Hello everyone! Sagi here with some helpful hints on how to be kind to those you're commissioning.
Many times that I'm commissioned I have to remind people to fill out the form as asked. Other times I will open commissions on flash sale threads and so do not copy my usual form over to be filled out.
Over time I've noticed that quite a lot of people aren't really that aware of how they set up their characters information, especially if they are asking for art without having a reference. Below you can see some things to do and not to do to make it easiest on the person you are commissioning.
At the very bottom I'll post some examples for you to look at.
Some Dos and Don'ts
1. If a name is asked for, give the characters most commonly used name. It could be an alias, or a full birth name. Do not add name meanings or extra alias'/nicknames.
2. Do not add extra information if it is not asked for. If they do not ask for name, age, race, date of birth, place of origin, etc do NOT add it in. However, this doesn't mean that you should skimp on your information or make it too general. Carefully read through what information the artist is looking for.
3. Keep deions appropriate to what's relevant. For example, if you want your character to have blonde hair, simply state under hair colour that it is blonde. Even if it grows magenta naturally, it's irrelevant information to add as in the picture it will still be showing as blonde. If age is asked, do not say '129 but they appear 18'. It would be accurate to say 'physically 18'.
4. Do not use flowery language. While in writing it's wonderful to come up with new and interesting ways to describe your character it is of little help to an artist. Many deors can be taken a myriad of ways.
5. Do not reference other objects when describing colour, size or anything that can be viewed as subjective. These deors do not paint a clear picture for the artist. If you must reference an ob
ject it is your job to find a picture of what you are describing. If a picture cannot be found then draw a simple diagram. There are a myriad of ways to gain access to a scanner or an art program. It doesn't have to be beautiful. All it needs to do is convey the information you've described clearly.
6. Do not copy paste deions. Have respect for an artist by taking the time to properly sort through your characters information for the deions that are needed vs those that can be cut.
7. Do not add a characters history or personality if it's not asked for. Giving a brief, one to two sentence explanation of what their ex
pression or bearing usually looks like to an outsider for an accurately drawn representation is acceptable.
8. The best way to fill out a form is to imagine you don't know the character at all. All you have to go on is what you see as a stranger. Make statements about what they look like right at the moment you want them to be captured in a drawing. If you can't see it in your minds eye, then do not describe it.
9. Do not add 'see their pet page'. As stated above, respect the artist and their time enough to gather and supply the information yourself.
10. It is appropriate to forgo a written deion if the artist has stated that a visual reference is enough. If they ask for just a visual reference do NOT add written information. Respect what is being requested.
11. Before anything, if you have any questions ASK THE ARTIST FIRST. If you are unsure of anything, asking the artist should be your go to. Posting your deion and then a question makes little sense. It causes the thread to look disordered and can be confusing for the artist trying to determine what work has or has not been ordered.
12. Don't leave details up to the artist unless you ask if they're okay with it first. It's your character, not theirs.
13. Do read all of the written information BEFORE YOU POST ANYTHING! Artist or not, it gets to a person having to repeat yourself again and again. I cannot stress this one enough.
Things to have if you don't have a reference:
- Photos of clothes you wish your character to wear.
- Photos of a similar haircut to your character. Do NOT give someone else's character and say 'I want my characters hair like this' it is not appropriate and can be seen as character concept theft in some cases.
- A neatly ordered colour palette.
EXAMPLE of a FILLED OUT FORM
Order Form Given by Artist
((Remember. Always read what the artist wrote BEFORE you start plugging in your information.))
Subject Species: {{Animal (be specific), human, anthro(again be specific), etc}}
Visual Reference: {{Links go here please. I will no longer work without them, it's just too much for me. Busy life is busy. 8U I will no longer accept avatars of any kind ((TekTeks, those found on Subeta, etc)). The size and detailing is just too small.}}
Deion: {{Here you list details, in the briefest way possible, about your character. Clothes, unusual physical attributes, clothing, markings. No paragraphs please, and please don't describe your characters hobbies, history or personality here.}}
Personality: {{three words tops please}}
Age: {{For anything other then chibis}}
Gender: {{self explanatory I hope}}
Commission Type: {{chibi, bust, etc / lines, flats, etc}}
Filled in Order Form
Subject Species: Humanoid
Desc[injection]ription: Purple, Unruly hair / orange horns / Grey skin with darker grey spots / black eyes, white slit irises / thin, hairless tail / mutated feet, mix of hand, foot and paw / black nails / metal ball necklace, white button down shirt with rolled sleeves, red undershirt, brown leather corset, plaid skirt, tan belt, modded spats
Personality: Strait-forward, blunt, easily annoyed
Age: -
Gender: Male
Commission Type: Chibi / Lines
Normal User
Normal User
Normal User