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EDIT:  :iconmattkind: wins the kirban, apparently.  Many combolations, Elizagerth.  Oddly, he won the last one as well.  Sorry if anyone else was really hoping to get it.  If I do another one at 300,000, I'll limit it to people who haven't already won a request because it doesn't seem entirely fair to everyone else.
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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.

[link]

[link]
  • Mood: Unhappy
  • Listening to: faint radio signal computer speaker is picking up
  • Watching: FMA
  • Eating: Nothing. I need to go grocery shopping.
  • Drinking: water

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February 1, 2012
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:iconmattkind:
*Mattkind Feb 1, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
Got It [link]
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:iconrocketdave:
Hmm, aren't you lucky. Congrats.
Reply
:iconmattkind:
*Mattkind Feb 1, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
so I am lol
Reply
:iconcatlover12349000:
I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. :O I did a request for some guy onetime he didn't even fav it or frickin' omment. TT.TT i felt like i did it for the AIR. Some people are just jerks -_____-;
Reply
:iconguybcaps:
~GuyBcaps Feb 1, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
I never even broach an artist request unless I'm willing to pay SOMETHING. Especially if what I'm asking for is even marginally complex. And if the artist is asking for requests, its never more then a Character + Action request at MOST (unless the artist is open to more). To go more complicated just puts the artist on the spot. And that's never fair. Especially for something their probably using as a warm up.


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.
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:iconrocketdave:
Thanks. Totally agree. While I have a certain amount of admiration for people who are willing to produce art just to be nice, if they do it too much, I can't shake the feeling that they're kind of being suckers.
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:iconatomictiki:
I really hate the ones that get real nice and friendly and then ask for their batshit insane complicated thing.

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.
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:iconrocketdave:
Oh, yeah, the people who try to ease into it by buddying up to you first are pretty intolerable. And there was one guy who tried to make himself more sympathetic by making up a phony story about getting shot, which he later admitted was bogus. I could go on and on about the ways people have tried to weasel art out of me.
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