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/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

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2720490 No.2720490 [Reply] [Original]

>sold my first piece of commissioned art
At what point can a person call themselves a professional?
>I see people selling DeviantArt adoptables for points using the moniker

>> No.2720494

If you are able to support yourself from art alone and live at least decently - then you are professional.

Selling commission is nice one step towards the goal, but really, you won't be able to pay bills from $50 commissions.

Also, you are professional when you behave professionally - be polite and fast-responsive to clients, asking for their budget ir alternatively stating all your terms, deadlines, schedule for project, number of fixes you are willing to do for free etc., having a contract, keeping self-imposed deadlines and quality...

If you are like that and a lot of people are willing to pay for your work/queue for it, then you are a professional.

Alternatively - working in studio.

>> No.2720513

As the other anon said I'd argue it's when you can make a living on your craft, even if it's a modest living. He has a good point on acting professionally too. I mean you can have professionals who "act unprofessional" but it's unbecoming.

I mean if you really want to split hairs on the term "profession" then you could say you're a professional as soon as you get paid, but you can get paid by somebody for a lot of things. If some guy throws you $10 to help him move his couch you're not really a professional mover.

>>2720494

>but really, you won't be able to pay bills from $50 commissions.

Depends on your popularity and workflow. Keep in mind if you were pumping out two paid commissions a day at that rate you'd be beating most mcjobs.

>> No.2720558

>>2720494
>but really, you won't be able to pay bills from $50 commissions.
>implying
It depends on your location.
Because of currency exchange etc, where I live, in Poland, doing 2 commissions per week would be enough to rent a flat and pay your bills (it costs around 1600PLN = 400$).

Doing whooping 3 commissions per week would give you 600$ = 2400PLN per month which is quite decent. Average teacher in a high school earns that much.

>> No.2720576

>>2720558
All of that quickly shatters when you need to buy some imported goods, doesn't it?

A tablet or a pair of brand-name sneakers still costs the same in Poland (or in my case, Slovenia) as it does in Germany, even though our wages are 100000000000000x lower.

>> No.2720578

>>2720558
So what about taxes and social securtiy? Don't you have to pay those in poland?

>> No.2720584

>>2720576
this

I had to work 3 months for my tablet in the case I got my parents pay everything for me, so all my salaries when into that

>> No.2720631

>>2720578
You're right, I overlooked taxes.

If commissions aren't your main source of income, then you don't have to register a legal name and you don't have to pay social security. In that case you should write a contract and put your income in PIT (Personal Income Tax) - you'll have to give up 18% (VAT) of your income.

If you're a professional freelancer, then additionally you have to pay social security: for first 2 years it's 100$/month, later it's 250$/month.


I guess the best way would be working in some art studio (to avoid social security taxes) and doing commissions on the side.

>> No.2720656

>>2720578
taxation is a theft

>> No.2720661

>>2720656
kek

>> No.2720771

>>2720576
Im moving to poland

>> No.2720784

>>2720494
>Selling commission is nice one step towards the goal, but really, you won't be able to pay bills from $50 commissions.
I get about one $50 commission every two days and usually a $20 every day, sometimes two or three. Last month I made over $1600 which is more than minimum wage here. You're dead wrong, I'm assuming you have no idea what you're talking about.

>> No.2720831

>>2720784
Post your art.

>> No.2720873

When it isn't a hobby and you base your taxes off of your sales.

>> No.2720892

>>2720831
No.