Why Artists Get Burned on Commissions and How to Protect Yourself

Artists eventually face this scenario: someone wants to hire you. It feels exciting, but also confusing if you’ve never worked professionally.

Here are some simple principles I recommend to keep things smooth:

• Define everything clearly. Even if you’re friends, clarity protects the relationship. Don’t rely on memory or friendly assumptions. Summarise what you discussed and ask your client to confirm it in writing, whether by email or message. Being assertive doesn’t mean being rude.

  • What you will deliver: how many sketches, how many drafts, and how many revisions.
  • How many options you will present (commonly three) and how many rounds of adjustments are included.
  • When you will deliver it. Use the finish-time rule: if you can do it in one day, quote two. Pad estimates, deliver early, never over-promise.
  • What the payment terms are: how much, when, and by what method.

• Consider taking a deposit. Even a small upfront payment signals commitment and seriousness on both sides. If something unexpected happens, you either deliver or refund, but the project has clear terms.

• Be professional in your communication. You don’t have to be stiff or corporate, but you do need to be clear, direct, and reliable.

Starting with this mindset, defining scope, timeline, revisions, and payment, makes any collaboration smoother, whether it’s with a friend or a company.

If you’d like me to write more about handling bigger clients or more complex projects like animation, let me know in the comments.

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Welcome to all new patrons. Remember you can now pre-order my book Life in Every Sketch on the 3DTotal shop.

https://rebrand.ly/The-Art-of-RamonN90

Please let me know if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to help with art advice or book details.