Art commissions generally don't work that way.
Really So I guess Dave Mckean, Adam Hughes, J Scott Campbell, Art Adams, Ect. Just go against the norm and want payment when the piece is finished.
I am pretty sure it is the other way around. Infact if the piece is more than 50 dollars I won't pay for a comission up front.
Yo fella..are you really still talking about this meaningless nonsense after reading that post?
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, so we all know that you're not a total fool, we'll assume you didn't read that sad post.
My condolences to everyone involved. Life is a fickle thing.