How to be a Freelance Artist! (DOs and DON'Ts) 

It's like the Joker said "If You Are Good at Something, Never Do It for Free."

500$ for a complex animation? Jazza I just got paid 1000$ for an 8 second animated logo, which was commissioned by a very nice producer I got to know recently, which I personally still believe is a fair price. (Just to show how much your rates are grounded and realistic) I think your prices are as decent as they can get for the kick ass quality you provide. Great video my man!

Youre dead on point when you were talking about how people want to use you for free. I remember when I used to draw art and try to sell them at school. NO ONE wanted them lol, but when I said ill give them away, omg they were gone in the first day. Everyone will use you if you let them. Good tips bro.

1. Anyone that can offer real exposure can also afford to pay you. Doing official concept art for Disney would be amazing exposure because they're so huge and famous. They also definitely have the money to pay you. Tumblr can get you way more exposure than the cheap nobodies that want free art. I feel like the only situation where you'd accept exposure as your payment is if Alan Moore went completely bankrupt and wanted you to do the art for his project. 2. If someone wants free art and tries to justify it by saying it would be "a great portfolio piece," remind them that you are completely capable of coming up with your own prompts.

That freelance calculator is brillant, I believe I will add that to my own portfolio! I can't even count the number of times people have ordered a face portait (simple and quick) and then they wanted full body, and then maybe their cat, oh and they want to ride their bicycle with their mom and they would like this to take place on Manhattan. That calculator seems like a simple way to explain to people beforehand that such additions cost more money.

The npc's in videogames often pay me with experience. Should i not accept that?

i've had so many people ask for graphics then when i say i charge they get mad and such.

Thoughts from an educated slacker: Start by practicing giving a professional treatment to your personal work. That means adopting a formalized workflow with defined stages, and treat it as a job where the client just happens to be you. Go through a round of thumbnails and rough sketches to make sure you know what you want in the final piece, then commit to it, and put in a day's work before "checking in with the client". Maybe keep a journal to practice articulating your communication between artist and client. Also, log the time you spend on each phase of the work. That data will allow you to figure out a general formula for estimating pricing and deadlines.

That laptop example was like omg!! The best example, lol

I have had this "I want it for free" stuff going for many years now. I started charging money about a year ago, but the people always seem to get so angry with me when I tell them I want some money for it. I even had this girl go off on me because she claimed to have drawn an elephant butt using only one pencil. I tried to explain to her that a real portrait includes the usage of multiple pencils, but she just kept going off on me and tried to make me drop the price even more to five euros (I'm Belgian :3) while for students I'd charge between 15-25 euros, which is super cheap for a portrait (adults are being charged between 50 - 65 euros) I started doing this because people always asked me to draw stuff for them and they loved my art. This artist I once went to and my mom told me I should stop doing it for free and charge some money. Guess what... all of a sudden nobody wanted my artworks anymore and I sucked according to them. I got this massive insecurity about my art and stopped for quite some time. I don't know if I was doing something wrong? I mean I have the right to ask for money if what I do is good, right?

Great great video! I get messages of people who want me to draw something for them for free every single day! Sometimes they will even get mad when i say i don't work for free. It made me stronger as an artist though. I learned to stand up for myself:)

Oh lord that happens so often, i am a total newbie on digital art but im a kinda good botanical (scientific) ilustrator when using ink, at first i was like amazed that i could earn money by "just" drawing plants, so i worked for quite a low price at first, because my reasoning was, well, if really really talented artists on the internet can earn like 60 bucks per drawing then i should aim kinda lower shouldnt i? I'm not as talented. Yeah.... problem is, first, scientific illustration consumes a damn heavy load of time more than traditional art, since you have to be absurdly precise (the goal is information afterall), second, 60 bucks in dolars is way more valuable than in my country's coin, and third, scientific ilustrators are hard to come by, if artists are already kinda rare, ones who also have scientific background are even more scarce. So yeah, in the end i had like a week worth of work, with a very specialized skill, producing a lot of acurate drawings and got paid what with all the conversion would be like... 100 dolars or such... For my employee it was like, well free pretty much. No one works for 400/month its suicide, specially for a very specialized job. So thats a very hard thing to do, value yourself, because we often compare to the ones in the top, and there's so much very talented people on deviant and other platforms that we shy ourselves from our talent, but you know, deviant is made of people from the WHOLE WORLD. Who else do you personally know that can do what you can? How many people can produce the results that you can? thats your value. I could compate myself with jazza and think im not good enough because he is amazing, but jazza is an australian freelancer artist, and im a brazilian scientific ilustrator, what good would it make for me? NEVER shy away from valuing yourself, think how many people you know cant draw more than a stick figure, your work matters, and if it matters, it has a price. (sorry for butchering english a bit, im typing fast)

THANK GOD!!! Stop asking me to draw you...I don't want to draw without that money! "But it is for my friends birthday!" Shut up. You want a drawing? *Quick sketches me strangling the person* Here. Go away.

