Non-Monetary Art Commissions and Trades
Original art and art commissions may be traded in the Museum Shop or privately on the forum under the rules below. For the purposes of these rules, “original art” refers to art personally created by the member. It does not include AI-generated content, images made using character-creation tools (e.g., Picrew), or any other content not made entirely by the member.
Allowed Transactions
You may trade original artwork or art commissions (digital or physical) for:
- In-game items or currency.
- Forum collectibles or forum currency.
- Other artwork (i.e., art exchange).
Transactions involving real-life currency (RLC) fall under separate guidelines.
Prohibited Transactions
The following may not be traded:
- AI-generated content, including text, images, audio, or video.
- Images made using character creation tools (e.g., Picrew).
- Collages or images that include artwork not entirely created by the member.
- Art for real-life currency without adhering to the separate RLC guidelines.
Where Transactions May Be Organized
Art commissions that involve the exchange of forum currency or collectibles must be arranged through the Museum Shop or otherwise directly on The Bell Tree Forums (e.g., forum direct messages). Art transactions arranged off-site (e.g., on Discord) will not be considered forum transactions.
Minimum Requirements for Art Commission Threads
Art commission selling threads must include:
- Examples of artwork.
- Pricing.
- Expected turnaround times.
- Revision limits.
- Refund or cancellation policy.
- Terms of use (ownership, credit, resale permissions).
Threads missing this information may require revision.
Scope and Liability
Museum Shop transactions are agreements between members. The Bell Tree:
- Will moderate non-monetary transactions that occur on-site, where those transactions involve forum currency or forum collectibles.
- Will not moderate non-monetary transactions that occur off-site, except to address rule violations where applicable.
- Will moderate any on-site forum rule violations that occur during a transaction.
- May restrict access to the Museum Shop for members who do not act in good faith when trading. This will be after review, and at the discretion of staff.
Member Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Buyers and Sellers to:
- Keep all agreed terms on-site and in writing, including what is being commissioned, the cost, and the time-frame.
- Report any on-site rule violations.
- Report transactions that are not completed.
Recommended Safety Practices for Buyers and Sellers
While not required, it is heavily recommended that:
- Both parties first review feedback system ratings and past transactions.
- Buyers first review previously completed commissions.
- Sellers provide all work-in-progress images or sketches with watermarks in place until the transaction is complete.
- Sellers define all associated costs, what is included within a commission, and what types of changes can be made.
- Both parties agree to all details of the commission, terms, use, ownership, and how to credit or attribute the artist.
Leaving Feedback
After on-site transactions, members may leave feedback via the feedback rating system.
Art Commissions Using Real-Life Currency
The only items that may be sold on the forums for real-life currency (RLC) are original art and art commissions. Members may arrange these services through the Museum Shop or privately on the forums. However, any exchange involving real-life currency falls outside the forum’s responsibility and moderation scope, even when occurring on-site.
Allowed Transactions
Selling original art and art commissions (digital or physical) for RLC.
Prohibited Transactions
Selling any of the following items for RLC:
- AI-generated content, including images, text, audio, or video.
- Images made with character creation tools (e.g., Picrew).
- Collages or other images not comprised entirely of the member's own work.
- Digital codes or keys (including invitation codes for Toyhou.se).
Additionally, do not include in-game items, in-game currency, forum collectibles, forum currency, or items with real-world value except art within RLC transactions.
Where You May Organize RLC Transactions
RLC art commissions may be arranged through the Museum Shop or through direct messages on The Bell Tree Forums. Even if you know a seller from TBT, off-site conversations are outside staff moderation, so proceed with caution. We do not moderate off-site activity as part of a RLC transaction.
Scope and Liability
RLC transactions are private agreements between members. The Bell Tree:
- Does not process RLC payments.
- Does not guarantee delivery or quality of artwork.
- Does not mediate disputes.
- Does not intervene in cases of quality, loss, unfulfilled work, or financial charge-backs or discrepancies.
- Will moderate any forum rule violations that occur on-site (e.g., harassment, threats) during a RLC transaction.
- May not moderate rule-violating behavior that occurs off-site during a RLC transaction.
- Cannot assist in ensuring payments or artwork are delivered.
- May restrict access to the Museum Shop for members who do not act in good faith when trading. This will be after review, and at the discretion of staff.
Member Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Buyers and Sellers to:
- Understand the risks associated with RLC art transactions and proceed at their own risk.
