Hi, everyone!
I mostly do digital character art and OC profile pictures. I've done a few commissions in the past for prices between $25-$50 plus tips. I'd love some advice or opinions on how I should build my portfolio because it looks a little bare, and those commission requests were stretched over a period of a whole year, so not a lot of nibbles.
- Should I do some cheap $10 commissions that have the same effort and time as the $50 and short myself to get more business until I have more bulk to my portfolio?
- Should I take 3-5 free artwork slots at a time just to see where my current skills are at and get portfolio material? (likely quicker results, people love free stuff, less pressure to stay in my comfort zone)
- Do I just take time and do my own art of things I'm interested in improving and hope I find someone looking for the same stuff? (Prop concept art, pet portraits, fan art, practicing anime style).
- Do I keep posting and scrolling for [Hiring] topics and just work on fundamentals before seeking more commission?
So far I've been posting on some different art/gaming threads and Discords advertising myself. I've replied to a few "Hiring" of different types but I know the market is saturated when it comes to character art. I've just used instagram as a display for my current art, should I switch to somewhere like artstation or deviantart?
Any advice or opinions are welcome! (Some examples from my instagram below)
