Commissions

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**Balance**

Realistically, successful painters-for-hire are going to have several attributes that would make them stand out in a forum that highlights good painters and completing projects:

They are going to paint a lot, thus having a lot pf pics to post.

They will have good quality pics, as they need them to promote themselves.

The quality of work is probably good.

I think it's more that contract painters are likely to be favored in a P&M blog forum as opposed to people like myself, that are scatter-brained and have trouble finishing projects.

**biccat**

Jimsolo wrote:I was just a little...let down...when I clicked on the thread expecting a newbie painter's first attempt, only to find a gorgeous model with an advertisement banner at the bottom.

Turn off signatures.

Problem solved.

I don't see a problem with this as long as the post actually contains a picture and not just an advertisement, blog link, or link to an ebay auction. IMO links to ebay auctions should stay in the Swap Shop.

**Juicifer**

Jimsolo wrote:When I go to someone's thread expecting to see a piece they're looking for honest critique on, it's annoying to find a different sort of post altogether. People who are painting for money aren't looking for my criticism or suggestions, all they want is everyone to go 'ooh,' 'aah,' and 'here's some money!' When I come to a thread thinking it's from a regular painter, and find some commission painter, I feel like some street hustler is trying to run a con job on me.

Absorbing criticism is an important part of being an artist, so don't withhold your input because of some perceived gap in skill.

**winterdyne**

Juicifer wrote:
Jimsolo wrote:When I go to someone's thread expecting to see a piece they're looking for honest critique on, it's annoying to find a different sort of post altogether. People who are painting for money aren't looking for my criticism or suggestions, all they want is everyone to go 'ooh,' 'aah,' and 'here's some money!' When I come to a thread thinking it's from a regular painter, and find some commission painter, I feel like some street hustler is trying to run a con job on me.

Absorbing criticism is an important part of being an artist, so don't withhold your input because of some perceived gap in skill.

Indeed. Just because *I* like how something's going, doesn't mean I haven't missed something, or that I'm not having a severe taste / sanity malfunction.
Whilst it's nice to stoke the ego (and the reputation) by having people go 'ooh and ahhh', having someone point out that I've (for example) highlighted lenses inconsistently on a Golden Demon piece, even if it's a commission in progress, is bloody useful.

**Jimsolo**

Hmmm...thank you biccat. I may do that. I was unaware that was an option. I don't do well with the thinky-boxes, being somewhat less than technosavvy. (I'm just barely this side of Amish.) Appreciate the responses. Glad to know I'm not alone, also nice to know that I am in the minority. Cool beans all around.

**Battleworthy Arts**

winterdyne wrote:(Almost) Everything I paint is commission. I very rarely get time or indeed motivation to paint something for myself. :-(

I also appreciate feedback and critique, no matter where I post a piece, or in what state I think it's in. This is a learning game, and someone who thinks they know it all is just setting themselves up for a fall. Similarly, if someone wants to know how or why something was done in a particular way, all they have to do is ask.

And the [Commission] tag goes a long way to ensuring nobody's surprised.

This said, I approach every commission as a piece for myself. If I wouldn't be happy with it on the table, it doesn't go to a client. Anyone working under my banner (so to speak and as closest to a plug as I'll come in this post) thinks in a similar way. Good stuff, done with care and involvement.

I feel exactly the same way.

There are of course critique points I cannot consider, if a client has requested something specific... but other than that, any commission I do is done the same as if it were MY army. My goal is the same whether posting commissions or my own armies... "I hope people like what I have done".

**Mad4Minis**

The only part of seeing commission work is that I dont have enough money to have them do my painting for me.

**azazel the cat**

Am I the only one that goes to the showcase thread just to look at the purdy pictures?

(and by "look", I mean "steal clever artistic schemes and pretend I came up with them on my own")

**Eilif**

I really like the idea of a "commission" tag, especially in the title. It's a nice disclosure and keeps everyone aware of what's being done.

I actually like seeing comission work, as often it's top tier stuff and that's what I go to the Showcase to see.

kronk wrote:However, I don't bother with people that just post lnks to their blogs. I'm not about to jump to some random site. I want to see stuff here. That's why I'm, you know, here. At least post a picture or two with your blog link.

I'm halfway with you. I unabashedly use Dakka to directy users to my club's blog a couple times a month. I defintely agree about pics and info though. You've got to give viewers at least a few pics to enjoy while they decide whether or not they are going to come visit your blog.

A link with no pic will rarely be clicked on by me.