Question Concerning Commissions

Jotaro9 · Post by **Jotaro9** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:12 -0700

Do you have to have a certain Status (Shugyosha etc) to get Stan to commission something? I know he's busy, but will he do them for any one if he has the time?

Thanks for sharing your pics! they're awesome!

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:44 -0700

Jotaro9 wrote:Do you have to have a certain Status (Shugyosha etc) to get Stan to commission something? I know he's busy, but will he do them for any one if he has the time?

Thanks for sharing your pics! they're awesome!

No special status is required, except for being a fan of Stan's work....

Jotaro9 · Post by **Jotaro9** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:27 -0700

Is it best to send Stan a Personal email? or is there a special place on the forum?

Thanks for your help!

Post by **Mayhem** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:38 -0700

Stan allows for commissions that are to be collected in person. I don't believe he's mailed out any of his requests in the past afaik. So this means generally you're going to have to attend a show to be able to ask for something special drawn. Unless you find someone to collect it for you and then mail it out.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:42 -0700

Jotaro9 wrote:Is it best to send Stan a Personal email? or is there a special place on the forum?

Thanks for your help!

Best thing is to send Stan a PM through the forum here. Unfortunately, Stan does not do commissions by mail, so you will need to make arrangements to see him at a convention or signing (or have someone else attend and pick it up).

Stan Sakai wrote:I do not sell story pages, but I do sell almost everything else--covers, pin-ups, endpapers, convention drawings (like those on the outside back covers of the comics), and I accept commissions. As a rule, I do not sell art though the mails, so it is best to see me at a convention.

I usually start a "What should I bring?' thread a month before every convention I go to. You can request a particular commission at that time, unless it is particularly complex in which case, I would need more time. You can also request particular books, comics, merchandise, or anything else.

Prices for original art generally start at about $100 for a single figure.

I used to do free sketches at cons, but have had to discontinue that. I will sign almost anything of mine with no charge.

I am going to split these last couple messages off into their own thread, away from Mayhem's Gallery....

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Mon May 25, 2009 8:30 -0700

Generally, I do not sell artwork through the mail and, except for one exception, I do not sell story pages.

I usually start a "what should I bring" thread before conventions or signings I attend. That is the time to ask for that one issue you are looking for, or that free poster, or the metal figure. This is also the time to commission drawings. I may not have time to do everything, since my story deadlines take precedent over commissions. It may take much longer for more detailed commissions. Wiley Pueo had to wait about 3 years for that Kite Festival drawing, that was used as wraparound covers for UY 42 & 43 (or somewhere around there).

The art and other brought stuff would have to be picked up at the con (you can have a friend or agent pick it up for you).

I want you to be happy with what you commissioned, and, if it is not up to your expectations, you do not have to buy it. But I may ask for a "kill fee" for a very specific type of piece I would not be able to sell later, such as "Usagi standing outside of my house at 1234 Someplace Street."

Jotaro9 · Post by **Jotaro9** » Mon May 25, 2009 15:30 -0700

Thanks for all the info everybody!

And a special thanks to you Stan for replying in person!

I don't get around much, so I'll have to wait until I can save up some cash to come to a convention before I ask for anything.

Thanks again everyone and I'll talk to you all soon!

-Jotaro9 (Nikki)

Gallennon · Post by **Gallennon** » Mon May 25, 2009 21:56 -0700

I most definitely will be at Baltimore Comic con then. I'll try not to use Stan as an excuse after the con for why I can not pay my bills

ulic27 · Post by **ulic27** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 20:38 -0700

I'm not much of a message board guy, but I love UY so I joined the forum to keep up on things...

Anyway, I was psyched to see that Stan will be coming to a comic book convention on the East Coast (Baltimore! October! Can't wait!). And I understand that prior to this will be the time to ask for a commission. So here's my question--does everyone always go for an Usagi drawing? Everything I've seen, on here and Comic Art Fans, is commissions of Usagi or another UY character. Stan, you strike me as a gracious guy, and all the other artists I've met in the past have been happy to draw whatever, provided they have reference. I don't have anything off-the-wall in mind. I was just curious what people's takes on this were.

Thanks, everyone.

Seth

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 21:47 -0700

Hi Seth,

The vast majority of commissions have been for Usagi, but many of them outside the standard pose-type drawing--Usagi on a bicycle, at the computer, fly fishing, as Green Lantern, as Rorschach, etc. There have also been a lot of non-Usagi-character drawings--a realistic polar bear, the Hulk, Spider-man, etc.

If it is not something I am interested in drawing, I turn down the commission.

ulic27 · Post by **ulic27** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 13:57 -0700

Wow, a polar bear? Huh...

Thanks for your thoughts, Stan. Fortunately I have months to think of something both awesome and irresistible for you to draw.

ricksam · Post by **ricksam** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:49 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:Hi Seth,

The vast majority of commissions have been for Usagi, but many of them outside the standard pose-type drawing--Usagi on a bicycle, at the computer, fly fishing, as Green Lantern, as Rorschach, etc. There have also been a lot of non-Usagi-character drawings--a realistic polar bear, the Hulk, Spider-man, etc.

If it is not something I am interested in drawing, I turn down the commission.

haha those (Usagi on a bicycle, at the computer, fly fishing, as Green Lantern, as Rorschach) would be nice to see

Gaffey · Post by **Gaffey** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:12 -0700

ricksam wrote:haha those (Usagi on a bicycle, at the computer, fly fishing, as Green Lantern, as Rorschach) would be nice to see

ricksam · Post by **ricksam** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:33 -0700

wow ! thank u for the links - often con drawings are not shown - for many reasons - lack of camera being probably up there.
these photos are awesome

Ghost9 · Post by **Ghost9** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:08 -0700

That second Green Lantern one is awesome! Next time I see Stan, I know what I'm asking for!