How to Lose Commission Requests and Alienate People 5 5

[barneythecantankerous]

After a month of missing out on pieces and lists at shows/online; an artist dragging their feet for 2 years on a commission, missing their own appointed deadline and me cancelling it in the end (as I was tired of having funds set aside, delaying it constantly and they literally doubled the budget we initially agreed on), as well as listing other pieces they agreed to sell me; and now a very awkward commission request I wanted to get some opinions as to whether I'm just an oddball that needs to give up and move on in this hobby. Seriously, brutally honest opinions welcome.

I've blurred out the artist and request, because whilst I'm great at digging my own grave deeper all of the context needed is already there.

 

[cloud cloddie]

Feel like I’m on Reddit. I’m gonna say ESH. I can see how your phrasing in the highlighted below could be construed as him being a consolation prize… but his reaction seems a bit extreme. A lot of artists are delicate creatures. Doesn’t seem like you’d get what you wanted from the artist at this point, so I’d just move on from that one. 

[Funnybooks]

he sounds like a grade A-

you dodged a bullet

[The Voord]

You hurt his feelings by implying he's a runner-up in the line-up of desired artists for that particular book, so he's not exactly commission-friendly to you.  Maybe try some of the other artists who 'got rid'?

Edited May 27, 2023 by The Voord

[Hockeyflow33]

This is why reps exist. It always feels like that "I have people skills" scene from office space with how bad so many artists are with sales.

Yours is easily the worst I've ever seen. I wish I knew who it was so I could avoid potentially giving them money although it seems like that won't be an issue. 

[BVladimirHarkonnen]

I'd chalk this up to a weird exchange and perhaps some tone deafness. It happens, perhaps leave out any exposition in the future and just discuss the commission as if its someone you actually want work from. 

[Will_K]

OP said "a commission is like the next best thing".  A commission.  Not the "artist" in question.  And OP explained why a commission is like the next best thing.  Because the artists no longer have pages.  As someone mentioned above, "bullet dodged".  Move on and don't look back.

[jjonahjameson11]

Sorry, I side with the artist on this.

his rationale for NOT wanting to do commissions was detailed and valid…plus, he was offended by the requester

[Ryan.]

This should be a fun thread.

[BlowUpTheMoon]

On 5/27/2023 at 9:10 PM, Ryan. said:

This should be a fun thread.

[Funnybooks]

here come the artist apologists 

[Randall Dowling]

Feels like another "love the art, hate the artist" thread.  I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I imagine that this is just one of hundreds of interactions this artist has had with people treating them like they're lucky to get a given commission. 

Really, who would get excited about drawing or creating something under those circumstances?  I know I wouldn't.  

[Randall Dowling]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:23 PM, Funnybooks said:

here come the artist apologists 

Wow!  Right on cue, here I am!   

[Will_K]

If an artist doesn't want (or like) taking on commissions.  I'm OK with that. 

But it seems like the artist took offense to being asked to take on a commission.  That's different.

[Randall Dowling]

On 5/27/2023 at 8:37 PM, Will_K said:

If an artist doesn't want (or like) taking on commissions.  I'm OK with that. 

But it seems like the artist took offense to being asked to take on a commission.  That's different.

I always assume we're not getting the full story or context. 

[jjonahjameson11]

On 5/27/2023 at 9:37 PM, Will_K said:

If an artist doesn't want (or like) taking on commissions.  I'm OK with that. 

But it seems like the artist took offense to being asked to take on a commission.  That's different.

It was the way he was asked, as a consolation prize.

[Funnybooks]

How is this offensive?

[Funnybooks]

On 5/27/2023 at 9:37 PM, Will_K said:

If an artist doesn't want (or like) taking on commissions.  I'm OK with that. 

But it seems like the artist took offense to being asked to take on a commission.  That's different.

artist seems to have an inferiority complex

[Will_K]

OP starts off referencing the convention that the artist will be attending.  So networking, signing books, doing panels, etc.  I assume the artist won't be doing any sketching at that event or selling art that was drawn at home.  The artist has already explained that art tools (nibs) and materials (paper) are hard to replace.  Totally understandable.  I like a certain kind of keyboard for my PC (the classic Model M) and I have an extra one in "mint condition" for just in case.

[MattTheDuck]

On 5/27/2023 at 6:59 PM, Will_K said:

The artist has already explained that art tools (nibs) and materials (paper) are hard to replace.

Is this true?  Are there special implements that are only used for comic book character commissions?  I could understand during the Pandemic and "supply chain" but the local art stores don't seem to have any lack now.

As suggested above, this looks like one the OP should just walk away from.  Money's one thing, but some things just aren't worth the psychic pressure.