Client:

1. That payment is held up for a long time until they are "done", because I have budgeted for this but they say "don't pay me till the very end"
2. Wherever the artist has his or her work up
3. I read TOS and anything that would be directly relevant to my commission idea
4. Yes, as long as everything is above board.
5. As long as I know they can do the style I want
6. No, but if i was extra difficult for whatever reason I would do so of politeness.
7. Up front at the start
8. Whichever, I am both Business minded and informal.
9. Notes followed by email.
10. Take a very, very long time with no warnings or excuses, I am a very understanding person when life happens.

Interesting with the first one! I haven't heard of a client who prefers that! Though I can understand it.

What would be said in the notes and then the email?

How long would be too long?

I like to budget for things, and when it is held for weeks and months it messes with me, even more so when they just say "I couldn't do it anyway". I guess I am a punctual person

Oh, that is in order of Preference. Notes -> Email. I would never do a commission in the open on a journal, ect.

One picture took about year a with no unprompted updates from the artists. I got a sketch about 6 months in and the finished picture within about 5 months. It took a lot of poking and if at any point the artist said "I can't do this" or "I have issues in life" it would've been fine. "Being left hanging" is a better way to read that then "how long it takes"

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
-pestering me about when art will be done. i work very quickly usually (1-2 weeks maximum turnaround) so messages multiple times a day "seeing if im working on it yet" and being pushy makes me want to just refund them and not work with them :(

-changing their minds about edits i've made already for them. i've had a few customers go back and forth about edits so many times.. its too much headache for me. i can understand an edit if i made a mistake or they want to try something else, but there are times when it feels like i am being taken advantage of after 3+ edits of something minimal..

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
-i used to, not anymore as i tend to just open in journals and do adopts nowadays.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
-i do but i dont openly use it anymore, most people dont even read it and many of the things are just no-brainer stuff, so i dont find it too neccesary

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
-i sure do! its right smack on my profile! i used to use Trello, but i enjoy having it right on my profile for EVERYONE, including me to see! :D

5. Do you use invoices?
-i dont, unless the customer requests it. I have a Paypal business account, and if things are sent correctly for items, there should be no issue. I use the paypal.me link, i find it easy on both me and the customer.

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
-i like payment upfront. i accept payment after sketches as well for those that are not sure what they want/prefer it

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
- sure! as long as they have a verified way of paying me. I have accepted many commissions from these.

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
- i prefer twitter DMs, and comments. easier for me to find. I HATE FA NOTES lol

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
-weird attempts at roleplaying with me / acting overly friendly / sexual advances towards me.. yuck. happens way too much for me to not mention it.

I hope I'm not too forward by replying to this as a client. Sorry if I step on any toes - that's not the intent :)

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
-pestering me about when art will be done. i work very quickly usually (1-2 weeks maximum turnaround) so messages multiple times a day "seeing if im working on it yet" and being pushy makes me want to just refund them and not work with them :(
I 100% get that. I don't do that, because the reason you said. Yet I'm often tempted to contact the artist after a commission to just... share my excitement I guess? Encourage them? Let them know I'm more than happy to answer questions? I sure as heck dun wanna be a burden. But, also, on the flip side, I found as a creator doing things for people I'm also spending a bit of time now and then wondering "does anyone even care what I'm doing?" or "are they just trying to be nice, and what I'm building is actually just shit?" But, that's probably just me.

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
-i used to, not anymore as i tend to just open in journals and do adopts nowadays.
FYI, I usually don't check journals unless I'm bored. But, I'm just 1 person.
I also don't like adopts. Or, rather, I'm probably a minority that just doesn't get them. Especially if they're just as much as a normal commission. It often seems like a rip-off to me, but maybe I'm just one of those who don't "get it", and that's OK. But, if I see an artist start doing too many adopts (or even excessive YCH), I'll probably move on.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
-i do but i dont openly use it anymore, most people dont even read it and many of the things are just no-brainer stuff, so i dont find it too neccesary
Yeah. That's half the problem with a ToS. Sometimes one-on-one is just better, cuz then (hopefully) they're paying more attention to the important bits :)

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
-i sure do! its right smack on my profile! i used to use Trello, but i enjoy having it right on my profile for EVERYONE, including me to see! :D
Nice :)

1.
-i really enjoy when people are excited to work with me! Absolutely! I'll gladly talk to a commissioner for that! Very different than what I was talking about. I'm talking about messages like "did you start the commission yet?" "Hey checking in, have you started my commission yet?" Over and over after responding to them when I will actually start.

