I thought I might enter this thread as well.
Keep in mind I have never commissioned someone but I am an artist (not trying to self advertise or anything, this is just my honest opinion from within the market).
These are a couple of things you should be aware when commissioning someone:
1st. Research
You see an artist and you love his art, you want to commission him. Don't.
It is important to search the market because sometimes the prettiest option might not be real. Sadly there are artists that trace and just use "copy and paste" art so I would advise you to check different artists, contact them regarding their price ranges and their skills before making a decision straight away.
Some places you might want to search is Fiverr, Behance, Pixiv, Devianart and even Twitch (a lot of artists are streaming their own art these days).
2nd. ALWAYS check the artist's portfolio.
This step is super important when choosing an artist. Why? Because you might like one of their arts but not the all the others. Simultaneously, it is also great to see if the artist's style is the same as you envision the artwork in your mind.
3rd. ALWAYS read or check their T.O.S. (Terms of Service).
If the artist doesn't own a TOS then the it is very complicated when you are trying to win a claim. At the same time, I don't know any trust-worthy artist that doesn't own a TOS in order to protect themselves and the client.
Besides, by checking their TOS you will know the way they usually work. Some artist don't charge for even basic sketches so it is a matter of searching for the right one.
4th. More details the better
When commissioning someone, is important to keep the details to the maximum. You, as the costumer, might have this amazing idea in your head but the artist might not perceive it the same way so if you want a specific color palette, or certain details or poses, you need to explain it clearly (as if you were telling everything to an 6-year-old). This is also the best way to protect yourself.
Simultaneously, if you have doubts about what you want, try talking with the artist about it and reach an agreement between the two.
5th. References
Besides providing with a lot of detail, using and showing reference images helps a lot since it allows the artist to get a better grasp of what you have in your mind.
Great places to take inspiration is Pixiv, DevianArt, Pinterest or even Google Images (even though I personally prefer Pinterest).
6th. Use commission websites
The best way to make sure you are not falling into a scam is through websites like Fiverr. You can easily commission the artist there and your money will have an extra protection.
Of course you can commission the artist directly but it needs someone you either trust or someone that was recommended by a friend. I am saying this because at the end of the day, a lot of artists take the easy path and end up tracing other artworks or even asking for a large ammount for a art that is not even theirs.
7h. Cheaper doesn't mean better
From my experience, people tend to go for cheaper artists and then complain that the art was not as good as they thought it would be. Of course, the same thing can happen to artist who overprice their art on the market.
This to say that, if you really like an artist, don't settle for less even if you need to save a little more. Because, if you end up going for a much cheaper artist whose art is "mediocre" (compared to the one you loved before) then you will never be satisfied with what you will get.
I can't remember anything else but I can give you a couple of heads up in order
to avoid getting scammed.
If you are suspicious of an artist, search their artworks on Google and see if all the links belong to the person you are requesting. If it doesn't it is because it is
stolen art.
Simultaneously, if you think that the art looks extremely similar to another art you've seen before, then that means it is most likely
traced (also considered stealing).
Keep also in mind that
communication is key. In my experience, artists can try to "put ideas" in your head in order to gain more €€, thus you should be careful with those types of people. At the same time, if the artist is reasurring and is willing to hear your critics and improve their artwork (in this case the sketches) then stick to that person.
Well, that's about it. Hopefully I was able to help with my input!
Good luck with your artist search and happy holidays (if you celebrate it)!
