I don't draw for free, even if I draw for fun

[Kogarashi]

I know I low ball myself ($25-30 for a single colored character, it brings back repeat business), but there's no way in hell I'll do free pictures, I used to when I was a teacher and the kids wanted something to color, at least with that after a while the kids just started drawing their own stuff once they realized they knew how to trace, but otherwise? Been dicked and nit-picked to death when it was free.

I have a very short list of people who get free art from me: my children, my sisters, and my mother, all of whom appreciate my art (Hubby has to pay me in baked goods). Everyone else has to pay.

I generally lowball myself as well, mostly because it doesn't take me terribly long to draw and color one or two characters. My digital coloring prices are a bit higher. And painted fans? Those I charge proper rates for.

[fireheart]

A friend of my boyfriend is an artist and usually pops up at cons and the medieval fair that runs here annually. He charges around $30 for a "template" drawing (where he has a whole bunch of pre-drawn templates without a face), about $50 for a hand-drawn portrait and he does doubles for around $50 and $80.

[AyreBiskits]

How much do you think I should charge? I'm not good at putting a price on my skills

charge what you think your time and talent is worth and what you would be happy with. if they want you to do it for free or next-to-free and they're not a close friend or family member, then why do it? they're already letting you know they're a SC, so why even work for them?

[Seraph]

How much do you think I should charge? I'm not good at putting a price on my skills

Ok, first off, you said you work for hours for $15? If you work around 4-6 hours on it, and you said, what, your materials were $8? That means you were working at a little more than a dollar an hour.

You need to charge for materials, PLUS a good hourly rate. Estimate it. If you want something like $10 an hour, that means you should be charging at least $40-60 for things.

And trust me, your art is VERY good, and lowballing yourself that bad just brings out the jerks and the pansies. A higher price will garner you more respect, and be more worth it for you in the end. ^^

[spark]

And trust me, your art is VERY good, and lowballing yourself that bad just brings out the jerks and the pansies. A higher price will garner you more respect, and be more worth it for you in the end. ^^

I agree with this. I mean the jerks still sometimes turn up and go "I would never pay that much, OMG you're such a rip-off!!!!!1111!!1!1elleventy!" but ignoring that nonsense is the only interaction you need to have with 'em, since they won't hire you. The people who will hire you are people who will respect you, because they recognize the value of your time.

[Argabarga]

There does seem to be this strange breed of SC who doesn't understand that craftsworkers may have a natural talent for painting or sewing, but don't understand that portraits of personal characters or knitted quilts don't just fall out of their sleeves in the morning and now they have to find some way to offload it before the next one pops out....

They still have to take the time and effort to do it.

They seem to think that since anyone can pick up a pencil, then there's no reason to pay any special rate for the things done with that pencil once picked up..

Oh, and did you hear the one about the animator who killed himself? Yeah, he couldn't draw his own breath.

[Seshat]

When determining your hourly rate, remember you're charging for the price of a skilled service: minimum wage is NOT appropriate!

[MoonCat]

Just looked at your samples. Holy moly, you are good! That dragon is gorgeous!!

[dragon_wings]

Just looked at your samples. Holy moly, you are good! That dragon is gorgeous!!

I just went back to check out the dragon again *points to her username* and MoonCat's right! Absolutely gorgeous! *squees*

[protege]

I have a very short list of people who get free art from me: my children, my sisters, and my mother, all of whom appreciate my art (Hubby has to pay me in baked goods). Everyone else has to pay.

Yep, there's only one person I've ever built a model for...and she didn't have to pay. That was my then-girlfriend...who wanted a yellow MGB. Since she'd seen several of my 'toys,' she asked nicely if I'd build the Airfix kit that she'd bought in England. Had I not been dating her at the time, there would have been some cash involved. As it was, the kit was free...and I was able to use up some materials I had lying around.

Otherwise, I really don't build things for other people. Too often, they get upset when I price it all out. Kits, paint, glue, plus research materials (usually books and magazines--I don't use many 'net photos, since the colors aren't always right), aftermarket parts, and chrome foil cost money.

One guy, who asked me to do a Bugatti for him...flipped out on me, in fact. Seems he felt that the $20 he was going to pay me was "generous." $20 wouldn't even cover the cost of the kit...let alone the materials! Of course, he said he could do it better. And yes, it looked like shit.

[customersruinmylife]

I'm artistic and I get this all the time, even from friends.

One of my friends wants me to design a tattoo for her. The design is one of the most ridiculous, complicated things I've ever heard so it's going to take a lot of time and research to complete. Even though I said no to doing it (because she wasn't willing to pay) she still continually asks for an update on it.

Another friend asked for a tattoo design (I actually hate designing tattoos, I prefer traditional art work) which I completed. Turns out he changed his mind on what he wanted and didn't think the designer needed to know.

Now I just produce whatever I want and sell it to whoever wants it. I don't take requests.

[Arcus]

How much do you think I should charge? I'm not good at putting a price on my skills

Looking at what you showed us, I'd say you should be charging $40-$60 starting price. Higher for full color, extra detail in the background, or on larger paper.

[2gigch1]

I admire anyone who can make a go at art for a living or even part of a living. I know I realized as a young person if I can't understand the value of an artist's efforts (I do much better now) than it was likely others don't.

I am sort of in the same area as a professional videographer. I am glad I have a full time job because I would hate to have to explain to noobs that the dayrate for someone of my skills is $1000- $1500 (assuming 8 hours / I provide the gear) and that price is pretty much a break even living rate for shooters in the DC area. You want a promo piece or educational video? You could be looking at $20k if the editing takes more than two or three days.

People flip out because they can shoot & edit on an iPhone these days. It has been said that "everything is worth what people are willing to pay for it." It is critically important that artist never undersell themselves.

[earl colby pottinger]

Edit?

People flip out because they can shoot & edit on an iPhone these days. It has been said that "everything is worth what people are willing to pay for it." It is critically important that artist never undersell themselves.

Edit! People don't do real editing on an iPhone/iPad, they move a few things around and add a title or two. But sit most people down to do a "real" editing no matter what the hardware and within a hour or two they will start whining about how long it is taking and how much longer it will take.

[Crossbow]

Edit! People don't do real editing on an iPhone/iPad, they move a few things around and add a title or two. But sit most people down to do a "real" editing no matter what the hardware and within a hour or two they will start whining about how long it is taking and how much longer it will take.

I agree that "real" editing isn't done on an iPhone/iPad, but unfortunately, a lot of people believe that it is. Perception is Reality, even when that statement is completely false.
Now, I know of at least one professional artist who does absolutely wonderful work. She uses an iPad to do quick con sketches and such for people and they're amazing. Of course, I'd still rather have one of her traditional acrylic pieces...

And as for artists undervaluing their work.... I've seen this more often than I care to admit. I work at several scifi/fantasy/furry/gaming convention art shows/auctions and I almost always see originals priced far lower than I think they should be. Granted, that's my opinion, but when you price an original acrylic piece at a $100 starting bid and the final sale price is somewhere north of $1000 (and this is the usual situation for that artist), I think you're underestimating your worth....

Flip side of the coin is that I've seen artists who overvalue their work as well. Not as many, and in a number of these cases, it's people that are banking on their name as much as their talent...