Much Entitlement

[Red Lion]

You ever see those people who hop around art sites like DA or even sometimes FA who complain that an artist doesn't draw things for free? Every now and then someone will send me a note requesting that I draw something for them and they get butthurt when I turn them down. Last request I got was a very weirdly specific one for a Disney character in sleep wear having her feet tickled by tentacles. This is not something I draw, I was mildly creeped out by how obsessed this person was with their request and I politely declined. They came back a few days later and made the request again, I again declined explaining that I didn't want to draw that. They got whiny on me and demanded to know why I couldn't just make the art for them citing that I didn't even have to color it and it wouldn't take me long. I gave them another "no" and got called rude for my troubles. 

Here's an idea, if you want art so badly why don't you make it yourself or, I dunno, buy a commission? Maybe if you offer to pay the artist they'll make something for you. Granted, I wouldn't have done this last request even if I had been offered payment. They seemed way too into this specific character having her feet tickled and they were kind of weird and off-putting. But this is far from the first time this has happened. I will give free art to people I like, as a gift, but I don't normally take requests and just because I'm an amateur artist, doesn't mean that if you want something from me you're entitled to get it for free. Same goes for other artists on FA, I've seen people just being downright little buttholes when they're expected to pay for art or they don't like someone's prices. Heck I've seen people complain that there isn't enough of "X" kind of art in a gallery and the artist should make more because "fans" want it and what "fans" want should dictate what goes in the gallery. An artist doesn't have to draw for anyone but themselves you entitled little buttmunch. If you want to see more giant, purple-butted dog men fucking a butternut squash then you go make it or pay someone else to do it for you and don't complain about having to fork over your cash to get it. It's simple, either you want art or you don't. Buy it or beat it!  >:P

[Alexxx-Returns]

What bothers me the most is when you get a first contact from someone (so no back and forth before this) and they've written virtually a novel on how they want their free drawing to look, and what they want drawn. As though they think they've got it in the bag before they've even sent you one message, so they might as well send you all the details for this free drawing you're DEFINITELY gonna do!

I'm open to doing free drawings often, but that sort of makes me WAY less likely to want to do it. I don't mind people asking and THEN giving more details if I say I'm interested.

You can guarantee it's copy-pasted to a load of other artists as well, there's no way someone would write out THAT much detail for just one artist.

[Red Lion]

What bothers me the most is when you get a first contact from someone (so no back and forth before this) and they've written virtually a novel on how they want their free drawing to look, and what they want drawn. As though they think they've got it in the bag before they've even sent you one message, so they might as well send you all the details for this free drawing you're DEFINITELY gonna do!

I'm open to doing free drawings often, but that sort of makes me WAY less likely to want to do it. I don't mind people asking and THEN giving more details if I say I'm interested.

You can guarantee it's copy-pasted to a load of other artists as well, there's no way someone would write out THAT much detail for just one artist.

I get these a lot too. People who have a big huge request order already filled out and they send it to as many artists as they can in hopes of getting a freebie from at least one of them. Knowing what they are I just ignore them, I like to talk to the people I make art for and a soulless pre-written request doesn't motivate me to do someone any favors. 

[Alexxx-Returns]

I get these a lot too. People who have a big huge request order already filled out and they send it to as many artists as they can in hopes of getting a freebie from at least one of them. Knowing what they are I just ignore them, I like to talk to the people I make art for and a soulless pre-written request doesn't motivate me to do someone any favors. 

Yeah exactly, that's why normally if I do free art stuff, I do it on the forum because it's people I already know and know they're cool.

[Sidewalk Surfboard]

I once got a guy requesting some weird fetish art when I was doing free requests. This guy was like, 30. A 30 year old asking a 15 year old to draw his weird fetish.

[Red Lion]

I once got a guy requesting some weird fetish art when I was doing free requests. This guy was like, 30. A 30 year old asking a 15 year old to draw his weird fetish.

Creepy. I don't do fetish art as a rule.

[DevilishlyHandsome49]

I've started accepting requests and recently got one about a transformation torture story. Took a while to explain why I didn't want to write anything that graphic and that I could make the story use magic for the transformation, instead of torture and mutilation like the requester originally asked.

And to what @Alexxx-Returns said, that requester pretty much wrote the entire story to explain their idea, which made me wonder why they couldn't write the story themselves. If I just rewrite what they want word for word, that gives me no room to add my own little flavor to the story, make it a surprise for them.

