Hey, had a question I was hoping I could get some help with. Recently commissioned an artist for the first time to draw a couple of OCs. Thing that makes it a bit harder to know how much to tip is that I didn't have any previous reference pics for the characters, just a written description and a couple of photos of things that inspired their looks, meaning he had to do character design work in addition to just the art. What's a good percent to tip in this case? Thanks!
I've never heard of tipping artists after the agreed-upon commission fee was paid. I've had a few people give me more than what I asked for, but it was never expected.
When I commissioned art for our game, we had a agreed upon price ahead of time (whether it was a flat fee or hourly) and it's best to adhere to that if you're counting it as a business expense. If it's just for your own personal enjoyment or anything without intent to profit, then just give a bonus relative to how impressed you are with the final product or the process it took to get there. Worst case if you feel you stiffed them, you can always renegotiate the contract or better still, just plan to rehire them and pay them more the next time (or recommend them if you have nothing planned for future work).
I have never received nor expected 'tips' for any commission I've ever done in 20+ years of art/design work. If anything, I usually have to DROP my rates a bit for people that might not be able to easily afford the standard costs. All I ever hope for / expect is credit for the work if thrown all over social media and the subsequent referrals that come with it, and that applies to virtually every other artist I know as well. Long story short: I really don't think you need to worry about paying anything extra to what I assume is an already agreed upon price.
With commission work i don't see a have to tip. It is a simple contract job. Something like eating at a restaurant (Remember when we used to do that?) yeah tip your server at least 15%. Barber toss a few bucks. Valet, uber/taxi, etc. basic service tip 10-15%. But contract work it is not expected.
Hmmmm. As an artist, I’d say probably just do the math to establish how much “minimum wage” adjacent time/money went into that design work, and then add it to the commission price. A lot of artists are used to being treated like disposable commodities and. Like. Basically little more than copy-faxxers for creative work. So. I think he’d appreciate ANYTHING like that, and worrying about the exact amount is less important than just establishing a reasonable baseline and compensating him, starting from there. ♥️✨ Good luck and good on you for actually being more considerate than the majority of clients!!!!
I'm an artist...0 tip. Also, don't tip postal works, law enforcement, teachers....etc, you know people who get salaries. Go ahead and tip your local prize fighter or mma champ. (that last part was sarcasm btw)
