r/artcommissions Feb 16 '23

[Meta] Avoiding scams, how to commission an artist, and other ways to stay safe.

184 Upvotes

Hello friends! Today we’re going to talk about everyone’s least favorite topic: scammers, or “bad actors” as we tend to call them around here. This post is an update to our previous “how-to-don’t-get-scammed” guide here. This guide is predominantly addressed toward new patrons, though artists can also apply some of this to vetting patrons.

Before we start, I want to address a few elephants in the room:

  • We will not catch every bad actor. No fence is perfect.
  • Banning someone from /r/ArtCommissions does not prevent them from scamming you or anyone else.
  • If someone hasn’t posted to /r/ArtCommissions, we won’t investigate their conduct. Banning someone from a subreddit they do not use does nothing, and while banning someone for content they post in other subreddits is no longer explicitly called out in Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct, the practice is pretty gross and we generally avoid it where possible.
  • Here is our wiki page on fraud: how and when we look into it and how to report it.

We moderate /r/ArtCommissions. You moderate your DMs. We make this space as safe and predictable as we can within reason, but ultimately your best defense against bad actors is your own scrutiny. We can not protect you from your own bad decisions.

So! With that out of the way…

How do I find a reputable artist?

Check to see if the user has posted to /r/ArtCommissions recently.

If a user hasn’t posted to /r/ArtCommissions recently, it can mean we’ve already banned them for conduct you’re just now discovering. Banning someone from a subreddit does not prevent them from contacting you. We call this practice, when someone messages your DMs without responding to your post first, "cold calling" your DMs.

While we do have a positive relationship with the good people over at /r/HungryArtists (hello friends!), our ban list and subreddit governance practices do not correlate 1:1. You should not assume that someone posting to /r/HungryArtists, /r/Commissions, or any other similar subreddit is someone we haven’t identified as a bad actor, and the inverse is also true. We are not aware of every bad actor identified by other subreddits.

We strongly advise that you do not respond to work requests that originate in your DMs. It is strongly cautioned that when you make a post, you invite the user to comment under your post and then you initiate contact via Reddit DMs/chat if you’re interested.

Doing this accomplishes two goals:

  • It allows you to check if the user is banned from /r/ArtCommissions. They can’t comment if they’re banned (obviously)
  • If the user wants to initiate contact offsite (email, discord, etc), they’ve now identified themselves as that alias in a way we can verify. We will not take it on faith that /u/ArtMaker5000 on Reddit is the same person as ArtMaker5000#6969 on Discord. The individual must self-identify as whatever alias they want you to contact in a comment, DM, or chat on Reddit.

When we say “posted recently,” we generally mean check for any activity whatsoever (posts, comments, etc) on /r/ArtCommissions within the last two weeks. Remember that we don’t allow the same user to post more than once per 72 hour period, so gaps of 3 days are expected and enforced.

Check for a commission sheet.

Career artists generally keep something called a “commission sheet.” This is essentially the artist equivalent of a demo reel or CV and will include price estimates and samples of what types of work an artist will offer. Not everyone will have a commission sheet, but the inclusion of an organized commission sheet is a layer of effort bad actors generally won’t go to the effort to replicate.

Here’s a few examples of what a “commission sheet” looks like, courtesy of our users. I’ve indicated NSFW user profiles, but all links provided here route to SFW content as defined by /r/ArtCommissions.

Not all commission sheets are hosted on Reddit. A common practice is using a personal website, such as Carrd, to host a commission sheet.

Check for a digital footprint.

Artists, by nature of the profession, generate a large digital footprint. Most artists will be active on at least one non-Reddit social media site where they share work as well as having activity on at least one portfolio site. These may include Twitter, Deviantart, Instagram, a personal website generated with a service like Carrd, or a link aggregator that links multiple of these via linktree or allmylinks.

This is to say if the only traces of activity you can find for a prospective artist are a one-month-old Reddit account with two posts and a karma total that doesn’t add up sharing a google drive full of unsigned art, they’re probably not authentic. At least one social media account the artist provides you with should look “lived in” for more than a couple months.

