- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
People need to think of art the same way that they think of food, price and quality wise. Basically what you pay for is what you get. You can't go into a gourmet 5 star restraunt expecting a 10 dollar meal. WHY YOU ASK? paying more than 25 dollars on a meal at a restaraunt like that is rediculous? is it really though?
Each member of the staff in that kitchen has spent YEARS of learning, trial and error and practicing to perfect their recipes to make sure they are the best of quality for you to enjoy. They use the best ingredients, and they put TIME into everything they make. This meal is the cultivation of all those years of effort, practice and wisdom. If you want a cheap meal, you can go to mcdonalds where they slap some chicken and fries in a fryalator. you only have to wait 5 minutes and pay 5 bucks.
This is the same when it comes to art. It really bothers me when people naively say that art isnt worth what artists price it. Artists who price their art appropriately are considered, by dA standards "expensive". But do people take into account WHY these prices are "expensive"? NO. These artists are putting their cultivated skill, as well as a large chunk of their time to create something orginial, unique and beautiful, much like a gourmet meal. The time it takes them to develop the skill is like the years at culinary school. It doesnt come naturally, no matter what people say. So why would you pay 10 dollars on a piece of art that costs 60? The negativity on dA about pricing high is lowering the self esteem of many artists. I've seen this happening way too much, and it's really getting on my nerves.
Comments like
"I wouldn't pay more than __$ for this"
"This is so expensive"
"this is good but I wouldn't pay that much for it"
STOP.
Even if these comments are just your opinion, why would you say something like this to someone? Would you walk into the kitchen of a gourmet restaurant and tell the chef that their dish is too expensive? They should charge less because its too much? And what is that comment based on? Sure, some people can't afford some art of the people on dA but, does that justify telling them that their hard work and creativity isn't worth that price?
AND ARTISTS;
DO NOT UNDERSELL YOURSELVES!!!!
This is something that has recently come to my light. Previously I was very scared of selling my art too expensive because of what people would say. But underselling myself just hurt my self esteem and it wasn't what I thought my art was worth. Why should I undersell myself?!
A few friends showed me an amazing journal making me realize that creating art for other people is a job. its not for me, so why should I charge myself any less than minimum wage?
Only yourself as an artist knows how much your art is worth.
//End rant
*Stolen from my bby =Steamed-Bun
Also wanna rant.
The person that wants the ppl in the restaurant feel bad for paying for what the hell the want.
Why the hell should you care about what they spend their money on either its theirs they earned it you have no right to call them stupid on SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY ON SOMETHING THEY OBVIOUSLY REALLY WANT.
No one is putting a gun to their head forcing them to buy it 
*Adding my papa's *eonixc words of wisdom uwu
" I hope you dont mind me adding to this-- //laffs
If you want to be successful or have interested buyers you must strike up the interest in the first place. No one will come up to a random deviant for no reason. Try to upload different types of work. ( chibis, full body, etc ) Heck! Try out different styles, too! And if you happen to get bits of feedback on a particular piece, post a journal asking if your watchers are interested in your work. Ask their age in polls. In order to get a better understanding for pricing, you must also understand the majority of people willing to buy your work/watchers. Once you gather that information, perform a few experiments. Its all about learning as you go, hence what experience is.
Note: Don't feel discouraged either, just keep working on your art. Don't expect money the minute you open yourself up for commissions. Its of course disheartening, but you have to move on and stay positive.
ALSO!
Quality is always a factor, so sharpen your skills a bit before completely offering commissions. For advertisements and to get yourself really out there, try submitting your work and journal entries with commission prices to a variety of groups that focus mainly on advertising. You cant do everything just by sitting on your bottom, work! Work hard, practice, commit yourself to getting willing and committed buyers. And when a popular artist offers advertisements. GO FOR IT GUYS. "
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
And thank you to the person who e-mailed me to tell me; you really helped me pull out of the funk that a bad week put me in.
Anyway, on with it!
Good luck everyone! 
EPIC DRAWIN
39 points 
I can understand some people can't afford to spend a lot money for commissions but they don't have to say things like : " hey, you are too expensive!" "Can you draw for me for free?"
Drawing a good picture takes time and years of experience.
Professional artists get paid HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS for their time and work.
Some people legitimately charge $20 an hour for their artwork, and it's worth every penny.
We ask for maybe fifteen bucks for hours of work (which is pathetic).
It does take some practice to really find what you can do in what amount of time, and seeing how much work it takes to make a piece.
It is tough when most of the people here appear to be younger and with limited income (heck, most of us are having a hard time financially these days), but people seriously need a reality check when they're evaluating the value of someone's work.
Because that's what it is. Work.
So brava, thank you for making this journal!
I don't go telling people their commission prices are expensive. Sometimes, I just go searching commission that are affordable for me. I don't have much points left to be spent anyway.
I therefore decided that I will raise my commissions' prices.