Commissions
Open periodically! Last updated April 2024
The Commission Process
How can I commission you?
1. Watch for announcements on my social media. I generally take on new commissions monthly as my schedule allows, and I announce these slots a few days in advance.
2. Check my prices below to make sure that the project fits your budget. I try to take on a mix of large and small commissions each time I open. You can find examples of my work below and on my client projects page.
3. Fill out my commission form when I’m open for projects.
My commission slots are not first-come-first-served. I try to choose ideas that seem like a good fit for my style, abilities, and time constraints.
4. Look for a follow-up email from art.animalshapes@gmail.com within 1–2 business days. This email will indicate either (a) I’m able to take on your project, or (b) please try again the next time I’m open.
If your project is approved, you will receive a quote for the total price for the commission, a due date for your invoice, and an estimated start date.
How much will ____ cost?
It depends on the type of commission. My prices are based on a livable wage for Vancouver (Canada) and reflect the number of hours needed to finish each type of project, including client communication.
The prices listed below are meant for general guidance; I determine final prices on a case-by-case basis. Factors that might increase the cost of your commission include complexity (unusual poses, elaborate clothing, etc.) and multiple characters.
When can I expect the finished piece?
I aim to finish each project within one month of its start date. Most types of commissions take 10-20 business days to complete. I do not open for new projects until I’ve finished my current batch.
Do you accept requests or trades?
I don’t, sorry!
Do you ever take on ____ projects?
Possibly! I’ve worked on event posters, convention materials, and other projects that aren’t listed in the examples below. Please contact me directly at art.animalshapes@gmail.com if you have an idea that doesn’t fit my commission form.
What Does "Artistic Freedom" Mean? [NEW]
You have the option of specifying artistic freedom when you fill out my commission form. This means that I'll choose your character's pose, expression, background, etc. based on my interpretation of the project—in other words, the major creative decisions will be up to me. I always try for something fun (for me) and satisfying (for you).
• In most cases your quote for an artistic freedom piece will match the base price for a project of that type. (In the rare event it doesn't, I'll explain why in your quote.)
• I charge extra for all major revisions on artistic freedom projects—for example, a completely different background or pose. In most cases this amounts to 25-50% of the base price for a project of that type. If you have specifications, please include them in your initial pitch. I'm not a mind-reader!
I currently offer the following types of commissions:
Sketches are quick impressions of your character. I currently offer pencils and inks for this type of project.
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A light, cartoony sketch based on pencil-style brushes.
• Bust: 50 USD
• Waist-up: 80 USD
• Full-body: 110 USD
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A bold, semi-realistic sketch based on textured brushes.
• Bust: 100 USD
• Waist-up: 150 USD
• Full-body: 200 USD
Portraits feature a bust of your character against a painterly background. Adventurers [NEW!] are character studies exploring color and shape.
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A small painting of your character from the shoulders up - great for icons!
• Base Price: 200 USD
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A silhouette-based exploration of your character with fantasy-themed accessories.
• Feral: 250 USD
• Anthro: 275 USD
• Taur: 300 USD
Ref sheets are full-fledged character designs based on pencil-style linework and watercolor shading. A flat-color version is included with the final piece.
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Pricing depends on the complexity of the design. Base prices for common ref sheet elements are listed below.
• Poses (front, back, etc.): 180 USD each
• Separate clothing layers: 80 USD per pose
• Character details (hands, feet, etc.): 40 USD each
• Accessories (favorite items, etc.): 40 USD each
Illustrations place your character in a fully-rendered environment. I currently offer mini scenes and full scenes for this type of project.
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A badge-size illustration with a detailed background - best for single characters.
Base Price: 400 USD
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A detailed illustration of one or more characters and their surroundings - the best size for telling a story.
Base Price: 550 USD
Terms of Service
Payments and Refunds
• I use PayPal for invoices.
• You must pay for your commission in full before I start working on it.
• You have the right to cancel your commission and request a refund at any time. If you wish to cancel your commission after payment but before work begins, I will issue a 95% refund (this covers the time-cost of correspondence, invoices, etc.). If you cancel at the rough stage, I will issue a 50% refund. I do not offer refunds after roughs have been approved.
• You will receive a 100% refund if I’m forced to cancel your commission due to unforeseen personal circumstances (illness, etc.).
Communication
• I check emails only during normal work hours (9 am–5 pm Pacific Time, Monday–Friday). I try to reply to all inquiries promptly, but please allow 2–3 business days for me to respond before emailing me again.
• Please let me know if you plan to be away from email while your commission is in progress. I reserve the right to cancel and refund your commission due to poor communication.
Roughs and Revisions
• After receiving your payment, I will send you an initial sketch (a “rough” version of the project) for approval. Roughs vary from project to project, but I generally try to provide a clear sense of what the finished piece will look like in terms of color, composition, and level of detail. My sketchbook contains a variety of work at the rough stage.
• You may request major revisions to the initial sketch - for example, changes to the pose, proportions, expression, or color scheme. Please do not send back a redline of the initial sketch (it’s more time-consuming than a simple list) or post the work-in-progress to social media. I may charge an additional fee if you request more than one round of major revisions.
• I am happy to make minor revisions to the finished piece if, for example, I have forgotten a specific character detail.
• I may send additional roughs if your project is particularly time-consuming or complex. Feel free to touch base with me for updates, reminders, or questions if you feel it is necessary.
• I reserve the right to negotiate or reject revisions if they add substantial complexity or reduce the artistic quality of the piece.
Completed Work
• You will receive a full-size PNG of the finished piece and a smaller (usually 25% scale), watermarked version to share on social media. You will not receive the original PSD file.
• I am happy to resize or crop your piece if needed—for example, as a banner on social media. Please let me know in advance if you require a specific resolution.
• I may share a watermarked version of your piece on social media unless you request that the work remain private. If you share the completed work online, please do not crop out the watermark or modify the piece in any other way.
• [NEW] You may not use any version of your piece in training datasets for image-generating AI. Please do not use AI to alter my work.
Other Rights
• I reserve the right to decline or refund a commission for any reason - for example, for rude behavior or unreasonable requests.
• I retain all commercial rights to the commissioned piece unless discussed in advance. Please contact me directly at art.animalshapes@gmail.com if you have a commercial project in mind.
• I have the right to post finished commissions as examples for future work. Posts will credit the commissioner unless you request to remain anonymous. I will not post work-in-progress until the project is complete, unless you request that I do so.
Please do not commission me for:
• Pets
• Humans or humanoid characters
• Licensed characters from TV/anime, films, or video games
• Adult nudity or sexual themes
• Extreme violence or gore
• Political or military themes
• Another artist’s style (please commission them instead!)