I subscribed! I've been struggling for how to conduct myself as a freelance professional for about ten years now. I didn't get tangible presents yesterday for my birthday but ... You have been teaching me some very self impowering videos that the Art school didn't mention and it's liberating. I feel free man. Thank you !! I'm off to Starbucks and jam my Art like "yes, I'm an artist, nice to meet you."

I appreciate you taking time out of your day to look out for your fellow artist!!!

The 57 people who disliked are the people who ask Freelance artists if they can give him/her products for free.

As a young artist hoping to find a career someday, I can say that this episode has been VERY helpful. :D Jazza has been an inspiration to me for a long time, and his videos keep getting better and better!

So helpful! Love the triangle!! Thank you for this video!

I really like this and some other videos you've made. I think you've become a gateway to the artist's side of RU-vid. I've been looking for it in a while, and you've helped me both in morale and entertainment. Subscribed.

I think one of the tricky parts is we bid against ourselves. All of us artists contribute to the factors involved and drive down the overall value of each other's work. Clients want to get what they want for the least. If art is valued lowly in our society, it is because we, as artists value our service low.

The updates part is what I needed. This video...well, all of your videos really helped me a lot jazza!

I accepted to make a Minecraft animation intro for a German gamer. It took me alot of work to complete, and at the end of it I didn't even get a thank you. He didn't even use it. :(

Everything in this video is absolutely true. I have done most if not all of the pieces of advice that you gave and my god how it is so true. Great tips Jazza, doing this and giving those out there that don't have this knowledge will prove most vital to a lot of people.

This video is extremely informative for beginning artists like myself. It's so nice to have someone who is so experienced with this kind of stuff just sit down and explain it all. Thank you so much for making this

My new favorite channel!

As always i found this vid extremely useful, keep em coming jazza, much love from the UK

Solid advice, Jazza! I never heard of the Quality-Fast-Cheap Triangle. That makes perfect sense! Thank you so much for sharing your trade secrets.

I love this channel, very informing with quality content. I'm an aspiring animator, recently turned 18 and I've already started with small animations. I feel good about my future, and I'll be watching this channel to guide me along the way.

I must say, I approve of you Jazza. This is the first time I've seen your videos, and they're an accurate example of taking a professional approach to art. Thank you for being a straightforward artistic businessman. It gives others the confidence in themselves to say No to experience and exposure. Those are the most common and most obnoxious offers out there. Keep up the good work.

Really liked this video Jazza!

I watched this a couple years ago and just referred to it again today. Thanks for the great advice Jazza!

This video was EXTREMELY helpful~ I've been struggling with A LOT of this in the past year trying to gain footing as a freelancer. Thanks for making this Jazza!

Very nice Jazza! Thanks for putting this together! Very helpful! Appreciate it :)

took so long to find you jazza your the best sub for life man!!

You are so spot on with every one of these points. Keep pushing great content brother!

Jazza thank you for your time and effort in making these videos and sharing it with us, really appreciate it man. You're the best!

yes!! this is beautiful information thanks so much Jazza.

I get asked alot to work for 'experience' and when I say I don't work that way they always seem offended, if I'm going to be spending the time to listen to what the client wants and spend a few days bringing their vision to life I do expect payment in return I find it slightly insulting otherwise as if my work isn't good enough, probably a few other illustrators who feel the same

Now this is a great video!

Thank you Jazza. Amazing video. And great advices

As usual, great video, Jazza! I was watching yesterday a video of the same topic from Will Terrell, it is great as well, I recommend to everyone! Cheers.

Jazza, this was really well done and explained, it also helped me to recharge my motivation on my work too. Keep up the great work dude!

This was very helpful. Thank you Jazza!

I loved this...I need it now...tks for share Jazza

Great video - lots of good information and I always enjoy your talks!

I just got my first paid gig in the field and I find your video very helpful. You deserve a 'subscribe'. Thanks bro, bloody awesome!

I have recently subscribed to your channel and everything you say just reaffirms what I have been saying and doing all along! This particular video reflects EXACT:Y the scenarios that I have experienced over the years. I tell my family "You want my services as an artist, you pay for it." (they do get a family discount) And to make things worse, I live in an area that believes EVERYTHING should be done for free if it is a service. Your blue chip rules are the foundation to a good relationship with a client, as well as just a great way to keep your clients coming back for more. Bottom line is I enjoy your videos due to the quality, clarity, and informative content. Thanks for inspiring artists whether they be new or seasoned in the craft.

Great video, Jazza. Thanks for your experience 😉

Jazza. You're the man. You're the reason I've started animation!

