COMMISSIONATHLON '09 info!

I decided to organize all the info as if it were some sort of FAQ list. It's just easier that way.

Anyway, it's been something around two years (if not more) since the last COMMISSIONATHLON, and the last time I did it was to make money for my trip to DragonCon '07. This year, the idea is pretty much the same; I'm trying to make money for CONNETICON '09 - but I also gotta admit, I just miss the thing.

What is the COMMISSIONATHLON?

Simply put, the 'Thlon is an event I created where I try to produce at least 1 piece of fantasy art a day for several weeks. The whole production process is recorded by use of a webcam and each resulting video is posted on the internet, along with the resulting art piece. All the images made are art commissions.

How did it start?

The 'Thlon started out several years ago when I received a rather large commission from an independent RPG producer - and all the images had to be completed in an extremely short length of time. In an attempt to make the whole process a bit more enjoyable (for me), I decided to take photos of each step and post them on the site as it all took place. People really liked the idea, and requests for more eventually led to another COMMISSIONATHLON, only with commissioned art for the site's readers. The second on saw the addition of video feed, and although we initially tried to make the video feed live eventually we had to settle on simply making 10 minute videos of each image, one for each, one each day.

There's been three COMMISSIONATHLONs so far.

What's different this year?

This time, I'm aiming to not only produce videos but also add live video feed through the process. Live video was impossible last time because we lacked the necessary tools for it (including a site that facilitates live video like UStream, which wasn't working as it does today, back then). In order to do this, not only a second webcam is necessary but also a second computer (since using two webcams on the same comnputer proved to be quite difficult last time, and this is basically the same machine I was using two years ago). So while it's not definitive, if interest is enough I might be able to secure a second PC for broadcasting live video feed, while I use the main one for recording.

If both recording video and live video are not possible, then the decision of which method to use will be submitted to a vote, by means of a poll on the site.

OK, so I'll admit I'm curious. What sort of stuff can I commission?

The COMMISSIONATHLON is all about fantasy art, so that's the sort of thing that normally gets made. It can be character portraits, scenes from your latest RPG session, a picture of your gaming group, a monster you want to see or simply something cool you've got in your head and would like to see as an illustration. It can be in any fantasy style you like, from epic fantasy to futuristic, going through anything you can think of in between.

Art commissions can be either in pencil, black and white ink or full color (done in watercolors).

Oh really? And how much is this all gonna cost me?

Most times, I'd much rather just the potential client email me with the description of what he or she wants and let them know what it would cost going on a case-by-case basis. Still, if you'd like a rough idea of what it could cost, here's a basic idea:

Pencil images start off costing $75, for the basic character portrait. Each additional character costs an extra $20 and adding a background costs $35.
Black and white inked images start off costing $85, for the basic character portrait. Each additional character costs an extra $25 and adding a background costs $40.
Full color (watercolor) images start off costing $100, for the basic character portrait. Each additional character costs an extra $35 and adding a background costs $45.

(Familiars and such, as long as they're not too large, do not count as an extra character).

Ok, so I'm interested. But all I ever see from you is comic, cartoony art. Whwre can I see samples of your fantasy art?

You can check out my fantasy art portfolio, just click here to go to it.

And where can I see videos of the past COMMISSIONATHLONs?

Just visit my YouTube page and you'll find them there. Here, I'll even give you the link. Click here.

Ok, ok... but the COMMISSIONATHLON is in June, why are you annoucing it now?

Because I need to organize the schedule for it, all the commissions and set up everything else. If you think about it, I should've announced it sooner.

I want to commission some art, what do I do/need?

You need to send me an email with a very basic description of what you'd like, and I'll let you know exactly how much it would cost. If you agree to the price, all you need is to be able to pay through PayPal and we'll settle the rest through email.

It is recommended, however, that if you're interested you send the email as soon as possible, since the available slots for the event are handled in a "first come, first served"manner.

Why are you doing this?

Why lie? I need the money, basically. I'm planning to go to a convention in July (Conneticon '09) and that can be pretty expensive when you need to fly in from abroad. Also, there's rent to pay, food to eat and all sorts of expenses to cover not only during the trip, but also here at home. It's all about survival, I guess.

I'm not interested in commissioning anything, but I'd like to help out with a donation.

Sure, we take donations! Just click click below and you can donate through PayPal.

Hey! I commissioned artwork from you and you haven't sent it yet! What gives?

Yeah... I know. I really do suck at keeping deadlines. As it turns out, the only deadline I can keep seems to be this webcomic. But don't worry, not a single COMMISSIONATHLON commission will be made until all my other pending work is done and ready.

I have another question, can I email you about it?

Sure, just use the contact button on the top on the site.

. . .

So there you have it, pretty much all there is to say about the COMMISSIONATHLON '09. Thanks to everybody and anybody who's interested, and please don't hesitate to email me if you've got some wacky idea.

Good hunting;

O