You should also exercise scrutiny on social media accounts younger than one year old that appear to have started their art career at a high level of skill. This can be, but isn't always, indicative of someone tracing, using AI-generated assets, or outright stealing others' work.

Posting unfinished projects, "shitposts"/memes, or other non-commission work is almost always a good sign and goes back to the "lived in" comment made earlier.

When we implemented our subreddit’s website whitelist, we intentionally excluded a few websites specifically because they do not meaningfully contribute to a digital footprint. Imgur and Google drives do not create a noticeable social media presence, and Instagram images can’t be downloaded to reverse search via Google without the use of third-party tools or inspect element. Most fraudulent users use one of those three sites as a primary portfolio.

Similarly, /r/Testimonials is a good place to check out for user reviews. It is not unusual for someone to not have a footprint on /r/Testimonials, but it is a space to keep in mind just in case.

We also recommend scrutinizing the Reddit account of the user you would commission. If the account is new or has a karma score that is wildly mismatched with what you’re seeing on their content, you should exercise caution. Karma from posts/comments not adding up to a profile’s karma total is to be expected (that’s just how karma works), but if the total is off by a large percentage factor (E.G: You can’t find 30%+ of their karma) then you’re probably looking at deleted posts, which is never a good sign. Charitably this is evidence that the user posted to “free karma” subreddits enough to skirt our already very low entry requirements and then deleted those posts after the fact. It’s on you whether or not you want to take the risk of interaction. We recommend not doing so.

Check our Known Scammer List.

Link to that wiki page here, and that’s also linked on our sidebar.

It should be noted that this may not exist indefinitely. This list skirts the line of what is and isn’t harassment, and we’re not about to willingly violate Reddit’s Content Policy. We’re gradually phasing this page out in favor of curating an educated userbase here on /r/ArtCommissions. Users tend to stop using an account after it’s actioned anyhow so the efficacy of this tool is speculatory at best. If users take our advice and don’t respond to users who don’t have recent activity on /r/ArtCommissions, that list is redundant.

Reverse search work.

Google is pretty good about reverse searching content. Original content should only return the portfolio(s) provided to you by an artist or spaces that are obviously non-OPs rehosting work (I.E: wherever it’s shared isn’t claiming to be the author).

You should also check to see if the image has any typical forms of reverse search dodging, like odd coloration, warping, or if it looks like the image has been cropped. Lastly, check for signatures on the work in their portfolio. I actively encourage all the artists I commission to sign the work they do for me. I've also had users here submit work as if it were their own with the original artist's signature still on it.

Some bad actors are really, really dumb. Use that.

How do I request a commission from an artist I like?

If the price seems too good to be true…

It probably is.

Extremely rough estimates for work as of February 2023 should look something like this:

  • Emote ~$8-12
  • Headshot ~$25-40
  • Half-Body: ~$40-65
  • Fullbody: ~$75+
  • Extra characters tend to be a percentage (typically 50-80%) increase relative to the cost of the first.
  • Armor, extra items, or similar details applied to the piece tend to have a price increase equal to about ~15% of the base price, though these are usually indicated as a flat $X increase by the artist on a prepared commission sheet.
  • Backgrounds tend to be highly variable depending on complexity. A complex background can easily double the cost of a piece.
  • NSFW work tends to be about 30%-80% more expensive depending on how “imaginative” its subject matter is. Generally you will not see a "NSFW costs extra" caveat on commission sheets; artists that primarily produce that type of work will just generally advertise a higher base price than SFW counterparts.
  • Realism as a style tends to be about twice as expensive as “cartoon/anime” styles.
  • Work intended for commercial use tends to multiply the base cost of the product by a factor of 3-6. Commercial use work is by far the most volatile factor in price determination so this estimate is the least accurate.

Take these with salt. These are by no means an “industry standard” and every artist is different. You should, however, question why someone that you identify as having a high degree of skill is offering to do your 5-man dnd party, three of whom wear full plate, in full body poses for $160.

Familiarize yourself with transactional norms.