I can understand those messages for flighty artists, but I stay in contact and get things done fairly quickly.


2.
-many artists use their journals for slots and commission information. Just common. I tend to get a lot of people looking out for my journals as well, so I wouldn't scrap it as a way for commissions

Adopts are awesome to me. They aren't for everyone of course, but I enjoy making them and seeing others make them too.


Thank you for your input, opinions of clients is important!

Client:

1. When they take so long to answer an email/note. I've had some artists go up two weeks before getting back to me, and by that time I had already found someone that answered in the same day. (When I say take so long I mean more than 36 hours.)
2. I don't really mind, so long as each place shows their work and the info needed.
3. Always. As for a red flag, I have read a couple of ToS saying that if you commission the artist to draw your character, they get to keep all rights to the character.
4. I have before, but they should know upfront what I plan to do with it.
5. I don't mind so much, so long as I get an estimated wait time or something similar.
6. I try to give what I can if I have it, I generally don't commission someone if I don't have a little to give.
7. I prefer half up front, half when it's done (but I just ripped off by artist who wanted all up front, so that might be why)
8. I prefer more casual because it's how I normally send emails, but I understand they'd rather remain completely professional.
9. Preferably email (so I can keep track of it better), but notes work just as well.
10. If they haven't updated their gallery recently, or if I commission them and what they give me doesn't match the quality of the gallery.

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
- Never giving me a Reference Image when asking for a commission. Especially when I have a form to fill out that asks for one.
- Asking only "Can I have a commission" in a note. I can't say Yes or No to that, because I don't even know what that person wants. Trick question, Trap me into accepting a ridiculous commission request without knowing what it is first, or trap me into making me sound like a jerk. I ask "That depends, what are you asking for commission?" *sends my form*

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
Links On my profile, in my journal footers, and in my artwork lead to my Commission page (Via Google Docs) since I am on so many different art sites.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
Yes. It's good to let people know what I will/won't draw, and where i stand on my art being used by others.

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere?
Yes (Also a Google Doc)

5. Do you use invoices?
I use both invoice and the regular method. Though I'd prefer invoice as it always bothers me to leave proper payment methods in the hands of the client as sometimes they don't pick goods and services.

6. When do you prefer to be paid?
Full upfront for commissions that's prices are set. If its something like Animations or Comics, I charge by the hour, and the commissioner pays the hour or more (or half hour) upfront and I'll work as far as I can go in that time frame until they are completed to where the commissioner wants it.

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
I would work with a client who's account is recent, but I think I would be suspicious about a new account with absolutely nothing on it (no icon/favs/uploads/journals/shouts/profile info). I would be okay with blank account that are older and have a few shouts, as those are usually just porn watcher accounts. :)

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
This is difficult for me. I'd like to do via Email, but there are people who don't like email or send via notes anyways.
Notes get lost into an abyss right quick. Though I do keep all commission info on my To-do list. Uhh, I guess no matter what everything would get messy if I didn't have my to-do list.

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
The ones who send me a message every. single. day. "is it done? Did you do anything? What are you doing today? Where are you right now? Why didn't you message me yet?" Usually it ends up stressing me out enough that I'll refund them.