This def. helps me! Thank you, Jazza.

Great stuff mate! great advice!!

Heyy jazza, your work is suppperbbb, your ideas are great, your reviews on product amd making art by them videos are fun, and you are inspiring. Thank you much for making such videos, they help a lot. Keep drawing, keep going

Awesome video, great info. I will use it for my new internet marketers.

This video was very helpful, thanks Jazza :)

Wow this video genuinely inspired me thank you bro keep up the good work.

Thanks much. Very useful information you shared.

Damn fine share! The info here is applicable across so many freelancing jobs. Thanks for sharing!

Great explanation, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

excellent tips Jazza! congrats

Thank you so much for this!! And the cost calculator is genius. Definitely thinking of adding that to my upcoming website.

*AWESOME* advice! Really helpful!

Really glad you made this video. My time in the military is coming to a close, and I intend to follow my dream of becoming a freelance artist, though I'll admit going from a full time job to potentially having nothing is a scary thought.

Thank you for the advice. All of your points makes sense especially in graphic design.

Great video! There are a lot of expenses that people don't think about when you're running your own business. I'm just a beginning hobby artist, but I experience this a lot in my appliance repair business.

Hey Jazza! I'm a web developer/UI designer and this is something that gets brought up at least once every couple of weeks where I'm going to school. Your content is really awesome and it's nice to see something that hits home with me more so than just being entertaining and beautiful :D

Thanks for sharing. This certainly applies to sound crafts as well. These are tips I've been told by a lot of veterans over the years, and I try to pass them on to any up and coming crafts person. I too do free things that really want to do for fun, experience and challenge, but it's mostly paying clients that place any value in your craft. That's why I love working with other craftspeople, no matter what discipline they're in(even producers :) ). Nice subscription animation at the end. Think I'd better check out more.

Thank you for making this video, this will help me allot for other upcoming commissions/projects

I occasionally hear other artists telling me about people they met(or others have) wants something(artworks usually) for free. Some of them goes about 'exposure' or 'experience' fishing like you mentioned earlier in the video, but some are like this: "Draw me a portrait of my girlfriend for free because it's our anniversary(or some sort)." So when artist asks about the payment, like you expected, they want them for free because the artist love to make artworks, so they have to do even if there's no reward or pay. Especially when their "FANS" asks. The artist refuses to work, then they just rant about how artist lost his/her purity, passion and so on. they even claim that the they're ignored because the famous artist doesn't even care about normal(?) people like them. I don't know how many people like these are there, but I can assume these kind of actions are not only rude, but even moronic maybe. Thank you for the videos anyway. :)

Hi Jazza, amazing advice. Thanks for sharing this great information with us. Cheers! ;)

Thank you for the fantastic tips!

That ending animation is fantastic, btw!

Sweet video Jazza :)

Great video, Instant subscribe! This has helped me in thinking where to go in terms of my freelance abilities. I've been trying to get some work going, but it's been rather slow, with luck this could help me get somewhere.

Wow... This is amazing knowledge... Jazza, you are like a godfather to us. Thank you for sharing this, brother.

Great advice, thanks for sharing it!

Great video! Very informative!

Brilliant video!!

This was very helpful. Thanks Jazza :)

thanks for the tips jazza!

Amazing video. I loved it.. thank you.

Great videos, been watching some of your stuff. Subscribed.

Thanks for the great video! The pricing section was very helpful. I've always had a difficult time with that.

Dude, you just blow my mind. That was pretty good man.

Dude you're AWESOME! I tell noobs this ALL THE TIME!! Fantastic vids brother. SUBSCRIBED!

Thanks for the video jazza really is was a big help.

Awesome advices! Thank you very much

Powerful video indeed!!

Great video!

Thank you! Thank you! This was so helpful!

Hey Man . JUST SUBSCRIBED... I have been watching some of your videos for a while today! And I LOVE THEM! Even though I make realistic pencil drawings, your videos are more than helpful! That Blue Triangle of: Cheap - Fast - Quality, Maan, I really love it! I leave in a Country with a very confident culture so Imma print that triangle and Show it to my customer when it's needed! Thanks a Lot Dude! Keep it Up!

I like your calculator and your triangular cost guide. Will take note thanks.

You are a wonderful speaker dude . Thanks for your advice

Thanks for the tips Jazza

thanks for all this good advice! continue like this your so cool.

I LOVED this video, thank you!

It's hard to actually think what I offer is valuable. That's my own personal struggles but ya....hard to charge for work when I don't feel like a "valuable professional myself." I like the triangle.

Thanks Jazza you're always on point with your tips and information , You're so helpful, You're a Super hero for artist communities worldwide !

missed you jazza

Thanks, I needed this :)

Great thanks for your precious help you give always in terms of Art, work estimation, and for this great video.