Free Art Requests: A Helpful Guide

Free art requests: A Helpful Guide

Requesting free art from artists is frownrd upon, and for good reason. Artists work hard! Asking them to put love and energy into something for you for nothing is pretty disrespectful of that fact. And usually, it won't get you far.

That said, I understand that not everyone has extra money available for these sorts of things.

Even so, there really is nothing quite like seeing your own ideas come to life on a page in front of you. Seeing your imagination alive is fantastic, almost magical. Who wouldn't want that?

Can there be a happy medium to this equation?

You bet there is!

Instead of asking a talented artist to just draw you for free, propose a trade! Think about what you're especially good at. What can you offer the artist in exchange? This shows not only that you respect and value their time and effort, but that you're willing to show it in kind!

I all but guarantee you, your favorite artists will be a heck of a lot happier to discuss bringing your ideas to life if you approach them this way. I know I would be.

If you're not quite sure what you could possibly offer, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Writers:

• Short story
• Descriptive poem about their character
• Song lyrics
• Vignette style flavor text for a couple of their illustrations. Use your words to enhance the scene and enhance the emotional pull

Musicians:

• Character theme
• Score to accompany an illustration of theirs
• Neat custom ringtone
• Radio-style "you are now watching xyz" catchy tune blurb to use during their streams

Crafts:

• Perler bead sprites are simple to do and always super fun to have
• Friendship bracelet using their character's colors
• Look up directions to make an origami model of their species for them
• Sew them something neat. Plushies, hats, scarves, tails, accessories, cute socks, handpaw gloves, bags, etc. (scarves, tails and paws are both very simple to do! Lots of tutorials and patterns available online)
• Alternately, knit or crochet any of those

Tech:

• advice to help get their computer running at its best
• Offer services in programming. Maybe help automate repetitive tasks with a little program
• Web design. Help them create a personal gallery, nice looking art blog, etc
• Help them use Google Drive to set up a commission form, and show them how to use the resulting spreadsheet
• Simply ask if there's any tech issue they've been having that they might like help with

Other:

• Share a favorite recipe with advice on how to make it
• Offer help or advice in whatever field you specialize in. You never know what might be useful to someone!

Help them advertise!

• FA journals.
• Posts on Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, reddit, etc.
• Links in whatever fuzzy places you frequent, such as chat groups or forums.
• Don't just post a link; speak from your heart about what it is that draws you to that artist in the first place. Their style? Their attitude? The subjects they choose to draw? Shine a light on these things for other people to follow.
• Screenshot your posts too, and send them to the artist. Let them see the kind words you've said about them. This can really brighten their day!

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