Clients:

1. What is your pet peeves that artists do?
- Not Advertising their commissions ever (Then complaining no one commission them ever even though their last ad was 3 years ago)
- Advertising via only FA journals (As only their watchers might catch it AND it is easy to miss)
- Not Declining my commission upfront if they don't think it is something they are comfortable with.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
As long as there is a link to SOMEWHERE of a commission info, I don't care where they host their commission info. I hate it more when an artist doesn't list their info at all, because I can't look at how much to save.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
I skim, and I skim for this type of thing "You cannot post my art anywhere ever at all. Never" I will never commission an artist where I can't post and appreciate the art I had bought. Usually phrases that involve a "Never Ever" I try to avoid. I can't trust that they'll never delete my commission, and I can't trust that I won't ever break my flashdrives, so I want to be able to post that art somewhere that I can get it back again in case I lose everything.

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
Yeah, but I'd look into them first.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list?
Yeah, but I would look at their work flow first.

6. Do you give tips?
I usually pay more upfront instead of tipping as I never know when a com will be done and if I'd have something to tip them at that time. I'd say 50/50 pay extra or flat price.

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
Upfront so that I don't have to keep saving and saving and keeping track of money

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
I don't care as long as they aren't throwing paragraphs of stories while I'm trying to ask for a commission. Chat with me afterwards if you want.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Whatever the artist prefers.

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
- I am wary of A Commission Queue that is around 20+ people long (As in most cases, this is a sign of an overworked artist who's probably facing a lot of stress and refunds.) I don't have an issue with wait time, but If i can actively see the artist is having trouble keeping up with their current queue, odds are is that my commission might be treated with hatred and end up with not the best art, or (on my third bullet) not be declined upfront for being something they don't want to do.

Same as my reply above, I hope I'm not stepping on any toes. Hopefully you don't mind if I respond to some of your interesting points as a client.

. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
- Never giving me a Reference Image when asking for a commission. Especially when I have a form to fill out that asks for one.
- Asking only "Can I have a commission" in a note. I can't say Yes or No to that, because I don't even know what that person wants. Trick question, Trap me into accepting a ridiculous commission request without knowing what it is first, or trap me into making me sound like a jerk. I ask "That depends, what are you asking for commission?" *sends my form*

If I didn't have a reference or didn't want to use one (sometimes I want a fresh perspective), I wouldn't provide one. But, I'd also say so.

On the second point, I sometimes start like that. Sometimes it's hard for me to tell if an artist is open or closed for commissions, and I find it's usually easiest (and most welcome) just to ask. I wouldn't assume they're open and just spam them my ref/request, but I think you got a reasonable compromise with "what are you asking for" and sending a form. But, knowing this is a pet peeve of yours, I probably wouldn't work up the courage to contact you, and would probably go with a "safer" artist I feel more comfortable with.

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
Links On my profile, in my journal footers, and in my artwork lead to my Commission page (Via Google Docs) since I am on so many different art sites.
Nice :)

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere?
Yes (Also a Google Doc)
Also nice. I do like Google Docs!

5. Do you use invoices?
I use both invoice and the regular method. Though I'd prefer invoice as it always bothers me to leave proper payment methods in the hands of the client as sometimes they don't pick goods and services.
That's a good point. I've been yelled at by artists both ways (goods and services, and (the wrong way) friends and family). So... I'd rather an artist just tell me how they want me to pay, or send an invoice so there's nowhere to screw up.

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
The ones who send me a message every. single. day. "is it done? Did you do anything? What are you doing today? Where are you right now? Why didn't you message me yet?" Usually it ends up stressing me out enough that I'll refund them.
Grabby people tend to ruin it for those of us who just want to show our excitement :( I have a hard time knowing where the line is, so I'm reluctant to stray far from the "don't bother the artist EVER!!!" side.

Your fine. Discussion time.

If I didn't have a reference or didn't want to use one (sometimes I want a fresh perspective), I wouldn't provide one. But, I'd also say so.
- Reference: a visual image of your character. It doesn't have to be a ref sheet, just a reference image, but if I have no reference at all of your oc, I can't accept a commission from the client. Then I have to ask, despite already having a form to fill, to fill out my commission form again/properly so that I can accept/decline the commission properly as well.