Oh and when I originally declined the idea, they said something like "Oh okay. Well I have another torture story."

I shoulda just turned it down completely after that statement

Edited November 6, 2015 by DevilishlyHandsome49

[Tsuujou]

This is just one of the many good reasons why having a fanbase means absolutely nothing to me.

It does not make me feel good. It does not boost my ego. It does not comfort me in any way. What benign positives come with an increasing fanbase, the negatives vastly outweigh it at least for me. I get these sort of clowns at least once a week and some people who don't get what the want will sometimes, rarely, get malicious. They'll try to tear you down. And you know something? Always in any facet the ones who aren't going to pay up are the ones whining the most. Ever notice that?

It's not even just people want things for free either. Some people who want to pay for art can be assholes too. I had a little stalker fuckboy a few months ago. When he didn't get his way, he decided to go after my friend on various boards in an attempt to smear his name and someone he's close with. Because my friend didn't do commissions. He would go on with "Oh he'll draw porn for his popular friends, but he won't open for commissions" and go on about it and ON about it.

[Mikazuki Marazhu]

I wonder how much worst it is for well known artists. Well off putting as it may seem. at least you know there is someone out there who appreciatea your art (despite how annoying it is)

[Red Lion]

This is just one of the many good reasons why having a fanbase means absolutely nothing to me.

It does not make me feel good. It does not boost my ego. It does not comfort me in any way. What benign positives come with an increasing fanbase, the negatives vastly outweigh it at least for me. I get these sort of clowns at least once a week and some people who don't get what the want will sometimes, rarely, get malicious. They'll try to tear you down. And you know something? Always in any facet the ones who aren't going to pay up are the ones whining the most. Ever notice that?

It's not even just people want things for free either. Some people who want to pay for art can be assholes too. I had a little stalker fuckboy a few months ago. When he didn't get his way, he decided to go after my friend on various boards in an attempt to smear his name and someone he's close with. Because my friend didn't do commissions. He would go on with "Oh he'll draw porn for his popular friends, but he won't open for commissions" and go on about it and ON about it.

I've seen this. I love how when you turn some of them down they immediately go from praising your skills to bashing them. Somehow they think that if they insult your art and say it's not good enough for their money that you'll bend and give them a freebie. And you're absolutely right, it IS the always the ones that have no intention of paying up that do the most bitching and moaning. 

[Sar]

The easiest way out of this is to simply not do commissions or requests and instead only do art you want to do or for friends. Whether you post it publicly ends up becoming so irrelevant to your work you actually don't care if you post it on FA or Weasyl or whatever.

Bare in mind, this is a solution irrelevant of ones financial situations, that being you consider art as a job or a supplement to income. But if you want to avoid the hassle of having to draw stupid fetish ideas and dealing with whiny and annoying manchildren in notes all day long it's hands down best to just draw whatever the fuck you want to draw and ignore people wanting your work.

[TrishaCat]

Yeah, I don't really like that people feel entitled to a particular art piece. I mean paying for something and not getting what one wanted is one thing, but just asking for something for free and then getting mad when he/she doesn't get it is ridiculously entitled and also extremely rude. What obligation does an artist have to spend their time and effort on something for another just because they asked for it? I mean I get that requests are a thing, but by no means is an artist obligated to work on a request and they have every right to turn them down. 

What also irks me are people who would get upset over a particular artpiece they requested and then complain about it, saying they didn't like it. I mean, if it was a request in the first place, then shouldn't one be grateful that an artist worked on it in the first place?

I have a friend who offered to draw me something about a year ago (or at least several months ago, I can't remember) and occasionally he'll bring it up with me on Skype saying he's sorry he hasn't drawn it yet and that he plans to get on it, and I always say "Nah, that's fine. Take your time", because in no way is he obligated to make that thing for me. He offered and he's doing it because he wants to, so if he doesn't ever feel up to it or get around to it its no big deal. Requests should never, EVER feel like an obligation to an artist, and anyone who is pushy or feels like an artist MUST do an artpiece for them as a request is being entitled and likely undeserving of such work in the first place.

Some people who want to pay for art can be assholes too. I had a little stalker fuckboy a few months ago. When he didn't get his way, he decided to go after my friend on various boards in an attempt to smear his name and someone he's close with. Because my friend didn't do commissions. He would go on with "Oh he'll draw porn for his popular friends, but he won't open for commissions" and go on about it and ON about it.

