If you want something specific that I don't have, or something custom like a portrait of yourself or someone you know, you would be buying a commission. Buying a commission is a bit different because it's not a listed product with a finished picture and predetermined price. I would make an original artwork according to your requests. 

     The first step in the process is making the request, and starting the conversation. Be aware that I may need to ask several questions including the following:

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 • Your name, even just a first name. That way I can easily keep track of who wants what.

Later on I will need your preferred payment method and shipping address.

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 • What medium do you want the artwork to be? 

I use different kinds of mediums: pencil, paint, digital, and even sculpture - these are all options, but there are some mediums I cannot work with for varying reasons.

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 • What size do you want it to be?

This would be limited by the medium and what's reasonable.

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 • What are the subject(s)/object(s) that will be featured? / What is the artwork about?

This is probably decided upon prior to contacting me, but the actual design may require more discussion on what exactly you want.

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• What is your price range / limit, if you have one?

If you're on a budget, let me know and we can work with it. I have set prices, but with a commission I can recommend a couple adjustments which would lower the price.

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• Is there a deadline? If so, when?

I need to know near the beginning of the process if there's a time constraint. Let me know if you need it by a certain date, and I'll let you know if it's possible for me to get done in time. Very large or detailed works take more time, so it's best to contact me as early as possible. 

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     In addition to these questions I may ask you more about the overall look of the piece in order to create something you are satisfied with. Please be willing to communicate during this process.

     If you are unsure on any aspect of it I can help you decide. I may make suggestions such as changing the medium to better create the look you are going for, but these are only suggestions. Certain aspects of an artwork will affect others. For example if you want a very detailed piece it may have to be larger, and you should expect less details in something the size of a notecard. All of the things above also affect the price.

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     After at least a few of the questions above are answered we can start discussing price. Keep in mind this is an original custom artwork that I may put hours of work into. 

    These are some ways the price is affected: The larger the more expensive; the more details, objects, or difficulty the more expensive; and the cost and difficulty of the medium can also affect cost.

    So, if you are looking for a cheaper price you can make some adjustments to lower the price. An easy way to get a lower price is by choosing a simpler design.

    Discussing price is a difficult stage for me because I've only just entered the business world. I will give you my best estimate and stay true to that price. If you decide to tip me, great! If you give a price limit (ex. "The max I'll be able to pay is $50") I will work with that, lower price may mean something of lower quality because I won't be able to put as much time into the piece. 

     After we settle the dimensions, design, medium, and price, I will ask to be paid some amount up front before starting on the artwork (like a deposit) and you pay the rest after receiving a picture of the finished project. In order to ensure I'm on the right track I may send you progress pictures (ex. A preliminary sketch, a color sample, etc.) I would be willing to send many pictures of the process if you want, or if you prefer to be surprised that works too! 

    

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         More on discussing design or subject matter:

   There are a few ways you can request a custom artwork.

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      1: You can send me a picture that you want an artwork made of with few or no changes. In this case little discussion is required. I'm fairly confident in my ability to create an about photorealistic piece and I am always happy to have that part of the process done for me. The artwork can be color or black and white depending on medium. The main requirement is that is a photo of good quality and is clear. The photo doesn't have to be of a real world object or necessarily realistic. (It can be from a movie, TV show, game, etc.)

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      2: Another option is basically number 1, but the artwork will have significant changes compared to the photo. This may require more discussion or additional photos. If, for example, you have a photo of your dog that is not very clear and it's not possible to get a better photo, I may require more information about the dog such as breed and eye color. You can even supply a photo found online of a similar looking dog. Another example would be a change in the colors of the photo (ex. I want the painting to be mostly blues with a touch of yellow or I want the dress to be red instead of green). A change in posture or angle from the reference is difficult to do realistically and accurately. But I can discuss this with you. This option may even be similar to photoshop, you may ask for objects from multiple photos to be combined in one image. For example a subject such as an animal or person in front of a background like a forest.

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     3: The third option is where I create something from your description. This requires the most discussing and information. Most likely, I will have to confirm with you several times in the process.  This may be an extreme form of photo modification, or based purely on what you describe. For example: "I want a lamp post in the forest with a sparrow on top". With this option I may have to search for reference photos in order to create realism, or you can ask for something stylized and not realistic. 

     I had a person send me a simple drawing of a crashed plane they wanted and the model of the plane. They wanted it to be in a swamp so I researched some plants in the swamp so it would look natural and realistic. I also researched the plane in order for it to be accurate and asked about the plane's paint job. For an extra touch of realism I looked at where the damage was most prominent and how planes look when they crash.

     With proper discussion I can create a completely original fictional artwork for you. My brother, for example, is writing a book and created a fictional creature he wants in an artwork for his book cover. 

    I do not mind doing fanart or trying something new. However, the things I have the most experience in I'm going to be better or faster at. 

    If you take a look at my gallery you can get an idea of my abilities and how each medium looks. I usually list the medium with the artwork, but if you can't find it you can always email me to find out.

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     More on Price:

       As mentioned above a few different things affect price.

       Medium and size (the material(s) used): The size and medium will set a base price regardless of content. I have a wrist injury. Because of this certain mediums are harder for me and will be more expensive regardless of what other artists may change. With that in mind watercolor paintings are easiest for me, next is graphite drawings. I also seem to be doing well with digital art. Acrylic and colored pencil drawings will likely be the most expensive. I also own a 3D pen and would be willing to show you examples of what my 3D pen sculptures look like. They are basically hand made plastic sculptures usually with a rough texture. (You can see example in the 3D section of my gallery.)  Generally the bigger the work the more expensive. Creating something very detailed and very small may be more expensive as well.

      Time: The main determinant on cost is the amount of time I put into the piece. With more time I can put in more details and care. Even a simple design can be improved with time. The time of creating a piece includes the concept sketches, the reference search: the figuring out process. This is why something new for me may take longer. People require a certain amount of time in order to create likeness and accuracy. For this reason a portrait of a person may be more expensive than that of a pet. Not that your pet isn't unique, but I find animals easier than people. If there is a time constraint, such as when giving it as a gift and it must be completed before someone's birthday or a holiday, then it will be more expensive. I will always try to complete a commission  within a reasonable amount of time. Being a college student and not a full time artist, my availability varies. I will do my best to estimate the time it will take to complete the artwork. Always let me know if there's a deadline. I may not be able to meet it, and if I can it may cost you more because I may have to dedicate more time and effort to meet the deadline.