NEED HELP! I want to open up for commissions but..

[Pixie Doodle 144]

.. I don't know what my work is worth.
I want it to be a fair price but also enough for my living costs. I minimum wage job isn't enough to keep my a float.

 

So!
What would you charge for my work?

 

Examples:

(Sketch)

(Sketch Colour)

(Flat Colour)

(Flat Colour With Background)

(Painterly)

I can also draw other things besides ponies!

 

If you wish to see more, you can find my DeviantArt page on my profile. :3

 

 

Anyone? I just need your opinion. 

What would you pay for work like mine?

Edited June 22, 2015 by Pixie Doodle

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

For the first one, I would pay about 2$. The second one 5$. 3'd one 10$. 4th one 12$. 5th one about 10-15$. 

 

The Non Pony Art: 

First one 10-15$

 

2nd one 10$

 

3'd one 10-15$

 

4th one 15$ (Gonna throw in 5$ dollars more since I am a fan of the Joker). 

 

These are my personal opinions. 

[SFyr 1,982]

Pricing your own work is always a difficult subject (speaking from experience), and with freelance artists, I believe you run into two major issues in particular:

1.) When you work off of commissions, you can't guarantee you'll always have work--it depends heavily on interest/fame/etc. Supply and demand may bite you in the butt some days, and personally, I don't think it can properly replace an actual job most times (though can be used as a supplement). Some have managed it, but they're the minority. Regardless, I don't think it should be viewed as a stable source of income, but more a beneficial side project until you manage to earn enough popularity/speed to start making some notable cash or gaining consistent work.

2.) Most artists run the risk of being underpaid for this kind of thing, sadly. The vast majority of the public doesn't understand how much time and effort goes into creating an image/work, and may feel prices that even match minimum wage are 'unfair'. If I work on a $20 character commission, but I spend 3-4 hours on it (sometimes more, due to planning and rough drafts), I'm making well below minimum wage. --My girlfriend makes OC plushies, and even when she sells one for ~$110-$150, she's still only making about $2 to $5 per hour due to material costs/extra drafts and all other kinds of stuff being taken out of it.

 

I can't tell you what your stuff is worth, sadly, as everyone is gonna have their own price point determined by odd factors like style appeal or current disposable income. Most of us aren't even aware of what we'd be willing to pay I believe. However, you still want to make sure that you're content with what you're making. Estimating how long each level of artwork is a great way to start. For example, physical drawings take me about an hour (give or take) if I stick solidly with it, so I ask 6$ right now, though in reality I see about $5.5 of that. That's my current balance.

I think you're better off determining how much your time is worth to you, and going from there.  Don't be afraid to ask a little more than you think your work may be worth if it's the difference of feeling you're being properly compensated, or taken advantage of.

Edited June 22, 2015 by SFyr

[Pixie Doodle 144]

Pricing your own work is always a difficult subject (speaking from experience), and with freelance artists, I believe you run into two major issues in particular:

1.) When you work off of commissions, you can't guarantee you'll always have work--it depends heavily on interest/fame/etc. Supply and demand may bite you in the butt some days, and personally, I don't think it can properly replace an actual job most times (though can be used as a supplement). Some have managed it, but they're the minority. Regardless, I don't think it should be viewed as a stable source of income, but more a beneficial side project until you manage to earn enough popularity/speed to start making some notable cash or gaining consistent work.

2.) Most artists run the risk of being underpaid for this kind of thing, sadly. The vast majority of the public doesn't understand how much time and effort goes into creating an image/work, and may feel prices that even match minimum wage are 'unfair'. If I work on a $20 character commission, but I spend 3-4 hours on it (sometimes more, due to planning and rough drafts), I'm making well below minimum wage. --My girlfriend makes OC plushies, and even when she sells one for ~$110-$150, she's still only making about $2 to $5 per hour due to material costs/extra drafts and all other kinds of stuff being taken out of it.

 

I can't tell you what your stuff is worth, sadly, as everyone is gonna have their own price point determined by odd factors like style appeal or current disposable income. Most of us aren't even aware of what we'd be willing to pay I believe. However, you still want to make sure that you're content with what you're making. Estimating how long each level of artwork is a great way to start. For example, physical drawings take me about an hour (give or take) if I stick solidly with it, so I ask 6$ right now, though in reality I see about $5.5 of that. That's my current balance.

I think you're better off determining how much your time is worth to you, and going from there.  Don't be afraid to ask a little more than you think your work may be worth if it's the difference of feeling you're being properly compensated, or taken advantage of.

 

I have been open for commissions before and I know the hours behind it. It can be rough sometimes.

I'm not wanting to replace my job. Just want to raise enough to afford living where I am. ^^' 

My job is minimum wage job is doing okay, just need that boost.

 

Your points are valid.

I appreciate them. I suppose all I can do is test the market and hope for the best ^^'

[SFyr 1,982]

@@Pixie Doodle, aye. I think just experimenting would be good. No one says you're prices have to remain the same if you find your spending more time/effort on certain areas than you thought. 

 

Either way, I wish you the best.  Your style honestly is lovely, and I could see people paying to have their character drawn in it for sure. 

And, from one artist to another, I really hope this works out well for ya when you get set up, and a price system hashed out.  :grin2:

[Pixie Doodle 144]

@@Pixie Doodle, aye. I think just experimenting would be good. No one says you're prices have to remain the same if you find your spending more time/effort on certain areas than you thought. 

 

Either way, I wish you the best.  Your style honestly is lovely, and I could see people paying to have their character drawn in it for sure. 

And, from one artist to another, I really hope this works out well for ya when you get set up, and a price system hashed out.  :grin2:

 

Thank you very much!

I hope your work goes well! And your girlfriend's too.

Edited June 22, 2015 by Pixie Doodle

[Odyssey 5,716]

Hello @Pixie Doodle! Due to the new changes within Creative Resources, I have moved your topic from Creative Resources to the Visual Art sub-forum.

[Jonny Music 3,412]

@Pixie Doodle

If you have not yet, I would highly suggest that you compare the different prices people charge their artwork for.

Doing comparisons should help you a lot with finding out what prices you want to charge your commissions for.

Hope that helps.