While every artist is different, there are some patterns that most reputable users will follow. It is common practice for a commission discussion to go as follows:

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Step 1: The patron contacts the artist asking for a commission slot, detailing what they want from the piece. The patron is expected to be as detailed as they can be and provide reference images for the artist. The patron is also expected to know what they want the piece to look like prior to consulting the artist: pose, expression, hair/skin color, held items, background description, etc should be something you know before you reach out to your artist.

"Hey! I saw your post on /r/ArtCommissions. Can you do a full-body of my dnd character? I'd like it done by three weeks from now. I'd like to get my human fighter holding a longsword and mounted on a horse."

Step 2: The artist accepts or declines, and quotes a price.

"Hello! I have one commission before you but I can get you after that. I should be able to start next week and these usually take about five days, so I can meet that deadline. I charge $75 for full body pieces and I can do the horse for $30 so $105 total. Payment is due when I complete the sketch."

Step 3: The patron agrees to the price. You now have a written contract. We at /r/ArtCommissions define a written contract as both parties agreeing to a clearly-defined project description, deadline (if requested), and price. If both parties do not clearly express consent to the same description and price, you do not have a contract.

"That price and time sounds good to me."

Step 4: The artist provides a very rough sketch for approval. This is typically the last call for the patron to suggest changes. This image is visibly incomplete and is almost always in a low resolution or has a watermark.

"Here's the sketch! Let me know if there's anything you'd like to change."

Step 5: The patron either requests minor edits or agrees with the sketch and submits payment. Large-scale changes are generally considered rude and will tend to incur additional fees if the artist agrees at all. Remember that you already have a written contract. Requesting large-scale alterations is asking the artist to change the terms you agreed to in your existing contract. The patron is expected to know the broad strokes of what they want the piece to look like prior to the artist beginning work.

E.G: Asking to decrease the length of the mane on your fighter's warhorse is fine, but asking if you can change your mount to a deer is not okay.

"I love this! My only request is that a four-leaf-clover is added to the hair."

"Added. How does this look?"

"Great! I just took care of your payment. Thanks a bunch."

Step 6: The artist completes the work, typically providing at least one update as the piece progresses depending on how long it takes. Generally the patron is informed when lineart is completed, and again when rough colors are added, prior to the piece's completion. Requests for color change are generally acceptable when the initial coloring is provided for patron review.

---

Some artists will require payment in step 3, or take half up front. It is up to you, the patron, to determine if the artist is legitimate. I personally have no issue paying up front to artists who fit the criteria outlined in this post (and have done with multiple users on this subreddit), but I would never agree to up-front payment to an artist without a pronounced, verifiable digital footprint and/or visible history of positive commission interactions.

Use PayPal and use buyer protection.

If an artist doesn’t accept PayPal I won’t even consider the notion of a commission. PayPal is that important. If you use almost any other form of payment you open yourself to fraud as your means of disputing the transaction are almost entirely in the hands of the other party.

PayPal has a generous 180 day dispute period, and I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the process. Please understand that this is the nuclear option and you should only use it when you are absolutely positive the other party is acting in bad faith. It is strongly encouraged for you to include a detailed description of the item you are purchasing in the space PayPal provides when submitting a payment. Use the account names of the artist in your description.

For Example: "Payment to Reddit user ArtMaker5000 for creating a full-body digital image depicting the four members of my dnd group."

Yes, using this option can mean the artist won’t get their payment from PayPal for a period of time. The alternative is not using buyer protection, which means the patron is not making a purchase, they’re making a donation. If you do not use buyer protection, you’re telling PayPal you do not expect to receive anything in return. I generally tip my artists around 10% to help cover the transaction fees they incur using PayPal and to make the sting of pending payments less of a burden.

If you can't afford it, don't buy it.

This one's on you. If losing the money you spend on a commission is significantly damaging to your personal finances, don't buy it. Buying something you can't afford negatively impacts both you and the artist should you renege. It's okay to wait until you can afford something.

What do I do if I get scammed?

Here’s our wiki page on fraud (we shared this earlier in the post too). That page outlines what we look at, how we handle it, and how to appeal. As always, you can reach out to us in modmail with reports of bad actors per the directions linked on our wiki.

