We all have those days where something happens to you that you feel you need to make yourself clear(er) on, even if you feel like it can go unsaid. Today is one of those days. I wish this could be shorter- but for my sake, I will be as thorough as possible.
I don't mind working with other creatives. If you are a creative, it's generally a good idea to interact in some event or project with others at some point. It looks good and feels good. I won't always work with everyone though. It's expected I take more time and involvement into my own projects, but I can enjoy working with others who may present a promising proposal to me. I am open to most project types, so all you have to do is ask me and we will see where it goes. (Except for AI Collaboration, NFT or any cryptocurrency project. I will automatically deny permission so don't ask.) I'm a very ambitious person, and if you think you have a place for me in a project you want to do- It all starts with you asking me a simple, friendly question. I can do all sorts of things: artwork, writing, marketing, translation, etc. and am willing to help or advise you if you ask for it- I'm always ready to make a deal. I typically enjoy a nice collaboration or art trade, and almost always a commission. If we are friends and you give me a role/cameo in your project, I am more likely to be further invested in said venture.
Here is where I have a problem:
If I make art for you, a commission, trade or otherwise- absolutely do NOT make merch of my art without my permission first.
If you invest your own money in one product with my art featured for your own personal use, such as a T-shirt, that's your choice. I usually don't have a problem with it as long as you give me simple credit and let me know. The only exception that I will not approve of is if you want to print art of one of my characters/OCs on it to use. I am more rigid about that. Running with the T-shirt example: If you get a single T-Shirt to wear made with my art on it that you personally got from me (like a commission or trade. NOT something you plucked from my media collection or gallery) not a problem, and I think that's a cool way to advertise yourself and me simultaneously. What I do NOT authorize is you making more t-shirts to sell with my art on it for profit. At that point, you are cheating me if you do not include a percentage or otherwise for me and you are hoarding profits.
✅ Acceptable interaction:
Them: "Awesome shirt! Where'd you get it?"
You: "This shirt is not for sale. The original artist is Vampyvern (Byinkko), check them out. If you like what you see, check out my project it relates to here."
(In this scenario, you are giving me credit and also boosting your own project. Win-Win.)
The art I give you in an exchange is yours but that does not mean you can do anything and everything with it. Here's a concise breakdown of my policy.
- Intellectual property rights and copyright laws exist- you are not above them.
- Do not resell my art for your own profit.
- Do not reproduce my artwork for your own gain or benefit unless we have a discussion regarding it first.
- Do not use my artwork in campaigns or other efforts without my permission. This could possibly cause damage, miscommunication and misrepresentation.
- It is not that hard to contact me- I have several ways you can get in touch. I am fairly active on several platforms and am a communication heavy person. Claiming you did not know how or couldn't do so is lazy and unprofessional (More often than not it shows you never had the intention to do so anyway).
- If you make art for me- that does not mean you have automatic authorization to post it. Just because you made it, doesn't mean the other person is okay with it being posted. You should ALWAYS make sure the other person is alright with where you post. Sometimes, I like private trades with friends and would like the artwork to stay between us, especially if it is a personal character of mine that I am particularly close to. If you make art for me that I commissioned/traded with you and I'm fine with you posting it, you should credit me all the way. You don't get to credit me once and think your duty is done. No. If you publicly share it, use it in an 'art share', or use it on a forum or whatever- I fully expect you to say something curt and short like "Character belongs to Vampyvern/Byinkko".(At that point, you might need to edit the image with a small caption of text that says the very thing I just mentioned so you don't have to say so all the time.) If you are not willing to do this commitment, you might not need to work with me. I do it with everyone, so I expect the same treatment. I hate when someone shares art they made for me with no mention of me- they get all the focus and no mention of the one who actually inspired them to do it! That stinks hard and makes me want to work with that person less. Don't just drop art relating to me and run. Rude!
