Artist Who Is Tired of Being Asked To Work For Free Starts Drawing Her Client Requests

Mar 24, 2018 1:06 AM

psuedon

Views

136350

Likes

3019

Dislikes

42

fantastic sauce: https://blog.artfido.com/artist-who-is-tired-of-being-asked-to-work-for-free-starts-drawing-her-client-requests/

Twitter account of Artist: https://twitter.com/forexposure_txt

They’re part of a series titled “For Exposure,” and they were created for Format Magazine by Emmie Tsumura, a Toronto-based illustrator and graphic designer. If you’re an artist then chances are that more than a few of them will resonate with you!

https://www.format.com/magazine

Not an artist but I sew. “I’ll pay for the supplies!” Which is nice but what about my time and work? Sucks but not half as bad as this!

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Canada!

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Instead of telling people I'm broke, I'm going to start saying that I have money hunger.

8 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

My response would be "I'm not money hungry, just hungry and need money to eat."

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm a photographer and would work for the last guy tbh

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Yup, last one shows that author is already jaded AF

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

"Type this page up for me." Sure, typesetting starts at $30 per page. "That's bullshit, I could do it myself!" So do it. "I don't want to!"

8 years ago | Likes 57 Dislikes 0

Shit. As photographer, all of the above hit hard lol

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I was a line cook for 10 years, I can cook anything a chain restaurant serves. But when I ask them to do it for me, I fucking pay for it.

8 years ago | Likes 32 Dislikes 0

I love that. "I can do it...but I don't want to..." THEN PAY SOMEONE WHO WILL OR SHUT UP ABOUT IT.

8 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

And then you have the opposite: "I'm a web developer" *uses fucking Wix*

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Those make up part of the market sure, but a good portion of people who do that are dealing with the above clients, so they say fuck it.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

To be frank I like the last guys honesty.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

#4 But satisfying my money hunger lets me satisfy my food hunger and shelter hunger..

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

But suffering enhances your creative energies.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I've gotten that from women "Oh wow, can you paint/sculpt/make me something?" Sure how much are you wanting to spend? "Oh nevermind."

8 years ago | Likes 77 Dislikes 4

Yep everytime. Like paper grows on trees. Shits expensive.

8 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 0

I fucking hate that it is, we're all poor man

8 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

I mean, paper kind of grows on trees.

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

Find me a tree that spits out 22 x 30 Arches 300lb gsm rough watercolor paper.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I am legitimately triggered by these. Back to drawing porn for income.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'm a designer. Nothing is more baffling or insulting than being told your skills are needed but your time isn't worth anything.

8 years ago | Likes 63 Dislikes 0

Get it in most industries. I run an IT company, we still get the "tell me how to do X as we don't want to pay you to do it" ones.

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

"Sure thing. First, do you see that red button on your phone there? Yeah, just press that."

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

These are the kinds of people that love sausage but don't want to know where it comes from.

8 years ago | Likes 137 Dislikes 3

Reminds me of this story of this one store in, iirc, Chicago that brought in a cow to demonstrate where milk comes from. --

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

-- Customers were so disgusted by the revelation that milk sales tanked for a few weeks following the event.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Lmao fuck you +1 best comment

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I dont wanna know where sausage comes from either but I still pay for it.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My personal favorite: “omg it must be sooo hard to make money doing art.”

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

#4 The word youre looking for is Hunger. As in general hunger, not money hunger. I know its tough to grasp, but I need money to buy food.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This is how companies get a bunch of dicks hidden in any design they ask for.

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

now im just humming "A whole new world" but with the lyrics "A hidden cock"

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"was is it on this page? Or was it on that page? I don't. Maybe you shouldn't stiff meeeee~"

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

i just dont understand why it is so hard to figure out, you are hiring someone with skills you dont have. Fucking cheapskates

8 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 0

The worst part is when one of an gets a hold of th e programs and fancies themselves skilled enough

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Horror. The moment you find that someone in another department found photoshop and been sending 'newsletters' to customers...

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Creative work is assumed to be "easy" by those who can't do it, and that the artist is so passionate about their work to work for free.

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Which is weird, because people are also always saying they could never do that.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

the unfortunate part is that the irony is lost on these cheapskates. they act like the artist is the greedy one

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This shit is why I stopped working commissions, I just couldn't deal with the bs "offers".

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

The worst business ever to get into. So hard to find a good job and everybody wants something for nothing.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

The last one I can understand. As someone that's done art for friends bartering is fine. It means I don't have to pay for something.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

Had a friend that was super tech savvy. Made him sculptures whenever he'd fix my PC.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

"The perfect applicant would have consistent income elsewhere" Then why the fuck would I be applying for another job if I already had that?

8 years ago | Likes 131 Dislikes 1

Because you want something else but money, like a not drawing boring shit but space ninjas and hope it takes off?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They want a skilled hobbyist or a big name who does some pro bono work on the side to "give back" (a phrase that irks me to no end)

8 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Why would they “give back” when they haven’t received shit in the first place?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is absolutely the hell that every graphic designer/artist goes through with clients, corporate and even private. Love these, want more!