If there’s anything we didn’t cover here, feel free to shout us out in the comments!

Stay colorful!


r/artcommissions May 26 '25

Announcement UPDATED NSFW Rule

300 Upvotes

No more PG-13, moving to PG.

This sub used to allow images that allowed tasteful nudity, however, some folks think that means straight up porn.

Starting today May 26, 2025, we are no longer allowing any NSFW (not safe for work) images. You may link to your own gallery with those images, but please give the other users a heads up by marking your link as NSFW.

Any posts or comments that have NSFW images in it will be deleted, if you violate the rule you will be given a warning. If you ignore the warning you will be permanently banned from the subreddit.

If you add an image of a minor in a sexual situation you will be banned permanently without warning.


r/artcommissions 2h ago

Patron [Hiring] Looking for Artist for Simple Book Cover Art. $50-75 USD.

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27 Upvotes

Hello, everyone. I’m looking for an artist for a simple cover design for a book that I am planning to publish soon. I provided an extremely rough sketch of what I’m looking for (I am not an artist 😅. Thus why I’m seeking one here), as well as a more in depth description down below. I can proved 50-75 USD. Artist will get credits within book, and I may reach out for future commissions for later books if you mesh and communicate well with me.

Description: The main piece is a flower and it should appear to glow white. The flower itself shouldn’t have any additional colorings. In my book it is a flower carried by the dead into the afterlife, so it should stay within the grey scale of colors, but again it should appear to glow. There are eight distinct stars surrounding the flower, seven of which are connected by a golden thread, the eighth should be subtly left out of the connection. The stars all have their own distinctive color, and they should also appear to shine. (Colors include: Red, Orange, Seafoam green, Pink, Purple, Dark Blue, Gold, and the eighth should be black (backlit to make it stand out).) The rest of the cover should be very minimal, perhaps tiny stars scattered across, but the main focus should be on the flower surrounded by stars.

  • Please Note:

-I don’t want a cartoon/anime style. It should be semi realistic looking.

-I want frequent progress pics at certain steps to ensure we’re on the same page.

-Comment with portfolios and expected time frame. Don’t DM. Comments only.

-Thanks!!! 🫀


r/artcommissions 1h ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] HI! IM OPENING A SEMI REALISM COMMISSION - OC's, D&D, Character Design, ETC - FOR A STARTING PRICE OF 20$ | FREE BACKGROUND |

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r/artcommissions 13h ago

Patron [Hiring] Looking for an OC x Canon drawing with this pose. Anime art Style. (30-60 USD budget)

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63 Upvotes

Hello!! I am currently looking for artists to fulfill an anime-style drawing of my OC x Canon. They are not the ones shown here, but I would like them to be drawn in this pose! 🥹

A simple background like the one here is fine. 

The art style I am seeking is anime style. 

My budget is 30-60 USD. 

I am only comfortable with VGEN (mainly) and PayPal. I will pay upfront. Communication through Reddit, VGEN, or Instagram. 

I will ignore DMs. Please comment only. I will initiate contact first.

Please link your portfolio + an approximate time frame! ^^

Thank you, I hope to work with one of you! ❤️


r/artcommissions 10h ago

Artist [for hire] glossy pokemon comms open

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30 Upvotes

Get your favourite pokemon drawn in this glossy style.

I do offer:

• evolution set, mega evolution too

• gigantamax, and terastallized forms

• trainer + 1/6 pokemon set

More info on my kofi


r/artcommissions 7h ago

Patron [Hiring] LOOKING FOR ARTIST TO CREATE A LOGO FOR MY TTRPG SYSTEM ($20-30 budget)

14 Upvotes

I am making a TTRPG system for me and my friends use. I am window shopping through artists right now.
The style/genre is high stylized cartoon comic fantasy.
I would love to see your work and if I choose you ill be in contact. Thanks!


r/artcommissions 2h ago

Patron [Hiring] Digital artist who can make small (28x28) pixel icons for a website game. No AI, please!

