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Post by lee on Aug 17, 2008 19:33:56 GMT
how do you know when you're good enough to advertise for commissions?
i've done a couple of conversions and one off paint jobs that i have no need for in my armies, they were just fun ideas. that people have asked to buy.
but how do you know when you can start saying "i paint for money, i'll charge this". and how do you know what to charge?
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Post by woodspeed on Aug 17, 2008 22:03:55 GMT
well there some commission painters who only paint tabletop standard and others who only paint showcase pieces and people who paint all standards but its very difficult and it is very much a gut feeling if you want to go for it but just be wary and do your homework before hand. i dont do commission work myself but often paint a few characters for a friends army and they often need it within 2-3 weeks etc i felt this is good experience if i did want to go into commission work and felt that my painting was upto scratch.
my thoughts are if you think your good enough and feel you can stick to time constraints go for it. best thing to do is try if it goes wrong it does and you can then say ive tryed my best and im not upto it then at least you tried (hope this helps and makes sense)
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Post by bruenor on Aug 17, 2008 22:08:26 GMT
It's a funny old business doing commissions. Theres no definate line to cross and say, I'm good enough now, as people all want different types of paintwork, and levels due to money.
The biggest downfall, and I speak from experiance as a commission painter, is the having to sit and paint even if the mood doesn't take you, and thats a big problem as that can affect the whole piece. I've painted commission pieces in that mood to the completion only to strip the whole thing and start again, and that is frustrating, not just for you but the client also due to the time restraints.
The other biggie is the levels of painting........now it's ok painting your own stuff to a high level that you are proud of.....BUT.....when someone asks for say tabletop quality it's very hard to drop to that lvl and still be proud and want to put your name to the piece(s). I personally have over done many a piece and then had to take it on the chin and only charge the agreed tabletop price. Saying that I have sometimes deliberatly done it, as a prezzie or to cheer a friend up.
Pricing is the hardest part as if you charge too little it's not worth the time and charge too much then you won't get much work. I have in the past worked for a couple of mini companies for trade rather than cash, which is nice getting a big box of minis for payment, but that doesn't put the dinner on the table. (does save on mini spending, but it's kinda robbing peter to pay paul)
The best way to start is do some stuff for friends and see what they are willing to pay, and then charge accordingly.
One thing to remember before you start.....there are ALOT of mini painters out there and it's very cutthroat, and you WILL lose jobs to undercutters, as annoying as it maybe it happens lots.
Hope this helps.
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Post by lee on Aug 18, 2008 14:45:04 GMT
yeah i know what you mean about not being in the mood, i've done session work as a guitarist like that, and i work in an art studio for games design. and it can be a constant struggle. but i know i can work through that. i guess i should put up a portfolio and pimp my shit
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