On the second point, I sometimes start like that. Sometimes it's hard for me to tell if an artist is open or closed
- There's a difference between "Are you open for commissions?" and "Can I have a commission?" I have had people try to swindle/guilt me using the second phrase. The same way people try to swindle/guilt by only asking "Can you do me a Favor?" with no context as to what the favor is hoping you'll say Yes or No. I do keep my profile up to date as boldly written as I can when I'm open or closed, and post submission ads when open. I always get really suspicious of people who ask to have a commission first instead of asking if I am open, specifically when I'm closed.

I have a hard time knowing where the line is, so I'm reluctant to stray far from the "don't bother the artist EVER!!!" side.
- I know. It is difficult to tell when is too much. Like, maybe one month if I'm the only one on their list? But if they post journals about delays, they're all fine and such.

Clients:

1. What are your pet peeves that artists do?
-it bothers me when artists act very cold and "too business like". I know everyone has their own way of conducting things, but sometimes a little emotion goes a long way in the customer service department when working with someone. strange i guess, but i am put off by people when i think they may not enjoy drawing for me

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
-i like it readily visible on multiple areas. i prefer it to be on this site. I find many artists own websites can be confusing with layouts (others are wonderful however, it really depends)

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
-i dont generally read them, being very honest. but i do look at the "REFUND" area. I dont commission people who say "absolutely no refunds". doesnt make sense if i pay for a product that may never be delievered

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
-yes. many dont have a ToS.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
-maybe? if it looks like they are taking in a ton of work, that puts up a flag for me. usually i just ask when commissioning when i might expect the art delivered.

6. Do you give tips?
-i usually do to artists that have their prices too low

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
-upfront

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
-a mixture of both. dont pretend to be my bestest friend, but a little emotion is great!

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
-i love Twitter DMs. and comments.

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
-talking down on commissioners is ugly

Is Client:

1. What are your pet peeves that artists do?
Setting up VERY long commission queue lines via emergency comm journals and the like that threatens the chance of them not being able to get to the stuff people hired them for in a promised, timely manner.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
I primarily use this site to contact the artist, though if there's a site they frequent better, I'll try that.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
If interested in a particular artist, sure. I did have at least one person I read their ToS and wound up not commissioning them as a result (won't elaborate).

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
I have before. I just make very well sure to ask them ahead of time what they can/can't/won't do.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
I have commissioned people that did not have a public work-list before, but would highly prefer seeing a work list of some kind (and that it is kept up to date)

6. Do you give tips?
I usually stick to the letter of the contract, but if extra work was put into said work for whatever reason (I had that happen once), then I toss some extra.

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
Up front at the start when everything is agreed upon. I personally leery of artists who have habit of doing majority of work and then ask for payment, cause that invites some shady people to try to swindle them.

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
Typically relaxed, as it lets possible gaps in ideas better flow freely between artist and client. Also shows that the artist is clearly interested in doing the work.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
However it is listed via the artist's page. Though for me, after initial contact, emails are speedier (smartphone connected to email and will make that Metal Gear Solid CODEC ring when I get something new)

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
(incoming vent...)

...There's one that has caused me to not take anymore of their work. I won't name them, but when told I wouldn't be getting the proper high-resolution picture that I had ordered from them (due to a past incident of a client taking their work as their own), I was more than a little peeved.
Even worse was that there was nothing in any ToS or written out beforehand to ask the artist for the HR shot. Was told I should have discussed it with the artist beforehand, but nothing of the sort was HINTED at. Unfortunately I liked their work, but after hearing that, I don't think I'll ever return to them as a customer.

Clients:

1. What is your pet peeves that artists do?

-Disappear. I don't necessarily mind delays, as they're usually for good reason and I'd rather the artist not feel rushed. But, a quick 5-second email / Discord / Journal update can go a long way so long as they send /something/.

