Okay since the hot topic seems to be all about commissions, here's my 2 cents:

Taking on a commission is exciting but it's also a product where things can go sideways fast, and almost always because expectations weren't set upfront.

Doesn't matter if it's a small portrait or a big custom piece, the process needs to be clear on your end from the very first message. And note that this not only removes room for assumptions, but it also builds trust in the process and your business.

Before you start anything, get the basics in writing. It doesn't have to be a formal legal document, an email where both sides confirm the terms works just fine. The point is that everyone knows what was agreed on so there's no "I thought you meant..." three weeks in.

And please, never start a commission without a deposit. It filters out people who aren't serious and covers your time if they disappear. Also set revision limits, because without them "just a few small tweaks" can stretch a two week project into two months.

Here's a simple framework to start from:

• Timeline and delivery date

• Deposit percentage upfront (typically 40 to 60%)

• Number of revisions included

• What counts as a revision vs. a new request

• When and how the final payment is due

• Usage rights (can they print it, sell it, use it commercially?)

• What happens if the client cancels halfway through

• Preferred format or medium for delivery

• Whether you keep the right to share the work in your portfolio

Start here, adjust it to how you work. The best agreement is the one you actually send.

Has a commission ever gone sideways on you? What would you handle differently now?