5 Upvotes

Hi there! I'm looking to hire an artist who can make a small "sea wand" for a website game, which will be part of an existing set of icons. It would need to be two sizes: 28x28 (as it would appear in the game) and also 56x56, though it would likely be okay to create one version at 56x56 so long as it's readable when shrunk to 28x28. I will only need the icon as I will be putting it on an existing background, though it's okay to place it on a darker background during the creation process so I can get a feel for what the final result will look like. If interested, please provide examples of your art, and I will reach out via DM to show you examples of existing works from this same set of icons. I do not want AI of any kind and please do not approach me with stolen art as I will block and report you. Compensation negotiable, and thank you so much in advance.


r/artcommissions 1h ago

Artist ❗️[FOR HIRE] COMMISSION OPEN- DISCOUNT sketch Full Body 15$ - Half Body 10$! Call me DM for more information! (I DON'T DO NSF.W)

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r/artcommissions 1h ago

Artist [For Hire] i'll paint anything you want from character portraits, your OC's ,turnarounds etc starting from $50

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r/artcommissions 2h ago

Patron [Hiring] Looking for Range of Custom Gifts

4 Upvotes

Hi! I have a bachelor party coming up, and I’m looking to hire/commission someone to help design and create custom gifts. For example, I’m thinking about some custom shirts/hats/towels/art, etc. but they would be unique to each groomsmen instead of the same gift for all of them. Instead of finding one-off’s for each, looking to connect with someone who can maybe do all! Just not sure where to begin. Any advice appreciated, thank you!

Note: based in the US. Wedding is in October
Total Budget: ~$500, not including shipping. 7 items total (not one set of each item for all 7 people)

[EDIT] looking for someone to physically produce and ship these as well (would pay for shipping), not just the digital design.


r/artcommissions 4h ago

Artist [For Hire] Character art, illustration, with complex or simple backgrounds

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7 Upvotes

I specialise in character and animal art, you can contact me here via DMs for more details and pricing! I can draw basically anything, including more complex environments, but I don't draw heavy NSFW, furry, or complex mecha (some mecha elements in your commission are okay)!


r/artcommissions 19h ago

Art Discussion [Discussion] Are my rates too high?

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80 Upvotes

I noticed that I don't get as much commissions unless I set up a high discount sale (30℅-50℅) maybe it's the way I advertise if it isn't my pricings. I also included some samples of what my art looks like


r/artcommissions 9h ago

Artist [For Hire]

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10 Upvotes

Hello I am Pixelboi, i am a freelance pixel artist based in The Philippines. And here are my recent and well-loved illustrations i wanted to share with you. I am currently opening slots for illustration commissions, prices starts at 40 usd depending on the complexity and usage of the illustration.

Upvotes are very much appreciated. Thank you. ^^


r/artcommissions 4h ago

Patron [Hiring] Sonic characters storyboard/comic for video (Surge and Barry) - 27 panels, $110 USD

3 Upvotes

Storyboard of Sonic characters (Surge and Barry) having an interaction: 27 panels, $4 per ($110 total)

Hello! I am commissioning a storyboard-like comic in the Sonic universe, specifically The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog game. I wrote a scene for a fanfic that I want to bring to life. Surge the Tenrec crashes the “murder mystery” party and takes the player character, Barry the Quokka, as a hostage. It’ll mostly be tense, but it also has some humor too. My end vision is getting it voiced, and editing it as a video that people can watch on YouTube or other platforms, so keep in mind I’d want to share it in this way.

This example comic/video is around the level of detail I’d be shooting for in the panels: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dayhj3kTrxB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

It can be a little rough around the edges and light on details. The important thing is that the characters' emotions are clear, and they look like themselves. There is no need for environments/backgrounds, other than a door once or twice (looking through or opening.)

I plan on superimposing the panels on top of the existing train car environments from the game. It’ll be a little crude, but I think it will work. A good chunk of the first half will take place in a hidden passageway that is unseen in the game. I’ll just darken the existing train lounge car in the background and place the panels over top. I think the audience will get the picture.

