"I'm Broke, But Can You Make Me a Masterpiece?"

Why custom art isn’t free just because the tools got faster

So, let me paint you a picture.

You’re an artist, illustrator, or other visual content creator who’s incorporated AI into your workflow at some point. One day, you open up Facebook, Instagram, TicketyTok, or wherever it is you go online when you feel like sharing some of your renders.

There’s a message request waiting there for you.

Maybe it’s from someone you know in passing. Could be from someone you’ve never met who stumbled across something you made at random. Either way, they’re reaching out in search of custom artwork for a CD cover, a tattoo design, or maybe just a gift for a friend.

And while they admit they’re broke and don’t have a lot of money to throw around, they’re hoping that maybe — just maybe — you can help them out. Cheaply.

Cue the sigh. Cue the eye rub. Cue the immediate inner monologue of, “Do I even have the bandwidth for this? Because I know how this usually goes…”

Spoiler: It goes like this more often than not. And yet… I might still say yes.

Let’s talk about it.

The Opening Line Every Artist Knows by Heart

“I don’t have much money, but…”

I have heard this exact sentence — verbatim — dozens upon dozens of times over the years. It’s basically the universal handshake of freelance digital artists, especially those of us who dabble in AI or otherwise use digital tools to bring our visions to life.

It’s never malicious. It’s not even always entitled. A lot of the time, it’s just how people are used to opening the door. They lead with scarcity, with apology, and with the hope that you’ll either:

• Feel bad for them and cut your rate, or…
• Be so balls-out passionate about art that you’ll do it for free because you love making art just that damn much

But here’s the thing. I do love making art. A lot. Always have and almost certainly always will. And that’s exactly why I don’t just give the things I make away for a fart and a song.

“But Doesn’t the AI Do It All?”

Ah, yes. The classic, not to mention the direct descendant of what used to be, “Doesn’t Photoshop/the computer do most of the work?” when digital art first became a thing.

Love it or hate it, there’s a pervasive assumption out there that making AI-assisted art is just pressing a button and walking away with a masterpiece, like jamming a coin into a gumball machine and waiting for Michelangelo to pop out in JPEG form.

But let’s be clear:

• AI art programs are tools.
• They do not dream for you.
• They do not revise, refine, or balance composition for you while you sit there sipping your iced coffee and picking your nose.
• They do not check resolution, export ratios, or handle creative direction.

They definitely don’t respond to a client’s vague request for “a dark but vibey forest scene with maybe like, eyes or something, but make it not too creepy, you know what I mean?”

No. I don’t. But I’ll try anyway. Because that’s what artists do.

Why I Charge What I Charge

Here’s the truth. I don’t even charge that much.

Most of my quotes these days start at around $75 or so for a single polished image. Not a full album package. Not typography or graphic design. Not an entire multiverse of different versions. Just one custom image, thoughtfully created based on your vision as discussed.

But… you’re not just paying for the image. You’re paying for:

• The time and effort it takes me to understand your vision
• The artistic acumen it took me years to develop, long before anyone had even heard of Midjourney or Stable Diffusion
• The fine-tuning, editing, and sometimes literal hours of prompt iteration
• The energy it costs to create on demand, especially when I’m already busy and worn out

Even a $75 commission represents a deal, not a cash grab. And yes, the reason I don’t charge a lot more than that is that AI makes it possible for me to speed up the creation process considerably. But you’d be amazed how often even that modest fee makes people flinch.

Why I Mostly Don’t Do Commissions Anymore

The truth is, I’ve stepped away from commission artwork of any kind almost entirely over the years. Not because I’m above it, but because most projects eat up way too much of my time and emotional energy for what most people are willing and able to pay.

I’ve had:

• Clients ghost after multiple drafts
• People ask for twelve micro-revisions on a $40 piece
• “Exposure” offers that are just sad attempts to avoid paying at all
• Emotional bargaining from folks who genuinely can’t afford what they’re asking, but also don’t seem to realize I’m not running a charity

And when making art starts to bleed into tedious customer service territory, it loses a lot of what draws me to it in the first place. The joy, the weirdness, the soul of it. And that’s too high a price, especially at this point in my life and creative career.

So, If You’re a Creator, Some Advice…

You don’t necessarily need to be an artist to get where I’m coming from here, I’m sure. So, whether you’re a visual artist, writer, musician, or some beautiful blend of all three, here are a few things I’ve learned in my nearly two decades of creative freelance experience.

1. Lead with your boundaries, not your discounts

Don’t wait until the third message to mention your rates and set proper expectations. Shout ’em right out up front. If they flinch, pay attention.

2. Trust the red flags when you see them

If someone is already haggling or guilt-tripping before a single draft has been started? Don’t ignore that sinking feeling. Because it’s going to get worse, not better.

3. Say “no” without explaining

You don’t have to justify why you’re not available or not interested, if that’s indeed the case. “I’m not taking on projects right now” is a complete and valid sentence.

4. Know your energy budget

If you’re already running low on creative gas — emotionally, mentally, physically — ask yourself if this is truly worth the additional creative bandwidth it will cost you. Experience has taught me that when in doubt, it’s better to just pass.

When I Do Say Yes

Sometimes? It’s worth it.

If someone’s polite. If they respect my time. If they’re excited, genuinely collaborative, and not trying to nickel-and-dime every detail. If the project actually sounds like something I want to be part of and aligns with what I enjoy putting out there…

That’s when I decide to step back in, even just briefly.

Like the guy who messaged me earlier this week. He was honest about his limited budget, yes. But he also respected my rate, was kind in his approach, and didn’t try to talk me down. He wanted a single image. I gave him the starting quote, and he said, “OK, sick!”

That alone makes him a rare creature in the wild. So we’ll see how it unfolds.

Some Closing Takeaways (for Artists and Clients)

If you’re a client looking for creative work and you find an artist who blows your hair back with what they can do:

• Lead with your vision, not your poverty.
• Respect that artists need to eat, too.
• Don’t confuse tools with effortlessness.

And if you’re an artist, especially one who’s eager to take on new freelance projects or build a portfolio:

• You don’t owe your labor to anyone who doesn’t value it.
• You get to rest.
• You get to pick and choose which projects you take on.
• You get to make your art on your terms.

Now, I get that there are those out there who don’t like AI and avoid it like it’s bird flu. But if you’re one of the many who do like making (or looking at) AI-assisted art, you need to understand that AI hasn’t made art worthless. It’s made skillful, intentional, emotionally intelligent art — however it was or wasn’t made — more important than ever.

And no, the AI didn’t do it all.

I did.