I think I know who you're talking about, and the odd thing is is that the reason I know this is because this person approached me about it. Or at least I believe its the same person. What you're describing sounds like the same person who approached me, anyways.

I find it difficult to turn people away so instead I just let him talk to me and he just endlessly whines in this creepy obsessive way about how he's screwed up and feels bad about all that, but the way he talks it comes off as...uncomfortable. Like he's overly obsessive about some things.

I'm not sure how to handle it so I just listen to the dude and offer him advice that oftentimes is just a longwinded way of saying "Get over it. You screwed up but being creepy isn't a way to handle it". 

Edited November 7, 2015 by Battlechili

[Alexxx-Returns]

 

It's not even just people want things for free either. Some people who want to pay for art can be assholes too. I had a little stalker fuckboy a few months ago. When he didn't get his way, he decided to go after my friend on various boards in an attempt to smear his name and someone he's close with. Because my friend didn't do commissions. He would go on with "Oh he'll draw porn for his popular friends, but he won't open for commissions" and go on about it and ON about it.

=O God forbid an artist stops being a slave to others and draws what THEY feel like drawing! Unacceptable!

=V

[Tsuujou]

I used to do requests, but then I began getting taken advantage of. Same thing happened to Ryo Agawa at one point. These sorts are rotten as fuck.

[Kaizy]

I think it's safe to say all artists have gotten at least one creepy annoying idiot trying to coax free fetish art out of them. I certainly have.

[Zeke]

Punch them all in the mouth!

[Hewge]

I've never actually had someone ask me for free art! Weird. I must be unworthy of their entitlement...

[Charrio]

What I don't like are requests to date or marry a original character of mine, it just bothers me.
Not sure why, maybe cause they are like my kids and I'm overly protective of them.

 

Another is fan fiction, having someone's character in a relationship with a fictional famous character, that is always creepy.

I don't get requests much anymore, stopped taking them. Don't have enough time or want to go through descriptions or ferret out references, if money is on the table sure.

[Sourdough]

What I don't like are requests to date or marry a original character of mine, it just bothers me.

I don't understand what this sentence. This exists?

[Charrio]

I don't understand what this sentence. This exists?

Yup, I get it now and then.
I think they want to RP marry or date them, I don't ask a lot about it.
But usually comes with can you have her respond like it's her?

RPing my characters is just not what I am into

[Troj]

What I don't like are requests to date or marry a original character of mine, it just bothers me.
Not sure why, maybe cause they are like my kids and I'm overly protective of them.

 

Another is fan fiction, having someone's character in a relationship with a fictional famous character, that is always creepy.

I don't get requests much anymore, stopped taking them. Don't have enough time or want to go through descriptions or ferret out references, if money is on the table sure.

Shipping in general is creepy and weird. I don't see the point in it, myself.

But yes, it is disappointing when people think they should get free things just because they waaaaaant them.

Or, the old classic, "Oh, we won't pay you. But you'll get EXPOSURE!" The Oatmeal made fun of this, as I recall, by pointing out that you can't use "exposure" to buy a hot dog.

[Sourdough]

Or, the old classic, "Oh, we won't pay you. But you'll get EXPOSURE!" The Oatmeal made fun of this, as I recall, by pointing out that you can't use "exposure" to buy a hot dog.

Exposure can't buy a hotdog, but it usually reveals one.

[Aouzy]

I hate those kinds of people. I got someone similar to what you got. They wanted a sexually explicit story about a 5 year old from some Don Bluth movie, despite it saying on my profile that I'll just straight up block you if you ask for something like that that. They even gave me a shout shortly after the note asking if I was finished.

It makes me wonder if they're just trolls trying to mess with people and annoy them.

[Alexxx-Returns]

 WHAT. THE. FUCK.

All of that is just.... >.<

[Tsuujou]

 WHAT. THE. FUCK.

All of that is just.... >.<

All of what?

[Alexxx-Returns]

All of what?

Quoting got messed up for some reason.

Was referring to what Aouzy said

[Zeitzbach]

Just put a "No request" in red on displayed profile somewhere.

