Would you ever pay a LOT of money for a face up?

Yes. Without hesitation. Quality art is worth a premium price, and to have what I envision for my dolls made reality is something I will not skimp on. I don't have the time or the frustration available to do them myself, so being able to commission a talented artist to paint my dolls is not only a necessity, it's one I welcome.

(As others have said, it depends on the definition of 'a lot', but I have multiple faceups that were $100 or more and the sheer satisfaction I get from them makes them worth every cent.)

 

I'd never pay for faceups because I prefer to do them myself. Also, I'm too worried about sending them off again, especially the limited heads, what would happen if they get lost?

 

This is the only reason why I've decided to only ask Dutch artists for commissions. But if there is one I really admire and it will cost me $100 to get a face-up done by him/her, I'd gladly pay for it.

 

Not anymore. I'd rather do my own faceups. I also say not anymore because I've shelled out money on faceups before and when they returned to me, I didn't like them as much as I did in the photos. (One also came back to me grubby and I was really disappointed)

I'm pretty content with learning how to it myself. I won't feel bad if I ever wish to change the faceup.

 

I would, definitely. For example, I think docshul (I haven't checked so this may be completely wrong) charges more than I usually pay for her face-ups - admittedly not a lot - but I looooove her style and would definitely commission her if I had a doll that would rock her look.

Saying that, I usually commission my friends and local artists rather than sending my doll off. This isn't actually out of any attempt to give my friends money instead of strangers, or distrust of the postal system, but more because I'm very lucky to have some extremely talented friends whose styles I really love I have several dolls painted by a couple of my friends, and having them so close by (or actually doing it while I'm there) really helps because I am not very artistic so being able to have input there and then on what we agree looks good or bad is awesome It also saves them a lot of time, since there's no picture taking, sending via PM, waiting for reply etc etc

But if my friends suddenly upped their prices and it was going to cost me $100+ for a face-up, I wouldn't change to someone else just because they're cheaper - you can't get art and not expect to pay for it, that's like walking into an art gallery and saying "I'll give you ten quid for that Monet" and expecting them not to laugh you out of the lobby And there are plenty of really talented artists here on DoA whose prices are much lower so if you don't have that kind of money you can still get a really professional face-up.

Other than not having the money, the only reasoning I could think of to not pay such a lot of money for a face-up if that artist can give you exactly what you want is because unlike a painting or a print, they don't always last - unless you keep your doll in a glass case or something I guess Eventually they do chip and wear, especially if you keep the doll for years and years, and no amount of care and MSC can change that fact. So I can kind of understand why people wouldn't want to, though since I take really good care of my dolls I don't mind paying $100+ every few years

 

I am in the "prefer to do it myself" camp. I enjoy the process, and I can't see paying for someone else to do it, as much as I might enjoy, or appreciate their work.

 

I was very nervous to do a face up, even though I have a degree in Fine Art. Then I researched how and found that water color pencils are very easy to use. Invest in a can of Mr Clear and you are set.

If you put makeup on, you can do a face up.

Hugo.

 

Honestly, I've been able to find face up artists I like that do not charge a lot of money. So, I guess I'm thrifty in that sense but 100 dollars would be my limit even though that's a little pricey for me.

 

No way would I EVER pay more than probably 60 dollars for a face up. What's the point of a 150 dollar face up if it looks exactly like a 40 dollar one, to me?
I just think it's ridiculous how much some people charge to paint things on dolls.
TATTOOS I understand, if it's super complicated, sure, you can charge a lot for quality, but a blush and some eyeshadow? Not worth my 150.

 

Honestly in my previous hobby a paint job from a good customizer was easily $1000+ so seeing faceups costing $100+ just isn't a shock for me, even if the work that goes into it isn't quite as intensive. I think part of it is just what you are used to seeing. If some artists started charging $500 and did really good work someone would commission them at some point and eventually that price would become more normal :/

 

I have no problems paying for a quality face-up ^^ The face-up and the expression add so much to the doll. If they're not lovely/character-fitting it's hard for me to really enjoy myself. So, I'd rather pay and have a good face-up than skimp and not be satisfied. If you're going to spend money, spend money well, I think

 

Yes, I want the best I can get and I'm fully aware that means I'd have to pay a high price. (Well sometimes xD) Either way I'm fine with doing this. Especially 'cause I'm not very artistic myself to say the least...>.> So if I have to pay someone to do it and they happen to cost $70+ then I'm fine with that.

