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You know the drill. If you're the 250,000th visitor, you get a free request. Within reason. Nothing overly elaborate. And I'm not drawing something I don't want to draw.
A while ago, I got someone trying to request that I draw some complicated scenario that would have taken at least a two page comic to realize, simply based on their claim that "everyone" would enjoy it. I'm pretty skeptical when someone acts as though they're making a request for altruistic reasons. Maybe some of those people genuinely do believe their idea will be popular, though I think they often have a warped view of what constitutes "mass appeal." Ultimately, however, they're really making a request just because it's something they want to see. Nothing wrong with that- it just feels dishonest to try to sell it like they're doing the artist a favor by suggesting it.
When I first joined this site, I was way too willing to field requests, but I've learned it's usually not worth it, unless I really like the person or the idea. As recent as last year, out of boredom, I did a couple odd requests where I barely got a "thank you." One person just said, "thank." (I think English was a 2nd language in that case, but still.)
Anyway, I told this guy I'd do his idea for a price, and as expected, he balked. He even called me "crazy." I've often thought I must have a screw loose somewhere, but I don't think one of the indicators is a lack of enthusiasm at drawing stuff for complete strangers.
I think everyone is a little crazy... some more than others. I've certainly had to deal with a few extreme cases during my time here, but this journal would grow three or four times as long as it is already if I tried elaborating any further.
EDIT: Oops, here I'm offering to do a kiriban and this journal may give the impression that I really hate requests or something. My point was really just that requests are fine once in a while, but it gets to me when people try to take advantage of my generosity. Or something. I don't know; I had intended to talk about something completely different, but I tend to go off on tangents.
Incidentally, in case you missed it, two books I illustrated happened to both come out last week. Here are the links to them again.
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I think there's a level of entitlement some people get into their heads about artists and their work. Especially on DA. And many artists foster this mentality through taking overly complicated requests Pro-Bono. Sometimes that's good to build a connection to your audience. But eventually its just impossible to keep up with the volume and not get paid.
And the people who balk at artists asking for compensation, especially for something even moderately complex. Those guys are just opportunist jerks looking to cash in on the artist's generosity. So pay them no mind, you're in the right telling them what's what.
This is why I spurged out late last year and told people to just lay their damn cards on the table if they want something so I can yay or nay it and not have to dance around it for DAYS on end.
I don't really do requests all that often anyway unless, y'know, it's something I want to do (which is how requests fucking work)
/rant
Anyway, good luck with the Kiriban, you're less than 1000 pvs away now.