How to get the best results when you buy art.
This is a guide for art buyers mostly.
I am usually the one making the art, but I also buy so I know both sides of the business.
Yes it is a business, even though it's pretty casual on Gaia when you draw for gold, keep in mind you're paying for a real person's services.
Things to consider before purchasing:
I know all of us have had disappearing artists and disappearing buyers.
It's a good idea to stay in the person's thread/shop/place and become friends
You make a new friend, and you get to make sure the person isn't going to vanish. It's probably a good idea to do this before buying or bidding on art. Just being realistic, people will generally do better working for someone they consider a friend and you'll be around if they need to ask questions.
There's no real reason NOT to chill with the person you're commissioning. If you've got art from your friend it's even specialer than from a stranger right?
Sometimes I guess you just don't click with the person but you like their work, that's understandable but still try to hang around when you can.
Also consider what the best thing about the artist's style is. Requesting a character or avatar that doesn't fit is not going to help.
Just because the artist's art is beautiful, doesn't mean they can get your avatar or character to come out as their best piece of work ever.
Try to pick an artist with the same taste level as yourself.
You're better off looking for cheaper or anime/sketchy art if you've got a general/ messy avatar or RP characters you haven't had the time to really develop.
If you're ordering Yaori or Yuri or gay/lesbian characters, check to see if the artist has a history of drawing them..... if they don't it's probably better you find someone else who does.
It's not because some people are prejudiced, just because the artist probably won't enjoy doing it as much and there are plenty of others who would, this goes with mild blood (remember gore is not allowed on Gaia), and "odd" requests as well.
Just because the artist is spectacular and in your price range, doesn't mean your request will work to it's fullest.
It's also possible you can make a request to the person's style if you've got multiple characters but know BEFORE what you would have in mind for them to do instead of ordering then trying to decide.
Look at the things the artist has drawn for themselves aside for commissions. That probably indicates best what they're good at and like to draw.
When you've picked your artist and are ready to order/bid:
READ THEIR RULES AND PREFERENCES.
Just because they have an open slot, doesn't mean they will automatically accept. Just because they're full doesn't necessarily mean they won't wait list you or something.
If they're full, well hang out till they're not, Gaia's a social networking site right? xd
If they don't offer WIPs in their rules, don't expect them. Read their rules or you'll have unexpected things happen and you'll have to live with it.
I make exceptions in them when I know somebody is really trustworthy and has a request that looks fun and like something I could add into my gallery.
Also think about what you'll be using the art for. If it's for a character portrait, there's no point buying a fullbody. If you're buying a couple art, prepare to pay double. If it's a character layout sheet, a fast and less detailed artist might be better.
If it's a full blown character illustration, prepare to have to work well with the artist and wait a whole lot longer for it.
Illustration requires more than just drawing the subject in a pose.
Personally I prefer Illustration, and I like being free to interpret things and I like to try to get a feel for the character, that's my real passion.
Artist has accepted your commission YAY!! Now how do you get them your info and the trade?:
YES THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE TEXT WALL
This is assuming you've already determined the artist won't vanish and you won't either. If you're ordering art in an auction, make sure you'll be around the next couple days after it ends.
If you didn't already write up the information about your character or make some avatars to give the artist to pick from, do it fast!
Link the artist to any past art of the character, and any past RP profiles you have.
Remember what you send them, and if you leave something out, be vague or disregard their rules you'll probably not get the best work you could've.
Some artists like to be told poses and draw predesigned outfits, some are driven nuts by restrictions.
I like some idea of poses and outfits the character would wear, but in order to make the piece composed properly I need to take liberty in the design.
It doesn't matter as much when the character is in a white background standing around, but an illustration requires several elements of art to work right that a non artist might not be familiar with.
Not every outfit looks awesome in every pose, every lighting, or works with every background. Composition is a big one, an artist must balance or unbalance colors, and what makes up the picture accordingly to get a good result.
For an illustration, an image made to give a visual image of a story, a good but flexible description is necessary. They're the artist, trust them and your own writing skills to communicate what you'd like without driving either one of you bonkers.
For me, having a scene to read or rping with the person provides the best help.
You don't have to worry so much with avatars, as long as your avatar matches and fits the person's style. Just expect adaptions to be made. Pixels don't translate to big size perfectly.
Keep in touch with the artist and try to share their muse for the piece. Muses are bitches, they hate everybody so you have to beat them into submission with a team effort.
Follow this guide, keep in touch with the artist, keep your avatars and characters from being cliche and do your homework before buying and you'll get some awesome art blaugh
EmperorZensekai Community Member 
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