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This explains why artists never answer me. I need to specifically state I have money I'm willing to exchange for their service.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

As a Tattoo Artist I can't identify with this more. People dont understand that it's a livelihood and I can't pay rent with insta followers.

8 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

as an animator. yeah and people tend to think it's easy. "The computer does the work for you" is a line i hear a lot.

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

As a writer: asked to submit articles or outlines "on spec" (i.e. if we like it, we'll pay you for it / ask for more from you that will be

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

paid) but required to sign over all rights to the work to them too: if they want to publish it / have someone re-write it / take the concept

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

and re-use it they don't have to pay you anything.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is one of the many reasons why I changed careers.

8 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 1

Same.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Dude for real.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

After 20+ years in IT, 17 running my own company, we _still_ get the "tell me how to do X, as we don't want to pay you to do it" ones :(

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So your response to this artist's plight is to steal her pictures and post them here for fake internet points?

8 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 23

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

"For Exposure"

8 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 0

The artist is exposing himself.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

You mean with several links giving the actual source and explanation, someplace where many will see it for the first time? Jesus.

8 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 1

I wish there was a site to blacklist these "clients". So that other artists can be warned.

8 years ago | Likes 377 Dislikes 0

Not worth it. Usually happens with small to medium businesses. Too regional and many.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

It can be this one

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

Yeah, but it needs more info like name, company, email etc..

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Just start making psa posts and ask for info/pics/stories in the comments.. make more, add tags, voila!

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Yeah but then you run the risk of vigilantism. I guess thats a risk with a dedicated site too.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

You do have a point though.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's not limited to artists. Any job that has the client/provider relationship has these issues. In IT many clients assume spending time to

8 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

asses and do basic troubleshooting that takes about an hour or so should be free. "Hey but you just looked at it"

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

"$10 for turning the screw. $990 for knowing which screw to turn."

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Yup

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I work at a surveying/engineering firm. People keep asking us to "just add a line in the lot." Bitch, that's called a subdivision.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

That's not a bad idea. If you don't build it, I will.

8 years ago | Likes 106 Dislikes 1

You can build it for me. I do not have the funds available to pay for it at the moment though. You'll have to work for free and pay servers

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

You have my blessing http://imgur.com/kRI4Pqf.gif

8 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

Cool, but we can't pay you for creating any assets. It'll take a while for the site to make any money and we're all broke as shit.

8 years ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 0

+1

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

You'll probably get sued for discrimination, or something

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I would imagine it would be harder to prove if you used their actual quotes.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Discrimination is UNJUST prejudicial treatment of others. If this is illegal so are credit scores, they report if you pay your bills.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You would probably have to be careful about it, but if you made it just like a review site I can’t see why not.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I want to be a "professional artist" but shit like this keeps me back. These people think we just live off of paint fumes and not real money

8 years ago | Likes 36 Dislikes 1

As someone who is a freelance artist, I've only had one like this. Made a commission for a dude, after making two others for him, and gave

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

Him a preview to make sure everything was alright. Forgot to censor/watermark it, he ran off, and I didn't get paid for 10 hours work. He

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Was the only one out of dozens of commissions, and hopefully the last, but don't let this deter you

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Or think exposure is something you can live off of and not die from

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Most of it stems from the idea that art is a hobby and legit can't be a job. Most people do it just for fun, not professionally.

8 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

It's what happens when a culture doesn't value art, you get this "does not compute" reaction when you ask for payment for a service.

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

this. modern people consume so god damn much artwork, its insane. but they place almost no value on any of it.

8 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

yep. Verbatim quote from my dad "And if you become a starving artist, dont bother coming home"

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

at least they're honest

8 years ago | Likes 469 Dislikes 6

Yea this one the person was direct , sometimes some of this projects take off and if the person is not a douche will share the $, lol

8 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

So long as what they're saying is from an open ad, I don't see the problem. They're plainly asking for a volunteer.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

The one with having an income to see you through to the project end implies payout on completion.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Just add a late fee, interest and find a collection agency to back you. That will teach these entitled assholes to pay for services.

8 years ago | Likes 96 Dislikes 5

This quote seems to be a preemptive statement, not one of trying to squirm out of a charge after the service is rendered

8 years ago | Likes 40 Dislikes 0

Sounds to me like the answer to "why is the bill still not paid?"

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Sounds like it could be either, honestly. Which one definitely affects how big of a dick the person is, though.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Just feel like getting this off my chest: If you suck, stop sucking. I don't care if you're honest about it, I don't want anything to do 1/

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

Getting this off my chest: If you were good, people wouldn't always expect your content for free.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 7

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Even a sketch is worth $10 minimum.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not hardly. Great artists may be horrible at business. Also, if your audience is conditioned to expect stuff for free, adding cost is hard.

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

with you if you're an unapologetic spog who knows it. 2/2

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

Rather deal with a real asshole than a fake nice person.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

The former's no better than the latter. They're worse, actually; they don't even care to try.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

At least you know where you stand. Fake nice people are only concerned about how they appear.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No! My unverifiable opinion is more correct than your unverifiable opinion (dammit).

