How about you guys? Do you do art for fun or for a product like money and stuff. Or both o uo;

I also have a question regarding my art. If I could get feedback that would help me tons ^ u ^ All the info is in the journal entry linked below

Journal

Both, my art is a hobby not part of my career goal, but until I'm able to find a decent job it's freelance work that I need and make money off. I look forward to being able to draw primary for myself again though.

Quite frankly, I'd tell you not to take commissions right now. Not that I don't think you have talent (I do) but I do think you need more time and practice under your belt first.

This actually came up last night on my Tumblr so I'll mention it here too:

If you think you can only charge a $1 for your work, then you need to spend more time getting your work to higher standard before selling it. Don't under price yourself. Deviant Art is a tough site to sell on, not because there aren't people who want to buy, but because the culture there is crap, DA is FULL of artists selling themselves for a pittance, so unless you're an artist in high demand and probably quite thick skinned, you're likely to face opposition and a short list of people who will buy.

If you really want to get some pocket change for your work I suggest hitting the books, so to speak, hard, developing your work and building up your gallery (seeing a gallery with two images in it wouldn't strike me with confidence if I was looking to buy), then maybe offering pay-what-you-like slots somewhere more contained like Subeta, and draw a sketch comparable to what they pay (maybe set it to $1 per 5mins spent on the image or something like that) then build up your audience, portfolio and skills from there. If you're like me and money is a good motivator then you may find taking on commissions later will help you, but it can't replace studying your subject. As always I fully endorse studying from life before trying to stylize, and don't try looking for 'your style' that'll happen on it's own. And of course the usual suggestions: draw every day. Every. Single. Day. Doesn't matter if it's a life drawing of your kettle while you're waiting for your dinner to cook, or a 6 hour painting in oils, just get something done, and try to draw something you're weaker at (I know when I was first pushing myself with my work that felt like 'everything' but in that case just close your eyes pick a subject and go with it, you can work on something else later). Surround yourself with the work of artists that inspire you, don't try to copy them, but try to work out what it is about their work that makes you want to draw and want to draw like that and try to incorporate it, the idea is to create a toolbox of techniques and knowledge from which your own work comes from, not a carbon copy of another artist =3

And if you ever want any critique or help finding references or something I'd be happy to help ^^

Oh I know I can sell my art for a higher price, especially if I uploaded my digital or high-quality traditionals. I have taken graphic design and many other art classes throughout school (but it was only for fun because I want to be a math teacher ^^; ). I used to sell for around $20-$40 per character and did just fine with commissions lol, but seeing as this is a fun, quick style, I like to draw in, I was going to make it a low price just to have fun and give people an opportunity at something inexpensive. (I wouldn't be taking on everyone who asked. Only the ones that caught my eye and could let off some steam).

I hate money for commissions, so if I am truly in need of money then I will back to my old commission status. And when I say I hate money, even if it is site currency, I tend to sway away from the orders. I don't know...a lot of my friends say I'm being dumb for not taking the money, but I just can't help it. It just puts me in a slump and then I don't wanna draw anymore. ono;

I used to have a DA account before, but deactivated it since I wanted a new username. I just haven't uploaded most of my old art on the new account with a baby in the way and college classes.

Maybe I should charge $5 per sketch? I mean they only take me about 30mins to sketch, ink, and color. I just want to do the art for fun right now. ^^

If you want to just do art for fun then either stick with purely personal art and gifts, or do pay as you want slots occasionally or you're just exacerbating a real problem or you're just undermining people who actually need to charge a decent amount for their work. You link to an almost abandoned account with none of your up to date work and ask for feed back, you say you want to take commissions then that you don't? Don't waste my time.

Well thank you for your words c: I've discussed the issue with some of my friends in real and I've decided to bump up the price and add higher additional charges for certain poses, backgrounds, mature content, etc. I think I will stick to more local commissions until the time I want to make digital art again. That way I don't "undermine people who need to charge a decent amount for living". I don't want to step on any toes or cause a problem. You're defiantly right about linking to an almost bare account. I really should have uploaded more art before asking for any feedback.

I shall listen to what you have said and only do gifts and small amounts of local commissions.

P.S. I couldn't help but notice your Art Shop and I must say your art is lovely c: