COMMISSIONS
​Yes, I accept commission work, whether or not I'll immediately have time is another issue, but I'll address most of the usual questions here.
Short Version:
I'm updating this page to make it simpler and quicker to read. I'm simplifying my process which may exclude some commissions, but that's probably for the best.
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I am implementing a $300 Minimum Amount when dealing with commissions to make it easier to weed out the browsers and tire kickers. This is outlined below.
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I no longer do stone moulds, all commissions will be done as an epoxy mould, which is best suited for cosplayers or small films, not for someone just looking for a piece they'll use once for Halloween - those commissions always fall through anyway.
Important information you'll need to include before I can tell you a price.
Yes, but only for foam latex prosthetics. I don't do silicone, gelatin or latex prosthetics. I don't do latex masks as I just don't have the space or set up. But if you just want a simple foam latex prosthetic, then yes I can probably do that, anything else I don't think I can help you.
The best thing you can do when asking about a commission is to make note of a couple things when asking.
(1) What is your budget? This gives me an idea of what you're expecting and what I should expect from you in terms of your understanding of the process.
(2) What is your deadline? Sometime people's expectation on deadline can be a huge red flag, asking for something to be done in 2 or 3 weeks lets me know you have no idea what you're getting into - which is totally fine, but it does it mean I can't help you.
(3) How much reference material do I have? One blurry, or poorly drawn sketch isn't enough. If it's of an existing design, I'll need at least one well lit front and side, and a couple angles would be awesome. More is better.
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So either mention all this when asking, or be prepared to respond with all of this, it's literally the first step in the process and I can't go any further or offer any information without this.
How much does a commission cost?
While there's no set cost of a commission, there is now a bare Minimum Amount of $300 CAD. I no longer do one-off prosthetics (if you're just looking for design X for Halloween and have no other use for it, I may not be the person to help you), and no longer offer to do commissions using stone moulds. I only do epoxy moulds now, hence the minimum cost.
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This $300 CAD Minimum Amount covers the smallest quantities of the supplies needed to make a mould. Every commission going forward will require that, however smaller pieces may not cost any more as I will be using the left over supplies as my payment. This would include two copies of the final piece and shipping would be extra (which would anywhere from $10 to $20 CAD depending on where you're located).
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What kind of prosthetics could be covered under the $300 CAD Minimum Amount?
A simple nose piece. Most any of the noses I already made I feel would qualify for the Minimum Amount.
A small to medium sized pair of horns would qualify. Most all of the smaller to medium sized horns I made would qualify for this.
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Ear tips, very simple ear tips with no elaborate design would qualify as well. Something like the Elf Ears, Ragged Ears, Werewolf Ears and Fae Elf Ears would all qualify for the $300 Minimum amount.
Anything larger would have to be discussed on a per design basis, keeping in mind, the larger the piece the more time will need to be spent moulding and sculpting.
This also may help, I charge $25 CAD per hour (from November through to June - my off season) and double that, $50 CAD, during my busy season (June through to November - my Halloween season). The make a mould can take 4-12 hours, depending in it's complexity, and to sculpt a piece can take anywhere from 3-20 hours, depending on it's complexity.
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How you pay is up to you, either all at once or 50/50 payments. I'll be sending you an invoice(s) via Square and all payments will be process that way. The $300 Minimum Amount is non-refundable.​
How long will it take?
Minimum 2 months in most cases, however between June and November it may take way longer as that is my busy season.
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If you're asking for something in time for Halloween, it has to requested by June, and in most cases expect it to be more expensive as I charge double by normal hourly rates during my busy season.
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What's the process?
Fairly simple overall. First we'll go over all the above information if you don't supply it immediately, make any changes to the design to suit your needs or budget even. Once all the initial sorting of details are done, payment and whatnot (there's more info on that below somewhere) until we're both confident we're on the same page and I'm ready to start.
I'll start by making the core mould to sculpt on, when once that's ready I'll rough out the basic shape of the piece and refine it from there until it's done. I'll be in contact during the sculpting stage to make sure you're happy with what you're seeing.
Once the sculpt is done, I'll ask you to confirm you're happy with and and I'll make the negative mould and within a day or two it'll be ready to start making prosthetics. Depending on how many you've ordered, it could take 3-4 day to several weeks.
This covers the basics, what follows below is just some FAQ stuff.
If you feel like this suits you, you can contact me right now via my direct email address: themonkeyrodeo@gmail.com. Make sure the subject reflects the subject of the commission, replace the "X" in the subject line with the name of the subject. Thanks!
I want something for Halloween...
The question itself is fine, but the issue is often the timing of it.
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Deadline for Halloween Commissions is June 15th of the same year, anything after that might be doable, but it'll be way more expensive, so plan ahead, I don't have time for last minute ideas.
Will you paint the prosthetic for me?
No, that's not what I do. I make foam latex prosthetics, I sell foam latex prosthetics what you're asking is outside of that - that's not a service I offer, nor do most shops that sell prosthetics, the whole point of them is that you paint them yourself to meet you own needs.
If you come across someone selling pre-painted foam latex prosthetics and you like that idea, stick with them. I've never heard of anyone selling pre-painted foam latex prosthetic recently, so enjoy the unicorn you just found.
Foam Latex vs Latex
Not a question, but a topic that seems to confuse a lot of people.
I work with foam latex, not latex prosthetics. There's a massive difference that it seems isn't obvious to some people. Foam latex is a soft, thick spongy material. Latex is a somewhat stiffer, thinner, more solid material. They apply differently, they wear differently, they take makeup/paint differently - they're different, end of story.
Latex is best for masks, can be pre-painted and is often somewhat cheap, mass produced prosthetics are made of. It can be tinted so pieces have a more accurate skin tone as well, you'll see that with slip on ears all the time. It has it's uses, but I don't work in this area.
Foam latex is best for prosthetics, rarely (if ever) availble for sale pre-painted under normal circumstances. Best when handmade (mass produced foam latex can be a bit crappy). It can be tinted, but not accurately from piece to piece, the tints are hard to find in Canada as well - it's just a pain in the ass to tint foam latex accurately, so I have no interest in it.
Can you modify an existing prosthetic?
This doesn't always fall under usual commission conversations, but it's good to note here anyway.
No. It's not a thing, at least not a thing I do, will ever do, or want to do. If you want a slightly longer nose or to remove the brow or whatever of one of my existing prosthetics it'll have to be done from scratch with a whole new sculpt or buy the prosthetic and try it yourself, I can tell you how to do and I probably couldn't do it much better myself even if I wanted to try.
Will it be a perfect fit?
I doubt it. Anyone selling prosthetics is selling what's referred to generically sized prosthetics, meaning it's made from what's hoped to be the more average sized and shaped face possible to fit as many people as well as possible.
If you have a larger or smaller face, or a larger than usual nose, or larger or smaller than normal ears, you might have fitting issues. Some designs can be worked around issues like this, but don't ever expect a 100% perfect fit from a prosthetic you've bought online.
If you're wanting a commission to be a perfect fit, it can be done, but it's all work on your end unfortunately and I can't help you with that unless you live on PEI (and if you have no idea what PEI is, chances are you live nowhere near me or even in the same country).
Custom core moulds (the moulds that represent the face or body part the prosthetic is to be applied to) can be done but at your own time and expense. Using a product from Smooth-On called Body Double, small life casts can be easily done by most amateurs. Ears and noses are the easiest to lifecast without experience, and are the more critical core moulds needed when looking for a better fit.
Custom full face cores could be done, but it requires experience and can't (and shouldn't) be done by yourself and I'd have my own requirements of what would be acceptable.
These silicone moulds can be shipped to me and then I can use them to make proper cores to sculpt on. Sometimes they might have to be remoulded to make them work, so it's a huge expense and I don't really recommend it unless it's important the fit is as perfect as possible.
What do you need for reference material?
This is the most absolute critical part of the whole process. If you can't properly convey what you want, I can't help you. If you can't supply me with enough reference material (pictures, 3D models, whatever), I can't help you. If you want me to copy an existing design, you need to do the legwork to make sure I have an absolutely perfect idea of what I'm supposed to be sculpting from every conceivable angle.
If you're an artist, this should be easy enough. I've worked with artists before and the experience ranges from simple and easy, to non-stop fussing with the tiniest details. So it's best to set your expectations somewhere in the middle, ask questions when you're not sure, and answer with as much detail as possible when asked something.
Otherwise, the more work I have to do with designing and researching, is time you have to pay for - it's just a waste. So be prepared.
Here's exactly what you need to supply me with. A front on image, a good perfect profile image and maybe 2 or 3 images from various other angles - usually this is enough for the average design.
Example, if it's a character makeup from a TV show - pick one season of that, either find images online or do some hi-res screen caps yourself. Front on, in profile and whatever other angles you can get. And the reason I suggest to pick one season is because makeup designs can slightly change from season to season on some shows, so I'm stuck trying to match up two images that actually will never match.
I'm not versed in every possible character that exists, so don't just assume I know what design you're referring to and can instantly recreate it with zero reference.
How do I pay?
For commissions I use Square, sort of like PayPal, but less sketchy. I will send you an invoice, you don't need an account, just a credit card. I don't use any other money sending/transfer method other than Square anymore.
Normally I offer to allow 50/50 payments, half up front before I start and the remaining half once it's sculpted and ready to mould. Once the mould has been made, there are no refunds of that first payment under any circumstances, but I'll make sure you're aware that's happening. I don't mould anything until you've confirmed you're happy with the sculpt and ready to proceed.
Or, you're more than welcome to pay all at once. In case of a full payment and a refund request after the mould has been made, only half will be refunded.
There are variations on all this, but usually people opt for the 50/50 payment and as of writing this I've never had a request for a refund in the 12 years I've been doing it, but it can happen so we'll make sure we're both fine with the terms on this before committing to anything.
Can I reuse this one piece over and over?
No. Foam latex is intended as a one time use product. It's kind of a complicated topic, but expect that per application you'll need a new prosthetic each time - that's how it's intended to work.