- It's alright if I am considered an inspiration to you, but do not trace/copy my artwork or designs. I witness too many thieves now who claim to use an artist as 'inspiration' but they flat out copy/trace/steal ideas from said artist and as expected- they seldom receive proper credit. It's concerning and unoriginal. I have my own guidelines to determine if something is a trace or copy- but If you use my art or a certain piece as an inspiration or reference, I'd appreciate a small mention and credit somewhere! In fact, if I'm being used as your creative model- I'd like to see what I inspired you to make. I don't exactly want to make enemies- but I do believe in etiquette.
- Regarding Art Trades- I do love a good art trade, and most of what I said above applies here too. Give me credit where credit is due, don't post/use without my permission and we will be ok. Do not ask for updates on my progress unless you are willing to give me the same answers. The only new thing to be aware of is if you do not complete your half on time or at all, I will refrain from giving you any completed art on my behalf and will ask you to pay for the finished product if you still want it. If I cannot finish your trade on time or at all, I will notify you and give you what I have already completed. If you wish to reschedule, just maintain proper communication and you'll find I'm rather flexible and agreeable.
That should all be in Creative Knowledge Lesson 101 or common sense but to some people, that is not the case. My art is not your product to sell.
In addition to this, it is not my responsibility to keep up with your projects I have artwork or energy tied to. (Now, as an artist involved- I have a duty to update the client in a timely fashion. It is not recommended the client hound me with questions or expect updates everyday.) I might ask once or twice on my own time unprompted, but do not expect me to watch you like a hawk or hound you with questions. As the project's driver- It is your duty to update all involved but there is no strict time schedule to how one should operate. It is not mine to chase anyone down. I want to know where my work is going and if it makes it to the goal you started- it gets mentally exhausting to always wonder. If we are friends, I treat these things a bit differently- but even then, we all prioritize our own time our own ways. Word of advice: It's generally good to update your friends/audience about your project's status every once in a while- even if you have one other person interested.
In my case here- I handed a commission over to someone with the mentioned prospect of my art turning into merch (with quick mention of percent cuts to be discussed later) and heard absolutely nothing from them for a whole year and several months. It was through my assumption and observation that their project was either halted or just going at a snail's pace. I asked & wondered for updates a time or two, but nothing certain enough that excited me enough to ask again. We weren't friends, so I didn't dedicate much energy to it or push for much more. Life and time is always a circumstance, so you never know exactly when these things will come up. Their message completely caught me off guard since it had been an entire year I heard anything at all, and this appears resolved before anything worse came of it. They claim the artwork will remain off their store and nothing else will be printed of it, so Lets hope it stays that way.
I am making this announcement for posterity on my part- as I think I need to have a policy public. The amount of projects I have worked with others and it fall through for me over the years are greatly outweighing the projects that have succeeded. It's not a good feeling and is incredibly unfulfilling. Sadly, this is not the first time it has happened and it probably won't be the last- but I can damn sure try to make it be. This is one reason I chiefly prefer to do things myself. However, I do like working with opportunities that can provide beneficial growth or even connections too. That's how you make a living and stay living, you know? I give out a lot of free content, so I'd strongly appreciate to be respected and and treated fairly- abusing and misinterpreting my content is quite discouraging. It is for any artist or creator.
The commissioned piece will remain in my gallery but I will not engage contact with the owner unless this escalates further. Any other updates, I'll include later. I don't expect it to nor want it to, so this is here for total clarity.
Do not commission/collaborate/trade with me if you intend to commercialize, sell & market my artwork for your own gain and not keep track of percentages/cuts or not give proper credit. This also includes not using ANY of my artwork in my galleries without permission. Be able to keep up with and review the details of whatever deal we strike- it isn't cool when terms change because someone has been misled, intentionally or not. Be sure both sides understand completely. Time passing does not make things easier.
There is no TL;DR for this. It's on you to understand and read my policy. I am not responsible for you seeing/reading something you did not like with the information present.
Thanks.
