I want to talk honestly about commission pricing because I see so many talented artists dramatically undercharging. I did it for two years — $15 for a full-color bust, $40 for a full body. I told myself I was 'building a client base' but really I was setting a floor it took years to climb out of.

Here's the math that changed my thinking: track your time for one week. Every sketch, every revision, every client email. Then divide your earnings by those hours. When I did this I was making less than $4/hour. No creative field can sustain that.

The formula I use now: (hours × target hourly rate) + overhead. My target rate factors in taxes, equipment depreciation, software subscriptions, and unpaid admin time. You're not just selling a drawing — you're running a small business. Price like one.

Say no to clients who push back hard on pricing. They're not your clients — they're just cheap. The clients who value your work will pay your rates without negotiating you into poverty.