-Starving artist. Nothing loses me quicker than "I'm opening up 50 more commissions because I'm late on rent!", or even worse "I just got this dog last month, but now I need $100 to get them neutered - please help!". Begging is such a turn-off, especially when they show they're not good with money or make good life decisions (financially unstable enough to look after pets especially). If it came down to it, I'd rather just donate/loan you the money rather than pay for a commission I feel would be rushed or forgotten.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
I like links that point to the same place, whether that's their own website or the FA page or whatever. I'll usually start at their FA Userpage or FA "Commission Page", but if I know they got multiple galleries/accounts/websites, I'm not going to trust that they keep all of them up-to-date. If I see multiple links to the same place, I'm going to assume they do a good job of keeping that place up-to-date.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
-So long as it's not long or boring. Biggest red flags to me are when the artist gets fussy/super-detailed about who owns the rights to do whatever. I understand stolen artwork is a thing, but at the same time... it's the Internet. Sometimes it's good to trust your clients won't do anything malicious, and just deal with those on a case-by-case basis. Once I got the image, I'd rather not worry about what I can and can't do with it, or what others I share with may or may not do (and share I will!)

-I don't like parts that get very specific about "must provide X" or "only Y amount of corrections." I'm sometimes already nervous about bothering an artist, and if I feel like I'm not prepared or if they won't enjoy working on my art, then I will probably just forget about it and do something else with my money. I want to enable an artist to do what they love, not feel like I'm a bother or a burden on them.

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
Yep! Everyone's gotta start somewhere. Maybe nothing large, but I'm not going to be worried about refunds or such for a cheap piece of art.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list?
Sure. Those work lists are a lot of work to maintain and update! But, bonus points to those artists who have the discipline to do so!

6. Do you give tips?
Sometimes. If I feel the art was worth more than they charged, or if something took several attempts to "get right" (I know client coordination takes a lot of time/energy). But, I also don't want to encourage a system where people rely on tips as part of their income, like restaurant waiters.

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?

-100% up front. It's a gesture of trust. If I don't trust the artist, it's time for me to look at someone else. If I'm hurting for money, I shouldn't be buying art. If I simply don't like what I got in the end, and wouldn't have paid that much knowing that's what I'd get, well... that's something to discuss with the artist but I still need to value the time and energy they put into it (though if I don't think they'd be able to take my critique, I'll probably just move onto someone).

-Though, I also love the idea of upgrades, or pay-as-you-go. This is especially enjoyable during streams. E.g.: $5 initial cost, just to reserve a spot and have the artist read through/look at all my refs & collect info. $5 more for rough sketch. $5 more to clean up. $5 more to ink it. $5 to do a significant correction. $10 to add flat colors. Oops, that took longer than I thought - here's another $5 to finish. $5 to shade them. $10 to add a background. $5 to add a bit more detail at point X. Oh damn, you've been working 5 hours non-stop on this just for me?! Here's a $10 tip. I don't mind making a ton of different payments, though 1 at the start and 1 at the end is also good (hopefully after charging someone to start, you can trust them to pay at the finish too).

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
Depends. If I'm coming to them as a professional, that probably means I'm representing someone other than myself or using someone else's money to get a commission for them. If I'm being professional, I'd like the artist to be in return.
Yet, funnily enough, If I'm coming to them casual and relaxed, but the artist seems too professional, I'm going to think I'm bothering them / wasting their time / they're too expensive. I like to make friends, after all I'm sharing something intimate (some made up dragon critter) with them. If I'm showing some flaws/faults, maybe it's good to see the artist do that too.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Discord. I love me some Discord and real-time chat.
But, failing that, email.
But I'm also fine with FA notes - just don't get to them quickly.
I don't like Telegram. Also don't like other social media.

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
Actually, I think that just about covers it. Good questions!

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
Definetly asking multiple times about their art. Its always okay to ask, but not every single day or every two days ;-;

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
Yes! It's avaiable in "Commission info" page in my profile.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
No, I have only simple informations in "Commission info" what I wont draw. Im normal person, if somebody have special request, can always ask me in notes, Ill always reply, cause Im not so popular yet :)

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yes, its in journal, but that journal is not featured and linked in my page (its a little bit hidden, because its more for myself, but everybody can always take a look if need)

5. Do you use invoices?
Yes, but only if client ask about it

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
Before working. People can trust me cause Im drawing here since 1,5 year and Im fair, and also I cant trust every single random person. If somebody want, I can send funds back.

