And commissioners as well...
I hope this is allowed....
I am trying to compile a list of things people have said to artists and commissioners that have a negative view/stance on various subjects surrounding art. Mediums, pricing, marketing, art itself, methods, etc. Anything and everything, even if it seems minor. What arguments have you seen out there?
Please number/point if you have more than one to share.
Examples of what I'm looking for:
-Digital is worth more than traditional.
-Art isn't a real job. (Everyone knows this one)
-Digital art is cheating.
-Patreon is a scam/paywall.
Variations on the same thing and details are welcome because sometimes it can add another dynamic to the opinion that must also be tackled.
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Actually, I would say it tends to take more time, and is therefore likely to cost more, all other things being equal. Of course, they often are not equal - maybe you don't have your computer/tablet around but do have traditional materials, or vice versa, or just want to work in a particular medium today…
2. "Only part/work that goes into art is the actual final drawing, any sort of mental work/preparation/studies/thinking isn't actually work/doesn't happen, right?"
Also almost everything in here:
https://twitter.com/crappyclient
-"Drawing for a fandom is not a real career and should not be treated as such"
-"Setting the prices you want to for your art is horrendously illegal in all forms, horrible, terrifying, and unethical" (Actual quote, I shit you not)
-The furry fandom is for networking so you should work for pennies because everyone in the fandom is your friend(because real friends want you to work for pennies, right)
These were all said to me by the same person. They also compared charging a high price for art to rape, and called me a child for civilly disagreeing with them. A real gem.
Edited at 2016-12-15 11:49 pm (UTC)
it's TERRIFYING
they wake up in the middle of the night, heart pounding, sweaty, terrified
"It looks like you fell asleep halfway through drawing this, lol" is an actual quote, said to me. In the six years since, I've never forgotten it. It was the most insulting feedback I've received.
2. "It's really easy money though, my cousin's girlfriend makes $2000 a week on etsy, you should just do that!"
"Can you make it look like ___'s style?"
"I wish I had the money!"
"I love/want this but I'm broke right now!"
"Looks similar to ____"
"You charge X for a A x B size image? Wow, my friend charges Y. I think you overcharge."
"Artist B charges half the price you do."
All things I've gotten in my years working this fandom.
Edited at 2016-12-16 01:33 am (UTC)
Not a quote, but I've had it happen a couple of times where people seem entitled to more then the commission. Time, personal feelings, etc. For example, if I no longer feel comfortable working with them, they'll use commissioning me as a reason, "I spent x amount on you", to tell them why/say my feelings, or say I -have- to work with them because they pay me.
Edited at 2016-12-16 01:38 am (UTC)
I had another maker send people after me for making the same species as their fursona, claiming it looked exactly like it since I used the same colors as any one of them would have in nature. Such a waste of time.
"It's cute but you're asking too much for it."
"The price is too high, the materials don't cost that much!"
"That looks like my fursona" (On a very generic work, like an all black wolf with yellow eyes).
"That looks different from [older work here]."
"Can I buy it for ________?"
Recently I had someone win an auction of mine, then tell me they couldn't pay the reserve price OR their highest bid, then told me "I think your work is worth $300." It's been killing me since. I blacklisted them and told them not to bid if they cannot afford to pay and they just gave me backhanded compliments such as, "You'll have no issues re-selling it for $300."
Also, as of late I've had a person give me critique on everything. I don't know why and I don't have the heart to block them. It's not that I don't mind critique but it's so unnecessary and it ruins my mood. They asked to see my fursuit designs and individually told me how I could change each one to their liking. Now they've been commenting on my photos or messaging me in private about how the anatomy could have been changed, the most mind boggling one was that a toony fursuit I made didn't look realistic enough. Really. Not even regarding the species, they just wanted to tell me it wasn't good enough for them personally.
Nitpicking here I also don't like it when people ask me to trade. No, I'm not going to trade with you, you've only made one fursuit before and I don't need an "art bundle". They usually get REALLY angry when I politely decline anyway.
"Sorry I haven't been able to do X, I [seriously long explanation about exactly why they couldn't do it that is probably personal.]"
I can see how personal transactions might be a little hazy on where the personal/professional barrier is, but 90% of the time I just want art in exchange for my money. I don't need your personal life in my inbox. You should update on if something is wrong or will take a while but "due to personal issues" is all I need. It shouldn't be longer than 1-2 sentences.
This rarely happens to me anymore but when it does it's like the artist felt they had to write a whole novel to explain themselves. You don't need to explain yourself. Just tell me when it will be done, or give me a refund.
In a similar vein, artists who refuse to... refuse service.
If you (as an artist) don't like a customer or their request for whatever reason, or are not sure you can complete the art... DON'T TAKE THE COMMISSION.
I'm not badgering anybody to do anything. If you don't like me, cancel the commission and give me a refund. Dang, if you just hate me make up some lie about "Sorry, something came up and I am unable to take your work anymore. Here's a refund."
Done, case closed. Some people will be ticked about it but it's easy to move on.
Instead, what quite often happens is an artist doesn't want to do work for whatever reason but doesn't cancel the work either so just sits on it for months and months and has effectively made situations worse. Whenever updates are asked, it's empty platitudes about "Sorry I couldn't do it. I'll do it this weekend/tomorrow/some day that never comes."
I've had artists cancel on me before. I didn't agree but I get it and I respect that. But the artists who just sat on it because they felt uninspired or didn't like what I said or whatever I have held a grudge against for a really long time.
Sorry that last one was a little more of a vent, but it's not one specific line they say, really.
Edited at 2016-12-16 02:31 am (UTC)
"Oh I can't pay yet because of [extensive list of reasons]."
or
"I wish I could afford this but we just...[journal entry about current state of finances]."
Brevity is best.