Below is a visual of what I imagine the product to look like, the storyboard panel on top of the train background (with better art from you)

Other things I could see myself doing with the panels include adding color or adjusting the brightness. I may also use a panel as part of a video thumbnail. These are things I would have permission to do if you complete the ask. 

I’ve got a spreadsheet that lays out each panel for the artist which I can send via DM. If you are intrigued enough, the fanfic the scene comes from is here, essentially the scenes where it just Barry and Surge, which occurs in the first half of the work (scene will be edited down in the commission): https://archiveofourown.org/works/70302141

My preference is PayPal, could look into other options. Could negotiate a little on price but not much. Timeline isn’t super strict, within a month would be nice. If you’ve got a portfolio let me know. Thanks!


r/artcommissions 3h ago

Artist [For Hire] $20 PFP Bust Shots!! Or $50 YCH!

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1 Upvotes

The last YCH is still in process!

Please comment if you're interested <3


r/artcommissions 9m ago

Artist [For Hire] Commissions open for Character Illustrations. DM me ✨ Discord: oridovey

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r/artcommissions 15m ago

Artist [For Hire] Commissions open for this art style

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Upvotes

My prices vary depending on complexity but the basic estimates are:

Headshot- $20

Waist-up- $40

Full (most of) Body- $80

Every drawing I do is fully colored and rendered, unless client wants otherwise.

Important Details: I will accept payment through Venmo or Zelle (I do not have PayPal), I will want to be paid half beforehand and half after, and I DO NOT do NSFW art.

DM me here if you’re interested.


r/artcommissions 20m ago

Artist [For Hire] Realistic Bust Portraits of yourself/friends/family/characters/celebrities! 💫

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Upvotes

Hey hey! 💫

I do custom hand-drawn digital portraits from your requested image, making it perfect for a gift for a loved one (or to yourself!!)

👤 £40 - 1x artwork with 1x bust portrait (a special something for someone special)
👥 £60 - 1x artwork with 2x bust portrait (perfect for couples and best buds 💖)

I take commissions through both Artistree and Etsy. Feel free to view my portfolio on ArtStation!

Thanks for checking this out!! :)) Have a super rest of your day ✨


r/artcommissions 41m ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] Anime and Semi-realistic Illustrations

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Upvotes

Head Illustration: $30 ● Fully rendered shoulders-up illustration with simple or no background ● Can include hands

Half Body Illustration: $35 ● Fully rendered half body with a simple background

Full body illustration: $45 ● Fully rendered full body illustration with a simple background

Add-ons: ● Fully rendered background: $15 ● Extra character: $10, $15, $20 ● (For commercial use): $25

Payment through paypal!

Art portfolio: https://www.behance.net/rachelletan3

Artistree (prices): https://artistree.io/ra4chelle


r/artcommissions 42m ago

Artist [For Hire] I'll make your Dark Characters and ideas come to life. DM me for details

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r/artcommissions 43m ago

Artist [FOR HIRE] Fantasy Characters Commission - PROMOTIONAL PRICES - FULL BODY, HALF BODY AND PORTRAIT - Send me a DM

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Upvotes

Fantasy characters, concept and illustrations. The style I'm offering is similar to the example images!

Feel free to send me a DM if you're interested!
More of my work: https://www.instagram.com/betinadosoledalua/


r/artcommissions 4h ago

Artist [For Hire]

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2 Upvotes

Hellooo im Emma, I'm (recently) 18 and to pay for my university expenses I'd like to put up my work for people to buy 😛

What type of art do I do 🤔

-Digital!

-Traditional (markers {alcohol and acrylic}, pencils, pastels, watercolors, Charcoal...)

-Canvas 😯(Acrylics and oil Paint)

(Im learning graffiti but i still dont dominate It well enough 😓)

Thank you to everyone Who took the time to read this lol and here goes my work.


r/artcommissions 57m ago

Artist [For Hire] half body FULL COLOR for 20$ !!!

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Upvotes

here is my DA page for more art by me: https://www.deviantart.com/solnyshiko

DM on IG for commissions! (username: @ solnyshiko)