 

I disagree with the first part of this statement. I totally agree that if you [or any other person, not just you] do not see or mind the differences between a $40 and a $150 face-up, it's much better to save your money and get the $40 face-up. However, I think it's a bit much to say that the artist's that are charging $150 for their face-ups are ridiculous. This thread is asking if you would pay a lot of money for a face-up, and you have shared your opinion on that, it is not asking if you think the artist's are justified in asking for $150.

In regard to the thread:

I am a $40 face-up artist. I'm not a Poppy or a Rabiruna, but I think the time I put into my work is worth $40. I have held a Poppy face-up, and photographed her work next to mine and it is crystal clear her work is faaaaar superior to mine on all levels. It's NOT just blush and some eyeshadow. Take some time to look at the lines and the detail of a well done face-up, before dismissing the detail that makes their work beautiful.

It takes me a couple of days to complete my face-ups with the level of detail that I am capable of, I cannot imagine how long it takes Poppy or Rabi to create those tiny brush strokes on their face-ups. I would certainly pay people like Poppy and other high quality artist's the $150, because the work is at the highest level of detail and professionalism. Take into account she is using higher quality materials so that must also be compensated in addition to the labor.

If anyone does not want/need/like a Poppy face-up, then they save themselves a $150 deduction from their account, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. All I'm saying is look at it from a different stand point, the artists who work hard to improve and do great face-ups for anyone who wants them should be able to ask for a higher price if their skill reflects that.

Overall, I do my own face-ups but if I didn't I would pay $150 for an artist who did exquisite work.

 

"Good art is not cheap, cheap art is not good" (A play on Kat Von D's "Good tattoos are not cheap, cheap tattoos are not good" qoute)

Let me clarify the whole tattoo thing...since I have working experience in that area.
$150 is cheap and probably a palm sized design. That is what...an hour and a half in the chair? Not worth it, imo.
You can not and will not get a nice sized, highly detailed, elaborately colored tattoo for $150. That's a 12 hour, multi-session job that will run you about $200-300+ at least. This was just a rate from the studio I worked in. ($50-100 for an hour is base price. $100-200 per hour at conventions)

Porfessionaly done, high quality tattoos are expensive, just like High quality, professionaly done face-ups.
It takes time, effort and skill. The materials are usualy high quality and professional grade. They are usually expensive.

Now back on topic and with the face-ups. I believe good honest work can be achieved, without a hefty price tag. However, the more you want, the bigger the price tag.

An artist needs to pay themselves, and for their materials. Unless you can do your own faceups, you will be paying a fair amount of money to paint your doll either way.

If I had the money to spend on high quality work, I would do so. Because I know and appreciate what I am paying for.

 

Nope, I won't even pay close to $100 for a faceup; right now, my girl's head is with someone that I commissioned for a faceup, and she's only charging $35 + return shipping (and optional shipping insurance). I was so happy when I found her in the marketplace, and her work is definitely professional ^_^

It probably does depend on what kind of faceup you want though; I only commissioned regular makeup, but if you're looking for something elaborate for your doll (for example, a full-facial artistic type of style) the price would go up from there due to how much material the artist will have to use for the look.

 

Nope. I do my own face ups. I'd rather gain practice and experience on my own than pay a relatively large chunk of change for something that I'd be afraid to mess up and may not be quite what I was looking for. Even if it is gorgeous, I'm very picky!

The only time I'd be willing to pay someone to face up my doll for me would be if I could see them do it in person. That way I'd get to learn some new tricks and would be able to communicate with the artist as he/she is doing it to make sure the result is exactly what I wanted. ^^

 

Definitely. Since I'm an artistic person and I'm fairly confident that I can get pretty good at faceups with practice, I'm planning to start with my own, but I wouldn't be surprised if I end up commissioning someone else to do one that looks more professional. I'd be able to supply them with drawings and things to get the specifics down (since some of my characters have interesting designs and tattoos).

To get a dream faceup that really brings them to life I'd probably pay $100? Maybe more if tattoos and mods were included. Probably up to $150 if it was incredibly amazing.

 

No, my limit is $60 and my prefer price is $40. I would love to have neat and delicate face up for my doll but I can't stand spend like $100 or more for face up.

For me, more than $50-60 is mean you pay for artist name because you chose well-known artist and people willing to pay no matter how much they charge. Yeah, their work might beautiful but I sure there must be some not that popular artist but really talent and don't charge much, I will choose later one instead.

 

My limit for a face up is around $50 but in the future I'd love to do it myself Still I understand people that spend 100+ for a special face up

 

$60 but if I really need to shell out some more it would be $80 my final maximum except for tattoos w/c is more difficult to work w/. :3