Commision Work

[28moons]

How did I land this and really, do I want it? Any stories about commission work to share?

The cousin of a friend is writing a poetry book and he was working with an artist who has vanished. I have seen her work. It's lovely. I suggested he continue to interview others beyond me so that he can decide who is the best fit for his vision. It's a religious book, so I can't curse under my breath. I'm thinking the answer is digital where things can be moved around, bloated, etc., and that's not to say that I'm as good at that as pushing a pencil on paper.

Here's the issue where I would like to know how other people politely handle client/commissions:

"Change this, change that, you're close, but change this, change that. I want it to look like this photograph I found on the internet. I want a dove, but I love Edgar Allen Poe. " Black raven disguised as a dove? Am I exaggerating? No! This is our conversation. Perhaps he wants an open book, a melting candle and a white bird??? I don't want to suggest. I don't think I'd put that many hours into it.

I suggested that he license some photography. He wants graphite drawings, some with color. Is this normal for art direction for $125 or less. He paid the other artist as much, but confessed that he's running short on money and not sure what he will pay the next artist. My life experience screams don't do it. My problem is that the woman who sent her cousin to me is someone I worked with, so it's all about "reputation," too.

Have you had a tough cookie? How do you handle commissions?

[Mike Sibley]

OK, this is probably not going to go down too well, but... it's just my opinion.

I think there are two groups - artists and illustrators. And they are quite different animals.

An Artist is a creative person. You hire an artist for their vision and individual style.

An illustrator's expertise is centred around providing what the client wants. Effectively, they are a pair of creative hands controlled by the client's mind.

Given - let's say a commission to draw a particular bird - the illustrator goes to great lengths to provide an ultra-sharp image showing perfectly groomed individual feathers, the colouring, features such as a raised crest, possibly perching on its tree of choice. It has a bright eye; perfect, strong lighting; and no life. The artist, on the other hand, creates artwork that tells the bird's story, and displays its character rather than just its outward appearance.

I'm an artist. Given a bunch of photos, I'd create a balanced and descriptive composition from them - from a single head study to a panoramic scene - and draw that. I wouldn't even submit a rough outline before commencing work. Why? Two reasons.
1: Because the client employed me for something they don't possess - the ability to design and draw.
2: They can't see inside my head to view the final result.

It's like a kitchen designer asking for the client's input... and the final design being what they have now but with new doors. They've missed out on all the time and energy saving ideas, and everything else the experience of the designer could have introduced.

I would draw the drawing I wanted to draw. I asked for no deposit, and the client could refuse to accept my vision of their pet. No-one ever did - apart from one at an art show who asked for "An Old English Sheepdog. Something BIG for my girlfriend..." and who I thought was flaky from the beginning. He was; he'd provided a false address.

So, the long and short of it... in my opinion, this is not a commission for you. The client needs an illustrator who can recreate the image currently in his mind. The only problem with that is, having seen that image, he'll probably want to refine it in some way... because the image in his mind is not static.... Now ask yourself why the original artist disappeared.

My golden rule: If I'm not going to enjoy drawing what I want to draw, I don't do it.

[28moons]

Love you, Mike! Great advice! Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences.

When I draw an animal, I'm trying to reach for it's soul. It's telling me something with its body and its eyes.( It's the same with people.) It's hard to do that when you're trying to find someone else's connection to that animal. I am finding that it's work that I'm procrastinating. My mind is drifting to my next idea, not his. I will give him what I can finish and if he wants more, I'm going to tell him I'm not his person. I'll explain to his relative that this is what I have in me and if he finds that he wants to shop other artists, I won't be offended. End of it. I'm not cut out for commission work -- good to walk through the experience, though.

[LindasPencils]

Yes, ditto to what Mike just said. I recently did a commission that was a headache, but we got there in the end because the author eventually realised that he couldn't dictate every step, he needed to let me draw my interpretation of his words. Luckily he loved the final, but it was a struggle and hardly worth the $$$ in the end that I was paid. But he is a friend, so was fine. Plus he did a lot of promotion of my work so that was nice.
I cannot count the number of times I have been told 'you should illustrate books', but I have NO interest in this at all as I want to do what I want. I don't want to be told how and what to draw. I have illustrated stories that fascinate me, but these have been personal interpretations, not under instruction.
OH, also, on the rare occassions I do accept a commision, I quote the price and then there is an upfront, NONREFUNDABLE 20% fee before I start. Then they must approve a layout/design before I continue with the final work. If they don't like the end result, I don't force them to buy it, but they don't get that 20% back. AND I insist on holding copyright to the work. If they want to purchase copyright for publishing then that is a whole new set of costs. These rules do tend to put off the 'oh, my sister wrote book you should illustrate' types.

[Mike Sibley]

AND I insist on holding copyright to the work. If they want to purchase copyright for publishing then that is a whole new set of costs. These rules do tend to put off the 'oh, my sister wrote book you should illustrate' types.

Ditto! I should have mentioned that. Arguably, the copyright is worth considerably more than the purchase price of any original or commissioned work.

In your case, if you;'re drawing illustrations for a book, he obviously has permission to reproduce your images in the book., but nowhere else. I'd also give permission for use for advertising purposes but nothing else.

[28moons]

Thank you all for great advice! I am going to bow out of this. Illustration is frustrating!

In my case, there is no retainer or contract. I have submitted initial drawings to him. He said "you're getting close." That almost feels like "control." There is no way of knowing where or how he would use anything or if he would turn my initial efforts over to another artist to finish. My drawing efforts are so far so made up and changed that it is beginning to look like a cartoon rather than a realistic drawing. There are just so many birds I can find on pinterest to chop up to make into one that doesn't look like any bird I found on pinterest.

I had a photograph that a major television network wanted to use and they didn't pay much, but the license was clear. I accepted because the exposure from a television series could be beneficial. The show was shelved before it made it to the television season. The actors were very famous. The only work I did for the small amount money they was to sign a contract for work already produced. People I knew in Los Angeles (where I used to live) encouraged me to take it, saying that the industry doesn't pay much, but the upside was worth it.

Drawing and painting is different! The reason I returned to drawing was because photography is sort of click, done, sometimes a little more, but not with that "altered state" or "zone" that you get when you draw.

I am not an illustrator. I wasn't really sure how other artists handled it so I am so grateful that you have shared your experiences with me. If my work stands on its own, then someone will contact me for the piece that moved them and with a clear contract in hand.. I am going to get out of this. I"m spinning my wheels.

[LindasPencils]

Illustration work can be tough if you are working freelance or on contract. You need to set the terms at the start.
For many years I worked in print (magazines, periodicals, etc) as a graphic artist/illustrator. I illustrated as directed by the editor - although I was given some leeway in my 'style', it was a JOB. In an office with a weekly wage. Lucrative, but not overly 'artistic'.
However, it did give me some excellent experience, training and contacts that helped when I moved out of illustration and into exhibiting my personal art.
So, I guess what I am saying, if you need a job to pay the rent, and you want something that makes use of your talents and abilities as an artist, being an 'Illustrator' can keep food on the table and kids in school. Just don't expect illustration to be your artist expression.

however, remember that Illustration CAN be 'art' - think of Norman Rockwell or Franklin Booth or Arthur Rackham - excellent 'illustrators' who are now reconised as artists in their own right. Follow your own path, these artists did.