- Keep all agreed terms in writing, including what is being commissioned, the price, and the time-frame.
- Use secure payment methods.
- Avoid sharing unnecessary personal or financial information.
- Report any on-site rule violations.
Written Agreements
It is
highly recommended that all RLC transactions have a formal agreement between members. If you do not have one, a template is provided below.
Template
Note: The below contract is provided as a template and example only. It does not constitute legal advice, and The Bell Tree cannot guarantee that it is legally binding in your jurisdiction.
Artwork Commission Contract - Template / Example Only
1. Parties[/B]
This agreement is entered into on [Date] between:
Artist: [Artist’s name]
Client: [Client’s name]
2. Description of the Commission
The artist and client agree to the following details of the commission:
- Medium:
[Digital, physical, etc.]
- Description of work:
[Detailed description of subject, characters, references, pose, style, etc.]
- Type of artwork:
[e.g., illustration, character portrait, icon, banner]
- Size / resolution:
[e.g., 3000 × 3000 px, 300 DPI]
- Background:
[None / simple / detailed / transparent]
- Extras and additional costs:
[Itemized list, if applicable]
- Number of drafts or sketches provided:
[x]
- Maximum number of free revisions:
[x]
(Additional revisions may incur extra fees.)
3. Timeline
Estimated completion: [specific date] OR [x] weeks from receipt of deposit. Unforeseen delays will be communicated as soon as possible to discuss a revised timeline or alternative solution.
4. Payment Terms
- Total price: $[x]
- Deposit required: [e.g., 25% of the total price]
- Remaining balance: [e.g., 75% of the total price]
- Payment method: [e.g., PayPal, Ko-fi]
A non-refundable deposit is required before work begins. The deposit must be received within [x] weeks of this agreement being sent. If payment is not received by [full date, time, and time zone], this agreement becomes void and neither party has further obligation. The remaining balance is due upon completion, and before final delivery of the work.
5. Revisions and Approval
The artist will provide the number of drafts and revisions listed within these terms. Once all included revisions have been used, any further changes may incur additional fees or be declined at the artist’s discretion. If, after all agreed drafts and revisions have been completed, the client chooses not to proceed, the artist will retain the artwork and the initial deposit. No further obligation exists for either party.
6. Delivery of Artwork
- Delivery method: [e.g., email, Google Drive, Dropbox]
- File format(s): [e.g., PNG, JPG]
- Layered/source files: [Included / Not included]
This agreement is intended primarily for digital delivery. Physical shipping is not included unless explicitly stated and agreed upon in writing.
7. Copyright and Usage Rights
The artist retains full copyright to the artwork. The artwork [may / may not] be resold, modified, or used for commercial purposes unless otherwise agreed in writing.
8. Artist Cancellation
If the artist is unable to complete the commission for any reason, all payments made by the client will be fully refunded.
9. Client Inactivity
If the client fails to respond to requests for draft or revision feedback, approval, or required information for [x] days, the commission may be considered abandoned. No refund will be issued in this case.
10. Agreement
By signing below, both parties confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this agreement.
Client Signature:
Date:
Artist Signature:
Date:
Recommended Safety Practices for Buyers and Sellers
While not required, it is recommended that:
- Both parties review feedback system ratings and prior RLC transactions.
- Buyers review finished art commissions.
- Sellers provide all work-in-progress images or sketches with watermarks in place until the transaction is complete.
- Sellers define the number of revisions or changes that can be made to a commission.
- Sellers define the currency being used, when an order may be canceled, refund conditions, whether there are non-refundable deposits, and any fees or additional charges (including who is responsible for charges like PayPal fees).
- Both parties sign an agreement outlining details of terms, use, ownership, dates, file types, resolution, delivery, cost and fees, credit/attribution, and resale permissions.
- Both parties use payment methods that provide minimum identifying information (e.g., avoid using bank transfers or using an email address that contains your real name).
Leaving Feedback
After on-site transactions, members may leave feedback via the feedback rating system. You may not leave feedback for off-site transactions, even if you know them from The Bell Tree.
Forum members who have a negative on-site RLC transaction should report the transaction for review by staff. While staff will not moderate RLC transactions as described above, users who do not act in good faith in the Museum Shop may be restricted from participating in that board.
Disclaimer
The Bell Tree Forums are not responsible for any real-money transactions which take place between members. All monetary exchanges are private agreements between members. Participate only if you understand and accept full personal responsibility.