I have received several vexel commission requests and seeing as I'm nowhere near professional, I decided to make this very unprofessional information list that I hope will be of reference to somebody in need of a vexel!

First... What is a vexel?
Though the type of art associated with this term has evolved greatly over even as recent as the last year, a vexel is very similar to vector artwork. The main difference you may notice, however, is that a vexel need not have strictly vector layers and can have other, more raster-oriented techniques used to create it as long as the result resembles a work created with 'clean, block shapes' (qtd. in vexels.net).

Most vexels are made from reproducing existing images. Some, however, can be created from scratch the same way you would create an original drawing. Tami-Chan and Kiss From a Rose, the last two below, are examples of original vexels created without photographic references*.
* Tami-Chan's line-art was created overtop a pencil sketch and the color was improvised. For Kiss From a Rose, both the lineart and color were improvised.

:thumb33953463: :thumb35404569: :thumb28298970: :thumb27618852: :thumb39153165: :thumb40723963:

To "vexel a photo" essentially means to redraw/re-create that photo with vector layers overtop of it. It can be vexelled while staying true to every part of the photo, or some aspects, such as eye color, or even body part position and hairstyle, can be altered -- artistic knowledge is an important part of vexelling.

If you've never vexelled before and would like to try, I have some tutorials written that may help get you started! Or...

If you have a photo, drawing, or idea that you would like someone to make into a vexel and you don't mind my vexelling style, please read on!
If all goes well, don't hesitate to write me a note or email me at deviantart[at]akirichan.net and we'll discuss your project. ^^

• Price. Large-size photo-realistic vexels as well as complex original (no-reference) vexels, such as Kiss From a Rose (last above), Roxas (1st above), Solitude (2nd), and Flower Child (3rd) (as well as all accompanying backgrounds and graphics) start at $100. (This price doesn't tend to change unless the vexel takes significantly longer than expected.)
  
  
• More simplistic vector art, line art, or original (no-reference) work, such as Tami-Chan (5th above), will be roughly $8 per hour of work. (Price may be decreased or increased based on its complexity.)
  
  
• Payment. You must have a way of making a payment via Paypal. I don't require payment up front (unless you really really want to =] ) until I finish the vexel, at which point I will send you a low-resolution proof of the vexel. After that, I take your money and send you the watermark-free vexel! Short and sweet.
  You will receive a finalized, polished, high-resolution .JPG file. I can send you the .PSD if needed for an extra charge, but the price, if any, depends on the particular vexel.
  
  
• Deadlines. As I am a college student (lacking money, time, and a life), I may not always finish vexels quickly. In fact, since most take between 30 and 50 hours, I have to spread out my working and a vexel can take me very many days. At times when I have especially much going on, they can take me over a week or two. For the sake of the quality of the final result, I ask that you please request vexels with ample time -- generally 1-2 weeks -- before you would like them finished.
  
  
• Modifications. Additional changes and alterations to the vexel may be made after completion before you pay and I send you the vexel. There will be no extra charge unless the modifications you request are major (particular to each vexel ).
  Please note that after you review the low-resolution proof, pay, and I send you the final product, modifications will be considered a separate project and will be priced accordingly.
  
  
• Contact. You can write me a dA note or send an email to me at deviantart[at]akirichan.net. But please make sure you've read everything above so you know what you're getting yourself into! [:
  


Please also see this page if you would like more detailed information.

~Natalie