Disclaimer: I Am East Asian. If Anyone Who Is Not White Sees Anything Wrong With My Phrasing, Inaccuracies,

this is what happens when you name your pokemon before you know what it evolves into.

she still baby tho…

Tips to freelance illustrators to avoid being screwed over

Hello! I’m Gabrielle Ragusi. I’ve been a freelance illustrator for years now and, as many other freelancers, I had to deal with difficult situations in the past - recent past. These situations come with the job (for everyone), but they can be easily avoided… if only I had known this sooner!

This post doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the one client, but know that I refer to a very small percentage of people (the clients I work with are actually great). 

Yet, the one client exists and these tips might help you face them.

When The One Client tries to screw you over.

From time to time, clients will try to have their way with unforeseeable requests and demands at work started and, quite often, at work done.

Solution: State your terms.

Before starting a project, even a sketch, I strongly suggest sending a contract or a simple Terms of Agreement document in which you state everything: commission process, revisions, payment method, ownership… This way they won’t be able to make up some half-ass excuse for their demands.

Also, you don’t have to be overly generous. If the client asks for extra revisions, ask for extra payment. The extra money will cover the extra time you spent on the project, so don’t feel guilty about it.

When The One Client sells bad ideas or asks for the wrong revisions.

Clients may know what they want, but they also might try to sell ideas that you know won’t work or ask for revisions that won’t make the project look any better. They won’t consciously bamboozle you, but the project has your name on it and judgement will come with the audience feedback.

Solution: You’re the artist in this project, so speak your mind. Giving your clients alternatives and your opinion helps the client know that you care about the project and that you know your stuff. You want the best for your client.

When The One Client wants you to work on spec.

Solution: Don’t.

On-spec work is a bad idea. If clients contact me, I take for granted they’ve seen my portfolio and know what I do, but if you’re just starting as a professional, my suggestion is to ask for a minimum upfront payment.

The power to say yes doesn’t always apply.

This isn’t about The One Client but about our own ‘Yes’, when inside we’re screaming ‘Hell no’, screwing us over. 

Yes is not always good. When in doubt, think about your lack of time, disinterest in the project and all those things that lead to bad results!

If you don’t have time to work on a new commission, say no. If the project isn’t your cup of tea, say no.

Also, not all clients are jerks, so if you explain you don’t have time to work on another project right now but they like your portfolio, it’s possible that they will contact you again in the future or ask for your time schedule.

(Don’t) Assume that clients know your art style.

This one is tricky and has a lot to do with the first stage of commissions and my personal experience. When clients contact me for the first time, most have seen my portfolio and know what I do. They contact me because of what I do and how I do it. When these clients say “I love your work”, I naturally assume they’ve seen my portfolio.

But when there are no signals that the person contacting me has seen my work, I can’t assume. This happened just a few weeks ago with a client who asked for my availability to illustrate a book after seeing an illustration of mine (the book was about faeries, my illustration had faeries). Problem is I assumed they knew my work, but they didn’t. What happened is that they asked me to work on spec, I said no and gave them a minimum quote for an initial sketch instead. Feedback received, I finally understood they hadn’t in fact seen my portfolio, although I’m not sure where they found my email address.

I don’t have a real solution to this kind of situation other than not assuming things. I guess it’s a matter of dealing with The One Client once again.

Payment fees are covered by the client, always.

If you receive payments through PayPal and similar services, I’m sure you know about the fees.

Unfortunately, I found the solution to this only a couple of years ago - looking back at all the money PayPal took from me in fees, I want to cry (living in Europe and working with clients based anywhere in the world, these fees vary, from 2,9% to 4,5% + small transfer fees). 

Now I send all invoices myself (I don’t let clients send money my way on their own) and I add a tax that covers PayPal or Stripe’s fees to the project’s quote: this is not money that ends up in my pocket, it’s money that PayPal takes, mind you.

My final advice is: be professional. 

The One Client will try your patience, but don’t lose your composure. Even in disagreement, be professional, offer your thoughts and compromise if necessary. If the project is successful, The One Client will be happy. You want your clients to be happy.

I hope you’ll find this post helpful!

Peace out,

Gabrielle

Follow me on Instagram - ArtStation - YouTube

I‘m kinda angry. I got the news from Tumblr they now blocked one of my „smut stories“ bc of adult content. Calm tf down and goodbye freedom of expression.

Lighting Studies by  Andrew Lester

I wish to travel somewhere in the world with my family! or tons of books!

reblog and make a wish! this was removed from tumbrl due to “violating one or more of Tumblr’s Community Guidelines”, but since my wish came true the first time, I’m putting it back. :)

Modern AU john is the best that i saw in my feed ✨️

Me and @thebleedingeffect have been talking about a modern AU where John is a streamer and Gary and the cult watches his streams-

Hello! I was wondering if you knew/had any resources on 2-D and 3-D animation? I’ve looked through you blog and I’ve enjoyed finding new resources on how to improve my drawing skills. Thank you for the advice and help you give as well as give people a chance to find new artists :)

Hi there! I am glad you enjoy the blog! It’s great to have you here! 

Here are a few resources I hope help you out: 

Modelling &  Animation Software

Animation Tutorials by SadfaceRL - https://www.patreon.com/sadface_RL

stringbing on tumblr posts incredible and detailed tutorials, and also offers a complete course  https://gumroad.com/l/Introto2DComplete or resources by chapter/other tutorials at https://gumroad.com/stringbing

Basic 2D animation concepts

12 principles of animation

Techniques of animation

2d Animation tutorial youtube video

Tutorials - Open source animation software

How to Create 2D Animations in Blender 2.8

3D Animation Specific Tutorials

2D animation principles apply, but there’s now a third dimension. For this reason, I suggest starting with 2D to understand the general concepts/theory and how to correctly convey movement. 

3D Animation 3D & Motion Graphics Tutorials by Envato Tuts+ - I adore this site

Tutorials — blender.org -Blender is open source and incredible

Run Cycle Step by Step 3D Animation Tutorial

A Beginner’s Guide to 3D Animation

Good luck! If you have any follow up questions, do not hesitate to ask!

PS: Thank you for your patience on this ask, I have been backlogged for a while but I try to answer each question as thoroughly as possible.

Thanks for reading! If this post helped, please consider reblogging it or sharing it with your friends! ❤️

More useful articles and resources | my art tumblr | Idea Generator | Check out the Art-Res Anatomy Ebook! 

> https://art-res.tumblr.com/post/190068763953/launching-new-patreon-benefits

Animal Crossing dialogue font

For a while now, the Humming font has been extremely difficult to get a hold of, kind of why I ended up just making my own by combining images together, it works, but it’s not perfect..

However, after digging into the files for Amiibo Festival of all things, I managed to find a clean version of the humming font, already in .otf format!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHY_Qwcgxuee1jhcG3_9Mt4X-MFB77Sf/view?usp=sharing

Please enjoy, no credit is needed!

in a world that could never be...

Just making sure that you haven't DISSAPEARED. hello feather

i should rlly be posting stuff huh hellooo im fixating on faith right now smile (i need this man to a deeply concerning level thatll be all goodbye