Having said that, technically (and if your expectations are low enough), you can reuse prosthetics, but then you have to consider the hygiene issue. Foam latex is an organic spongy material and any appliance around your nose and mouth will be sucking up any moisture, bacteria, and germs that are coming and going, you really don't want to reuse that - do you? And, if left improperly clean, dried, and stored, will grow mold.
Pieces like ears aren't such a big deal, but they can be thin and delicate, so it's not going to look as nice the second time around.
Some horns that don't have a thin blending edge are actually reasonably reusable if you're careful and understand what you're doing. There's no thin blending edge to consider and presumably it's not covering your nose or mouth so there's probably not as much of a hygiene issue there.
And it comes down to the look of it. Removing any prosthetic, no matter how careful you are, will probably ruin the edges. They can rip, curl up, get twisted out of shape and unless you're a really skilled makeup pro you're not going to make it work - and if you were a pro, you'd probably know better than to try anyway.
So consider this too when asking for a commission. If you just want a one time use piece and you're happy to pay a bit for that, than you're all set and have nothing to worry about.
If you're trying to stretch a makeup budget by planning to reuse prosthetics, you might want to reconsider, this is a bad makeup practice - while I appreciate not everyone is rich and can afford a whole array of prosthetics, that's the nature of the industry and it's not a good corner to try to cut. It can lead to bad makeup practices. I've encountered this too many times and it's disappointing to hear about.
If you need to cut costs, ask about rejects - not really a commission thing, but it's a good option and good to know about anyway.
What can I use the prosthetic for?
This isn't really a question I often get, but more of an example of what reasons people might request a commission that I'd be open to.
Single use mould for personal use. Could be for a cosplay you're just doing once, for a Halloween costume, or maybe for a short film that you'd only need a couple pieces for. Even a short run play, I've done a couple custom pieces for a play that only had 3 shows.
Multiple use mould for personal use or work. Same as above, for cosplay (maybe one you plan on doing a lot), or for a Halloween costume (maybe there's a group of you that all want to look like the same creature). Short or feature length films, or TV shows that will need multiple copies of something simple for background or even leads. Could be for a long run play as well. Or maybe you do makeup demos at conventions or teach makeup at a school and want something specific, or just custom.
Reselling. I have spoken with people before about this, it's never actually happened, but I'm more than happy if you want to add a custom prosthetic to your own shop - just con't claim you made it yourself, that's kinda sleazy. Otherwise, if you run a shop and sell prosthetics, but don't make your own and want something custom - we can arrange something. If you sell makeup and want to sell a piece of your own design, that's doable too. Or if you're part of a LARP group and want some custom ears that your members can buy that's exclusive to you.
Drag shows. Any performance type thing really, I have sold pieces to drag performers over the last couple years, some featured on TV shows. I think I've seen some that were used in a burlesque show as well even. If you've a character you want to create for any kind of live performance and need a custom piece, that's totally doable.
And there's probably other random things people want prosthetics for, I doesn't really matter too much to me what you plan to do with them, maybe just don't rob banks or commit crimes in my prosthetics.
Why does it cost so much?
This is a valid question, but also a frustrating one to deal with. Again it's a budget thing, I know not everyone is rich and can't afford all this crap, but the process takes a long time and that time is mine and I deserve to be paid for it.
I had a customer once assume that because the ears I was selling cost $25 CAD (at that time) that a commission should only cost that was well. They then expressed that I was being misleading somehow - this is an issue with them not understanding anything about the process, and that's okay, but it's not okay to make accusations about my honesty, that will just be the end of the conversation.
So, in case you're someone who agrees with the individual in the above mentioned incident, here's why commissions cost what they do.
"Off the shelf" pieces, ones that have already been designed, sculpted and moulded have been done with an investment of my time, with the hopes after selling several I'll have recouped my investment and then it's just the expense of making a copy in foam latex.
A commission piece requires the process from scratch, mouds have to be made, sculpting has to be done - all of this has real world costs that need to be covered, and you will be the one covering those costs. The materials can be expensive, I'm not interested in donating those. My time is valuable, regardless of what you might think, and that needs to be compensated for as well. So that's what you're paying for, my time in doing all this work, which can be several hours, to dozens of hours. I don't work for free, I don't do free work for exposure (and nor should any artist ever be asked to compromise themself like that), I do this so I can earn a living - this is my job and 99% of the time I fucking love it, don't be in that 1%, please.
I am willing to work within a budget, but only so much. There is a $300 CAD Minimum Amount now, so any budget less than that, I can't work with.
If you want a hard cost? $25 CAD an hour, between mid-November to early June. Between the months of June and early- November, it's $50 CAD an hour, subject to change depending on just how busy I already am, but that's the minimum rate during that time period.
Is that is?
That's more or less it. From time to time unusual questions or request arise, but for the most part this covers all the information that the average person needs to know about before asking about a commission.
Consider all this of this before asking for a commission, it might not be right for you, and I can tell when it's not. I talk people out of commissions as often as I accept commissions, when I get the sense they're in over their heads and might not fully understand what they want I suggest something else if possible. I'd rather lose a potential commission, than take someone's money not caring if they're happy with the final product or not.
And I might be adjusting all this information over time, so it's not meant to be set in stone.