing and I'd b
it's been a long time since I used traditional media but I did major in art at University for four years so I have some experience with a variety of different media and basic training in paint mixing etc, though I was never very good at it. Pencil, pen and ink washes were my media of choice, and watercolor when I needed color.
it's been a long time since I used traditional media but I did major in art at University for four y
I honestly wouldn't peg you for watercolor over colored pencils or even oil based colors, but i guess that makes sense with your shading style. I tend to only see pencils for people you like to focus intensely on shadows and light angles. Not applicable for the majority of your work, but definitely not a bad thing. Would you consider posting your traditional and early works (if you can post here or wherever you share)?
I honestly wouldn't peg you for watercolor over colored pencils or even oil based colors, but i gues
Hi, thanks for your interest. I only accept PayPal right now. If you're interested in commissioning me this journal has my ToS/FAQ in it which should answer most of your questions, but if you've read thru it and need clarification you can PM me too. :)
Hi, thanks for your interest. I only accept PayPal right now. If you're interested in commissioning