I find it sad though no one bother with "Community Suggestion" week when I do them. If it's a normal request, they pop up and ask for a very specific thing. When it's a "Everyone gets a vote", no one care so the only one that pops up pretty much gets it :V

[Kaizy]

Just put a "No request" in red on displayed profile somewhere.

You'd be surprised at just how much that still does not work lmao.

Right on my FA profile I have it clearly listed that I do not take requests and I do not want notes that ask me for things or solicit me. Sure enough, I still get them like clockwork. The most recent one was someone who I don't watch and who doesn't watch me that I've never met in my life, who was asking me to buy the adoptable they purchased from another artist for like $40. And I'm like...what the fuck are these people thinking sending random artists messages like this, especially when it says "DONT FUCKING SEND ME STUPID SHIT IN MY INBOX".

[Umbra.Exe]

Just put a "No request" in red on displayed profile somewhere.

You're expecting people to READ!? :v
Although, I do admit, the commissions/trades/requests feature on Weasyl is nice. It's just that I'm sure some request-spammers probably ignore it anyway. :c

You'd be surprised at just how much that still does not work lmao.

Right on my FA profile I have it clearly listed that I do not take requests and I do not want notes that ask me for things or solicit me. Sure enough, I still get them like clockwork. The most recent one was someone who I don't watch and who doesn't watch me that I've never met in my life, who was asking me to buy the adoptable they purchased from another artist for like $40. And I'm like...what the fuck are these people thinking sending random artists messages like this, especially when it says "DONT FUCKING SEND ME STUPID SHIT IN MY INBOX".

Yep, some people just do not read. I've seen many a profile saying "Do not thank me for faves/watches," scrolled down, and all the shouts are "Thank you for the fave!" "Thanks for the watch!" (I don't mind people thanking others, but come on, people... If you're so thankful, at least check their profile first.)

Also, wait... Someone came to you asking you to buy their random adoptable they bought? WTF. That's just weird.

[Zeitzbach]

You're expecting people to READ!? :vAlthough, I do admit, the commissions/trades/requests feature on Weasyl is nice. It's just that I'm sure some request-spammers probably ignore it anyway. :c

Yep, some people just do not read. I've seen many a profile saying "Do not thank me for faves/watches," scrolled down, and all the shouts are "Thank you for the fave!" "Thanks for the watch!" (I don't mind people thanking others, but come on, people... If you're so thankful, at least check their profile first.)
Also, wait... Someone came to you asking you to buy their random adoptable they bought? WTF. That's just weird.

The "thanks for fave/watches" cannot be stopped when they're doing it purely for more exposure. Just like random "Look at my pieces". Some people are desperate and won't give a fuck.

The No Request badge using DA icon works wonderfully though and so is the text at the top for me. Since I haven't been doing any requests for a long time and I made my "No request" thing easier to spot, I haven't really been bugged with any requests. The closest one so far are people asking me if I will consider drawing NSFW or not or if they can draw NSFWs of my OCs in the future.

You'd be surprised at just how much that still does not work lmao.

Top is yours.

Bot is mine.

It's easy to see where the issues are.

Your profile text is almost impossible to read for people that use the Light color scheme.

It's also way at the bottom and is only bolded so it doesn't stand out compared to the rest of the text even in dark color.

I have mine in a different color depending on the state (Green = yes, red = no) so even if you try to avoid it, you will see it.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Zeitzbach

[Kaizy]

Top is yours.

Bot is mine.

It's easy to see where the issues are.

Your profile text is almost impossible to read for people that use the Light color scheme.

It's also way at the bottom and is only bolded so it doesn't stand out compared to the rest of the text even in dark color.

I have mine in a different color depending on the state (Green = yes, red = no) so even if you try to avoid it, you will see it.

I've been using dark theme for so many years, I don't even think about the fact that there's a light theme anymore. Hard to find a color that reads well in both.

[Tsuujou]

I've been using dark theme for so many years, I don't even think about the fact that there's a light theme anymore. Hard to find a color that reads well in both.

It doesn't even matter if it's legible or not because you're still right.

Back when I for some inexplicable reason used DeviantArt, I would use (in addition to simple statements in bold) these gargantuan eyesore red stamps with big bold ass font that said shit like "No RP" "No Requests/Trades" etc. I had it on the front of the page high enough that you didn't have to scroll down. People still scrolled right passed it to leave shouts begging for requests and "suggestions" still. Some idiots are dense as shit. I'd just ignore them. All you can do.