Tipping for Art Commissions Question

[Dunquixote]

Hi! Sorry if this is not the right place to post this. I didn’t know whether to post this here or in the museum.

I was wondering what is considered a good tip?

And for shops that is pwyw, is there such thing as a bad offer? Like I had a commission that had two characters, based on the prices I’ve seen others pay her as well as the first commission I had done which was a single character, I paid 350 without tip and I think I sent 100-300 (maybe more in tip; I can’t remember since it has been a few months). Is that considered acceptable? I was worried at the time it wasn’t enough but that was all my tbt at the time.

Lately, I’ve been considering commissioning art that would total (without tip) about 500 tbt. So I was curious what would be a good tip? I already posted a request in one shop but am uncertain if that was accepted, so before I look at another shop, I want to make sure i have enough to give both orders a good tip. but alas, idk what is a good tip.

Post automatically merged: May 30, 2021

Also, how much would be a good tip for a free commission like in the Draw the User Above you? I have a tipping problem . I just feel inclined to tip to show I appreciate everything.

 

[Aquilla]

I can't be of much help I'm afraid (I'm a total pricing noob) but I wanted to pop in and say that it's incredibly nice of you to consider/worry about tipping at all! Considering the "draw the user above you" thread works on a voluntary basis I'd suggest you don't need to worry too much about it as I'm sure every kind of tip in whatever form will be much appreciated (a nice compliment or one's art being displayed are also very lovely)! I haven't experienced being tipped yet so in my eyes the tips you mentioned are very generous!

 

[Dunquixote]

I can't be of much help I'm afraid (I'm a total pricing noob) but I wanted to pop in and say that it's incredibly nice of you to consider/worry about tipping at all! Considering the "draw the user above you" thread works on a voluntary basis I'd suggest you don't need to worry too much about it as I'm sure every kind of tip in whatever form will be much appreciated (a nice compliment or one's art being displayed are also very lovely)! I haven't experienced being tipped yet so in my eyes the tips you mentioned are very generous!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I appreciate the answer . I have been told that a few times but I still can’t help worrying of insulting the artist without realizing it with tip or payment (if it is pwyw). I only bought a few art pieces so I when I bought most of them, I was clueless about their prices and made a guess by looking at threads and the other orders. I do have plans to make some special posts just for the commissions in my island journal eventually since I really would love others to see the different art I had commissioned (with proper credit of course and their permission ). Thank you so much for your time! I felt like it’d be better to ask than continue commissioning and find out later I insulted someone unintentionally or ripped them off

 

[Aquilla]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I appreciate the answer . I have been told that a few times but I still can’t help worrying of insulting the artist without realizing it with tip or payment (if it is pwyw). I only bought a few art pieces so I when I bought most of them, I was clueless about their prices and made a guess by looking at threads and the other orders. I do have plans to make some special posts just for the commissions in my island journal eventually since I really would love others to see the different art I had commissioned (with proper credit of course and their permission ). Thank you so much for your time! I felt like it’d be better to ask than continue commissioning and find out later I insulted someone unintentionally or ripped them off

Of course!
I think you have the best intentions and you are already doing as much as you can to figure out an appropriate price - which is very thoughtful and kind of you. I wouldn't know what else to do other than orienting myself on the previous prices! Tips are always an extra portion of kindness but not at all mandatory! If someone would like more payment for their work, they probably will let you know

Displaying the art in your island journal is such a nice idea I can't wait to see it all!

Now I'll make way for people who actually know prices ;u;

 

[Dunquixote]

Just wondering if anyone else would like to share their opinions on what is a good tip for art?

I really would love to hear opinions on this since I really want to tip but I don’t have hundreds of thousands of tbt or even more than 2k. I want to make sure I have enough to tip and pay base price but i would hate to find out i insulted the artist who i made a very complicated order from with a “measly” 200 tbt (to me 100 is a lot but i don’t know if tips should increase over complexity).

 

[Balverine]

So I do a lot of RLC commissions, and whenever I get tipped, it's usually around 10%
like if the commission was $30, I generally get tipped around $3 (some people feel really generous and tip $5)

I haven't done tbt commissions in ages, but I feel like that'd be pretty fair for that, too

that's just my opinion, though, most people are happy to receive a tip in the first place and aren't too picky on it

 

[corncob]

i think the general rule of 15% or more applies to art, too, personally, when it comes to what's a "good" tip - but frankly we artists would, mostly, be happy with virtually any tip at all lmao :' ) so many people don't even think about tipping their artists in the first place! whenever i get a tip, like any tip, i'm over the moon lmao

as for what price is good for a pwyw commission - i'd say pay what you honestly think the product is worth, but also keep in mind what you would want to be paid if you were the one doing the work, if that makes sense? i know a lot of artists have a 'minimum offer' they'll take on these type of commissions; i'd look around for similar work and see what other people are considering a minimum for it and use that as a basis?

 

[Mistreil]

in my experience, any amount of tip would make an artist happy! most artists aren't expecting a tip at all, so i don't think they'll ever feel insulted (even if its a very small tip!)

10-15% is a good range usually! i've sometimes done more than that when i have the funds available and i feel like an artist is underpricing themselves. even if you aren't able to tip, sometimes even just the sentiment is enough ("i'd tip you if i had the funds" or something like that)
once i've seem someone come back to tip after a while passed from their commission being finished, and i was like... woah?!

in regards to PWYW commissions: i like to look at what orders they've accepted previously, and consider how other artists price their art too (e.g. if i like both A and B's art the same amount and B has PWYW, i might look at A's pricing to get an idea of where to start).

in regards to tipping for complexity of pieces you order: a lot of artists will mention upfront if they charge more for additional details. you can also take the initiative to ask too ("i think this commission has a lot of details, so please let me know if i should be paying extra and how much" or something) -- it takes a lot of pressure off the artist!
i've always appreciated when people give me that opening as opposed to having to awkwardly decide whether i should ask for more.

in regards to tipping for Draw the User Above You: honestly even 1 bell would be impressive. i don't think people usually tip for those! i've always treated it as a fun game, and the artist also gets art from the person after them, so that's usually enough!