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Post by corky on Jul 26, 2004 12:09:40 GMT -5
just wanted to talk about an experience i had at a family get-together. maybe someone has some advice on how to handle it...i never handle this very well. i went to my gramma's 90th birthday, and a lot of my cousins, and aunts and uncles were there. at some point, someone asked to see my sketchbook. (i brought only one...i didn't drag any of my finished work with me). there were the usual comments; "you're so talented," "i wish i could draw like that" and so on, which was nice to hear. but then, one of my cousins decided to ask me if i could draw her three kids. there was no offer of money or a trade. i replied that i didn't have the proper stuff with me to draw, and there were so many people to talk to...to which she replied, "but we're leaving tonight. you could draw them right now. your stuff is so good, i would love to show people the drawings of my kids." i got the definite feeling that i was supposed to draw them then and there, and my only payment would be her compliments. after that, another cousin asked me to draw, and my aunt. none of whom offered me anything. and they all got upset when i said no. my answer was, "i'm here to visit, this is what i do for a living, so i'm not going to work today."
has anyone else ever had this happen? how do you handle it? is being direct and saying no the only way to deal with it? i want to show my family my work, but i don't want to draw for free for them!
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Post by toonMom on Jul 26, 2004 12:18:16 GMT -5
That's a tough one! I have never shown my sketchbook to anyone. For me, I would rather draw than talk anyway and I need all the practice I can get so I think I would feel differently than you anyway. I am also a push-over, so I do a lot of stuff for free. Even if family offered to pay me, I think I would turn it down. I doubt this is helpful, sorry. I think what you did was the right thing. If you don't want to draw at family get togethers for free, then it is best to end it before it even gets started.
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Post by Mikey on Sept 22, 2004 4:56:30 GMT -5
Stoontoons
That is a tough one, especially with family. At the same time it's typical. One way I handle it is I keep a contest going at my work (where I get the most people wanting freebies) In the contest I spell out who is eligible and that I choose one per month from all applications. That way they can see I am flooded with people wanting freebies (by the pictures in my box I keep for the contest) If a person does still ask, I can more easily say, "Is this one for the freebie contest or a commission." I can also tell people who ask at other places that I have a freebie contest and say: "would you like to add your picture to that?"
Mikey
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Post by Frank Zieglar on Jan 24, 2005 13:44:45 GMT -5
Good topic. Amazing the way people think your drawing should be free, but they can the family member who is a mechanic, carpenter, tile installer, plumber... Part of the problem is that they KNOW those people are professional and must haul their stuff around. If they get a chance though the doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc are ALL going to do free stuff for them - at the very least give them free advise. I myself have no problem drawing a quick caricature of a family member - but if I ain't got my stuff, then it ain't gonna happen. When I say no - I would be sure to tell them that I would be happy to do it next when I have my stuff. They don't know that I make sure not to have my stuff unless I'm already in the mood to draw something. If after offering to 'cath them next time', they kept hasseling about my doing a drawing I would tell them... If it was a child - "I have told you I will do it another time, if you keep bothering me then you will not get one at all." This can quite a child sometimes. I will end up drawing it, but not next time and not for a looong while - making sure that they knew why it is taking so long. If an adult was acting this way - then I would get really into it asking about the layout and the size and the materials. All the time mentionong the money right up front - and what might the best price for them - and of course that since they are family I will knock a little off for them. "I take about 10% off that for you, since your family!"  Never be scared to mention price with your family if you really want to get paid. Otherwise you're misleading them about your own expectations and setting it up for the entire rest of the family to come out the woodwork and want a freebie. I do not like to be hasseled about it once I've already said no.  You did, however, have your stuff or at least a sketchbook - the easist way to handle this and maintain family harmony would be to... Notice I said the easiest way not the necessarily the right way or best way. Do a quick half-hearted sketch of mediocrity to shut them up. More than likely they will love it - even though you know it's little more than a rough practice sketch. If they want more then that, then it's now easier to mention pricing because 1) you have already fullfilled thier request and 2) everybody knows that to do a 'real' one you need ALL other your stuff. "Sorry, but it's the best I can do with what I have. If you want a 'real' one then let me know and I can even knock some off the price since we're related! I love you, [family] NAME [ /family]! " ><> Frank Zieglar <>< -- Associate yourself with men of quality if you esteem your reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company. -- George Washington |
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Post by Frank Zieglar on Jan 24, 2005 13:51:58 GMT -5
Mikey! That is an excellant idea about the contest! ;D
1) What are the eligilbity requirements?
2) Do you throw in anyone that wants one - like a family member or just co-workers?
2a) Or do you do multiple contests?
3) For the co-workers - is just them or can they bring in a photo of somebody else?
4) What if they want a couple or group shot? Do them free and charge for the others?
I might steal your idea.
><> Frank Zieglar <><
-- If you want to play, practice.
If you want to win, practice harder.
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Post by Mikey on Jan 24, 2005 16:51:28 GMT -5
Frank
ONLY EMPLOYEES. No family members, friends, etc. I post the latest pic on the bulletin board or box and people get a good laugh PLUS!!!!! I picked up two paid ones of friends of one of the employees!
I went up on my prices at the first of the year ... Got tired of working for minimum wage doing the full color ones. I spend a lot of time on them I actually picked up one of them from an employee this week!
Mikey
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Never be scared to mention price with your family if you really want to get paid. Otherwise you're misleading them about your own expectations and setting it up for the entire rest of the family to come out the woodwork and want a freebie.