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
Yes, if he paid for commission :)

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Only notes in FA or email (in "Special" request)

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
Sometimes being extremally picky, but only sometimes :)

I'm a commission artist and I commission a lot of people in return so I filled in both. Hope thats ok!

Artists:
1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
Instant messaging me about commissions after I've stated not to.

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
Yes

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
Yes!

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yes :D

5. Do you use invoices?
I do, I've started using the send invoice via link lately. It works pretty well.

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
Up front, though half and half is fine too.

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
Yes, I get some anon work via email alone so I am fine with new accounts.

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Email, though I'll accept notes. They are harder to keep track off.

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
Not listening to my instructions. This is pretty common but it gets really frustrating. Eg I have a short form I send people to help them get there idea across and not using it is a good way to have me deny a commission.


Clients:
1. What are your pet peeves that artists do?
Refusing to make requested changes to an image even when I have said I'll pay an additional fee for the changes.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
On there page is the best. Or the commission info tab works too.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
Yes I do. Anything that is really different from what I have in mine. I once saw someone with a TOS That said they would, if you filed a charge back for any reason, steal the characters that where commissioned and resell them to cover the cost. Which like??? You obv can't but its always good to check for huge red flags like that.

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
I am more weary to do so, but it isn't a hard no.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yeah, I don't mind so much.

6. Do you give tips?
I try to when I can.

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
Up front.

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
Professional is nice, but I don't mind some banter.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Email, honestly.

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
If I see they have a Artist Beware I'll not commission them.

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
I guess just ghosting in general. I hate when someone expresses an interest in an adopt or having a piece of work and then stops responding. Recently one client even gave me the go-ahead to send them an invoice, never paid it and then stopped responding to messages and it's so disheartening. I'd prefer simply being told that they changed their mind or something came up. I'm pretty hurt about it.

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
Nope! I don't really take comms except for occasionally in the form of a YCH or a journal, so usually all the info would be in those posts. I feel like it would be misleading to have my comm info up in general when it's such a rare occurrence that I take them.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
No, but I'm in the process of making one.

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yep, through journals.

5. Do you use invoices?
Yep!

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
Before working because I've had a lot of experiences where I've been cheated out of being paid. Either at the start or after I've sent

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
Yep! I haven't had any problems with accounts like that. I do try to look over other sites they have listed and do some digging, though.

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Notes!

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
Being rude or pushy. I don't like it when a person gets snippy or when I say I won't do/sell something and I keep getting message after message even after I've stopped responding. I'm the kind of person that has a hard time saying "No" so when clients are trying to push me into something or haggle and I've already said no a few times, I stop responding and then when they keep messaging after I haven't been responding to messages I end up blocking them.

Clients:

1. What are your pet peeves that artists do?
-
When commissions are done out of order, or they take on a lot of commissions giving everyone a huge wait time. Also if they only do journal posts for commissions. My biggest has to be when they post somewhere else ahead of time and then eventually get to posting somewhere giving one place a better chance of nabbing whatever they're posting.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
-
On their page where it's highlight and obviously stands out now somewhere else that can be hard to find.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
-
Yes, because sometimes they may night take an idea I'd like or there could be some red tape for getting certain ideas or processes done

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
-
No because then I don't know what their limits or rules are and I typically commission things that I want to KNOW they're going to draw to prevent wasting their and my time.

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
-
I do sometimes but I prefer a public work list especially if the commission is further down the line and it prevents me from having to ask when a commission will be done.

6. Do you give tips?
-
Sometimes but most times. No.

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
-
Immediately or right before they stream/start it but it depends on the amount. For things in the 100s I'll usually do a pay plan that lets me pay it all off before they start it.

