Need some help

[odin]

Hey guys, I have been giving it a lot of thought lately and I think my art is good enough for me to start doing commissions, I know some of you have deviantart accounts but don't know if you guys have done commissions before, I would really like some tips on how much I should charge and how does the commission process work. I'm planing on doing only digital commissions at the moment until I have enough money and materials to do them traditional and send them through mail, I would really appreciate the help, if you need to look at my work to measure how much I should charge my deviantart is here:

http://odin787.deviantart.com/

I was planing on charging at least $15 for a black and white drawing and $20 for fully colored drawings but I want to hear your opinions first.

[*Jess♥]

personally, I think it all depends on how you want to approach it.

if you want to do commissions because you enjoy it and want to do lots more art, then you can ask for very little for your work. on the other hand, if you don't particularly enjoy or think you will enjoy it, then you might work out how much you want to be getting paid by the hour. then you could either estimate your price and ask for money up front or you could time yourself and ask for payment afterwards.

also, check what other artists are doing. if you want to get a lot of commissions then you need to position yourself competitively by comparing your work to other artists and matching their lower rate. also bearing in mind they are already established and you are not. if you don't want to do a lot and only want to do work for those who really like your work, then you can increase your price to reflect that. obviously if they like your work specifically, then you have a USP that you can take advantage of. I don't mean take advantage of the customer though of course. merely price yourself where you feel comfortable without being overly concerned about competition.

[durendal]

Good luck with that. But might I suggest that instead of waiting for someone to commission you, you might want to try joining some design competition which private companies hold. The basic logic is that the company will specify a design need, you answer that need by submitting a design to them. Once they chose your design, you get a generous sum for your efforts. I think that will keep you busy while waiting for any commissions. Perhaps those companies will help you strategically price your work.

[odin]

Thank you guys, I'll take those suggestions in consideration, now all I have to do is do a bit more research and start writing the list of stuff I'm able to do for possible clients. Thanks again.