Regarding this image...
http://i.imgur.com/IvVmZ.jpg
Apparently this image is being spread far and wide in a lot of peoples' journals on FA.
While I understand what they're trying to get at, few seem to be taking into account the skill level an industry standard artist usually has compared to a 'fandom' average furry artist. From my own experience and observation, professional/industry standard work is typically done in a very timely manner, the results are usually far better, you have a good idea of what you'll get, and communication is clear. All of that is really hit or miss with furry artists, many of whom are one trick ponies who have trouble drawing anything beyond a handful of sexy pinups or cute cartoon characters. There will always be inspirational exceptions to this (like Onta, Strype, SixthLeafClover), but there are very few compared to the vast majority.
* The furry subculture is indeed growing, but it's still a very niche market, and that also has an impact on commission prices. Less demand, lower prices.
* Like any internet-based subculture, digital art is rampant. A lot of artists don't have the time or money to do real media. There's also a good portion of commissioners who consider digital art considerably less valuable than real media.
* Many (not all!) furries like to collect artwork from various commissioners because, let's face it, image is power in this fandom, and art of your character is the fastest way to become noticed or desirable. Cheaper prices are a lot more appealing if someone wants to go on a spending spree. When the motive of popularity comes into play, people usually go for the quick and easy approach. Quantity often outweighs quality for someone who just wants art for the sake of having their character(s) drawn. An attention-hungry or exceptionally lonely furry would rather commission a dozen cheap, not-so-skilled artists than resort to commissioning one better artist for the same price. The only exception to this is if the better artist is very popular. Again, it's all about popularity and exposure. Those two things tend to drive demand, and demand drives prices up.
* Art is a luxury, and the current crappy state of the economy is not giving people a lot of room for said luxuries. People are bound to bitch. Artists need to learn not to take that so personally. Usually would-be commissioners don't mean to come off as rude to an artist they admire. They're just pissed they don't have enough money to buy what they want, and they lack the tact to keep that to themselves. Furries lacking social skills should not surprise people anymore.
* The sheer amount of artists in this fandom is astounding. It can also be really intimidating for beginners. New artists are often afraid of overcharging because they either don't want to seem egotistical, have a low opinion of their own work, and/or are afraid of their work not selling. Other artists just want to get their name out there, so they saturate the market by taking the freebie/super cheap approach. I'm not saying all artists who do mini commissions and freebies are like this, but this typically is the case, especially with all those "Win free art if you pimp my journal!" entries on FA.
There are many other factors, but I don't feel bothered enough to list them.
I guess my ultimate opinion on the image is I both agree and disagree.
I agree that many artists are undercharging for their work, but I disagree with how the point is presented. It gives off a haughty, snobby, "You better be thankful!" message to people who have just as bad of an attitude. If you're an artist who wants to strive for selling your work at industry-standard prices and succeeding, you have to start acting more professional toward your commissioners. If they give you snark, don't snark back at them. Either ignore their "bitching," thank them for their interest anyway, or kindly explain your situation to them. It's up to them if they choose to listen or not. Just be patient. Try putting more energy into improving your style and technique rather than creating an image just to prove a point or feel justified. Otherwise, it makes you look just as butthurt as the people complaining about your prices.
(And if someone is bitching about anything less than $20 being too much for art, then they're just cheap, spoiled, and aren't worth responding to. Simply ignore them. If they can afford the internet and the time to baaaw over a few bucks, it's not that hard for them to save up some pocket money if they truly want something THAT badly.)
:P
Apparently this image is being spread far and wide in a lot of peoples' journals on FA.
While I understand what they're trying to get at, few seem to be taking into account the skill level an industry standard artist usually has compared to a 'fandom' average furry artist. From my own experience and observation, professional/industry standard work is typically done in a very timely manner, the results are usually far better, you have a good idea of what you'll get, and communication is clear. All of that is really hit or miss with furry artists, many of whom are one trick ponies who have trouble drawing anything beyond a handful of sexy pinups or cute cartoon characters. There will always be inspirational exceptions to this (like Onta, Strype, SixthLeafClover), but there are very few compared to the vast majority.
* The furry subculture is indeed growing, but it's still a very niche market, and that also has an impact on commission prices. Less demand, lower prices.
* Like any internet-based subculture, digital art is rampant. A lot of artists don't have the time or money to do real media. There's also a good portion of commissioners who consider digital art considerably less valuable than real media.
* Many (not all!) furries like to collect artwork from various commissioners because, let's face it, image is power in this fandom, and art of your character is the fastest way to become noticed or desirable. Cheaper prices are a lot more appealing if someone wants to go on a spending spree. When the motive of popularity comes into play, people usually go for the quick and easy approach. Quantity often outweighs quality for someone who just wants art for the sake of having their character(s) drawn. An attention-hungry or exceptionally lonely furry would rather commission a dozen cheap, not-so-skilled artists than resort to commissioning one better artist for the same price. The only exception to this is if the better artist is very popular. Again, it's all about popularity and exposure. Those two things tend to drive demand, and demand drives prices up.
* Art is a luxury, and the current crappy state of the economy is not giving people a lot of room for said luxuries. People are bound to bitch. Artists need to learn not to take that so personally. Usually would-be commissioners don't mean to come off as rude to an artist they admire. They're just pissed they don't have enough money to buy what they want, and they lack the tact to keep that to themselves. Furries lacking social skills should not surprise people anymore.
* The sheer amount of artists in this fandom is astounding. It can also be really intimidating for beginners. New artists are often afraid of overcharging because they either don't want to seem egotistical, have a low opinion of their own work, and/or are afraid of their work not selling. Other artists just want to get their name out there, so they saturate the market by taking the freebie/super cheap approach. I'm not saying all artists who do mini commissions and freebies are like this, but this typically is the case, especially with all those "Win free art if you pimp my journal!" entries on FA.
There are many other factors, but I don't feel bothered enough to list them.
I guess my ultimate opinion on the image is I both agree and disagree.
I agree that many artists are undercharging for their work, but I disagree with how the point is presented. It gives off a haughty, snobby, "You better be thankful!" message to people who have just as bad of an attitude. If you're an artist who wants to strive for selling your work at industry-standard prices and succeeding, you have to start acting more professional toward your commissioners. If they give you snark, don't snark back at them. Either ignore their "bitching," thank them for their interest anyway, or kindly explain your situation to them. It's up to them if they choose to listen or not. Just be patient. Try putting more energy into improving your style and technique rather than creating an image just to prove a point or feel justified. Otherwise, it makes you look just as butthurt as the people complaining about your prices.
(And if someone is bitching about anything less than $20 being too much for art, then they're just cheap, spoiled, and aren't worth responding to. Simply ignore them. If they can afford the internet and the time to baaaw over a few bucks, it's not that hard for them to save up some pocket money if they truly want something THAT badly.)
:P