First off very much like working a night shift commission painting is something you can or cannot do, there is no half way house. If you cannot force yourself to paint when you do not feel like it then steer away from commission work it will ruin your hobby.
That said if you still feel you have what it takes to do commission work here are a few pointers and tips I have for you from 20 years of commission work. First you need to work out what type of commission work you are best doing. Are you a budding Golden demon winner who will paint a stunning centre piece model of an army, or a rank and file churn them out type of painter. Whichever you are, be honest with yourself and your customers. It’s worth thinking about price at this point too, if you are a one figure at a time kind of painter you will need to be charging more per figure that a painter would produces 20 troops in the same time.
I would suggest that you start off with friends and family and also do it for no money; you will soon see if you have the discipline to paint to a deadline and if you can motivate yourself to do it for no reward you will be fine when there is money at the end of the tunnel. After you pass that phase the best way to get work is by word of mouth, wargamers like to talk and the gamers who will pay to have figures painted will happily chat about their latest painter (that is why you always treat each customer with respect and honesty).
When you start to get customers you must keep them up to date with progress, these days it's easy with photo share and email. Most customers are very understanding of delays as long as they know progress has been made. Make sure that both your customer and you are clear on what needs painting, how it needs doing, how much it will cost and a time period the work will be done in. For a first time customer it is best to produce a test figure that you can both agree is the correct standard. Once the customer accepts the test figure let them know that they are committed to the commission.
Below is a list of tips I would give to any new commission painter:
1: Done not bite of more that you can chew (know your limits)
2: Do not forget that you can refuse a commission if you want (if its figures you just can’t stand, for example)
3: Keep a list of customers and the work you are doing for them (sending the wrong pictures to the wrong customer is not good)
4: Keep a note book on your painting desk and note down paints used (you never know if the customer may want figures painted the same way years later). Use paints out of the pot, you will never be able to mix the same colour twice. There are enough shades of colours on the market that you need not mix your own.
5: When working out the price remember you need to factor in all costs (you will need to replace your paints and basing materials more often that when painting just your own stuff)
6: Know the postage costs before you accept the commission.
7: Never send the figures till you have been paid
I think that is about all the info I can impart at the moment, last thought must be that very few people make a living out of commission painting alone. Those that do, do not become rich....
This is your hobby, commission work is a nice way to make your hobby pay for itself and if you are lucky and good enough you may just get to a place where you can live off your hobby, but do not hold your breath.
Peace
James Brewerton
Exiles painting (Commisson job)
Warehouse Night Shift Supervisor (the real Job)
