Welcome to Gaia! ::

For those that I haven't met before, I'm an artist that likeds to draw mecha, anime, and fantasy art. Sometimes, I like to do some humorous fanart of game characters.

Anyhow, I'm wondering on what kind of art people usually look for in art shops ? This will help me figure out what I should do once it starts up.

Please answer the following questions below 3nodding


1. What do you normally order when you want avatar art ? (Ex. chibi, bust, full body)

2. Do you like your artwork to have a background ?

3. Do you want a copy of your artwork made to put in your signature (500 x 500 pixels) ?

4. Do you like simple art or lots of detail ?

5. Type of art ? Realism, Anime, etc.

6. Payment method ? (Ex. Pay before ordering, half now + half once it's done, pay when it is done)

7. Do you usually include items with gold for ordering art ?

8. Do you like people who keep bumping art shops ?

9. What was the longest you've ever waited for free/paid art ? Were you satisfied with the wait ?

10. How expensive is TOO expensive for commissioned art ?

11. Do you like to receive free art or discounts every now and then ?

12. Do you normally refer other people to your favorite art shop ?

13. What are your thoughts regarding bribes ? Do you feel that it is unfair for those that don't have a lot of gold ?

14. Do you get confused with the way some people organize their shops ? (too many colored text, too hard to read, etc. ) ?

15. Please post some bad experiences you've had with art shops here on Gaia.

1. What do you normally order when you want avatar art ? (Ex. chibi, bust, full body)
Chibi and fully body

2. Do you like your artwork to have a background ?
Nah, I like the original plain white.

3. Do you want a copy of your artwork made to put in your signature (500 x 500 pixels) ?
It will work in any way. Usually I do it by myself

4. Do you like simple art or lots of detail ?
Depends on the type and style. Usually I like detail art.

5. Type of art ? Realism, Anime, etc.
Realism and their own style

6. Payment method ? (Ex. Pay before ordering, half now + half once it's done, pay when it is done)
Pay when it's done, usually pay before ordering they don't do your art.

7. Do you usually include items with gold for ordering art ?
No.

8. Do you like people who keep bumping art shops ?
Well, sometimes, to give attention to their shop.

9. What was the longest you've ever waited for free/paid art ? Were you satisfied with the wait ?
It was around 1 week or so, I did like the result, coloured and perfectly drawn.

10. How expensive is TOO expensive for commissioned art ?
I'm guessing depends on the art, if the art isn't well presented for a expensive price than I guess that's not worth it. However, I think 1m or 2m is too over priced.

11. Do you like to receive free art or discounts every now and then ?
Yes. It's kind of them to.

12. Do you normally refer other people to your favorite art shop ?
Nah, I just come and go. Sometimes I chat with the artist to get to know them better.

13. What are your thoughts regarding bribes ? Do you feel that it is unfair for those that don't have a lot of gold ?
Not sure. I usually don't go to a shop that is too expensive.

14. Do you get confused with the way some people organize their shops ? (too many colored text, too hard to read, etc. ) ?
Yes, words are set in different sizes, colour font is too light, too much different posts which isn't organised well and too many words. (I mean get to the point already..)

15. Please post some bad experiences you've had with art shops here on Gaia
I placed my order and was completely ignored, knowing that I was skipped or didn't really bother to accept mine. Also, when I asked for what I ordered I get something really terrible and was charge in such a price.

I've been running, and buying from art shops since 2003, so any additional questions you have I'd be more then happy to answer.

1. What do you normally order when you want avatar art ? (Ex. chibi, bust, full body) Honestly, I've been known to purchase any extent I see fit at the time. But if I'm going for a quick art fix I go for chibis as they're simple, and represent a complete portrayal. I'm also of the mindset that It doesn't matter if the artist draws a fullbody if there is a lot of emotion or action in the image.

2. Do you like your artwork to have a background ?
Backgrounds are awesome, but not generally expected. If you're willing to do them, and you enjoy and can do them to the same skill level as your character art then it will be a definite plus.

3. Do you want a copy of your artwork made to put in your signature (500 x 500 pixels) ?
Again, it's not always something that artists offer, but if you're willing to do it, it'd be a plus. However make sure the image fits ALL the size limitations, not just pixel length.

4. Do you like simple art or lots of detail ?
Most people I've come across will always prefer more detail, However some characters are simple by design and will limit your ability to add detail to the work.

5. Type of art ? Realism, Anime, etc.
I like all kinds, but anime tends to sell MUCH better here on gaia.


6. Payment method ? (Ex. Pay before ordering, half now + half once it's done, pay when it is done)
This is a process you only do ONE way for your protection as well as that of your customers. The way gaia's trade system works each person has to accept the trade twice. Finish the art work BEFORE you accept your half of the trade. When you finish, send the commissioner a preview so they can see what you've done without being able to cancel the trade and abscond the image. Once the customer has approved that preview and fully accepted the trade on their end, you can full accept and finish the trade on yours, and send the customer the finished image.

7. Do you usually include items with gold for ordering art ?
Not unless the artist requests specific items as payment. Otherwise I generally pay with gold.

8. Do you like people who keep bumping art shops ?
Bumpers are awesome. They're free advertisement. Do not discourage them for keeping your shop on the front page where people can see it.

9. What was the longest you've ever waited for free/paid art ? Were you satisfied with the wait ?
I've waited over a year before for finished work. As long as the work is finished at some point I'm more then happy to honor my agreement, Especially if the artist is willing to communicate. There are many people that prefer not to wait more then a month or two though, as most artists that take longer then that finish work end up not finishing them at all.

10. How expensive is TOO expensive for commissioned art ?
Your art is honestly worth as much as consumers are willing to pay for it. There's no minimum or maximum you can charge. If you have doubts look around the art shop forum and find artists at a similar skill level to your own. You can use their prices to help you decide how much you should charge for your own work.

11. Do you like to receive free art or discounts every now and then ?
Who wouldn't? Art collectors love freebies, and most wouldn't turn down paying less.

12. Do you normally refer other people to your favorite art shop ?
I definitely have in the past when I've received excellent art, and service.

13. What are your thoughts regarding bribes ? Do you feel that it is unfair for those that don't have a lot of gold ?
Gold is an unfortunate necessity in the art buying world. There are many ways to make more of it, and honestly it's not real money so why should it matter how much you have? You only make as much gold as the work you put in to obtaining it. Bribe shops work because gaians are willing to put the time in, and pay the gold.

14. Do you get confused with the way some people organize their shops ? (too many colored text, too hard to read, etc. ) ?
A good layout is key. Here's a useful guide on the subject.

Here

15. Please post some bad experiences you've had with art shops here on Gaia.
Artists can sometimes feel entitled, disappear on commissioners, never finish art, and a lot of other things. I've actually witnessed one artist that was so high up on her high horse that she would actually pick fights with her thread goers and ban people from her thread on a whim while sucking up to other artists. Basically all you have to do to succeed is be open, friendly, and consistent. Make friends, and gain followers. Gift a few pieces once in while, and only choose to do commissions you will enjoy, so you can actually finish them.