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What's wrong with the last one?

8 years ago | Likes 609 Dislikes 12

From where they get my cell phone not my big cameras.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nothing. Guys is upfront and honest. You can say no but the request is not unreasonable for just a no-pro pic.

8 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Problem is, they're asking a pro and likely not offering enough beer to cover it. "Just do a quick one, I'll throw you 20€" is the same

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Why can't they take their own ass pics? http://imgur.com/mAJaqeg

8 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

Isn't that the english actor who did Doctor Strange and The Imitation Game?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Maybe literal. Literal Ass pics.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Is it strange that I assumed that from the get-go?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Plot twist; good ASS pics.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Wrong kind of exposure.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Trading a small quick job for something you were going to buy anyway can be a nice way to stock up on something like beer... but...

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Most professional *anything like photography* is ever as small and quick as the photographer wants, or gives as much beer as it should...

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

A few shots with no touchups, just mailed off in a useable format, is still a 30 rack of something good worth of work...

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

And the guy on the other end is probably thinking "6 pics = 6 bud-light sounds fair"

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

should be 160 proof or more. Possibly bleach.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Some places you can't pay rent in beer

8 years ago | Likes 253 Dislikes 20

you live in the wrong places

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

yeah, but then you don't have to pay for beer.

8 years ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 0

Money not spent on beer can be spent on rent... economics!

8 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 0

But in all fairness he did at least (honestly) offer to pay in some form. Who cheats you out of beer.

8 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

That’s true, but all this dude wants is Tinder pics. It’s not really a skilled request like the other. Half ass it, get free beer.

8 years ago | Likes 39 Dislikes 1

then do it yourself, or get a friend to make a few shots...

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Depends who he's asking. if it's a "friend with camera", sure. If it's a professional who would be making $1000+ for a shoot, nope.

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

That would be a lot of beer, most people don take into consideration that it's work for the photographer and that they have other work also.

8 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 3

Yeah but he's offering payment at the time service is rendered, not at some theoretical future time

8 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Right, the problem with that one is just that he's wildly lowballing the price, not that he's trying to full on stiff the photographer.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He didn't even make a solid offer, he just put out a request for bids

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I am a photographer I charge 60-80$ per hour, that is a lot of beer. I would do it for a close friend though tbh.

8 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

photographers are lame

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 6

don't be an photographer then, cause you'll die of starvation. Not because you are bad at it, but rather because you are bad in economics

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Unless you're in Australia, in which case it's an average amount of beer. Yes we have a lot of tax on that good shit.

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

ass photo should be like half hour, slab is like $50, it's all working out

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You see, that right there is the problem: you chose "graphic designer" instead of "porn drawings of cartoon/game characters on patreon"

8 years ago | Likes 468 Dislikes 3

You make me want to kill myself.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 12

gay

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 6

Doesnt mean you cant do both, but I mean I sure as hell aint putting "Softcore, and hardcore porn" on a resume.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Soooo, which Patreon-funded game that features orc dicks would you recommend?

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The former looks better on a resume, the latter pays. And I? Well, I do both.

8 years ago | Likes 138 Dislikes 1

Well lets see

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Same. Its infinitely more rewarding to draw big ol anime tiddies for $$$ than to create logos for people who don't even know what they want.

8 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

but will you look good on *me*? Who cares about a piece of paper?

8 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 1

Common sense? You stop that.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Link to the latter please?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And my name, Albert Shadman

8 years ago | Likes 38 Dislikes 1

His name is Albert? Kinda ruins the image of him now, well the cp shit already did tbh

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Co? By technicality its only loli. I dissaprove wholeheartedly but its not illegal.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Lol there's a reason he was arrested and taken to court

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He mixed Albert Einstein joke and shadman together. Don't be so gullible.

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

Genuinely interested to know what seemingly different skill-sets produce. Like a sculptor who does 2D animation, you'd think them unrelated

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Visual art types benefit from being able to "see" the idea and having fine control over hands. Related enough for some skill to transfer.

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, in my experience, you kinda walk before you run. It might not be all artists, but most I know start with 2D/traditional art before

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Sculpting. I feel for trained artists and self taught, the skillsets are about the same.

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Wait, you mean I could have been getting paid for drawing all these cocks? *Throws a pile of naked orcs in the air*

8 years ago | Likes 52 Dislikes 0

Soooo, which Patreon-funded game that features orc dicks would you recommend?

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Dammit, there goes another source of free orc dongs. Now I'll have to wait for someone to repost them on reddit.

8 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

now you can (hopefully) get people to pay to see them.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

"LOOKS LIKE ASS IS BACK ON THE MENU, BOYS"

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Great now I'm gonna have to shout that during D&D this weekend and it's all your fault.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

youve never yelled 'looks like meats back on the menu' in reference to before? but its obscenely biological!

8 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Former roommate of mine legit paid for college by doing commissioned artwork for the furry community. I've seen things. O.o

8 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You>

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Yep.

8 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Name checks out...kinda

8 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Name isn't related. Thankfully.

8 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

But in that community, a name can net you $800 for a hack-job. People love "celebrities."

8 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0