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
-
I'm okay with a mix of both; professional but not completely business related speak.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
-
discord but email works fine too most times

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
-
If they consistently make journals or apologize for delays when they have a very large queue or consistently put out work that varies between 'done in a rush' and 'took their time' so that the quality is all over the place.

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
When you send them a WIP (sketch stage, line stage, colour stage...), they approve them, but then, when the drawing is finished, they are like "oh, could you change the pose a bit?".

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
I have commission infos on a journal on deviantArt, that I usually link on Facebook or elsewhere. I also have commission infos on FA but I prefer my dA journal.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
Yup

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yup, on trello

5. Do you use invoices?
No

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
Before working. I might accept some payment plans (after sketch or half up front) for canine/feline characters, so that I can still re-use the art if the client somehow refuses to pay.

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
Yeah. I once accepted a commission from someone who created a FB account and joined a group only to look for a commission, and then I was like "woops I shouldn't have accepted, they're obviously trying to scam me!!" but it was all fine at the end so... guess I'll accept again until I get scammed ?

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
I've never been commissioned on FA, I usually like to be contacted by Facebook. On dA or FA, it would be notes or maybe comments.

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
"Hey, I see that you're selling this for $20 but it's too expensive, would you do it for $5? My cat just died I'm so sad I cried myself to sleep this art will really make me happy please please please"
....or the ones who post commissions done for them on deviantArt. I hate this for no reason.



Clients:

1. What are your pet peeves that artists do?
The ones who constantly complains (publicly) about how they cannot get a real job, how their life sucks, how it sucks to only be talented in art... I know a few that way, and even though they're really talented, their attitude is just a no-go to me.
Or the ones who are like "ugh I hated drawing this character" when posting the com on their public profiles.... happened to me once, doesn't make me want to commission them again, not even with another character.
Also the ones who takes 6 months for some really basic art.
And the ones who spend the money before finishing the art, and then, if they cannot finish the art for any reason, they can't refund you. When I notice this happening, I take note of the artist name to never commission them.

2. Where do you prefer artists list their commission info? (on their page, on their own art site, or doesn't matter/something else?)
Doesn't matter.

3. Do you read the artist's ToS? (more so, anything in the ToS that would be seen as a red flag and you wouldn't commission them?)
Yeah, if they aren't 57 kilometres long, I'll read them.
I've seen artists saying "do not post my art anywhere at all" in their ToS. Wouldn't commission them. I want to post my character's art on ToyHouse at the very least.

4. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a ToS?
Yes

5. Would you commission an artist if they don't have a public work list? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
Yes

6. Do you give tips?
Sometimes

7. When do you prefer to pay the artist?
When art is done, so that I'm sure I won't be scammed. Though I understand that most artists don't like this and I'll pay beforehand if that's what they want.

8. Do you prefer the artist to be completely professional in how they talk, or more casual and relaxed?
As long as they don't go "heyyy sweetie, what's up my dear?", I'm fine with casual.

9. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
Notes or Facebook.

10. Anything else that an artist may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
See question 1 :p

Artists:

1. What are your pet peeves that clients do?
-- Using my Discord as a live update feed even when I have it placed on my page not to ask me there.

2. Do you have your commission info on your page?
-- Yes, in several places.

3. Do you have a ToS (terms of service)?
-- Yes.

4. Do you have a public work list anywhere? (list that shows clients they are currently working with)
-- Yes, Trello.

5. Do you use invoices?
-- I have one set up, but I'm too scared to use it.

6. When do you prefer to be paid? (before working, half up front, pay after a sketch, pay once finished, something else?)
-- After the sketch.

7. Would you work with a client if they made their account recently (within a month) or had a completely blank page?
-- I'd keep my guard up about them until I know they're trustworthy (ie, paying and not dipping out).

8. What is your preferred contact method? (notes, email, something else?)
-- Notes.

9. Anything else that a client may do that would cause you to not want to work with them?
-- Being a known nitpicker, being on Artist Beware.