"If you’ve not done something before it doesn’t mean you won’t be successful when you do"
Your first commission, that’s a seriously big moment. But if you’ve never done any commission work before, then you might not know how it works. This week on Thriving Women Artists, Ping, Sarah, and Dorien will guide you through what you need to know through each step of the process. Find out how much you should charge? How do you communicate with the client? How does a contract work? And so many more useful tips for making your commissioned artwork. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

The first thing you should be doing when you have an enquiry is ask for their budget, the deadline, and where and how your art will be used. 
Do your research on the company if there is information freely available. 
It can always help to meet face to face if you can, but if you’re in different places then you can always talk on the phone. Make sure you have all the information easy to access via e-mail. 
It’s okay to say no, that budget doesn’t work for me, or the time frame is too small. 
Keep your client updated on the work. If you send a sketch then they can give feedback, that’s better than sending the final artwork and it being wrong. 
You can share your working process with the client so they understand how you work and what they can expect. 
Unless your client is paying for all of your time, then your time is not theirs. You still have to live your life and work for what you’re worth. Working for free or less than you’re worth just devalues your time and your art. 
The contract should say the deadlines, fees, feedback rounds, how the art will be used and how long for.
It’s generally a standard thing to ask for 50% upfront. 

 
BEST MOMENTS
‘If you’ve not done something before it doesn’t mean you won’t be successful when you do’ 
‘A no is always negotiable’ 
‘It’s always okay to ask for more’
‘If you’re listening to our podcast then please don’t work for free’
 
ABOUT THE PODCAST 
A serious and fun podcast for female creatives hosted by Ping, Dorien and Sarah, three happy artists from Amsterdam.  This podcast will inspire you to make a living out of your art. We welcome you to be part of this community of like-minded people.
www.thrivingwomenartists.comwww.instagram.com/twapodcast
 
 ABOUT THE HOSTS
 
Ping He 
Ping is a watercolor artist. Her work is inspired by nature and her motherhood experience. She develops her greeting cards brand and teaches Botanical Illustration courses online and offline. 
www.pinghe.artinfo@pinghe.artwww.instagram.com/pinghe.art
 
Sarah van Dongen 
Sarah is a children’s book illustrator and visual artist. She takes her sketchbooks and art supplies everywhere, which results in illustrations based on observation and daily life.
www.sarahvandongen.comsarahvandongenillustration@gmail.comwww.instagram.com/sarahvandongenillustrations
 
Dorien Bellaar:
Dorien is an illustration artist. Her work is mainly focused on illustration for children, editorial/food illustration, hand lettering, and she likes to combine those into both traditional and digital art. 
www.dorienbellaar.nlhello@dorienbellaar.nl www.instagram.com/dorienbellaarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.