How to set a commission price list.

Ok, you have decided you want to try to take commissions…so…now what?

Well there is a lot involved. How will you take money? Will you ship? Make prints? Where do you list? Don't worry all that will be covered soon. But first. Lets lay a foundation.

Commissions are about getting paid for a custom drawing. So the first thing you need is a price list. And this is the hardest thing. "WHAT IS MY ART WORTH?" Well… lets see if we can figure that out.

Step 1: Personal evaluation.
Ok, first thing, you need to be as brutally honest here as you can be. How good are you? Really? Know all art has value. Your work is not worthless. But you need to know where you fall in terms of skill. The better you are the more you can reasonably charge. The more skilled a surgeon the more they get paid. Same with art.

Ask people besides close friends and family how they would rank your art on a scale of 1-5. And ask them to be honest.

Ok, once you know where you rank its time to decide what you want to offer?

Step 2: What are you allowing?
Are you doing sketches? Full drawings? Pencil art? Full color? Prints? Original art pages?
Each of those will demand a different price. The simpler the work will cost less then the more complete work.

Write out a list of what types of commissions you want to offer.

A word of advice? Don't make the list too detailed. The more options you offer the more confusing it can get. And some people will just walk away because its too much like a word problem.

Step 3: Research time.
Look around DA at artists who are around the same level you are. See what they are charging. Try to get a sense of what the average is.

Then decide if you think you can be a bit cheaper? Is that a good Price for you? Or do you think it's a bit too low?  If you want to modify the prices that's fine, but don't go too much higher or lower.

And remember these prices are not etched in stone. You can raise your prices as you customer base grows.

A good start point for a basic one figure drawing in pencil
Beginner level artist: $5-$15
Medium level artist: $15-$25
Average level artist: $25-$55
Advanced level artist: $55-$100
High level artist: $100+

Step 4: PRICE LIST
Ok, with a firm understanding of what level artist you are, you know what type of commissions you are going to do, and you have an idea of your prices its time to write it out. You want a clear and easy to understand  list. A few choices but not a lot. It would also be good to show samples of your work at each of your types.

Also be sure to write method of payment! Paypal is your best bet. But make sure what ever you use, it is clearly stated.

Step 5: GET OUT THERE!
Post it! Get it our there and let people know you are taking commissions!

But be forewarned. It will take time before you really start getting any takers. Its ok. Don't panic. Stick to your guns. People have little money to spend. So you will not get a flurry right away. But when they have the money they will come to you!

Ok, that's it! Hope that helps.
If you are a member of the paytheartist.deviantart.com/ group, feel free to drop a note asking for an honest evaluation of your art and what we would suggest as a price list.