If you do art trades-

[Asher Grey]

----this is not a thread looking for art trades, or for offering them----

What are things that you guys like or dislike in trades? As forms of etiquette, I suppose. I've done many and they've all been pretty different experiences but, unlike commissions, I don't have a sense of hard Dos and Don'ts.

What I dislike is when people do fetishey/actually nsfw trades without warning, just assuming the other person is fine with that kind of art. Being a minor and getting unexpected porn was always bad. It's also somewhat frustrating when someone asks for a scene and gets a full body drawing, then later sends a head shot as their end of the trade.

On the other hand, I always like when it's posted on FA so I can favorite it there, and when you can tell the other artist really had my OC's personality in mind while drawing. When someone specifies what they'll be drawing before starting, it's even better, because I have an idea of what to match. I don't expect or necessarily even want others' pieces to be the same quality and effort as mine, but I get anxious that I'm not doing enough.

Some of these might just be my personal thoughts and really, I'm happy with any art I get in a trade. I just want to know what others find annoying or extra nice? Are there things that have happened during trades that weren't intentionally negative, but you just really didn't like?

When I do a trade with someone, I want to know that I'm doing the right things ;-;

note: please don't namedrop people to say they did bad trades. Just say what could've been different, I don't want this to turn negative.

 

[PercyD]

I've had an excellent trading experience myself. I enjoy different art styles, which I've gotten plenty of doing trades here. <3

One pet peeve of mine, though, is when someone gives me a tiiiinnny image. It's low res and I can't possibly use it for any thing. >:

I also prefer if people post their trades on FA so I can come by a favorite it and we become artist friends. >x It such a waste when they don't post it. I know I /always/ post my trades with links to the artist on FA. And if they don't have an FA, I link to their FA forums profile.

 

[Pogo]

I've yet to have a bad experience trading.
It's never a formal thing. Its been like this. We say hey, lets do a trade, what would you like me to draw, and could you draw me this. After a brief little discussion, theres a wait period and suddenly art.

:3 and thanks for trading with me both of you.

 

[tamara590]

Not having any experience really, I always get refused, since im not an experienced artist, its really disheartening

 

[Faustus]

Not having any experience really, I always get refused, since im not an experienced artist, its really disheartening

There is no hug emoji in reactions, so have a Heart instead. Have you tried posting your own art trade thread, or just replying to others? Honestly, I think most people want free art with no strings attached, so trade threads are always a crap-shoot.

Back on the topic of the thread!

This is a bit of a weird one, but whenever I do a trade, I'm always aware that I might not have time to complete my half of it, so I always lead with a disclaimer saying they should wait until I finish before starting their art for me, just in case. I don't like it when people ignore this and start drawing anyway because it makes me feel obligated, and then I get stressed and it ruins my work.

 

[tamara590]

There is no hug emoji in reactions, so have a Heart instead. Have you tried posting your own art trade thread, or just replying to others? Honestly, I think most people want free art with no strings attached, so trade threads are always a crap-shoot.

Back on the topic of the thread!

This is a bit of a weird one, but whenever I do a trade, I'm always aware that I might not have time to complete my half of it, so I always lead with a disclaimer saying they should wait until I finish before starting their art for me, just in case. I don't like it when people ignore this and start drawing anyway because it makes me feel obligated, and then I get stressed and it ruins my work.

Thanks for the comment, I do reply to almost everyone, but i always get 'No, Not interested, Or Your skill level is not on par with mine etc', Only one artist has traded with me as of today, I know im not a super skilled artist, The reason i do art trades is because im not allowed to buy art or have a own bankaccount/paypal/online banking {My guardians decided that for some dumb reason they dont wanna tell} So its disheartening if i want art of a character i love or one of my sona's and no one wants to trade with me. I also have a thread myself for art trades on the art exchange and trades board, And all of the comments are bumps or from an artist who offered but i never heard from again. And on FA itself on my profile, Almost 300 people saw it and still no one is interested, Hell there's even an artist who draws something for everyone if they made a thread asking for free and im the only one they didnt offer something for, Which makes me feel even worse and unwelcome. And i see newer threads where someone already got multiple artworks or trades multiple times, Yes even people with even less skill than me.

Sorry for the rant but it's just too frustrating.

 

[BadRoy]

I like a low-pressure atmosphere in a trade. It's not like a commission where some clients get really worked up over the pic, and you're being paid so there's added stress.
Trades between artists usually feel much more laid back and fun.

That said, I've been burned on an unfortunate number of trades. IE: I finish my bit but the other person just weeble-wobbles for months or disappears completely. As with a commission I don't expect the artist to get to it right away, but I don't want to wait half a year after I had theirs done in 2-3 weeks. Bad luck I guess.

 

[Tytysi]

My only huge gripe is trading with someone that really drags their feet completing their part of the trade. I usually pick who to trade with depending on their style but also how much I'd love drawing their character. So, being excited about character design, I end up completing my part within the week while I'm sitting around waiting for an update from the other person for a month. At that point it just feels like the other person is fishing for free art. ._.